Rumtopf ~ TeaGschwendner

Today I’m drinking the second to last cup of TeaGschwendner’s Rumtopf known to exist. I say this because Rumtopf was only ever available at TG (and affiliate retailers) for a very short time many years ago. That makes sense as Rumtopf is named for an obscure traditional dessert of distilled fruit and rum in (TG’s motherland of) Germany and Denmark (which has long since fallen out of style).  I’ve carefully nurtured my 100g bag, but over the years it’s declined to more or less two remaining servings. I’m spending one of those last two steeps on you today.

Although not a perfect phenotypical match, it turns out Rumtopf as a Fruit tisane is not completely extinct however, merely endangered as one source is still known to exist: Chado Tea Room (you may remember I was on a long-distance Excursion there not too long ago and brought back their gorgeous catalog courtesy of a very giving proprietor). Imagine my shock and delight to happen upon a heretofore believed extinct blend in the wild while thumbing through said catalog.

In aroma, Rumtopf is a lush mouthwatering medley of strawberries, black cherries and currants. In liquor, a deep strawberry wine. Quite beautiful actually. But beware: this one’s going to stain anything it touches and coat your teeth something ugly as hibiscus is one of the ingredients. In flavor, very sour. If cherry pie filling was put in a blender with strawberries, raspberries and orange peel, it might taste similar to Rumtopf. The aftertaste is probably the sourest and sweetest flavor of the experience. Of course, being an Herbal Fruit tisane Rumtopf doesn’t have much in the way of texture, but there is the faintest hint of sticky fruit skin.

Unfortunately, being a Fruit tisane, only one good steep can be expected out of it, so make it last. ;) One thing i like to do with a good Fruit after it’s been spent is to add a low-grade sencha or Ceylon Green and resteep at boiling for four-to-six minutes. Thus creating an original fruit-added Green blend for cheap (the likes of which TeaVana and DavidsTea bank on every minute). Speaking of cheap alternatives, you can similarly make your own Genmaicha. Using a half teaspoon of low grade sencha and a half teaspoon of matcha, add a few kernels of popped plain popcorn and a teaspoon of burnt rice crispies and grind in a morter and pestle. Results may vary. ;p

1. Aroma – 95
2. Taste – 94
3. Texture – 90
4. Spunk – 94
5. Rarity – 98
6. Availability – 96
7. Appearance – 94
8. Organic/Fair trade – 92

Mean score – 94 

A rare bird.