So, 2025 came and Fortnum & Mason introduced us new paper tins… and to 9 “new” herbal teas. It took me all about 30min to place an order that included about half of them. I’ve put quotation marks around the “new” as at least one of them seems to be a dupe for something that was a limited edition some years ago… But more about that some other time 😉 I’ve got to get a few guinea pigs to do the blind tests to confirm!
Anyways, getting “rhubarb and custard” was a no-brainer. I mean it has rhubarb in the name, what more could a girl ask for!!
Price per teabag: 0.73 GBP / 0.83€
Making the tea:
Using 1 bag per cup, and a 250ml cup, brewing for 4 minutes.
Colour: saffron honey
Ingredients:
Apple (55%), Rooibos, Rosehip (12%), Rhubarb (5%), Custard Flavouring (4%), Rhubarb Flavouring (4%), Sweet Blackberry Leaves, Vanilla Flavouring, Lemon Pieces (2%)
Clarity:
Near perfectly clear, even after you’ve swirled the teabag around. I was equal parts surprised and impressed! It also tastes equally smooth.
Taste profile:
Fruity & naturally sweet. Slight sourness is very well balanced with the sweetness of vanilla and rooibos.
The tea…
Living in England has taught me quite a few things, tempering expectations being one of them. Don’t expect anything to deliver what the label says!
This tea delivers – if you are seeking the liquid version of the good-old “Rhubarb & Custard” sweets. This tea, however, leads to the oh-so-familiar disappointment if you had visions of actual blushing-pink Harbinger rhubarb stalks dipped in custard.
Though I do want to give some props to Fortnum & Mason who have shown great restraint, refrained from furthering the acidity by adding hibiscus, and actually thrown in some rhubarb flavouring. If you know what you’re looking for, or you’re familiar with the sweets, you will recognize the rhubarb. If not.. well, I decided to test it.
To keep things fair, I did not tell my friend anything but that she’ll be trying a caffeine-free herbal tea. That’s it. Her first comment was “Blueberries…? Blueberries! Strong blueberries!” followed by “Raspberry leaf? Maybe elderflower, cause there is sweetness?”.
After being told it’s rhubarb (“oh, really? Are you sure?!”), allowed her to sniff the tin (“Too much vanilla!”) and introduced to the full list of ingredients (“I should have known it was rooibos!”), she was willing to concede it may taste more of rhubarb than blueberry, but… that’s about it.
I enjoy this tea quite a lot now, but it took more than 2 cups to get me from apprehensive to joyous. I agree with Marina: the vanilla is a bit overpowering. I’ve also noticed that I started liking it more after I left it to cool.
In conclusion:
- Is it good? Very.
- Better hot or cold? Surprisingly, it’s good hot but becomes delicious after cooling! Would make a fantastic summer drink with a few ice cubes!!!
- How often do I reach for it? Relatively often.
- Worth the money? Sad to say: YES
- Would I buy again? I would, and I have… Marina said no, the taste, for her, is not worth the steep price tag.
- Would I recommend it? Yes. Including to infusion-novices and herbal-tea haters.
IT IS for you – if you prefer your tea slightly sweetened, and you like soft fruity flavours.
It is NOT for you – if you love early spring because it’s forced rhubarb season.
