Pinkies Up for Some “Red Velvet” Pleasure, a Tea Review

Almost always up for a cuppa dessert tea, I opted to give Pinky Up’s Red Velvet Cake Tea a try this month. This cake happens to be my husband’s top pick, too, so I was pretty sure that even if I didn’t like it, he would. As soon as the tin arrived, we cracked it open and had a couple of mugs.

The Intriguingly Ambiguous History of Red Velvet Cake

Despite the rumors that red velvet cake was developed by “accident” through using beetroot sugar during times of the Civil War in the Deep South, the cake naturally gets its hue from combining vinegar and non-Dutch processed cocoa powder. The color is faint – not the deep cartoonish red – but it’s there. Most deep red cakes have food dye in them.

Unless, of course, they are made with buttermilk. The vinegar (read: acid) in buttermilk chemically reacts with the right kind of cocoa powder (not chocolate) to create the red color. The higher the acid content in the recipe, the redder the cake.

And despite the belief that the cake originated in the kitchens of southern cooks like good ol’ Miss Bessie from local church potluck legends, we don’t actually know for sure where the cake developed or when. We do have records of the cake in Victorian cookbooks. Possibly the first instance was a recipe in 1911 as “velvet cocoa cake.”

Health Benefits of Yerba Mate and Green Tea Matcha

I’m not a huge fan of yerba mate myself but I recognize the health benefits and have been known to recommend its drinking to health coaching clients and friends looking for some natural energy boosts.

Yerba mate, originating in South America, is one of the few herbal teas that contains caffeine. In fact, yerba mate contains about as much as a cup of coffee, so it’s probably not the best bet for most folks for a late night tea craving. Because of the caffeine, it gives an energy boost that lots of folks are looking for in the daytime, though.

This herbal tea also includes tiny amounts of numerous healthy compounds like antioxidants and saponins (anti-inflammatory) but in such small amounts that they probably don’t really make much of an impact. However, yerba mate is believed to help some folks lose weight (well, “supports” weight loss) and may help protect against infection.

Green tea matcha, on the other hand, contains caffeine and L-theanine for improved focus and cognitive function, antioxidants, and other nutrients that help with a wide variety of health concerns.

It is suggested that green tea matcha can help fight cancer, improve oral health, protect against Alzheimer’s disease (unless drunk in excess), improve metabolism, help manage blood sugar and help prevent heart disease. It may also help you lose weight and generally can help improve your longevity.

Flavor Profile of Pinky Up Red Velvet Cake Tea

By the name of the tea, I would have expected Pinky Up Red Velvet Cake Tea to contain cocoa or cocoa-like flavorings. Instead, as I opened the tin and smelled, I realized the product may well be misnamed. I double-checked the website and nope. It’s the correct label for the tea.

The Pinky Up Red Velvet Cake Tea should have been named “apple pie” something-or-other instead of after the cocoa cake. Look at the ingredients and you’ll know why:

• Apple
• Yerba mate
• Almond
• Beetroot
• Cinnamon
• Roasted almond flavoring
• Green tea matcha

Dessert-Filled Impressions

While I definitely cannot say this tea resembles Red Velvet Cake in any way (apart from the color brought on by the beetroot during steeping), I can say this is an absolutely delectable dessert tea!

The cinnamon first hits the nose as you raise the cup to your nose before sipping. As you sip, the cinnamon lingers but notes of apple and almond mingle in, bringing out the impression of sitting down with a warm slice of Grandma’s apple pie, minus the excessive sugar. (I’m not a huge sweets person, so this pleases me!)

The yerba mate combined with matcha gives the tea a nice foundation that takes the edge off the slightly spicy cinnamon and blends it all together nicely into a warming, decadent delight without feeling like you’ve overindulged on a naughty bit of 2000-calorie cake.

Serving Suggestions for Pinky Up Red Velvet Cake Tea

While I absolutely love this tea plain – no sugar, no milk – either or both add-ins could create an even deeper dessert-like pleasure for someone looking for a bit more “oomph.” If looking to serve with a snack, I’d recommend mildly sweet treats like an oat muffin or sugar cookies without icing.

Overall Rating

This is a fabulous 4.85 out of 5 stars from me!

This incredibly delicious tea earns high praise from this tea snob. I highly recommend purchasing this for yourself, as well as any friends who need some good dessert tea.

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Looking for more great tea suggestions? Check out other tea reviews from Rita, our resident tea connoisseur.

• Bos Rooibos Tea Review
• Purple Rain Tea Review
• Strawberry Sensation Tea Review
• Mint Cranberry Tea Review
• Cuppa Cake Tea Review (Lemon)
• Pecan Praline Tea Review
• Southern Peach Tea Review
• Strawberry Velvet Cake Tea Review
• My Morning Tea Routine
• Sister Teacups
• Hot Tea on an Airplane: My Favorite Things
• Morning Tea on the Patio
• Murder With Earl Grey Tea – Cozy Mystery Novel Review
• My Matcha Ritual