This is a very tart and crisp tea. I love the flavorings - the raspberry is delicious and very prominent and the lemongrass is also very discernible.
I think that the hibiscus and rosehips were an unfortunate addition to this blend, because it would have tasted so much better without them (too many fruit blends rely heavily on hibiscus and rosehips…if you’ve ever had a “zinger” tea, it probably had hibiscus and rosehips in it). The hibiscus and rosehips contribute heavily to the tartness inherent in this blend.
Because this blend is so naturally tart, a low steep time is recommended. I think the 5-6 minutes suggested by Teavana is a bit much – 1-2 minutes found this tea much more palateable.
Teavana describes this tea as:
Get all-day energy from the invigorating fusion of tart raspberry and lemon, with a high-octane jolt of pure Argentinean Maté. The brisk lemon and tangy raspberry give this green Maté the character and flavor you’re craving.
This Maté tea contains 21 vitamins and minerals. In addition, studies show that Maté teas are a cardiovascular aid, help suppress hunger, aid in weight loss, and act as a mental and physical stimulant. This tea contains approximately the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
Use 1.5 teaspoons of tea per 8oz of water. Heat water to 208 degrees and steep for 5-6 minutes. 2oz of tea equals 25-30 teaspoons.
Ingredients: Green Yerba Maté, raspberries, apple bits, rosehips, hibiscus blossoms, lemongrass, and pink rose buds.
Because of its palate-cleansing tartness, zingy fruit flavor and caffeine, this is the PERFECT morning tea, served hot on cold mornings or cold on hot mornings. This tea is EXCEPTIONAL when iced; I was extremely impressed with how the flavors balanced well when iced.
The appearance of the dried leaves is absolutely stunning, which is par for the course for a Teavana blend…you can see giant whole dried raspberries, long crisp stalks of lemongrass, chunks of apples, and the most beautiful pink rosebuds amidst the green squares of Yerba Maté.
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Recent Comments
"When I was a kid, in the middle of winter, my friend Penny and I eachbought a quart of ice cream, skated to the island in the middle of our lake and ate them. Soooo good and soooo naughty. It keeps us young to be naughty sometimes. I would just go for it an enjoy!"
marlena said, in reply to Better Belly Blend from Two Leaves and a Bud on August 30, 2010 at 12:35 pm
marlena on:
Better Belly Blend from Two Leaves and a Bud
"Well, as someone who has tasted a lot of chai tea, I can attest that this really is not very similar in taste to Chai. Chai tends to focus on the spices, whereas this tea’s focus is on the orange, with the spices being very gentle and more of an accent to the orange."
liber-teas said, in reply to Harvest Orange Spice from Octavia Tea on August 25, 2010 at 11:00 pm
liber-teas on:
Harvest Orange Spice from Octavia Tea
"How fun! I love drinking tea so I love that you have a whole blog related to reviewing them. One brand that I really love that I don’t see on your list is the Portsmouth Tea Company. When I lived in Boston I used to buy lots of their teas and they were oh so unique. They had some really great fruity and floral blends. It’s interesting that..."
Kelly said, in reply to Harvest Orange Spice from Octavia Tea on August 25, 2010 at 11:25 am
Kelly on:
Harvest Orange Spice from Octavia Tea
"Haha!! My co-worker told me that she purchased this tea after having purchased the Matcha Latte at Seattle’s Best, and her and another co-worker purchased this because they believed it was what was served there. She stated to me today that “it didn’t seem the same exactly…it felt like their was something..."
The Tea Guru said, in reply to Matcha Latté with Honeydew from Tazo Tea on August 20, 2010 at 8:55 pm
The Tea Guru on:
Matcha Latté with Honeydew from Tazo Tea
"I’m not absolutely certain, but I believe that this is the concentrate that Seattle’s Best coffee shops use to make their matcha latte. The lattes I’ve enjoyed there were sweet with a definite melon flavor… and I have noticed that they sell other Tazo teas there. If it IS the concentrate that they use… I am..."
liber-teas said, in reply to Matcha Latté with Honeydew from Tazo Tea on August 20, 2010 at 8:47 pm
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Matcha Latté with Honeydew from Tazo Tea
"I Love this tea!! This flavor is my favorite. I am so addicted to it! Thanks
"
Betsy said, in reply to Raspberry Earl from Zhena’s Gypsy Tea on August 20, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Betsy on:
Raspberry Earl from Zhena’s Gypsy Tea
"Steph: Thank you for your information about the naranquilla. I didn’t find the flavor to be very tart at all – which is what I would have expected from the combination of lime and rhubarb. Perhaps the maraschino sweetened it up a bit and made it much more peach-like. It reminded me a bit of candied apricots or peaches."
liber-teas said, in reply to Easter Tea from Dammann Frères on August 19, 2010 at 7:42 pm
liber-teas on:
Easter Tea from Dammann Frères