The Republic of Tea

Went out to get some fresh air and it started snowing like crazy. Ended up slipping and bumping my knees, so I headed back before I really got started. On the plus side, took a travel mug of this with me and it kept me warm and toasty.

I really love this tea. Good black tea with a sweet peach taste.

I decided to leave some of the loose leaves in my cup today and have a little spontaneous tea-leaf reading. (What you’re doing while sipping the tea really effects the meaning of the reading – like this one focused a bit on the emails I had been typing while drinking the cup.) The overall reading was unexpected, but not surprising after the last couple of years. A pleasant experience, all together.

Mixed with half a Fresca iced. Tangerine + grapefruit = not so good. Going to have the rest of the pot hot and neat.

There is just something about this tea. The smell reminds me of something from my childhood, but for the life of me I can’t remember what. One sip, and I’m transported back to summer days when I would spend all day riding my bike in my neighborhood with no helmet and no worries.

Okay, for the actual review: extremely fruity, with a very strong tangerine taste. Out of the hibiscus teas I’ve had from Republic of Tea (and that’s all except for the Vanilla one and the plain one), this is by far my favorite. I brew for 10 minutes (I like my teas strong).

Tangerine Hibiscus is a World Market exclusive. I’ll happily drive the hour and a little bit to get another tin. In fact, this is my second tin (and that’s not counting the one that’s at my parents’ house). This is also fantastic iced, and is also really good mixed with Country Time lemonade.

Accidentally steeped for 12 minutes (yay for phone calls and me not using a timer)! Love this stuff. I’m already on my second tin of this; it will always be at my house!

This is my first cup of tea whilst at work. Yes, it’s been that kind of day.

And, of course, after it got brewed and ready I had to go to a meeting. Luckily, this tea is still good lukewarm.

Where has this tea been my whole life? I shall never be without it again.

The plantain flavor is perfect: just like a fully ripe, baked plantain. The coconut adds a tropical note. There’s a slight, sweet grassy note at the end of a sip. I plan on getting the plain Raw Green Bush since I’ve never had raw rooibos to compare this to.

I brew for 10 minutes.

This has berries in it? Are you sure? Smells like vanilla cookies to me…tastes like cookies. Perhaps there’s a hint of apple…no, not really. Just vanilla cookie goodness.

NO NO NO NO NOOOOooooo!!! This was so gross I had to add black tea! BAD!

Wanted something fruity today, but not overly sweet.

Made a pot of this today. A perfect choice with a dark chocolate cookie and finishing my to-do list.

I was given this tea in loose leaf form and I absolutely love it- I can brew it both strong and weak and it tastes fine either. I haven’t tried it cold yet, but I am sure it will be lovely!