Bruu Tea

I received my first Bruu Tea Club package today after being tempted by a trial price of £2.99 for my first one instead of the usual £10. One thing that temped me was that you get random little things included each month, one blog review mentioned receiving seeds, chocolates, tealights, tealight paper holder, sweets and that sort of thing. I always love a surprise so I took the plunge.

I took a picture of my box on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJSXnnpDTjp/?taken-by=kittychajin

As you can see this box was Olympic themed and I got a random flag (Somalia in this case), a party blower, a cocktail umbrella and a gold coin chocolate. It also comes with a printed club letter explaining a little information about the teas and some notes on the gifts included with the theme for this months box.

The first tea I tried was Pina Colada Green which is coming to SororiTea Sisters soon. Second is this Brazilian Blend which I have already had a cup of this earlier and my review will be to the second cup. It’s a little silly really because I didn’t know what it tasted of before so I don’t know how I’m going to review it this time.

Ingredients: Mate Green, Red Currants, Papaya Pieces, Bamboo Leaves, Rose Petals and Strawberry Chips.

Raw Leaf: I can see a leaf heavy mix with some rose petals and strawberry chips in though not many, and even less papaya pieces. It smells like soft tropical fruit with a fresh herbalness behind it.

Once Steeped: A yellow liquid is created that bares a mate, herbal type of smell. Don’t ask me what mate smells like because I have no idea how to explain it, it has it’s own unique smell. Think herbal, grassy and toasted all in one.

Flavour wise the mate is the strongest which matches the scent I tried to describe above. It’s not too dry or strong which becomes sweeter with the fruity after taste. Refreshing and light making it easily drinkable which is why I had a second cup of it, that and the stimulating effect. I’ve tried mate a few times and haven’t liked it but this was actually pleasant.

I’m glad I took a chance with the Bruu Tea Club, I have one more tea to try and have agreed to carry on next month for the full £10. I wonder what I will receive next month?

Dry leaf smelled like roasted mate, marshmallow, and something inedible that reminded me of an old house. Luckily, the smell of the brew smelled amazing, like sweet milky butter. I was surprised that it didn’t smell like mate.

The brew didn’t taste quite like the smell. It still had a creamy mouthfeel and flavor, with a little bit of sweetness. However, the predominating flavor was more like a green mate. It wasn’t bad for a mate flavor.

A mild floral note lets you enjoy a lovely black tea with gentle hints of rose. An accessible tea, perfect for those exploring rose or just want to enjoy a nice gentle cuppa. full review at: http://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2016/02/26/roseamour/

Extract from [http://www.tastethetea.co.uk/2016/02/23/welovemango/]

Aroma
A grassy note combined with a beautiful tropical, fruity aroma. We Love Mango smells like sunshine on a Caribbean beach. Close your eyes and just imagine it.

Flavour
When I first tried this blend, I brewed it for a lot longer than recommended 30 seconds. A naughty 2 minutes. I thought I’d got away with it. But alas, no. There’s a reason Bruu suggest 30 seconds. The first half of the cup was delicious, but the further through the cup I got, the bitterer the blend became, until I couldn’t face another mouthful. I was getting a horrible metallic flavour on the back on my tongue, which stuck around for a while. Surprise, surprise, when brewed for the correct amount of time, the taste was consistently pleasant throughout the whole cup and, bonus, stronger mango notes.

Extract of a review from www.tastethetea.co.uk ; I’ve had Rosey Rhubarb a few times now and it’s safe to say this is one of my favourite blends from Bruu. The green tea, adds a minor grassy under note, but nothing too detectable because the predominant flavour in this, you may not be surprised to read, is rhubarb; a slightly unusual ingredient and something I’ve not encountered previously. However, it works so, so well, to implement a fruity, sour flavour with a slightly creamy finish.

Extract from the review at www.tastethetea.co.uk ; Flavour
The first thing to note, the suggested brewing time creates a heavy bitter citric note (kind of like orange peel). When brewed for a shorter time, approximately 1 minute, the bitterness reduced to a palatable level, letting the orange-like flavours extend without being overpowering, perfect for those sleepy afternoons at work when you need a pick-me-up. Alternatively, if you like something punchy in the morning, this is your tea.

Tasting #1 – Steep Time 2 Minutes
Initial aroma is heavy on the herbs, sage is the one I can distinguish out of the mix. And there is a slight sweetness, reminiscent of anise. Initial flavor is still heavy on the herbs followed by something spicy, maybe ginger root, and then the anise again. When I take a large gulp all the flavors merge together into deliciousness.

Tasting #2 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
The sweetness has come out in the aroma more, mixing with the herbs evenly. The sweetness has come out in the flavor as well, also mixing evenly with the herbs. There is a light aftertaste of sweetness and a stronger zest of spicy.

Tasting #3 – Steep Time 6 Minutes
There is a nice evenness in the aroma now, I can’t determine which are stronger or come first. The spiciness has come out in the flavors now followed by the subtle sweetness of anise. The herbs are in the background dancing in my mouth.

My absolute favorite nighttime and afternoon tea- fruity, vibrant, not too caffeinated, and impeccably balanced.