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February 07, 2005
Fruit Medley
Name: Fruit Medley
Kathy's Rating: 4.0/10.0
Company: Adagio Teas
Origin of tea: China
Price: $7/5oz (141.7g)
Tea form: Loose bits of fruits and spices.
What they say: A delicious blend of natural fruits and spices that brews up a mouthwatering cup of herbal tea. Entirely caffeine free, it holds a special appeal for kids and sweet-toothed adults. Yet contains no sugar or other sweeteners. The flavor is all natural, emanating from a mix of raspberry, strawberry, hibiscus flowers, blackberry, apples, rose hips, elderberry and bilberry. Highly addictive; Please proceed with caution!
Preparation method: Pour boiling water over tea. Steep for 7 minutes.
Review: I just don't get it about Adagio Teas. On one hand, I know they are capable of producing sophisticated herbal blends. Foxtrot, which I reviewed here, comes to mind. On the other hand, Adagio has produced some of the most unpleasant herbal blends I have ever tried. Fruit Medley, Dewy Cherry, Strawberry Patch, and Apple Cantata are all pretty bad. I haven't gotten to Berry Blast yet, but I'm not holding my breath.
Fruit Medley tastes like a hot, watered-down Kool-Aid fruit punch mix, without the sugar. The color of the infusion is bright red too. All in all, this blend just seems very amateurish. Maybe that's what this is - a child's tea. My suggestions for improving this tea? Tone down the red color. If I wanted bright colors, I'd buy a pack of Gobstoppers. Also, go lighter on the acidic notes, which means reducing on the rosehips and tart berries. Instead, add some coconut, pear, or rooibos to 'sweeten' the blend.
Posted by Kathy at February 7, 2005 10:02 PM