73 Tasting Notes
Although orange flavoring is well down the list of ingredients, I like this tea. It has nice, citrusy and bright flavor. A little bit of German rock sugar adds some sweetness. I just happened to try this tea in the Mall of America store a couple of years ago and liked it. Of course, I was sold a too-large canister of German rock sugar, which I am still using. But this tea is one that I will order again.
My second favorite fruit-flavored green tea from Teavana. Green tea is the first ingredient on the list; unfortunately cranberries are ahead of pomegranate flavors, as well as sunflower oil as a part of the cranberries. I find that to be an odd ingredient in a fruit-flavored tea, but still, this tea does taste good. Especially with an organic lemon wedge to brighten up the flavors. I have ordered it online more than once and continue to like the taste.
On first taste, this tea clearly tastes of hibiscus, not strawberries. Hibiscus is the first ingredient and white tea is the third; I find that this is a somewhat tart cup for it to be called “Strawberry Cream.” It IS a decent hibiscus tea, but there is the lingering “cream” aftertaste that just tastes artificial. At first I liked this tea, but as I’ve consumed my 2 ounce envelope, I just don’t think I’ll order it again. I found that an organic lemon wedge helps the flavor; yes it makes it more sour, but I think it also makes it better.
I see a common theme in reviews of Teas from Teavana; too much fruit, way too much hibiscus, not nearly enough tea. I agree. I am becoming much pickier in the teas I drink and I am really noticing the lack of tea leaves.
I was inthe Mall of America Teavana store and thought this sounded interesting, so I asked to smell the tea. The aroma was great as was the descriptive name. However, when brewed it tasted heavy like a sweeter red wine. I guess that’s where the “Sangria” part of the name comes from. There were citrus notes too, but I didn’t detect anything that could lend itself to the “Champagne” part of the name. You cannot re-brew these leaves, the tea is astonishingly weak when you do. And when I took a good look at the tea I discovered there really wasn’t very much black tea in it.
I have to differ from the directions that you put in 1 tsp of tea per cup. With a tea mug that is only 8-10 ounces, I need to put in 2 tsp for black or a plain green tea but 3 for some of the fruit-laden teas. I was told by a sales person at the MOA store that they recommend 2 tsp for a smaller tea mug. That makes this tea more expensive than what the flavor is worth. I won’t buy this again.
I absolutely love this tea! It will warm you up on a cold night, or a cold day (it’s below 0F where I live today, so I’m drinking a lot of tea)!
This tea has intense yet mellow flavors of coconut and ginger, with a touch of cardamom and black pepper. This is a very complex blend and satisfying cup after cup. It’s good plain or with vanilla flavored almond milk. Don’t change a thing, Teavana!
I bought this tea at the Mall of America Teavana store when I went in to get more Earl Grey Creme. The fragrance of the tea was very nice, so I decided to try a couple ounces. You can taste tropical fruit (sweet), some rose, and a hint of champagne bubble. But quite honestly, I could not taste oolong tea. I think they put too much sweet fruit in this tea as it is just too sweet for me. And they really need to bump up the amount of oolong; I took a good look at the dried tea that I had and did not see very much actual tea in the bag. An unfortunate disappointment. I won’t buy again.
I have received two sample envelopes of this pre-blended from Teavana with rock sugar, as well as being convinced by the store staff to buy two packets and blend it myself. I like the combination; it makes a flavorful and fruity cup of tea. Adding a little bit of rock sugar enhances the flavor; what comes in the pre-blended samples makes it syrupy. I think this is the best tasting blend that Teavana currently sells, so I’ll give it a good rating.
I have to mention that I agree with another reviewer about her overall feeling regarding the Teavana stores; as my husband puts it, “If you don’t buy $200 worth of tea, they treat you like crap.” (This was at the Mall of America store in Bloomington, MN.) Well, I’ve had very bad luck ordering online too. My last shipment arrived with two packets in a larger box, and the shipping list showed that 12 were included. That’s right, 10 2 oz packets were missing. I called customer service and they made it right (but I had to wait 4-5 days to get the rest of my tea). Check your orders from Teavana!
The tea sachets are handy and make this an easy tea to prepare, but that’s where the truly positive ends. I bought a tin of this (50 unbleached tea bags) at Whole Foods in St. Paul, MN. I felt that the black tea had a bitter undercurrent to it. I even tried steeping the tea with lukewarm water and under-steeping it time-wise. There was a light bitterness to every cup. Could it have been old tea? That’s why I mention the store from which it was purchased. Also, I could not detect a mango flavor. I bought this tea in desperation as I had just run out of Teavana black teas; since getting this tea, I have managed to wean myself from even black tea (I only occasionally drink coffee, and have not touched pop/soda for 26 years). I just wouldn’t buy this again.
I really, really like this tea! Rich berry flavors on a delicate white tea. It may not be terribly original or novel, but it certainly is good. From the first cup to the last in all of the envelopes I have purchased, it has been entirely consistent and good. Smooth with rich sweet berry flavors; the tea that I have purchased has not been sour or bitter. I will continue to buy this tea as it does not have any additives other than tea, fruit, and hibiscus flowers. Satisfying.
