Teavana MateVana (mate with rooibos, chocolate and nuts)

I haven't tried mate until a few weeks ago but I like it and think it's something that I'd like to get more of eventually.  Mate is a popular South American drink that seems to be as caffinated as coffee, but has some vitamins and minerals as well as just tasting more mild, so it's a good alternative for people who don't like coffee or want to switch it up once in a while.  Plus after looking at the prices, I actually feel as though I'd be willing to buy mate from Teavana if it's good (a few are under $6 and they have more interesting flavors than Prestogeorge).

Outsides:  This blend contains mate (please don't call it mate tea, Teavana, because mate is a completely different plant), various cocos and chocolates, rooibos, various flavorings, almond pieces, cactus blossoms, sunflower and cornflower petals.  It smells chocolatey and looks very colorful.  I brewed 2 teaspoons of this in 8 oz of 95 degree water for 6 minutes.  The liquid is a dark brown color and it has a light chocolate and plant smell.

Insides:  It's not as sweet tasting as I thought it would be, which is good.  There is a definite chocolate taste with the mate acting as a decent base (it seems to give it an extra roasty flavor).  It's strange because past the scent, the liquid doesn't really taste like much, past maybe a little savory from the nuts.  Adding sugar helps bring out the sweetness and flavors.  It's not a bad chocolate drink, it just isn't the taste explosion I was hoping for.  It's also a very smooth drink.

Overall:  Not bad but not amazing.

My Rating:  Try it!

Teavana is a chain tea retailer in malls across the United States and Canada.

TasTEA Time! Tea forte cherry marzipan

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  I was on vacation visiting my boyfriend on the other side of Pennsylvania and just didn't really bring that much to blog about.  However, I have an iDevice now that can take pictures!  I don't understand why Blogger doesn't have an iPad app, but no matter.

I got this tea as a free sample along with Cucumber Mint and Honey Yucca.  I seriously doubt that this tastes like marzipan, but I thought the flavor combinations are interesting.  This is supposed to help with corrective repair of the skin, but I feel like the company is just trying to cash in on the fact that all green tea is full of antioxidents and can help with skin.  Anyway, let's try our first Tea Forte tea.

Outsides:  The sachet is in a nice elegant plastic bag.  It looks like an average green tea and smells slightly like cherries.  Real cherries.  

Insides:  Green tea spiked with a nice cherry flavor and a hint of almond is the best way I can think to describe this.  The green tea is warm and slightly sweet, but it really goes well with the cherry flavor.  The almond flavor is subtle, but still noticeable and goes well with the cherry.   Overall, I think this is a nice tea.

Overall:  This tea isn't amazing, especially for the price they ask for it, but it's good and I recommend people check it out if they can still get a free sample.

My Rating:  Try it!  Here's the site:  Tea Forte Skin Smart.