Berries & Hibiscus
Hibiscus on its own can be quite sharp, and berries on their own can be a little too sweet; the whole idea of this blend is to let the two balance each other out. The berries soften the tartness of the hibiscus, and the hibiscus cuts through the sweetness of the berries, so what you get is the best of both: a cup that is jammy and fruity to begin with, then finishes with a lovely, balanced tartness. It brews to a deep, glowing magenta red, which is rather beautiful in the pot.
It is a caffeine-free infusion rather than a tea, made with hibiscus, elderberries and blackcurrants. Hibiscus itself is worth a word: it is not a tea leaf at all, but the dried calyces (the sepals) of the Hibiscus sabdariffa flower, and it has a long history as a drink across West and Central Africa, where it is popular enough to be the national drink of Senegal. Because there is no tea leaf in it, there is no caffeine either, so it is a lovely one for any time of day.
It is comforting served hot, but do not stop there: it makes a wonderful iced tea, all the more striking for that vivid red colour. One customer put it nicely, calling it "not too tart like some other hibiscus teas, and equally good hot or iced."
One last thing, and I am a little sad to write it: I have decided to retire this blend, so once the current stock has gone, I will not be making any more. If it is a favourite of yours, now is the time to stock up.
Brew at 100°C for 4 to 5 minutes, hot or over ice.
Ingredients || Hibiscus, Elderberries, Black Currants and Natural Flavours
Warning, packed in an environment that contains nuts
Caffeine || No
Tasting Notes || Jammy and fruity, with a balanced, refreshing tartness
Brewing Notes || 1 teaspoon per cup, 100ºC, brew for 4-5 minutes.