ARIEL Bursting Berries

A caffeine-free fruit infusion built on a dried apple base, with elderberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and red and black currants carrying the berry character. Hibiscus and beetroot give the cup its deep red colour and a natural tart-sweet balance – a strong visual differentiator on a menu next to typical pale herbal tisanes. Available in 24- and 60-count compostable pyramid tea bags for service simplicity, in 95 g loose leaf tins for shelf programs, and in 1 kg loose leaf bulk for foodservice operations running by the cup. Serves equally well hot for cooler-weather menus or chilled over ice for summer service.

Tasting Notes

The cup pours a clear deep red with a bright berry aroma at the front. The flavour is fruit-forward and naturally tart – elderberry and blackberry leading, with red and black currants adding depth and raspberry contributing a brighter top note. Hibiscus carries the tartness; beetroot rounds the cup with a soft natural sweetness that balances the acidity. Vanilla bean adds a quiet warmth at the finish. Long, clean aftertaste with a real fruit character rather than a candy-sweet profile.

Blend

The base is dried apple pieces, which provide the body and natural sweetness that anchor a multi-fruit blend. The berry character comes from elderberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and red and black currants – six berries in the recipe, each contributing distinct fruit notes rather than a single dominant flavour. Hibiscus and beetroot are the colour drivers: hibiscus gives the deep red and adds tartness, beetroot adds natural sweetness and a slightly earthy depth. Blackberry leaves and vanilla bean round out the recipe. Built for wholesale menus that want a caffeine-free fruit position with clear visual identity in the cup, recognisable across both hot and iced preparations.

Brewing

Steep 2.5 g per 250 ml at 94 °C for 5 minutes. Fruit infusions tolerate a longer steep without turning bitter, which is operationally useful in service environments where timing isn't tightly controlled. Holds its character on a second steep for an iced tea preparation. At commercial scale, a 1 kg bag yields approximately 400 portions at 2.5 g per cup. Each 250 ml serving contains 5 calories.

Additional Information

• Ingredients: Apple bits, elderberries, beetroot bits, hibiscus, blackberries, black currants, raspberries, strawberries, blackberry leaves, red currants, vanilla bean bits, natural flavours
• Formats: 24 bags (60 g), 60 bags, 95 g loose leaf tin, 1 kg loose leaf bulk bag
• Certifications: Kosher, Aliments Préparés au Québec
• Foundation: Humaniterra Foundation
• Type: Fruit tea, flavoured, caffeine-free, loose leaf, compostable teabags