Tiesta's founder claims that this was the tea that inspired them to create the company. However, in their "About" section, they mentioned that it was a Czech blend called Granny's Garden that gave them the epiphany. They also offer a Granny's Garden blend of their own, which I tried and found favorable. Half the ingredients in Granny can also be found in the Fireberry blend. I was actually looking forward to the latter because of the more prominent berry presence and the rooibos base. Say what you want about red rooibos, it makes a great base for a fruit medley.

Other ingredients included were hibiscus, currants, rosehips, elderberries, cranberries. Aside from hibiscus, every red fruit they could think of (other than raspberry) seemed to be present in this. Unlike Granny's Garden, this smelled more like the berries it touts rather than the tartness of hibiscus. That wonderful, blood-red flower works best when done in moderation. As we writers say, "Less is more".

Tiesta's "How to Brew" section highlighted infusion instructions for both rooibos and herbals. No surprise, then, that they were both identical. After all, rooibos is an herbal "tea". Recommendations called for a 208F water temperature and a five-to-seven-minute steep. Basically, boiling water and however long the drinker wanted to wait. I used 1 teaspoon per 8oz of boiled water and waited six minutes.

The liquor brewed to a dark, sangria red with a wonderful rose and cranberry aroma. Tartness and sourness were at least understated in the scent, to my relief. Taste-wise, it was like having fruit juice out of a spiking-hot cauldron. This tisane is aptly named - berry juice that's been lit on fire. Definitely far more inspirational than their Granny's Garden, this leaves an impression and aftertaste of its accompanying ingredients.

— To purchase Tiesta Tea Fireberry, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular tea, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.

Geoff Teaviews.com Reviewer » Read more about this reviewer on Geoff's profile page. » Find a list of recent posts by Geoff.

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