Rishi Tea's USDA Organic, Fair-Trade certified Blood Orange Pu-erh is a bright, citrusy blend of rich puer tea, hibiscus, lemon myrtle, various citrus fruit essences and licorice root. It is a complex, full blend that will likely appeal to a range of tea drinkers.
The Dry Blend
Maybe it's just that I was an art major in college, but I love a beautiful tea when I see one. Then again, teas are visually scrutinized in China, so I guess it's not just me. At any rate, this is a very visually appealing blend. Small, dark puer leaves are spiked with a healthy dose of yellow-green lemon myrtle and a dash of deep crimson hibiscus petals.
If that's not enough to charm you from the start, the aroma is sweet, tart and bursting with citrus notes.
If that's not enough to charm you from the start, the aroma is sweet, tart and bursting with citrus notes.
The Brew
This colorful blend brews into a near-black infusion with red undertones.
The aroma is one of deep, earthy topped with bright, tart citrus.
The flavor is complex and full -- a rarity for flavored teas. Tart hibiscus and blood orange top out over middle-notes of citrusy lemon myrtle and essences of orange, grapefruit and the blend's namesake, blood orange. Puer and licorice give the blend depth and dimension, and although the citrus flavors of the blend fade quickly, a single note of earthy=sweet puer lingers in the aftertaste.
The aroma is one of deep, earthy topped with bright, tart citrus.
The flavor is complex and full -- a rarity for flavored teas. Tart hibiscus and blood orange top out over middle-notes of citrusy lemon myrtle and essences of orange, grapefruit and the blend's namesake, blood orange. Puer and licorice give the blend depth and dimension, and although the citrus flavors of the blend fade quickly, a single note of earthy=sweet puer lingers in the aftertaste.
Recommendations
Although I personally dislike licorice, I am putting that preference aside to give this balanced, complex blend four stars. More than most teas I've tasted, it has mass appeal, but is nuanced enough to entice "serious" tea drinkers. I especially recommend it to fans of citrusy African coffees, people who are interested in the health benefits of puer, licorice lovers and people who love citrus fruits as flavors.
Blood Orange Pu-erh is also great as a tea latte, so it could appeal to latte drinkers when prepared as a tea latte.
Blood Orange Pu-erh is also great as a tea latte, so it could appeal to latte drinkers when prepared as a tea latte.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
