Blackberry Sage
This page is for the caffeinated version. See also Blackberry Sage Decaf.
4
Percentile
7 ratings |
|
Commercial Description
Tea For Wisdom--The soft taste and sweet aroma of fresh blackberries is experienced with the first sip of this fruity tea. Subtle undertones of cool white sage add a balanced finish. Formerly Dragon Spirit Tea.
Ratings & Reviews
Page 1 of 1 page with 7 reviews
54 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 2/5Tchuggin' Okie (398 reviews) on May. 17th, 2022
Republic teas usually are on the costly side; however, I grabbed this one on sale at a Dallas Whole Foods. "Value" is based on the normal prices for other Republic teas (retailing upwards of 8-10 bucks for 50-pouch columnar steel tins), and how this tea doesn't pack the punch it should for reputably strong flavors of this sort. Instead of a punch, it's more like a gentle, brief caress. That's fine for physical affection from one's mate, but I don't marry my tea. I prefer a tea that hits you in the face right off, and tells you with certainty what it is.
I had read some reviews here and elsewhere mentioning this tea's mildness. They ain't kidding! That's related largely to the lack of more product in each bag. The pouches also are a little smaller than most of that design, and unlike with most good teas using that bag shape, don't swell to more than 2/3 full even when wet. Being a fan of strong tea (and flavors), I therefore let most of the bags I've used so far steep extra minutes. Even a 10-minute soak still leaves my stirring spoon easily visible to the bottom of a cylindrical cup, and while enjoyable, a flavor and aroma on the "delicate" side, to put it delicately. Even then, it's mostly berry and tea. Republic's description of "subtle undertones" is overstating the sage element by a large margin. There's a faint, generic herbaceousness to it, but that could be imparted by anything cut from a plant. If I had to compare, I'd say: very faint alfalfa. In the mouth, this is a pleasant but weak blackberry tea, simple as that. I have to brew 3 (!) bags at once to get a passably robust blackberry black tea from this.
The wet-bag aroma may be the best part of the experience here. Most (but not all) the berry flavoring washes into the tea, leaving behind a very nice berry/sage balance I wish the tea itself had, multiplying the intensity of the combination by at least five. Again, not a bad tea at all, but if this tea were a person working out at the gym, it couldn't bench press a phone book.
63 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5Teally01 (5 reviews) on Jul. 16th, 2015
I wish I could give this two reviews. I don't like it hot, but I think that it is pretty great when chilled.
77 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5Brytta Sóþword (334 reviews) on Feb. 7th, 2015
I like this one. It's got a balanced fruity versus tea-ish flavor, isn't bitter, and satisfies a craving for slight astringency/tartness. When I think about it I do notice the sage there, but it wouldn't have jumped out to me otherwise. It simply contributes to an undertone of herbaceousness.
I'd like it even more if it was more intense, but I tend to like robustly fruity teas. This is good for a moderate but notable fruit-tea blend.
87 Aroma: 10/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5spaflam (179 reviews) on May. 13th, 2013
I love this tea - second only to Ginger Peach fom the same company - and it comes loose or in bags. Fruity, herbaceous and black/caffeinated - although the decaf version is nice also. Great iced or hot.
43 Aroma: 4/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 2/5Lupiressmoon (22 reviews) on Dec. 24th, 2011
The tea is extremely mild flavored. A basic black tea with a little flavor added in. Good for a quick pinch but nothing worth investing in. Similar - to me - to heating up a tea bag from the grocery store.
70 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5jrjjrj (1 reviews) on Dec. 4th, 2009
A nice change from a non-flavored black tea especially in the afternoon or evening (there is a decaf version).
40 Aroma: 4/10 Flavor: 2/5 Value: 3/5Alex Zorach (1453 reviews) on Nov. 13th, 2009
A very soft and mild tea; slightly sweet, very little bitterness. Aroma is mostly of blackberry, with only a hint of sage or tea. I was expecting more bite (sage tea on its own is so strongly aromatic!) and was disappointed. Overall this tea was much too weak for me.
Page 1 of 1 page with 7 reviews
More Flavored Black Tea Blends from Republic of Tea
Pumpkin Spice Black Tea
| Style: | Flavored Black Tea |
| Region: | Blend |
| Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
| Leaf: | Teabag |
48
3 Ratings
