Disney isn’t known for their food products. More for their vast collection of films and animated features as well as their collection of theme parks. Disney is more known for creativity than anything else. That being said, this Topsy Turvy Tea Blend caught my eye. And not just for the cheshire cat on it’s tin.

I could spend an hour or so discussing the relative uniqueness of the stylized packaging, even though it’s in a pretty standard tin shape. But we’re more interested in the tea here, so let’s go.

The loose leaves are medium length and twisted tight and of a blackish-grey hue. Blended with copies amounts of calendula sand safflower petals keeps this tea colorful and interesting. Once brewed the leaves produce a burgundy liquor.

The aroma of the loose material is light and overwhelmingly full of bergamot, the citrus fruit which gives Earl Grey its flavor and aroma. There are barely noticeable stone fruit scents if you spend the time to seek them out. Once brewed, the aroma turns more to oranges with undertones of bergamot and something lightly floral.

Disney's Topsy Turvy Blend Black Tea

The flavor is full of punch. While Disney bills this tea as medium strength, they provide exactly zero guidance on preparation including quantity of tea to use per cup, water temperature or steep time. There’s a great deal of astringency to the brew at brew intervals from 2.5 to 4 minutes which overshadows the citrus and honeyed stone fruit flavors you can catch when brewed at a much lighter 2 minutes.

Based solely on the dry aroma I didn’t expect this brew to be as strong as it was. Experimentation is required to achieve the desired taste which makes this tea particularly bold. Icing this tea may produce better results.

Fans of  astringent CTC black teas and breakfast teas may enjoy this tea from Disney.

NOTE: I could not locate the correct tin size on Disney’s website. I have linked to a collection containing three different blends in smaller stacked tins.

There’s some measure of happiness in drinking a breakfast tea in the morning. It calmly awakens us from our slumber and helps us begin preparing for the days’ activities. Ultimately breakfast teas, with their more astringent, puckery and downright strong tendencies carry a peculiar weight in the tea world.

This tea from Rishi Tea is very pretty to look at. It’s leaves are curled and twisted, brown-black and golden but with no down powder as would be expected from a tea such as a Hao Ya A or its ilk.Once steeped, the liquor produced is a copper-gold which I find consistently appealing.

The aroma of the loose leaves is light and fresh. Heavy notes of hay with hints of grass and coal are notable if your palette is listening for them. The brewed aroma is light and honeyed with hints of Assam-ish obsequiousness.

The flavors on the palette move quickly. Hints of apple with stone fruits such as peaches is prevalent with this teas’ profile.

The liquor is smooth and not altogether that astringent or bold. It’s unusual for a breakfast tea, but something I think sets this one apart from the rest.

Fans of Darjeelings, Nilgiris and Ceylons are likely to enjoy this tea.

Tuesday is Iced Tea Review day!

Over the past couple months I have really grown to enjoy iced tea. From black tea bases to greens and herbals… most any well blended tea can be brewed for consumption hot or iced. This ready to drink herbal/tisane bottled beverage from Honest Tea comes just short of proving this rule to be true.

From the outset you can tell this blend will be fruity. I’m only speaking visually here… no label counted in. The deep berry red, almost that of a dark sour cherry, screams of fruity deliciousness.

Like most of Honest Teas‘ beverages this Black Forest Berry is made from certified organic and fair trade hibiscus leaves as well as organic fruits, fruit flavors and powders. Remember also that Honest Tea offsets their carbon usage, as a good citizen of the organic community would.

The aroma from this bottle of berry goodness smells very sweet. While I caught clear hibiscus scents… I also found light notes of raspberry to be present. All this added up to a wonderful aroma reminding heavily of pomegranate.

A bit of a mismatch with the aroma, the flavors were quite subdued. I found this beverage to be a bit watered down (diluted) and without much of a tail. Just a twinge of sour and strawberry hint a the real promise this drink shows.

I expected something slightly bolder and with more berry flavor. I feel duped by the aroma this specific beverage gave me being so different than the taste. While this is sometimes nice to have in a more traditional hot tea… in an iced tea I find it a disappointment. That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy this tea. But I do feel its shortcomings to be remedial.

I would recommend this Black Forest Berry from Honest Tea to anyone who enjoys herbal teas (tisanes), fruit juices, iced teas, flavored teas, caffeine-free beverages and fruit in general.