I’m going to admit something to you…citrus teas scare me. When I see teas that feature lemon or berry in their name, I tend to skip over them in my shopping. So, when I got Green Lemonade as a tea to try in my current box, I was a little hesitant. It is honestly one of the last teas I tried – I wish it had been the first! For the Love of Tea has created a blend that has a fresh aroma and a hint of citrus. From the aroma alone, I was confident that this tea would not be one who overused citrus in its blending process. The large leaves presented in this blend allow for a variety of brewing methods from sachet to brewing directly in your tea pot.
Once brewed, this blend presents a classic green tea color and provides a light citrus flavor at the end which masks and diminishes the typical earth undertones of a green tea. Green tea is easy to burn through prolonged brew times, and this blend is no exception. You will need to watch it so that you do not over-steep it! Since green tea is so easy to burn, I often add citrus and a little sugar to the cup in order to minimize the strong earthy undertones that begin once over brewed. With the Green Lemonade blend from For the Love of Tea, I did not have to add anything and their addition of citrus was a refreshing mix to this light tea. This would be great for your mid-afternoon cuppa!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: The Love Tea Company
Description
This Brilliant Blend is a fan favorite. It combines the best of green tea with the best of a lemon, with lemon bits and wedges you’ll get the full “lemon-y” affect. Low in caffeine and easy on the pallet, it goes down like a smooth summer day (without the humidity). Brew a pot of this fine blend and serve hot or cold year ’round. It never hurts to add a fresh lemon slice to anything! Be sure to #sharethelove on this one.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
My Morning Blend from The NecessiTeas. . .
Drinking tea for me has two phases: the morning ritual of a cup of black tea, often with cream and sugar and the mid-day or evening cup which relaxes and centers me. My Morning Blend from The Necessiteas is a beautiful blend for your morning routine! It has a sweet floral aroma, and smells nothing like your standard “breakfast” or morning blends, but provides a bold pick me up for the start of your day
I recommend brewing this in either a t-sac or an infuser with very small openings. Though the leaves are large, there are some leaves that can get through the infuser, so this will be a preference for each person. Once brewed, this tea had a beautiful smooth finish rather than the bold and bitter flavoring you typically get with morning teas. This blend features roasted cocoa beans, and the chocolate taste is present, but not overpowering. If, like me, your morning cup consist of cream and sugar, this tea supports those additions beautifully. With cream and sugar, the boldness of the black tea is still present, but the chocolate aftertaste is enhanced.
Overall, I think this is a tea that black tea drinkers will truly enjoy. It adds some sweet and floral variety to standard breakfast and flat black blends. This is a great way to change up your morning routine flavor profile without having to give up your morning cup of black.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
If you are looking for a wake-me-up, perk-me-up cup in the morning, that’s off the beaten path of coffee, look no further. This strong black tea has the smoothness of chocolate, and the boldness of roasted cocoa beans. Doctor it as you would a cup of coffee, with milk and sugar to start off your day!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Dragon Well from Enjoying Tea. . . .
Teas have characteristics that make them better under certain circumstances. Some teas are great in the morning as a pick me up, some are better as a mid-afternoon brew, and others are better for healing specific ailments. The Dragon Well Tea from Enjoying tea is a perfect afternoon tea and provides a milder version of traditional green tea.
My initial impression of this tea was an excitement of the large flat leaf that this loose tea presented. It was refreshing to be able to truly see the tea leaf rather than have the small processed leaves that are familiar to me in black teas. The leaves themselves had a musky scent and even from the aroma of this tea, it was easy to see that it was a high quality green tea.
When brewed, this tea produced a gorgeous light tan color. Rather than the brew keeping its musky flavor, the tea had a mellow-sweet taste and was exceptionally smooth. There is a nutty overtone that lingers on the palate and keeps you looking for the next sip. I happily brewed two cups of this from a single serving of leaves
I will admit that I over-brewed the leaves at one point and was concerned that the flavor would be damaged or burnt; however, I was happily surprised that I did not distort the flavor! I was so impressed, that I wanted to do a bit of research on the leaves. One of the characteristics of this tea is the mellow flavor keeps the flavor from turning bitter, even if you over-brew or brew at a higher water temperature.
In addition, during the production of the tea, the leaves are dried under a wood-fired wok which explains that musky aromatic experience when you open this tea. I would happily brew this tea again!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Enjoying Tea
Description
This tea is not available on the site but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Indian Masala Chai from Storehouse Teas. . . .
This black tea is visually stunning! Blended with traditional Indian Masala spices in their whole form, you can see the cinnamon, cardamom, and clove within this blend. In addition to being able to see the spices used to create this blend, you can immediately smell the clove and cardamom as you open the package. It’s recommended to brew this for approximately 5 minutes, and it does brew dark – even for a black tea.
On the palate, this tea has a spicy aftertaste that I would almost describe as peppery. I drank mine hot without sugar or milk, but I think this would be a beautiful blend for an iced Chai tea latte!
Regardless of your opinion about this specific blend, I do encourage you to check out Storehouse Teas. They provide organic, fair-trade teas and assist both refugees and small farmers find employment. Their business model and theory is wonderful, and their teas are priced for everyday enjoyment. With such a large selection, I’m sure you can find something that is perfect for your favorite cuppa.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Chai
Where to Buy: Storehouse Tea
Description
A robust and classic full flavored black tea blended with traditional whole Indian Masala spices, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and clove, this tea is bold and stimulating. Masala Chai should be brewed strong and served sweet with milk when hot or pour it over ice as a chilled Chai tea latte.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pekoe Breakfast from Pekoe . . . .
The smell of this tea reminded me of English Breakfast, and that triggered me to think this blend would be great with cream and sugar! Pekoe’s website recommends trying this blend with cream and sugar, and the flavor profile does not disappoint. The flavors of this black tea were able to penetrate the cream and sugar to provide a smooth and clean black tea flavor.
I was able to get three quality brews from this tea in one serving of leaves. I personally selected to brew this in my press, and the leaves provided a beautiful light mahogany color when brewed. Before I discarded these tea leaves, I also tried this blend as an iced tea with sugar. I’m from Louisiana and a good black sweet tea is a staple in my family. When on a third brew, this tea gave wonderful light notes that were enhanced by the sweetener in the sweet tea. It was everything a sweet tea should be for a southern girl!
This tea could easily replace your English Breakfast tea that you have in your cupboard, and the quality of the leaves are apparent. This is definitely a tea I’m excited to brew again.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Pekoe
Description
Perfect for when you’re up at dawn for a run or readying for another busy day, sip on our signature organic loose leaf black tea that provides uplifting energy in a smooth and malty cup.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!