Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Black Tea, Freeze-Dried Mango Bits, Vanilla Bean and Natural Flavors
Learn more about this tea here.
Learn more about 52Teas’ tea of the week subscription here.
Taster’s Review:
I love 52Teas. The idea behind having a tea company create a new blend each week is just brilliant. I love the variety that you are able to purchase and the creativity that this sort of company can provide. With teas like Toffee Bar Chai or Carrot Cake Honeybush. . .I mean you really can’t go wrong.
I can’t remember if I picked this tea up from one of the Kickstarter Campaigns or if I bought this one outright from the site. It doesn’t look like this particlar one is offered anymore. That is the only downside to a company like 52Teas. Since they are being mad tea scientists, blending all these crazy and fabulous blends, the inventory is smaller and constantly revolving. So if you are looking at a tea and it looks amazing, you better get it quick because quantities are extremely limited.
Mango Ice Cream Black Tea is a black tea blend with bits of mango that you can actually see. The dry leaf smells delicious and I couldn’t wait to check out the blend. Brewed up with water prepped at boiling and allowed to steep for about 4 minutes, this tea looked and smelled so warming and inviting even tho it is supposed to be ice cream based. I couldn’t wait to check it out!
Unfortunately, this tea just isn’t for me. First sip in and all I was really getting was the black tea base and hints of a sweetness from the vanilla. Even tho I could visibly see the mango pieces, I didn’t get any of that fruity tropical like flavor in the brew. I did get more of an astringent tone to the tea so maybe I overleafed my serving.
I did brew this tea up again and only allowed this tea to steep for about 3 minutes and I did notice that those flavors I was looking for come thru a bit more but not enough for me to think mango ice cream. Regardless, the tea was still drinkable and I didn’t feel the need to dump it, I just didn’t get the flavor I was looking or hoping for. I only had a 1/2 oz of the tea so I won’t be able to try these, but I would love to try this as a cold brew. I bet that is the way to pull out those tropical creamy flavors.
Even tho this tea might not have been my cuppa tea, I still highly recommend 52Teas and encourage checking out their teas if you haven’t yet. You won’t regret it!
Black Tea from Naveya Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Naveya Tea
About Naveya Tea:
Our fitness tea select best 100% natural detox tea,using flowers and teas to heal your body and soul.We promise all of our ingredients are renowned for their positive effects on metabolism and detoxification.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I drank this tea the other day after having their Jasmine Tea which was very good and a solid green jasmine tea. I had high expectations for this one. This is a straight black tea. Their site that has recently been revamped to market their line of teas as Fitness Teas has quite a nice assortment of teas to choose from. I was glad they sent me this tea and the Jasmine Tea to try.
Brewed this up like a black tea but errored on the side of caution and went with a 2 min steeping time. I didn’t want to oversteep this one. The dry leaves of this tea had a very nice robust malty aroma that I didn’t want to turn bitter.
Let this cool for a few minutes and took my first sip. This tea was delicious and hit the spot. There is just the right amount of malty notes to company the full bodied taste that you get each and every sip. Even as this tea cooled in my traveler mug, I didn’t get any bitterness hitting me or even strong astringent notes. Each sip was a smooth refreshing almost silky like black tea that I found myself wanting more of.
Since my first experience with this tea, I’ve had it a few more times and each time this tea is spot on. So good! I really like this and I am one that likes to take a black tea with me along with my water bottle for my hour drive to take the kids to school and me to work.
My only issue is that they are marketing this as a fitness tea and that seems to be the new craze lately. I read in a Vogue article that we wold be seeing more and more of that this year. I don’t have a problem with companies marketing their teas as fitness teas at all. As long as there are disclaimers were they need to be. Like I said in my review of the jasmine tea. I just really liked the look of their older site with the beautiful floral arrangements and tea pots galore. Those kind of sites are what attract my attention. When I see the site now, it gives me two feelings. 1) I need to go work out and 2) Guilty for not working out. Again, no issue here with them marketing their teas however they want. I just think the tea enthusiasts out there would like the previous site just a bit better.
Regardless, they make some amazing teas!
Golden Tips Assam from Tao of Tea
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Tao of Tea
Product Description:
Native Name: Sunehri Assam Jaat
Origin: Upper Assam, Northeast IndiaPlucking Season: Mid Summer
Introduction: The Golden Tips Assam is made from a distinct Camellia Assamica plant varietal growing only at a handful of estates. The leaves are withered, bruised with a rolling machine, oxidized and then over roasted. In making the Golden tips, the oxidization is slightly longer than in the case of making darker Assams. The golden tips are precious for the tea gardens as they fetch a higher premium in the market.
Flavor Profile: Smooth textured, amber red liquor with apple and pear flavors. The high volume of essential oils in the Golden Tips Assam is evident immediately after the tea is served, as a thin layer of oil quickly coats the surface of the tea giving it a self-creaming appearance. These are beneficial oils that protect the body from carcinogens and give tea its anti-aging properties.
Tasters Review:
Golden Tips Assam is another GOODY from Tao of Tea! It’s slightly roasted and slightly chewy but not like you would expect. More importantly it’s very (and unexpectedly) creamy!
The description says hints of apple and peach flavor…at first I could relate to the peach hints but not really the apple…I thought it was more of a date type hint. Regardless I really enjoyed this cuppa and would suggest to anyone who loves black teas!
Wild Forest Black Tea from Choice Organic
Tea Type:
Black Tea
Where To Buy:
Choice Organic Tea
Product Description:
Awaken your senses with this rare tea, rich in flavor and history, from ancient tea trees growing deep in the forests of Southeast Asia. Generations of local people have climbed these wild tea trees to pluck their leaves. Now you can enjoy this refreshing cup that’s smooth, yet hearty. Drink in its enduring energy.
An energizing rare wild tea with a smooth, yet hearty flavor. Leaves are plucked from ancient tea trees (500 years old or more) growing deep in the forests of Southeast Asia. Only recently have these teas been made available to the rest of the world due to recent efforts by NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to develop a positive alternative economy for the region as a solution to the illegal drug market.
Tasters Review:
I think this is a great way to start your day if you are short on time or on-the-go! This is a bold and burly black tea in a bag! It’s pretty strong, fairly malty, rich and robust! It has hints of that bakey or crusty type tea that I so much love, too!
Wild Forest Black Tea is a winner in my book! And I really like that Choice Organic Teas support the Jane Goodall Institute!
About Choice Organic’s GOOD FOR ALL Campaign and Efforts:
Choice Organic Teas is delighted to present five extraordinary teas – Oothu Garden Green, Wild Forest Black, Decaffeinated English Breakfast, Yerba Maté Mint and Rooibos Superfruit. This well-rounded collection of flavorful teas sourced from four different continents celebrates the universal passion for tea while supporting the Jane Goodall Institute and our continued leadership and commitment to social and environmental sustainability.
Sales from each purchase benefit the Jane Goodall Institute, a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. The Institute is also recognized for establishing innovative community-centered conservation programs in Africa, as well as Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, its international environmental and humanitarian youth program.
Choice Organic Teas is proud to support the Jane Goodall Institute as we share its commitment to conservation, sustainability, and being responsible stewards of the earth. Since 1989, our mission has been to improve the world one cup of tea at a time. As the first exclusively organic tea crafter in the United States, the first to offer Fair Trade Certified™ tea in the United States, and most recently, the first tea company to acquire Non-GMO Verification, we craft all of our teas the with conservation of the planet and its creatures in mind. www.janegoodall.org
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and UN Messenger of Peace, is world renowned for her groundbreaking chimpanzee behavioral research—research that transformed scientific perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals. Founded in 1977, JGI is a global leader in the effort to protect endangered chimpanzees and their habitats. The Institute and its iconic founder are also committed to empowering people to make a difference for all living things. Consistent with this mission, JGI created the “Good for All” brand to recognize companies and environmentally conscious products that reflect Dr. Goodall’s core values.
Golden Monkey from White August Tea Company
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: White August Tea Company
Product Description:
This stunning Chinese black tea is among the finest in the world. Each spring the tea leaves are carefully plucked of only one leaf and one bud, resembling a monkey claw. The beautiful twisted golden leaves yield a full bodied tea with a soft apricot finish. 50g bag only.
Tasters Review:
This is a mighty fine Golden Monkey! It didn’t disappoint! This has the flavor you would expect from a Golden Monkey as well as a semi-chewy with the slightest bit of smoke hint that lingers on to the aftertaste!
Plain, Simple, and Straight to the point…I haven’t found a tea from White August Tea Company that I haven’t liked! What a great tea from a great company!