Tea Blog

Name: Sunshine Lemon Rooibos

Brand: English Tea Store

Type: Rooibos, flavored

Form: Loose leaf

Review: Rooibos is my favorite herb for steeping, and this blend is truly delicious. Sunshine Lemon Rooibos combines the sweet, slightly earthy flavor of rooibos with lemon flavoring and dried lemongrass, creating a desert-like tisane that is a lovely alternative to calorie-laden treats. Reminiscent of lemon meringue pie, this tea is a wonderful way to address sweet cravings.

I’ve tried other versions of lemon rooibos in the past, and note that the English Tea Store’s version is well-balanced: The lemon flavor does not overwhelm the rooibos, but compliments it. If you are the sort that want a very heavy lemon flavor, this tisane may not work well for you, though I would suggest giving it a try. Incidentally, the price of this tisane is ridiculously low, making it an excellent value.

Preparation Tips: Use boiling water for this tea, as it is the best temperature for fully extracting the flavor of the rooibos and herbs. Allow to steep for eight minutes for a full-flavored, rich cup of lemony rooibos. Keep in mind that while rooibos is naturally sweet, it isn’t overly so. If you feel the need for a very sweet tisane, you may need to add some type of sweetener to this tea before serving. Honey may be a good choice, as would plain sugar or a bit of stevia.  Like most rooibos, it does not hold up well to multiple steepings. Discard the leaves from the first steep and use fresh ones for each infusion.

Serving Tips: This is a delightful tisane for sipping on its own, but it also goes well with plain pastries and cookies. It also, for some reason, goes extremely well with chocolate. It also makes a nice iced tea: Try adding a slice of fresh lemon to each glass to intensify the lemon flavor.

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