52Teas Sipdown -cuppageek

PhotoCredit: 52Teas

As some of you may know, I’ve taken a step back from my tea shop to get myself back on track health wise.  What some of you might not know- I literally stopped drinking tea all together.  I think between being such a huge tea fan and blending my own blends- my taste buds just weren’t feeling tea anymore.  So I sadly packed up what tea I had (which was a lot), knowing that one day I would be back at it. . . and I’m happy to say after taking a couple months off- my taste buds are back where they should be.

I wanted to greet my tastebuds with something amazing right from the start and knowing that I had a lot of 52Teas in my stash, I  knew Anne’s blends would be exactly where I needed to start my journey back into tea with.

If you aren’t familiar with Anne/52Teas, I implore to check her site out.  She literally makes some of the most amazing blends that I’ve ever had and beyond that, she is just an amazing person.  I’m quite honored to call her a personal friend as well, tho I never let that cloud my reviews of her blends and she knows that as well :).

Anyway, back to the tea goodness. . .

So over the last few days, I have enjoyed a TON of 52 Teas blends and was able to sipdown a few. Below are my thoughts on these blends that are sipdowns. . .

Blood Orange Butterscotch Black Tea– A blend with Black Tea, Blood Oranges, Calendula Petals & Natural Flavors- This blend, I have to say, was amazing however, I didn’t really pick up on the blood orange or the butterscotch.  What I loved was the black tea that Anne used in this blend. The flavor was rich and smooth and even tho I didn’t really pick up any of the flavors, the black tea notes were more than enough for me to call this blend a winner.

Boy! Oh! Boy! Black Tea– A blend with Black Teas, Watermelon and Natural Flavors- To me, watermelon is a flavor best enjoyed cold so I cold brewed this one.  That may have been a mistake. I didn’t love the blend and now I’m wondering if I would have enjoyed this one hot- would some of the flavors popped a bit more. . All I really could pick up was watermelon and being not one of my favorite flavors. . this one wasn’t my favorite. Still good.

Michola Chai Black Tea w/Honeybush– I would list the ingredients for this one but there is a laundry list of delights used to make this blend so I will some this one up with saying the normal chai ingredients with marshmallow root, vanilla bean, and honeybush.  Let’s just start this note by saying sorry, not sorry.  I literally gobbled up all the remaining inventory for this blend earlier this week (I believe and if there is more- I call dibs).  This blend is one if not the BEST chai blend I have ever had, and I am not a fan of chais.  Brewed up with hot- this blend had notes of chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg. . but want I literally searched for in each and every sip was the awesome ginger notes that stole the show.  Not being a huge ginger fan- the amount of love I have for this blend is really interesting. So many flavors that normally I am not all about.   I greedily drank/gulped this tea down in no time flat and have to say it is simply amazing.  All the ingredients mingle so well.  If you have this one in your stash, check it out.  You won’t be sorry.

Gooey Butter Cake Black Tea– Black teas, lemon myrtle, calendula petals & natural flavors- Brewed up hot, this tea is literally like sipping on a cake.  The cake notes are perfect in the spotlight with the tail end of the sip reminding you this is a black tea.  Really delightful and one that I was happy to enjoy.  Where I went wrong with this blend was brewing this one cold.  Sadly the lemon myrtle took over and I didn’t enjoy the cold brew as much as the hot.  Was still good, just not as good as the hot brew.

Walking on Sunshine White Tea– White Tea, lemons, marshmallow root & natural flavor- This white tea blend calls my name over and over.  Marshmallow Root, white tea, and lemon are one of my favorite combinations and this tea was no exception.  I truly enjoyed this blend hot as well as cold.  This blend is currently available on the site and if I was enjoying white teas more, I would have gobbled up all of this blend too.

Ginger Lime Butterfly Tea– Butterfly Pea Flower, Lemongrass, ginger root, limes & natural flavors- Oh this blend.  I truly truly love this blend.  This blend has been my companion for a while since I cold brewed this delight and just keep adding water.  The blend reminds me of a slightly floral, slightly spiced, limeade with chunks of lemon.  I don’t really know how else to describe this one.  I still have to hot brew the remaining bit I have left over, but cold brewed, this one is a winner.

Grapefruit Creme Brulee Green Tea– Green tea grapefruit, calendula petals, vanilla bean & natural flavors- This one is another sorry not sorry.  I also nabbed the remaining inventory of this blend earlier this week because this is the blend that truly sang my name and prompted me to even buy a new tea kettle.  This blend has it all- the lovely sweet notes of the vanilla bean, the semi tartness of the grapefruit with the vegetal background of the green tea.  I can’t express how much I love this one and I have a feeling this one might be one I beg Anne to reblend for me as a custom order.  It truly is that good.

Sipdowns are amazing but can also be sad.  It is always nice to make room for new blends but sometimes it is sad to say goodbye. . .especially to blends from 52Teas because once some of these teas are gone. . .they are gone for good. Lucky for me, I have myself a pretty good sized 52Teas order on its way to me.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type: Herbal/Chai/Black/Green

Where to Buy: 52Teas

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Masala Chai Organic Black Tea/Rishi -TeaEqualsBliss

I’m doing my own personal sipdown during COVID that’s for sure! I’m flying thru a lot of the teas I have had on hand for a good-long-while including Masala Chai Organic Black Tea from Rishi Tea.

To be honest, I thought I already reviewed this one, but apparently I did NOT.

I drink chai like I drink tea…plain…straight-up…with nothing else in them. The spices are BOLD in this chai. The ingredients consist of Organic Black Tea, Organic Cardamom, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Black Pepper, and Organic Cloves. I almost typed GLOVES. Now…THAT would have been a tea I have never tried – hahaha!

As you can see – the ORGANIC theme runs thru this offering. It is certified USDA Organic and also Certified Kosher and both labels are clearly shown.

This is a bold chai and it reaches high standards. It’s a GOODIE!


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Rishi Tea

Description

Tasting Notes
A robust, full-bodied black tea blended with aromatic traditional Indian masala spices
organic black tea, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, organic ginger root, organic black pepper, organic clove

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Organic Masala Chai/Tea Sparrow – Stephenia –

I admit that I love getting tea subscription boxes. Who doesn’t like getting monthly packages with new teas to try? Recently I had the opportunity to try out the Tea Sparrow tea box. Tea Sparrow samples hundreds of teas each month to select blends that they feel will inspire their customers. This means that each month you are guaranteed a whole new selection of tea blends to try. The box comes with 4 teas. I was eager to try them all however since Chai is my favorite tea blend I of course went with that first.

The Masala Chai they sent is the classic blend of ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom with the addition of ginger liquid and cinnamon liquid. All the ingredients are organic.

I steeped the tea per the package directions (1 tbsp per 10oz of water using boiling water, let step 4 minutes).

I really loved this blend. It is a mellow chai, the spices are not intense or stand out on their own, rather it is a light mingling of flavor. I especially love these types of chai for an afternoon cuppa when I want a little pick me up but don’t want anything too intense.

I am eager to try the other teas in my box and look forward to my next month’s teas!


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type: Black

Where to Buy :  Tea Sparrow

Description

Did you know that ‘chai’ means ‘tea’? It’s Masala Chai that means ‘spice tea’ – or ‘chai tea’ as some Westerners like to call it. Except wait, that’s ‘Tea Tea.’ Never mind, just drink it!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Traditional Masala Chai/Blue Lotus Chai

Let me tell you how you can have an amazing pick up for your day.

(1)  Pick yourself up a tin of Traditional Masala Chai from Blue Lotus Chai.

(2) Once the tin arrives, instantly get the following:  water, pot, milk and a timer.

(3) Open the tin and enjoy the aromas of the chai mix.

(4) Boil 4 oz fresh water.

(5) Add one rounded scoop of the powdered chai.

(6) Stir. . . .add in milk or creamer and continue to heat the mixture

(7) Once the brew is the desired temp, I highly recommended adding on a dollop of froth milk/cream to throw this experience over the top.

(8) Enjoy. . .and let all of the cares of the day wash away

I will admit, I am not a chai fan but this chai mix has changed my mind completely.  After following the above steps, you are left with this delicious chai mix that really makes you sit back and take a moment for yourself.  All of those beautiful spices mingle so well together and if you use milk like I did, that added creamy note really makes the brew even more enjoyable.

I will say that you definitely want to drink this tea right after you prepare the brew.  I accidentally let the tea sit for a few minutes and it seemed like there was a bit of grit from the powder staring to accumulate at the bottom of the cup.

What is brilliant about this chai is there isn’t a teapot that you need to clean out, there is no tea leaves you need to fuss with, just a pot, some water, and the chai mix itself.  Now saying that, I do still love my loose leaf tea and would never part with having it, but this chai mix from Blue Lotus Chai is definitely a great tea to have on hand for those mornings or afternoons when you need a little pick me up and may not have all of the needed tea ware to brew up a proper cuppa or just need a cuppa asap.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Blue Lotus Chai

Description

With its deep and truly authentic flavor and amazing ease of preparation, our flagship product has become part of the daily rhythm of many homes. Tasting is believing!

Ingredients: Naturally brewed and flash-dried black tea powder; 100% Certified Organic powdered spices: ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

The Famous Lion Chai /T by Daniel . . . .

Instant tea mixes have always intrigued me.  More or less for the convenience factor. In the mornings, I am rushed.  Even waking up early doesn’t seem to help me get everything done, in place, everybody out the door- with there still time to always be able to make a proper cuppa.  Especially anything I might want to add a touch of frothed milk or creamer too.

So when The Famous Lion Chai from T by Daniel came my way, I was pretty excited to check the concoction out. Without even looking at the ingredients, I added 2 tablespoons of the mix into my frother, added the recommended 8 ounces of milk, hit the button to froth/mix up and away I went finishing up making lunches and making sure homework was in book bags.

A few moments later I heard the ding indicated the tea was ready, poured the mix into my tea cup, and away I went.  After taking my first sip though, I noticed a flavor hanging out in the background that made me wish I would have checked the ingredients. Hazelnut.  I know I know. The majority of the world loves hazelnut, but sadly I am not one of them.  And after taking a few more sips, the resounding flavor I was getting was split between caramel and hazelnut.

Now the good thing about these flavors being so pronounced and in the spotlight-there really isn’t a harsh artificial flavor that I’ve gotten when trying mixes like this one in the past.  For me personally, the best part of this blend is this honeyed cinnamon flavor you can catch here and there.  Really light and sweet with just a hint of a spiced kick.

Overall, well played T by Daniel! Even though I’m not 100% in love with this mix, I know my kiddo would love and eagerly gulp away.  And I would have no problem serving this to him in the mornings instead of the soda he seems to grab. I’m sad to say this just isn’t a blend for me.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Chai

Where to Buy:  T by Daniel

Description

Get ready to make your tastebuds ROAR!

Our most popular tea of all time is now available for you to enjoy in the comfort of your home!

A luxurious smooth blend of premium black tea and exotic spices such as cinnamon and hazelnut, this delicious chai premix can be made with milk or water (or your favourite milk alternatives!)

One sip of our famous Lion Chai will make you understand why its our “MANE” beverage!

 

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!