Tasting: Autumn Glow

I recently received a few samples from Plum Deluxe an interesting lifestyle site created to inspire special moments in daily life. What better way to savor a moment than with a cup of tea?

The brand offers a few signature blends as well as a few limited edition teas, and I chose to give the Autumn Glow a try. I was recently disappointed with the promise of fall flavors in a tea blend, so I didn't know what to expect. But I liked the image of a glowing lately afternoon autumn sun...

I had this tea in the office, and I received numerous comments on the amazing smell. It's a happy autumn aroma of apples and cinnamon. I was surprised at how juicy the dry apples smelled. The ingredients list apples, cinnamon, raspberries, rose hips, hibiscus flowers, and licorice. I'm not the biggest fan of hibiscus or licorice (or of herbal blends to begin with), but the smell of this tea lured me in.

The brew smells like warm apple sauce with juicy fruit and cinnamon notes. A comforting aroma for this time of year. I imagined sitting by a crackling fire under a blanket with a good book in a cozy, quiet house. The brewed tea is very apple-y, but lighter on the cinnamon. There is a definite hibiscus flavor that masks the cinnamon a little bit, and licorice lingers on the palate. Cinnamon is definitely present but not as strongly as the aroma conveys. I enjoyed a tiny bit of tartness from the apples. This blend does not have any actual tea or caffeine, so it's perfect for winding down after a night of apple picking or trick-or-treating. It has a natural sweetness, so I wouldn't add anything extra.

To learn more about plum deluxe you can visit their website, and stay tuned for my interview with the founder and creator.

Happy Halloween everyone!