The late Summer herbal tea drink at Panera Bread called Tropical Hibiscus, sold along side the Acai Berry tea on the drink menu. This tea was a lot like the Acai one, with the taste being very mild, nice bright color, but very mild. The tea is served ‘as brewed’, meaning there is no sugar in the drink.
A much better alternative to the soda fountain drinks, but you will want to add some kind of sweetener (Equal, or Splenda) to really bring out the good tea taste.
Not sure if you are permitted to get free refills, but, if you are, you can try the drink with either no calorie sweetener, and then try a little sugar to see which type of sweetener brings out the taste. In our drink, we tried it with no sweetener, and then with Splenda. The Splenda version of the tea was much better.
There are different varieties of the Hibiscus, and they all are tropical. ‘Tropical Hibiscus’ just sounds better. The primary health benefit is Vitamin C. Zero calories (it says this on the drink menu)
Yes, you can make this same tea at home.
The Summer teas at Panera won’t be around (or at least we think) once the Fall season has started.
Rishi Tea, Tropical Hibiscus, 15-Count
Buy: IN STOCK
Tropical Hibiscus has an array of sweet, spicy, tart and fruity flavors. Stimulating ginger root, sweet rosehips and tart hibiscus are expertly balanced with the natural essential oils of citrus fruits and rare herbs. Tropical Hibiscus is a full-bodied and invigorating blend with a wonderful gourmet flavor and aroma.
Tasting Notes: Exotic and fruity with a hint of spice.
Ingredients: Organic ginger, organic hibiscus, organic rosehips, organic licorice root, organic lemongrass, essential oils of orange and tangerine.
There are over 1,700 bakery-cafes in 45 states and in Ontario Canada operating under the Panera Bread, Saint Louis Bread Co.and Paradise Bakery & Café names, delivering fresh, authentic artisan bread served in a warm environment by engaging associates. Panera Bread offer fresh from the oven breads they bake themselves.
Hibiscus is hand-picked from the Hibiscus Sabdariffa varietal when the flowers of this shrubby plant become plump and juicy red, and is then sun dried. Hibiscus is used in teas, wines and tonics throughout the world and cultivated in Southeastern Asia, Mexico, the Caribbean, China and many African nations. The tea is the same light red color you see in the Panera Bread summer tea.
