I'm having a tough time describing the flavour of rooibos. Especially, because sometimes I feel like I taste different things in it. I might not be brewing it right.
Sometimes I taste something a little sweet and fruity in it. Other times? I feel like I taste almost cigarette smoke. I wish I could consistently get the sweet!
I'm making a genuine effort to cut back on caffeine, and this is the best alternative I've found to actual tea (though I still have a cup or so a day of that). Herbals tend to be too sweet for my all day sipping (good for breakfast, or a treat, but not for right next to the keyboard at work.)
I'm thinking I may try the rooibos jasmine to give a little added depth. Any other suggestions on what to change?
Jan 30th, '07, 18:37
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Joined: Jan 28th, '07, 02:24
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Space Samurai
It is hard to describe. I always found it kind of...I hate to say bland, because that has a negative connotaion, neutral. I think that's why I've seen it used in so many blends; you can flavor it with whatever you want.
From Rishi I've tried the blueberry rooibos, good, a mint rooibos, better, and a 'jamiaican red bush' that has lemongrass, schizandra berries, hibiscus, and a few other ingredients, best.
Republic of Tea has a new line of Be Well red teas that sell pretty well at my store, but I haven't tried them.
From Rishi I've tried the blueberry rooibos, good, a mint rooibos, better, and a 'jamiaican red bush' that has lemongrass, schizandra berries, hibiscus, and a few other ingredients, best.
Republic of Tea has a new line of Be Well red teas that sell pretty well at my store, but I haven't tried them.
I get what you mean about the cigarette smoke. The first time I tried rooibos, I was disgusted. It was like a tobacco plantation and a horse barn all rolled into one. I had to go back and really think about what I was tasting to find the sweet notes and then play around to find how to consistantly get them. Generally a five minute steep starting in boiling water will do it for me.
I still prefer my rooibos flavored. Vanilla brings out the natural sweetness, and tropical fruits complement both sweet tones and the overall vegetal character well.
I still prefer my rooibos flavored. Vanilla brings out the natural sweetness, and tropical fruits complement both sweet tones and the overall vegetal character well.
Apr 18th, '07, 12:48
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Joined: Jan 16th, '06, 16:02
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peachaddict
I usually use the term earthy to describe it. Thinking back, when I opened the first tin of rooibos it reminded me of the horse barn smell and I was ready to send it back. After trying some of the flavored varieties, the term mellow along with earthy seems more accurate a description.
Flavored rooibos is definitely the way to begin acquiring the taste.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
Flavored rooibos is definitely the way to begin acquiring the taste.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
How many minutes do you guys seep your rooibos? I have heard 5 minutes through 14 minutes. I usually go with 8 minutes. I think at that point it's as good as it's going to get.
There are two things I love, tea and rooibos http://www.teacontent.com/
Re: Rooibos: Describe the flavour you experience?
Old topic, but I just found this place. I can't resist adding my two tries at roobios tea... part of the flavor very much tastes like how a (sorry for this) certain type of squished bug smells. It's been a while, but I want to say it was similar to a stinkbug... which I guess doesn't require squishing for the smell, but you get my point. The thing is, the other flavors I get from it I actually really like. But that strange part, the earthy(?) part of it, is just hard to get past.Drae wrote: I'm having a tough time describing the flavour of rooibos. Especially, because sometimes I feel like I taste different things in it. I might not be brewing it right.
Sometimes I taste something a little sweet and fruity in it. Other times? I feel like I taste almost cigarette smoke. I wish I could consistently get the sweet!
I'm making a genuine effort to cut back on caffeine, and this is the best alternative I've found to actual tea (though I still have a cup or so a day of that). Herbals tend to be too sweet for my all day sipping (good for breakfast, or a treat, but not for right next to the keyboard at work.)
I'm thinking I may try the rooibos jasmine to give a little added depth. Any other suggestions on what to change?
Anyway, maybe I'll try again... it has been a couple of years.