Key Lime Herbal

Here’s the second (of four) samples in Adagio Teas’ Summer Teas pack. Quite an unusual tea to review! When I opened the packet, I got a whiff of the citrusy, acidic profile similar to key lime pie, but with an edgy note of dry mustard! Here’s a flavor note that should be added to that list: “Cosmetic”. It reminds me of whatever face powder is scented with. As someone who worked for a company which would occasionally test different fragrances to see how they would be perceived in products, smelling this tea before brewing reminded me of flavor test strips. Maybe that’s where “key lime pie flavor” came from.
My husband who has anosmia, liked this tea. “I can taste something!” But that’s not a criterion we’re looking for.
To be blunt, this is one weird tea. It doesn’t taste natural to me, nor does it taste like key lime. It has a tart, acidic profile similar to key lime, to be sure. But it falls short of being identifiable as such. I’m trying to think of something positive to say, but all I can say is, at least we finished the packet!

Last cold steeped blend from Adagio.

This is very lime Jell-O. Which can be okay in some things, but it’s a bit odd combined with hibiscus IMO. I think a sweet candy lime sort of flavor can be nice with a creamy element (and I think 52teas made a lime Jello-O salad tea like this), but for a tart hibiscus tisane I would rather have a more acidic lime juicy flavoring.

Anyway, not a fan. I feel like the candy lime comes off as even more artificial and cleaner-y and weird when combined when the hibiscus tartness.

The lime was pretty fake. It’s not too surprising since it’s made up entirely of apple, rose hips, and hibiscus, so the lime has to come from added flavor. It’s rare that a lime tea impresses me, and sadly this isn’t one of them. It’s too bad since key lime is such a lovely flavor. I’m going to try blending it with some other teas to make it more enjoyable.