You can get by relying on pictures on packaging to figure out the contents and flavours of most food products in Japan. But with this Teas’ Tea Rose & Apple Black Tea, purchased on our visit to Japan in 2011 when I could read next to no Japanese on the assumption it was just an apple black tea, it wasn’t until more recently that I’d realised it was also rose-flavoured. I’d always thought the tea didn’t quite taste just like an apple black tea, but there was no hint of rose in the illustration!
Steeping 1 tea bag in 200 mL of water at 95°C for 60 seconds yields a clear deep red-brown liquor with a crisp apple and lightly floral nose. Served hot, the crisp notes of fresh apple came through ahead of subtle rose notes in the body before the rich flavour of black tea developed with prominence towards the end of the body, leaving a lightly astringent aftertaste with undertones of crisp apple. Overall, the apple flavour reminds one of apple skin, rather than the juicy flesh, and more prominent notes of rose would be more enjoyable.
Unlike black teas flavoured with just rose, like the Rose Black Tea by Tao of Tea, the addition of apple adds freshness to the flavour although it’s no longer the perfect palate cleanser for pairing with sweet desserts.
ThisTeas’ Tea Rose & Apple Black Tea contained 10 tea bags. The tea originated in Indonesia and was purchased in Tōkyō, Japan in 2011.