RISHI TEA-Blueberry Hibiscus

SINNY's detailed review [TEA]

📌 Today's record : [Herb Tea] RISHI TEA-Blueberry Hibiscus

Brand : RISHI TEA

Product Name : Blueberry Hibiscus

Tea Category : Herb Tea

Caffeine or not : Free

Time : 8 minutes

Water temperature : 100 degrees

Main ingredients : Organic Rooibos from South Africa 60%, Organic Relderberry (Bulgaria) 12%, Organic Hibiscus (Burkina Faso) 10%, Organic Currant (USA) 9%, Organic Blueberry (Chile) 5%, Natural Blueberry Flavor (USA) 2%, Organic Schisandra chinensis 1%, Natural Strawberry Flavor 1%

Impression : Although it is called hibiscus, it is actually 60% rooibos.

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Read Korean review

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Although it's called Hibiscus, this tea is actually 60% rooibos. 

Hibiscus only makes up 10% of the ingredients, which left me wondering why it wasn’t named something like "Blueberry Rooibos," "Rooibos Berry," or even "Rooibos Hibiscus." 

Rishi Tea, known for using all organic ingredients, offers this caffeine-free herbal tea, which is safe for pregnant women to enjoy.

The tea in question is Rishi’s Blueberry Hibiscus. 

From the name, I initially expected a blend of sweet berries and tart hibiscus, but the ingredient list told a different story

Organic Rooibos (South Africa) 60%

Organic Elderberry (Bulgaria) 12%

Organic Hibiscus (Burkina Faso) 10%

Organic Currant (USA) 9%

Organic Blueberry (Chile) 5%

Natural Blueberry Flavor (USA) 2%

Organic Schisandra chinensis 1%

Natural Strawberry Flavor 1%

Rishi Tea’s organic farm is USDA-certified, meaning no artificial pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, or GMOs are used. It’s also certified Fair Trade and Kosher, the latter of which ensures strict oversight across all food products, making it a trusted choice.

Upon opening the tea bag, rooibos dominated, as expected, with round dried berries catching my eye. 

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The sweet scent of berries was immediately noticeable, though the hibiscus aroma didn’t really stand out. When I brewed the tea, the color wasn’t the vibrant red you typically expect from hibiscus, but rather a golden-red hue, as rooibos tends to produce. The scent was soft and sweet, with an occasional hint of berries, but little in the way of tartness.

The tea leaves soaked in hot water almost instantly, and the brew developed quickly. However, I couldn’t help but feel the name was misleading—it should be called "Blueberry Rooibos" instead of "Blueberry Hibiscus." When you think of hibiscus, you expect that striking red color, and the absence of it kept confusing me.

In terms of taste, Rishi’s Blueberry Hibiscus feels more like a rooibos blend than a hibiscus one. While it doesn’t have the strong rooibos flavor, the reddish tint gives it a slight resemblance to hibiscus. As it’s an infusion tea, you can steep it for a while, but I preferred to remove the tea bag and enjoy it more leisurely.

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The sourness from the hibiscus? 

Maybe a 0.5 out of 10. I really think Rishi should reconsider the name of this tea! While there’s just a hint of sourness if you focus on it, the dominant flavors are the sweetness of the berries and a mild bitterness from the rooibos, making up 90% of the overall taste. 

There’s no bold character or memorable flavor beyond the faint sour note that briefly appears at the end of each sip. The scent is pleasantly sweet, and the extraction is flawless, but I found myself feeling a bit let down. Maybe it was the misleading name, the balance of the blend, or just my high expectations.

The tea leaves a soft, subdued impression, which might appeal to those who prefer milder flavors. I actually think it would be more enjoyable as a cold brew rather than a hot tea. While it’s pleasant enough, I don’t see myself reaching for it again, as it doesn’t quite suit my taste.

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If you're looking for a true hibiscus flavor, I recommend trying either Tavalon’s 'Fruits Dream' or Celestial Seasonings's 'Wild Berry Zinger'. However, if you prefer berry blends, Celestial Seasonings's Berry Blending Tea might be a better fit.

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This blog shares various review and personal experiences with you through translation. Although I am not a perfect translator, I hope to empathize and communicate by sharing my thoughts and experiences. Thank you.