Thursday my latest batch of tea from Rakkasan arrived, and since this is Sunday, I have now tasted all three of the new types. Today’s tea hails from the Andes in Colombia, near Bitaco. I can describe the Andean Black + Cacao with one word: ¡Delicioso!
When you think of Colombia, you probably think of coffee…and if you are old enough, the Juan Valdez commercials. That might be changing now that Colombia is exporting tea. Andean Black is a Colombian Black tea blended with cacao nibs from the Tumaco region of Colombia. Loving chocolate, and having rarely had a black tea that I did not like, the combination sounded intriguing and exotic. Rakkasan described it:
…sweet notes from the tea balanced with bitter cacao–is unforgettable.
The aroma is relaxing, the smell of chocolate mingled with the tea is mesmerizing, rather like when I inhale the bergamot and tea combination in Earl Grey. We are talking I just want to keep my nose in the cup. The cacao does give it a slightly bitter taste, but since that is one of my go-to favorites, I loved it, and it is a mere slight bitter, not in the least overwhelming. With the rich smoothness of the black, high-grown in the Andes at over 6,000 feet (similar to Juan Valdez’ 100% Colombian!), the tea cultivation and sales provides support and community development in conjunction with the Agricola Himalaya Foundation. In the Tumaco region, where the cacao is sourced, farmers are continuing to develop cacao production and invest in better cultivation as well as improved crops.
As I have often mentioned when writing about the Rakkasan Tea Company, they do not just sell delicious and fragrant teas. They are investing in their own future as well as the futures of post-conflict countries to develop sustainable business and improve the opportunities for the communities and their people. Colombia has been engaged in armed conflict for more than 50 years, and in large part the United States was a part of that due to the 1.5 million users who fueled the illicit market with the demand for cocaine (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016, when the cease fire was brokered).
What’s in my cup today? A little peace and justice.
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Mmmm. I can almost smell (and taste) this tea. I have to confess that I have often eaten Hershey’s chocolate kisses (milk and white chocolate varieties) while sipping coffee and tea!
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Oh, yes, I can relate. It is also great with both red and white wine. And now for the truth telling, after drinking my last cup…I hit the sack of Hershey’s Kisses…yes, I did!
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🙂 x 10!
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Nothing better than a little peace and justice in our cups. I really hadn’t thought about ordering this tea but now you and my sister have both given it good reviews so it may have to be next on my list (after I work through the many teas I still have in my cabinet)!
PS Rich and I were just reading about Mesmer last night after the word “mesmerizing” came up on Jeopardy. LOL
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Thanks, Jane. You know, while I always had a heart for doing good from the time I was a child, I give you props for steering me to the importance of peace and justice, and their relationship, as well as the root impact of poverty on most if not all the ills of the world. I was not sure what to expect with the tea, but I was truly delighted! I am anxious to hear how cuz liked her gift pack, too! And yes, wasn’t it fun to learn about Mesmer? 🙂
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I do not feel like I deserve any credit for that…always felt like we traveled the path together. But thank you! Hopefully cuz will enjoy the tea as much as we do. I remember reading about Mesmer in school but had forgotten most of what I learned. haha
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And that is what I love about it, that after you enlightened me, we did travel that path together. But without your asking me to participate, it might have taken much longer for me to get it through some other channel. “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” 🙂
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Love you, sister.
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And I, you, sister of justice, by another mother.
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I need some emojis on here.
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I am going to check out that company. Yes, Colombia = Coffee, but I guess that is no longer the case. Thanks!
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Thank you for stopping in, Marcela! Rakkasan Tea is https://www.rakkasantea.com/ and you can learn about their mission in the About section. They have sample packs in small amounts in case you want to try some before buying. That’s how my friend Jane got me hooked on them!
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Thanks! I will take a look at it next week.
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