If you will recall from my review of their Prickly Pear Cactus Tea, I loved my visit to Tucson’s Tohono Chul Park. While I was there this past summer, I picked up two cactus teas, the aforementioned Prickly Pear, and this tea: Saguaro Blossom Cactus Tea.
Of the two, this one is definitely my favorite. This tea possesses an exquisite sweetness that I would not describe as sugary sweet, but more of like a berry-fruity sweetness, much like a fruit salad composed of a bounty of fresh strawberries that have been ripened in the summer sun, as well as crisp apples and juicy honeydew melons.
After reading the ingredient list (provided below), I realize why I taste the strawberry – it’s in there! But it doesn’t taste entirely of strawberry. The Saguaro cactus fruit provides its own interesting flavor that I would describe as sort of apple-melon-ish, which creates a real depth of fruit flavor. This tea finishes with only a slight tartness that sort of tingles on the tongue, and although there is this hint of tartness, I certainly would not classify this tea as a tart tea. It is pleasantly sweet, with a lovely, smooth flavor.
Tohono Chul Park describes this tea as
The adversity endured by the giant saguaro cactus is incredible. Approximately 1% of saguaro seedlings survive the first year. It takes 3 years to reach a hight of one half inch. After 50 years most saguaros blossom for the first time. Out of approximately 40 million seeds produced by a saguaro in 100 years of blooming, perhaps only one will develop into a mature plant which produces fruit. According to Native American legend, the first saguaro cactus was created when a girl sank into the ground and rose back up as a giant cactus, arms raised to the sky. We bring you a taste of the Southwest desert in this limited edition Saguaro Blossom Cactus Tea
Ingredients: Rosehips, Rose Leaves, Strawberries, Saguaro Cactus Fruit, Natural Flavors.
This is a tea that would be delicious served hot or iced. It’s cold right now, so I’m drinking it hot, but, when I first bought the package, I tried some iced, and it was very good. I add a drizzle of agave nectar and it enhances the berry flavor quite a bit, although it’s pretty good without sweetener too. I really like this particular tea with a slice of lemon.
This tea is available from the La Fuente gift shop located at the entrance of Tohono Chul Park. I checked with the online shop but it is not currently available for purchase online through Tohono Chul Park, although you might be able to find it through a google search. I think it would definitely be worth the effort if you’re looking for a delicious yet unusual tea. This one certainly fits in that category!
Comment by March 6, 2010 @ 4:24 pm
TeaHawk said:
Great review of a VERY unusual tea~
I’m not usually one for tisanes, but I love the description. It’s like the taste gets better with every hardship the cactus endures!
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