The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf‘s (CBTL) latest infused tea product offering, the African Sunrise, is at long last now available from all CBTL branches all over the Metro starting July 28, 2008. That’s TODAY!

Last April 16, 2008, a select group of people were privileged to attend CBTL’s tea appreciation workshop conducted by Master Tea Blender David de Candia. It was also then that African Sunrise was first served, not just in the Philippines, but everywhere. EVER! It was said that Mr. de Candia perfected the blend while en route to the Philippines and on the plane.

“I guess you could say it was love at first sip for everybody who was there at the cupping session for African Sunrise,” says CBTL’s Marketing Director Paolo del Rosario. Liking it is subjective, of course, but dig this, I was no tea fan nor was I ever a CBTL aficionado before that fateful night. Soon after the “first sip,” I had waited, no, longed was more like it, to have another taste of this delectably flavorful concoction. And now, it’s finally here (insert an mental image of me wiping tears of pure joy here). This may sound like I’ve sold out but, yeah, taste it yourself and, hopefully, you’ll get to relate with me on the experience. JUST DO IT LOL.

“This full bodied, red herbal infusion uses African honeybush exclusively grown on a farm between the mountains of Riversdal in the Western Cape of South Africa. Its exceptional fusion of flavor and aroma comes from the sharp tangy taste of orange peel, the characteristic sweet honey scent of honeybush flowers, and beautiful mallow flowers.”

It’s not like any other tea I’ve tasted before. It seemed sweet because of the aroma but it tastes just right sans sugar. I still can’t explain the sensation. As I said, please do grab an order and tell me your own experience. I can assure you it will be so worth the trip to CBTL. To satisfy consumers’ varied preferences, the African Sunrise is availabe in three variants: brewed (or steeped), iced, and latte.

Ask the CBTL crew what would complement your drink of choice. Suggestions include Pistachio Sans Rival and Cheesecakes for the brewed variant, French Apple Pie and Honey Bran Muffin for the latte, and Chef’s Tuna Sandwich for ice blended.

I promised everyone in my office department (of nine people) that I will treat them each to a serving of African Sunrise hot tea latte today. Three of them are all big fans of the Moroccan Mint Tea latte but I think they’ll change preferences soon. FTMFW!

Below are the rest of the photos of CBTL’s African Sunrise.