Most summers growing up were spent helping my mom tend to our vegetable garden. Beaming proudly at my over-run chives, measuring my height by the sunflowers, plucking tomatoes from the vine and popping them into bowls with a hefty sprinkle of salt, warm from the sun. But nothing was more ubiquitous than our zucchini plants. Come late summer, we were literally swimming in zucchini. Try as she might, my mom could hardly keep up with our producing plants, and was finding every possible way to work them into our daily repertoire. Who knew all she needed to do was turn them into tea??
This chocolate zucchini bread tea from A Quarter to Tea perfectly captures the flavors of one of my favorite iterations of our garden spoils– a warm, gooey, chocolatey loaf that was just as healthy as it was tasty (okay, maybe not the abundant chocolate chips sprinkled on top. But you gotta live a little, right?). Somehow, this blend manages to make the zucchini flavors prominent while keeping them from being gross– balanced with the cocoa, it’s almost reminiscent of a hot chocolate (and with a splash of maple syrup and coconut milk, it’s nearly a dead ringer). The walnuts bring a warmth and roundness of flavor that are simply delightful, and the malty, bread-y-ness impressively captures the pasty-like quality of such a dessert without feeling heavy or overwrought. If you have nostalgic garden dreams from childhood like I do, this is a great blend to pick up for your afternoon cuppa. Particularly when paired with a snack of some zucchini bread.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
This tea was part of the limited monthly subscription. Click below to learn more.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sweet & Spicy Tea & Herb Blend from Good Earth. . . .
This particular tea seems like one that just comes standard in all tea collections. Right there nestled up next to a standard English Breakfast, Chamomile, and Constant Comment is a bag of this classic blend, just awaiting someone looking for the perfect quick cuppa.
I’ll admit– I’m one of those tea people. I picked this lone bag up from who knows where (a dental office, maybe? A yoga studio? The Narnia-esque back recesses of my tea cabinet?), and it’s been sitting in my office stash of loose tea bags for quick brewing for about a year now. Oops.
The packaging looks older, which, upon doing some internet research, makes me believe that this has likely been sitting in *someone’s* stash for a while even long before mine– I recognize the new packaging from my local supermarket and Target aisles, meaning it’s been changed for at least a few years, now. So while my cup may have not been the freshest it could’ve been, I’m pleasantly surprised for a tea that I’ve just kinda ignored for a few years.
It claims to be a black tea, with a whole plethora of interesting ingredients– including, but not limited to: rose, cinnamon, chamomile, lemongrass, papaya, peppermint, jasmine, a whole host of herbs and oils… the list goes on and on. Really, what I taste the most is cinnamon. The black tea is super light, almost golden in color. It has the hint of natural sweetness that usually comes with cinnamon and licorice flavors, requiring no added sweet to the cup. Overall, I’m a fan, ish. I’m not going to likely reach for this one above many of my favorites (especially my loose leaf), but it’s nice to have on hand in your office stash for a rainy Wednesday. I’d pick it up at the dentist. Or the yoga studio. I’m sure another one of these is going to show up in my cabinet via tea-Narnia again sometime, and I’ll drink it happily.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Good Earth
Description
With sweet bursts of orange that playfully mingle with spices, these signature teas are sure to satisfy and delight.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cream from Adagio Teas. . . .
Just the notion itself of a cream tea (meaning a full tea service, scones + jam + clotted cream, etc.) brings up all the good feels for me, you guys. During my brief study abroad stint in London in college, this was my regular treat-yo-self to myself– a book, cream tea, some quiet.
So while this tea (aptly named “Cream”) from Adagio isn’t making me any specific promises including scones and jam, it certainly has some significant memories to live up to. And live up it does! It’s a lightly sweet, slightly vanilla-ish, mostly sweet-cream flavor that blends beautifully with the Ceylon base. It, unsurprisingly, takes cream and sugar incredibly well, and is especially delightful on a rainy morning with the windows open and a good book nearby (ask me how I know). The reviews from fellow tea-lovers tell me that this one is an awesome accompaniment to other teas, and bumps up the creamy factor in everything from herbal infusions to Earl Greys. I haven’t tried this yet, but you’d better believe it’s how I’ll be finishing the rest of my stash. Along with scones + jam + clotted cream, of course.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Which comes first, the cream or the tea? If you’re not sure, don’t worry… neither are the English. However, its unanimously agreed that, whether you prefer your tea first, or cream first, this dairy-free cream flavored Ceylon black tea is a treat for your teacup! Sweet, inviting and warm, with a delicate creamy consistency and aroma of fresh black tea. Pleasantly brisk and very refreshing. Teatime calls…
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Thai Lemongrass from Millie’s Savory Teas . . . .
Fun fact: I drink a lot of broth. (Not as much as tea, of course, but it’s up there.)
I find it helps ease the symptoms of some less-than-savory health stuff, but it also just makes me feel all good and nourished health-supported and… WELL. You know?
Which is one of the reasons I was so pumped to see this Thai Lemongrass sipping broth from Millie’s Savory Teas in my sample stash. I’ve been hearing about some of the other sisters sipping Millie’s for a while now, and I’ve been dying to give it a shot. This one was right up my alley!
Now, a quick note: I’m not saying that these are a replacement for my actual, made-from-bones broth. There’s no collagen or beneficial fats or any of the other things I get from actual broth, however– it tastes DELIGHTFUL, is a wonderful substitute for tea when I’m looking for something savory, and has been an awesome addition to my office snack-drawer. Mid-morning hungries usually get me real good, and I’ve been finding that a cup of this is the perfect replacement for my usual nuts or dried fruit, sans calories. Mmm.
As for taste? It tastes, well, like broth! Specifically, like the onion-y, celery-y chicken stock my mom used to simmer on the stove all day. I’m not necessarily getting Thai flavors from this one (the celery-saltiness is what’s most prominent for me), but I adore it nonetheless, and have been finding myself craving a cup of this unusual brew in the mornings. I’ll definitely be ordering a stock for myself to have on hand!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Millie’s Savory Teas
Description
This Thai Lemongrass Sipping Broth is a citrusy blend of lemongrass, spices & green tea.. This first-of-its-kind savory single serve hot beverage delivers an amazing taste using the highest quality vegan, natural, wild harvest, organic and gluten-free ingredients – No added MSG. It really is Comfort Food in a Broth™.
Comes in a air-tight flexible foil package. The packet is a great to keep in your drawer at the office. If you travel, then it is really easy to pack in your baggage, purse or backpack. Or, you can have the packet at home in your tea drawer, or next to your other hot drinks in the cupboard.
INGREDIENTS: ORGANIC VEGETABLE BLEND (CARROTS, CELERY, ONION), SEA SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, GARLIC, LEMONGRASS, LIME,GREEN TEA, HERBS & SPICES
Nutrition Facts Serv. Size: 1 packet Amount Per Serving: Calories 15, Fat Cal 0 Total Fat 0g (0% DV), Sat Fat .0g (0%DV), Trans Fat 0g ,Cholest. 0mg (0%DV), Sodium 260mg (11%DV)Total Carb. 0g (0%DV), Fiber 0g (0%DV), Sugars 0g (0%DV), Protein 0g (0%V), Vitamin A (0%DV), Vitamin C (0%DV) Calcium (0%DV), Iron (0%DV) Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Liquorice & Peppermint from Tea Pigs. . . .
I am a sucker for (well, lots, but let’s just focus on the task at hand) two things: cute branding, and licorice tea. Or rather, if you’re non-American, unlike myself: liquorice tea. (Oh, fer cute.) This tea? Has them both in spades.
Now, now– I know licorice can be divisive. It’s naturally sweet– sometimes, even too much– and herby in a way that can be weird. But it’s also warm, comforting, spicy, and frankly, I like the sweetness. Dessert tea without the calories or gobs of sugar/honey/maple syrup? Gimme.
This particular blend has a cult following of tea piglets, and so, has been on my radar for a long time. Recently, a friend handed off some of her stash and I was all too delighted to finally give it a try! This blend is not for the licorice/liquorice hater, but for those fangirls like myself? You’re gonna wanna get you some, and soon. It’s delightfully sweet, but balanced nicely by the cooling freshness of the peppermint, with a golden liquor and a velvety mouthfeel that I kinda can’t enough of. Tea that’s cute AND delicious? Pour me another cup, please and thanks.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Tea Pigs
Description
Sweet, liquorice, mint and sweet again.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!