Banana Split Black Tea (52teas)

Frank over at 52teas is at it again! This time attempting to recreate the flavors of a time-honored Summer favorite, the Banana Split! I happen to be a fan of these tasty treats. Let’s see how Frank’s recreation fares shall we?

As a child growing up it was rare to have ice cream. When we did have it, it was usually the basic vanilla or chocolate or neapolitan. The lucky times we’d be at grandma’s and get butter pecan or some other neat flavor.

I remember the first time I had a banana split. It was so good! The ice cream with the fruit managed to pair together two great textures. Add in the hot fudge syrup and you’d think I’d died and gone to heaven.

Frank from 52teas has made some rather splendid blends. From his Champagne Mojito to his Rocky Road, he’s proven there’s almost nothing he can’t do with tea.

Visually this tea is made up of heavily broken black tea leaves. Not quite tea-bag size, but a bit larger. Large chunks of bananas, strawberries, vanilla beans, cherries and cacao nibs are mixed in for a decent visual. Togetehr these brew a dark caramel liquor.

The aroma here is more chocolate and banana than anything else. It actually reminds me of a Nutella banana panini I had at a local coffee shop once (shhh, don’t tell the tea!). I can catch just the faintest hint of either the strawberry or the cherry but I’m not really sure which.

WOW! The astringency here is very high. Not so much a pucker as much as a sting. That’s not always bad though. It depends on how you like your tea. This does bring the flavor down a couple notches for me though as it makes it more difficult for me to discern the more nuanced flavors. I do catch the chocolate through the finish which dries the tongue, and the banana.

Fans of Assam style black teas, extra strong black teas or strong cups of coffee will like this brew. I appreciate its aroma more than its flavor, but the tea certainly has plenty going for it.