Oct 29
Review: TeaGschwendner Smooth Strawberry Dream
Caramel Tea, Decaffeinated Tea, Honeybush Tea, Strawberry Tea, TeaGschwendner Add commentsDan’s Teaview Snapshot
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Here is another of TeaGschwendner's offerings that contains caramel. A spokesperson for the company was super sweet enough to take note of one of my earlier reviews in which I bemoaned the fact that no good caramel tea seems to exist, and sent me several samples of their offerings with Caramel in them so that I could seek the truth. One of those blends - the Rooibush Cream Caramel - was the first, true winner that I had virtually EVER found. A tea with caramel that wasn't dusty and gnarly? Score! Will the Smooth Strawberry Dream live up to the test? Let's find out, shall we?Rooibos' close cousin, Honeybush, is the base tea here. The additives here include pieces of caramel, strawberry bits and leaves, and - they had to do it - "natural" flavor. Of what, I can't say, but I'm guessing it's berry-related. The aroma of the dried tisane is exquisite, as you might expect from the bevy of sweet ingredients. The strawberry leaves mimic the Honeybush in size. Perhaps the bits of strawberry and caramel do also, as I can't seem to locate many of them.
The recommendation is for 2 tsp infused in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. I stuck with the middle range, and let it steep for about 7 minutes. The liquor brewed up to a nice amber-red ale color. Aroma in the cup is equally decadent as the dried blend. And the taste? Fantastic, my friends. This is probably my favorite rooibos/honeybush blend I've set my lips to. If ever there was a true dessert tea, this is it. Absolutely flawless in sweet delicacy which would make you wonder about the "guilt free" aspect of this. Is it really? The balance of strawberry flavor is perfect with the honeybush - the caramel has a small presence, but is detectable, and provides a smooth creaminess to the texture and taste. This is pretty much exactly what this type of tea should be about. I didn't try this tea iced, but I am thinking it would make a phenomenal summer day thirst quencher as well. Swap this for the kids' Kool Aid and I would be willing to bet they might even prefer it.
Congrats, TeaGschwendner - you've crafted a little slice of perfection.
— To purchase TeaGschwendner Smooth Strawberry Dream, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular blend, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.
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October 31st, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I never like it when companies use the term, “natural,” regarding ingredients, because it can typically mean practically anything. (Natural as opposed to supernatural, perhaps, or unnatural and evil?) Of course, they mean, “comes from nature without scientific interference,” but I think people use that meaning with quite a wide latitude of meaning, as well.
Sounds to be an interesting tea, though; and I’m very glad you found something you love this much. It’s always such a rare treat when you stumble across something that perfectly suits your sensibility.