Chestnut/Adagio Teas -Ashmanra-

I have recently been introduced to LOTS of tea by Adagio, and honestly I had no idea that they had such a huge selection.

I decided to share this pot of tea with someone who has actually had chestnuts since I never have so I would be able to tell you how authentic the taste is!

My impression of the tea is that it tastes exactly like the company description – black tea with a pleasant dryness. It is nutty, but the company says their teas are safe for people with nut allergies. The facility is also gluten free.

I took it plain but it definitely could take milk and sugar if you prefer. It had that raspy dry feel on the tongue that many Keemun teas give, a cocoa powder vibe without chocolate. It reminded of the feeling when a wee bit of the “bitter” from inside a pecan or walnut shell gets in your mouth. That may sound bad but as they said – it is a pleasant bitterness.

So what about the person who has had actual chestnuts? She said it was so authentic that she was transported back to Eastern Europe at Christmastime, buying roasted chestnuts from vendors in the street. She was quite nostalgic and I am pretty sure she would be pleased to find a box of this tea in her stocking this year!

This also gave a decent resteep. Many thanks to the Sisters for sharing this one with me!


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Adagio Teas

Description

Premium Ceylon black tea flavored with roasted chestnuts. Roasty, smooth and full-bodied, with a pleasant dryness. Perfect for enjoying in front of an open fire on a cool night, in any season. A comforting reminder of the season of giving, perfect to share with a few close friends.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Grape Freeze from DAVIDsTea. . . .

Everyone has that one (or if you’re me, like, a thousand) weird stories from your childhood. Now, most aren’t going to go sharing them for all the world to know– but sometimes, in the name of tea, awkward stories must be told.

As a younin’, I LOVED all things fruit– real and fresh– of course, but fake fruity flavors, as well. All of it. Gimme.

Around the age of 3 or so, I came down with a bad cold and needed some medicine. Knowing I’d spit out that nasty bubblegum flavored medicine in a heartbeat (sorry, mom), my mother played to my strengths and picked up a bottle of Grape Dimetapp. You know the type– bright purple, tastes nothing like grapes off the vine? That’s the stuff.

Anyways, my three-year-old palate, having no idea this was medicine and not candy, slurped my little plastic dosing cup down willingly. A few hours later, when my mom asked my sisters and I what we wanted to drink with dinner, I of course enthusiastically replied, “DIMETAPP!”

I got water instead. (Thanks, mom. Sorry, mom.)

All of this to say: you guys, I still love that fakey fruity flavor. I am allll about it. It’s not real grape, of course. But it’s delicious nonetheless. And what does this have to do with tea, you ask? On ice, this tea is a Dimetapp dead-ringer. Slightly more adult, mind you– hints of the green tea base in the background, not nearly as saccharine-sweet– but otherwise, spot on. Is it an everyday tea for me? No, probably not. But it is a fun summer treat, harkening back to the quirky palate of my youth? Yup. And it’s a tasty one, at that.

Now if you’ll excuse me– I have a dinnertime beverage to pour for my inner child.


Here’s the scoop!

Where to Buy:  DAVIDsTea
Description

This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Bright Eyed from Art of Tea. . . .

It’s been TOO LONG since my last cup of tea from Art of Tea. I was so excited to try Bright Eyed from Art of Tea recently and while I was checking out this herbal tisane in their online shop I noticed it’s currently out of stock but still wanted to mention it because it’s pretty awesome!

What is described as an invigorating blend of turmeric, ginger, and other fragrant spices on the Art of Tea website and shop – this tea draws from Ayurvedic principles to energize and awaken your mind and body–all without caffeine! This was exciting to me because ONE – I LOVE Turmeric, TWO – it’s a colorful blend of herbals and I try to eat and drink COLORS because they are full of life, and THREE – I’m trying to incorporate more low caff or no caff teas and tisanes into my daily regimen.

This autumnal tisane brews to a beautiful copper hue and can be enjoyed year round, and at any time of day according to Art of Tea…and I totally agree with this, too! You really can’t go wrong with Bright Eyed from Art of Tea! It offers a nice spice in liquid form in a cup!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Tisane
Where to Buy:  Art of Tea
Description

An invigorating blend of turmeric, ginger and other fragrant spices, this tea draws from Ayurvedic principles to energize and awaken your mind and body–all without caffeine! This autumnal tisane brews to a beautiful copper hue and can be enjoyed year round, and at any time of day.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Blueberry Green Iced Tea Powder from Stash Tea

When I first saw this I was intrigued. Just take the packet, dump it into a water bottle, and shake. A new and different way to make tea, perfect for lazy people. Then I started thinking and one question came to mind…”how does green tea powder differ from flavored matcha?”

The answer I have determined is it doesn’t. This is just like a sweetened flavored matcha a la DAVIDsTEA.

This is a mossy green color which screams vegetal and yet it is 100% sweet blueberry. Like blueberry pie filling. Sugary and good for dessert cravings.

At first sip it was a little chalky but that might have been in my head because as I continue drinking it is very smooth. It does coat the tongue a bit flavor-wise though so that pie filling sweetness builds. Just a warning for those who prefer a less in-your-face flavor.

I was actually surprised by this one. I put off drinking it but ended up enjoying it quite a bit. I think it is a pretty niche flavor so I don’t think I would drink it all the time but it’s an easy treat for every now and then.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Green Tea
Where to Buy:  Stash Tea
Description

This unique powdered green tea is made from whole green tea leaves that have been ground into a fine powder. We then add natural blueberry flavor for a refreshing, juicy taste. Just add to cold or hot water and stir, no brewing needed!

You get more of the goodness of green tea, as the entire tea leaf is consumed. Convenient, delicious, and naturally refreshing, make it by the glass or pitcher, or on-the-go by simply adding to bottled water. Shake or stir and enjoy! Each box contains 10 sticks and makes 10 servings, 16 oz each.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Tangerine Green from Prestogeorge. . . .

Ahhhh! Another TWO firsts for me! This is the first time I have tried this tea and the first time I have tried any teas from THIS company! Tangerine Green from Prestogeorge! Come to find out Prestogeorge is based in Pittsburgh which is just under 3 hours from where I live. WHY haven’t I known this before now?

I will say that the aroma of this flavored green tea is VERY mellow. Barely-there, even! I was expecting something more potent. But it all worked out! I mean this is a nice flavored green tea eventho the aroma and the flavor is on the mellower side.

Prestogeorge says its the goodness of pan fired green tea paired with orange peel, safflowers, marigolds and orange tangerine flavor. I will say that I think the pan fried green tea leaves were of exceptional quality. Just the way I like them! Pressed to perfection! Again – the orange-tangerine flavor whispered its way thru the cuppa but certainly made my tongue HAPPY!

I’ve been told by more than one person that this is excellent iced or hot. I, for one, can agree that my HOT cuppa certainly STOOD UP! Next I would LOVE to try it iced but I already know I will adore it! YUM!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Green Tea
Where to Buy:  Prestogeorge
Description

The goodness of pan fired green tea paired with orange peel, safflowers, marigolds and orange tangerine flavor. Excellent iced or hot!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!