I believe it was about a year ago that DAVIDsTEA introduced tea-infused chocolate to their store selection. Since then I have tried a few different varieties but have found them to be rather hit or miss. Plus, with the hefty price tag they boast of about $6 per chocolate bar, I find they are often not worth what I am paying.
The thing is in order to make their bars unique and different from the countless chocolate offerings in their world, DAVIDsTEA has put the actual loose leaf tea into the chocolate. This sometimes works as it not only provides flavor but also gives the chocolate a fun crunch. And sometimes it doesn’t work because the pieces of tea are a little too big and a little too hard and leave me a little fearful that the crunch will be more of a crack.
Well, the other day I was out for dinner with my sister and came across a DAVIDsTEA I had never been in before. Since there were some newly released teas I decided to go in and grab a few samples. While there I realized they still had quite a bit of their holiday offerings on sale, including their mini chocolate bars. At $2 a piece, I figured the price was right and grabbed a couple to try – this and the Blueberry Muffin tea-infused white chocolate bar. The Blueberry Muffin tea was one of those teeth-cracking bars that mostly tasted of white chocolate. This bar is significantly better.
The milk chocolate is rich and creamy which highlights the silky custard-like texture you get with good french toast. The tea imparts a great deal of that eggy flavor that is standard in the breakfast classic and one of the components I enjoyed the most when it came to this tea blend. There is also a nice dash of cinnamon to really round things out and help conjure up the illusion of the delectable breakfast treat that inspires the tea and this chocolate. I will say the chocolate drowns out the cardamom that was so prominent in the actual tea. Personally, I don’t mind this since I am not a lover of cardamom but I feel it is worth mentioning for those who might be bothered by its lacking.
All in all, this is one of the better DAVIDsTEA chocolate bars I have tried. Unlike other bars, the tea is distinctive in flavor while not being too present in the texture. In the past, some of the bars have simply tasted like other chocolates you could find in stores for much cheaper than they were being sold at DAVIDs. This bar is unique and definitely worth the price tag as it highlights the best parts of the tea that inspires it.
Here’s the scoop!
Where to Buy: DAVIDs Tea
Description
This candy bar is not available online but may be available in stores.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Product Review: Red Hair Girl Walking a Dog on Orange Damask Tea Tin from Tea & Tins
Here at Sororitea Sisters we are trying to do more and more product reviews. That is reviews of tea-themed or tea-related products and/or items that tea fans might be interested that aren’t just tea to sip on. Today I’m sharing with you…a Product Review: Red Hair Girl Walking a Dog on Orange Damask Tea Tin.
This is a fun and youthful tea tin with a French twist that is perfect for storing your loose leaf tea and/or just displaying in your kitchen, craft room, workplace, or to take with you on the go!
This tin can hold about 2 oz (60g) of a typical green tea, a little bit more of black tea and less for white tea. The Tea Tin Measurements are Height: 4” (102 mm). Diameter: 2.5” (62 mm).
As you can see the design is a light yellow-orange color Damask pattern with a Anime character walking her dog on the face of the tin. Whether the character is walking, jogging, running, skipping, or shuffling thru the Autumn Leaves that is up to you and your imagination.
I LOVED this tin and the design on it because I enjoy throw back trendy Anime characters similar to Sailor Moon. I also chose this as one of my favorite designs because of the reddish hair the girl has here. It reminds me of a shade of red I dyed my hair years ago! That – and you can’t go wrong with cute little puppies, eh!?
I will cherish this tea tins for years to come but will also show it off on my desk at work, too!
Here’s the scoop!
Where to Buy: Tea & Tins
Description
Tea tin with a French twist! Perfect for storing your loose leaf tea.
This tin can hold about 2 oz (60g) of a typical green tea, a little bit more of black tea and less for white tea.
Height: 4” (102 mm). Diameter: 2.5” (62 mm)
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Product Review: Portable Tea Infuser Bottle AKA Tea Capsule from Pumeli. . .
Are you ready for a Product Review? Portable Tea Infuser Bottle AKA Tea Capsule from Pumeli is what’s up next here at Sororitea Sisters!
More and more companies seem to be coming out with tea infuser bottles so today I am going to tell you what makes THIS Portable Tea Infuser Bottle AKA Tea Capsule from Pumeli different!
First and foremost I will say that the vibrant yellow color and sleek curvy design are very trendy and eye-catching.
Essentially we are talking about a portable tea kettle on the go, folks! Picture an all-in-one portable tea kettle. All you have to do is simply add tea and water to the insulated glass tumbler and BAM you are on your way to a great day!
I appreciate Eco-friendly products and this product from Pumeli is just that! It’s Double Wall Insulated Glass makes it PERFECT for a reusable travel mug and keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold!
It’s also features a removable Stainless Steel Tea Strainer made of fine mesh for loose leaf tea or fruit infused water. It easily slides out if you want to use it for smoothies, matcha iced tea, or coffee beverages, too! With some other infuser bottles and/or loose leaf travel mugs I have tried that pesky little strainer can be a ‘bugger’ to get in and out or keep in place. So far from what I have seen it’s works VERY NICELY with this product!
This capsule is lightweight, dishwasher safe, and see-thru so you can see the contents swim around freely. This is great if you are a fan of seeing those hand-rolled teas unfurl and dance around while infusing!
This is certainly an impressive product. It makes an incredible gift but I can understand it being hard to part with. You just might want to keep it for yourself!
Here’s the scoop!
Where to Buy: Pumeli
Description
The Pumeli Tea Capsule with removable tea strainer contains everything you need to steep your tea on the go.
It’s the ideal way to simplify your teatime routine.
Let’s be honest, no one wants to deal with a wet tea bag first thing in the morning. Messy, dripping single-use tea bags create waste that only adds distraction to your relaxing tea ritual and commuting routine, so why use them?
Start your day off right with a all-in-one portable tea kettle. Simply add tea and water to the insulated glass tumbler and you’ll be quickly on your way.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Jin Xuan Oolong Tea in Goldfish Teabag From Charmvilla
Our Sister’s Thoughts:
Not only am I reviewing a tea but a tea product and concept with this Jin Xuan Oolong Tea in Goldfish Teabag From Charmvilla . First I will cover the actual tea INSIDE the bag. The Jin Xuan Oolong Tea inside this cute Goldfish Teabag is a pretty straight forward Oolong. It’s a no-muss, no-fuss type. It infuses to a light golden yellow. The aroma is a weaker milky type smelling oolong. The taste is a little creamy, a bit green, and a tad roasted. It’s a fair tasting oolong.
Personally I think the draw of this product is all presentation! I’ve never seen anything like this before and I’m constantly looking for something different when it comes to ANYTHING Tea. That is what I found with this product. This isn’t a product that the average person would buy in bulk. Each bag goes for about $20. It would certainly be reserved for the most special of occasions. I could definitely see these at wedding receptions. I read somewhere that a lady bought one of these for her elderly great grandmother as a gift, too, and I could see where that would be something to treasure and talk about.
After I learned that each bag goes thru a 16-step process I could see why the cost was higher. It was more justifiable to me in my head. This is a gem of a NovelTEA product that is for sure. Jin Xuan Oolong Tea in Goldfish Teabag From Charmvilla is something to be treasured and talked about and not simply thrown away once finished with a simple cuppa. The way it plumps up in the bag and seems to naturally swim around in your cup is totally a sight to see!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong Tea
Where to Buy: Charmvilla
Description:
The concept of Charmvilla is to add elements of charm and passion to products. Goldfish Tea Bags are made via a 16-step process. Nine of these steps require exquisite handcrafted skills by Taiwanese artists in order to display the ultimate craftsmanship of the Goldfish Tea Bag. The complex process is to highlights the majestic artistry of the Goldfish Tea Bag.
When the tea bag is brewed in hot water and begins to swell, the shape of a goldfish begins to form. The mouth of the tea bag is designed with a special cotton thread, Pulling the thread enables the tea bag to move in water. Creating a natural rhythm of moment from the fluctuations of the water. A life-like goldfish appears to be swimming in your tea cup. The concept of the Goldfish Tea Bag echoes its manufacturer’s cultural appeal – Creating charming products, enjoying a charm filled life. When the beauty of tea culture is delivered through the elegant shape of a goldfish, Tea drinkers can not only enjoy the taste, but also enjoy the fun and beauty of brewing tea with this highly loved, award-winning tea bag.
Jin Xuan Oolong: Jin Xuan translates to “Golden Daylily” and is also referred to as “Milk Oolong” (Nai Xiang) due to its buttery smoothness. This high-mountain grown tea produces a unique soft, creamy, rich, subtly sweet flavor once it is lightly roasted and rolled into semi-balls. Absolutely no milk is involved in the production of real Taiwan ‘milk’ tea. It resembles milk, but doesn’t taste exactly like milk. Once brewed, the tea produces a dark yellow, goldfish color (the color of Golden Daylily) and yields a fresh aroma, fresh flavor, and a smooth aftertaste with sweet undertones.
Learn more about this tea here.
Earl Grey Organic Black Tea Crystals from Pique Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Pique Tea
Tea Description:
Citrusy. Cherry-infused. Your day just got fancier.
Polyphenol Antioxidant Level: 245mg
- 14 sachets (servings) per carton
- Organic, premium tea leaves brewed and crystallized for a perfect cup of tea
- Simply open, pour in cup, and add water
- Free of artificial flavors, preservatives and sugar
Our delicious Earl Grey is made from the finest Organic and Fair Trade certified leaves from the world-renowned Idulgashinna Estate in the Uva region in eastern Sri Lanka. A really special area, at 3,300-6,500 feet in elevation, the Uva region receives tons of rain in winter very strong, dry winds in late summer. This garden produces a very smooth cup with light fruity hints and delicate pungency. The finish is long and clean, with a hint of fresh-cut pine and a nice accent of orange zest.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Boy do I have a product for you – Earl Grey Organic Black Tea Crystals from Pique Tea – is something I will tell EVERYONE about today! Pique Tea takes LEAF to crystal! Pique Tea Crystals are the intersection of modern science and ancient tradition—a proprietary process that slow brews and extracts the fresh flavor and nutrients of whole leaf tea at optimal levels and locks it in a crystal form.
This in itself made me categorize this product in with the black tea rather than only putting them in with tea products. I have tried other products that are crystals for your tea which would be specifically a tea product but Earl Grey Organic Black Tea Crystals from Pique Tea are crystals that are ACTUALLY made from tea leaves. That is the most important and deciding factor here, I think.
Another thing I want to point out about Earl Grey Organic Black Tea Crystals from Pique Tea is that the crystals that you pour in your cup – heat up – and enjoy – are just that – crystals – or what may look to many – as powder. After closer examination you will see that the ‘dust’ varies in size and the more sizable crystals may (or may not) have a glimmer to them.
Now…let’s talk about the more sizable glimmery crystals – shall we? I’ve had other products that you pour into a cup and have had minimal tea in them but have been completely overpowered by sugar and other additives. I have had novelTEA products that have been a groovy concept but not that great in flavor. I have had MANY ‘convenient’ pour-in-and-go packaged tea or tea-like drink mixes that have collected grit in the bottom of my cup. But let me be clear when I say that Earl Grey Organic Black Tea Crystals from Pique Tea blows all of these other product away! Sure…the directions say stir but I have to tell you I didn’t even have to do that! As soon as my hot water splashed these fine crystals they dissolved! Nothing was found at the bottom of the cup! The liquid looked like PURE and clean black tea!
And I rejoiced when I tasted NO sugar in this cuppa! If you have been reading this blog for a while you may know that I do NOT add ANYTHING to my teas! I drink them straight up! No sugars or other additives – no milk or milk alternatives! I really think this little packet of wonder was made for me!
Another comparison I would like to point out here is the trendy and mainstream K-Cups that we’ve all seen on the shelves! I have a problem with these. I have tried just about every tea based K-cup out there HOPING that I can find one at least acceptable but I haven’t yet. (If you know of one – or are from a company that uses quality tea in K-cup form please leave a comment and/or contact us). Anyhow…enough about my Tea Based K-Cup rant – I was going somewhere with this! And that is that Earl Grey Organic Black Tea Crystals from Pique Tea shines brighter than ANY K-Cup or drop-and-heat product out there!
Now…on to the actual smell and taste! As for aroma – Earl Grey Organic Black Tea Crystals from Pique Tea – isn’t an in-your-face Earl Grey punch to the nose but I am ok with that. The taste, however, is pretty good! It DOES taste like Earl Grey! It’s not an overdone Earl Grey flavor but it’s not underdone either. The one thing that I seemed to have missed is the cherry infusion that the product description mentioned but I’m not worried about that. I would put this on the ‘just right’ flavor scale! I bet if I wanted it stronger I could probably just use a little less water. I have yet to experiment with this. This Earl Grey Organic Black Tea Crystals from Pique Tea is a real winner!
I was quite surprised with this product and will be mentioning it to MANY. I was able to sneak one of their other flavors and will be doing a review of that in the neat future, too, and let me tell you that was impressive as well! Pique Tea is a game changer! There…I said it!