White Pina Colada from Tea and Tins. . . .

by Sophia

I have kind of been on a roll here, trying all sorts of pina colada and coconut flavored teas. I have said it before and ill say it again, they both really are my favorite flavors in the summertime. I can honestly say, with 100% certainty, that thus far this White Pina Colada tea is hands down the best i’ve tried. I am SO GLAD I bought two ounces of it.

irst off it smells like pina colada mix, so right off the bat it is realistic and giving me visions of me laying on an island beach in a bikini catchin’ some rays. Second off, when it comes to taste- I swear my taste buds are dancing. The white tea is fluffy and creamy, the coconut is nutty and sweet, and the pineapple is subtle and fruity. Altogether, it forms the most amazing pina colada tea. The taste lingers long after the sip is gone, and it leaves me wanting more. This hot cup is so fragrant and enticing. I literally could close my eyes and pretend I was laying poolside sipping a pina colada! I guarantee this blend would be ahhh-mazing iced in the middle of summer. I also have the bright idea that with a splash of milk, this would be an awesome frozen tea-pop. This is definitely a must try, everyone.

The perfect summer beverage!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Tea and Tins
Description

Ingredients: Bai Mudan white tea, shredded coconut, pineapple bits, coconut and pineapple flavor.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Sophia

Hi, my name is Sophia. I am a first time mother to a beautiful little girl who will be 1 in July 2017. I spend my days at home with her and when I get a minute to myself, I usually spend that time making, drinking, or researching tea! My love for loose leaf tea is relatively new. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my mother (a tea addict herself) brought me to DAVIDsTEA. I enjoyed a cup of their Coconut Cream Pie Oolong and was instantly hooked! Since then, my addiction has grown to fill entire cabinets, and shows no sign of stopping. I am the creator of the Facebook group CommuniTEA where we have one big tea discussion. It is a great group for those new to the tea-world. I feel strongly about spreading the joy of loose leaf tea. I like making instructional videos and helping those that are new to the art of tea-making so that they, too, can share in the happiness that tea brings. I am excited to see where this hobby takes me and I will continue to spread the joy!

This post was posted in Tea and Tins, White Tea

Tardis Eleven Geronimo from Tea and Absinthe. . . . .

by Sophia

Okay, guys I have a confession to make. I have no idea what the name of this tea is referencing. I don’t know if I just live under a rock or if I am too young for the reference, so it took me a while to gain interest in trying this tea. But today I was digging through my little tea sample box and wanted to try something different. I did a google search to see what this tea was all about and on the company’s description it mentions vanilla custard- that is one of my favorite flavors!!! So I brewed myself up a cup and here is what I thought….

This tea was definitely creamy vanilla. I could smell it as I poured the hot water over the leaves. It reminded me of a fresh baking vanilla cake or vanilla bean ice cream. I added just a bit of agave for some sweetness and it really accentuated the vanilla custard flavors of this black tea. The tea itself was smooth, but definitely strong! However I was kind of in the mood for a strong black tea, i’m really tired and it is a rainy day. I always have a strong craving for sweets, and this tea really hit the nail on the head. The vanilla and custard flavors last on the palate long after the sip is gone. I bet that this tea would actually be a great base to mix other teas with, for example maybe a peach or apricot tea would go well with it because of the delicious and creamy vanilla qualities it has. I definitely will be playing around with my remaining sample because this was a good one!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black
Where to Buy:  Tea and Absinthe
Description

A delicious black tea with vanilla cream custard flavor. Fish fingers not included. Goes well with TARDIS Self-Destruct Buttons (aka Jammie  Dodgers)

Ingredients: black tea -Assam, -China, flavor, vanilla bits

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Sophia

Hi, my name is Sophia. I am a first time mother to a beautiful little girl who will be 1 in July 2017. I spend my days at home with her and when I get a minute to myself, I usually spend that time making, drinking, or researching tea! My love for loose leaf tea is relatively new. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my mother (a tea addict herself) brought me to DAVIDsTEA. I enjoyed a cup of their Coconut Cream Pie Oolong and was instantly hooked! Since then, my addiction has grown to fill entire cabinets, and shows no sign of stopping. I am the creator of the Facebook group CommuniTEA where we have one big tea discussion. It is a great group for those new to the tea-world. I feel strongly about spreading the joy of loose leaf tea. I like making instructional videos and helping those that are new to the art of tea-making so that they, too, can share in the happiness that tea brings. I am excited to see where this hobby takes me and I will continue to spread the joy!

This post was posted in Black Tea, Tea and Absinthe

Candied Chestnut from The Tea Spot. . . .

by Sophia

This tea tastes like a baby shower for a child of unknown gender. Try to imagine the scene: comfortable, lighthearted, full of pastel yellows, whites, and light green gifts. Everyone’s in a good mood. It’s sweet and exciting and soft.

Boom. That’s this tea. It’s a smooth, buttery light flavor that is sweet. It tastes like nuts. It tastes like sugar. It tastes like calories.

The Tea Spot likens this tea’s flavor to a wedding cake, which I hadn’t realized until after I started this review’s “baby shower motif.” But you can see that I was spot on with their intentions!

This synchronicity is because I’m very, very tapped into the collective unconscious, you guys. Basically at one with the Universe.

I say that sarcastically, but when I was a kid, my grandmother totally had me believing I was psychic. She thought SHE was, and it had “skipped a generation” down to me. AS THOSE SORTS OF THINGS DO. She told me it was possible to hug trees and pick up their vibes. I always sensed that the trees were calm. (In retrospect: what would a rage-tree FEEL like?)

If only she knew about this “I can tell the intent of the flavor-maker” thing.

She’d be like “you can feel the intent of the tea-makers THROUGH THE TEA. My god, you are SO GIFTED. You are a CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK.”

I wish you could all meet this woman. You guys would love her. She is very gauche about her tea, but oh god she’s a character. (She buys the cheapest grocery store bags and uses them over and over again. It makes me want to cry when she does it. My mother has to shake her head at me so I don’t say anything.) She’d probably tell you all about your inner workings.

And tell you to have children. She would nag you to give her a great-grandchild.

If you succeed, I promise to serve this at your baby shower.

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  White
Where to Buy:  The Tea Spot
Description

This full leaf white tea will indulge your senses and make you dream of sweet sugarplums. Adorned with beautiful white flowers, this tea has sweet, light chestnut notes and a smooth buttery finish that lasts through multiple infusions. The Bai Yun tea leaves impart a great body & flavor which lasts over multiple infusions. Sipping this dessert tea is like indulging in a slice of decadent wedding cake… without the calories!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Sophia

Hi, my name is Sophia. I am a first time mother to a beautiful little girl who will be 1 in July 2017. I spend my days at home with her and when I get a minute to myself, I usually spend that time making, drinking, or researching tea! My love for loose leaf tea is relatively new. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my mother (a tea addict herself) brought me to DAVIDsTEA. I enjoyed a cup of their Coconut Cream Pie Oolong and was instantly hooked! Since then, my addiction has grown to fill entire cabinets, and shows no sign of stopping. I am the creator of the Facebook group CommuniTEA where we have one big tea discussion. It is a great group for those new to the tea-world. I feel strongly about spreading the joy of loose leaf tea. I like making instructional videos and helping those that are new to the art of tea-making so that they, too, can share in the happiness that tea brings. I am excited to see where this hobby takes me and I will continue to spread the joy!

This post was posted in The Tea Spot, White Tea

Sweet Cinnamon Mate from Because UR Priceless. . . . .

by Sophia

I have never actually had a mate blend. Which is interesting because I have drank a lot of teas, but just never had an interest in mate I guess. Although mate is considered an herbal blend, it still contains a pretty high amount of caffeine. I really needed a caffeine boost today so I decided to brew up a cup of Sweet Cinnamon Mate. I like sweet cinnamon, not hot cinnamon, so I hoped that this tea would live up to its name.

Now, I don’t have any other mate blends to compare this to, but I noticed a pretty distinct vegetal/herbal flavor right off the bat. I also noticed a slight bitterness, and whether that was from the cacao or the mate, I am not sure but there was a definite bite to this blend. The cinnamon added some nice warmth, but it wasn’t overly hot or spicy, it was definitely sweet as promised. I almost want to use the word smokey to describe this. It definitely brought on feelings of comfort and warmth and would be a great blend on a cold fall morning.

This has definitely peaked my curiosity for mate blends and I will be trying more in the future, so stay tuned!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Mate
Where to Buy:  Because UR Priceless
Description

SWEET CINNAMON MATÉ (pronounced mah-tay) brings you a satisfying beverage that’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lot energizing! The delicate balance of yerba matế, cinnamon, and sweet cacao nibs creates a tea drinking experience you will enjoy again and again.
(Note: This blend has a light, mellow cinnamon flavor rather than a strong, hot cinnamon flavor.)

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Sophia

Hi, my name is Sophia. I am a first time mother to a beautiful little girl who will be 1 in July 2017. I spend my days at home with her and when I get a minute to myself, I usually spend that time making, drinking, or researching tea! My love for loose leaf tea is relatively new. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my mother (a tea addict herself) brought me to DAVIDsTEA. I enjoyed a cup of their Coconut Cream Pie Oolong and was instantly hooked! Since then, my addiction has grown to fill entire cabinets, and shows no sign of stopping. I am the creator of the Facebook group CommuniTEA where we have one big tea discussion. It is a great group for those new to the tea-world. I feel strongly about spreading the joy of loose leaf tea. I like making instructional videos and helping those that are new to the art of tea-making so that they, too, can share in the happiness that tea brings. I am excited to see where this hobby takes me and I will continue to spread the joy!

This post was posted in BecauseURpriceless, Yerba Maté

Banana Split from A Quarter to Tea. . . .

by Sophia

Everyone knows I love banana teas, and I also love dessert teas, especially ones modeled after ice cream. I have had tremendous luck with this company, A Quarter to Tea. Their flavors are so different and interesting, and all of their teas are really well done. This one, Banana Split, I knew would be extra special the minute I smelled it. It really smells like a banana split- banana, cocoa, and strawberry. The white tea leaves were big and fluffy. I was really excited to try it!

On taste, I can honestly say it was spot on. The white tea was creamy and light, the banana and strawberry was fruity and sweet, and the chocolate and caramel flavors added a nice flair that was definitely reminiscent of a delicious banana split sundae. This is definitely a great dessert tea, for its rich and flavorful. Although the flavors are rich, the white tea lends a nice creamy, but light, background and allows the other flavors to take the stage. The first flavor I notice is definitely banana. The banana is followed by chocolate and strawberry, and then finished with caramel, vanilla, and cream.

I have always recommended A Quarter to Tea since the first time I tried them, but I am really going to have to recommend that everyone try this one especially if you are looking for a guilt-free dessert tea. You don’t even have to add sweetener to this, the flavors are sweet and rich enough as is! A definite favorite of mine.

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  White
Where to Buy:  A Quarter To Tea
Description

Vanilla custard, bananas, strawberry and a hint of caramel and chocolate come together to make this creamy, fruity dessert tea.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Sophia

Hi, my name is Sophia. I am a first time mother to a beautiful little girl who will be 1 in July 2017. I spend my days at home with her and when I get a minute to myself, I usually spend that time making, drinking, or researching tea! My love for loose leaf tea is relatively new. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my mother (a tea addict herself) brought me to DAVIDsTEA. I enjoyed a cup of their Coconut Cream Pie Oolong and was instantly hooked! Since then, my addiction has grown to fill entire cabinets, and shows no sign of stopping. I am the creator of the Facebook group CommuniTEA where we have one big tea discussion. It is a great group for those new to the tea-world. I feel strongly about spreading the joy of loose leaf tea. I like making instructional videos and helping those that are new to the art of tea-making so that they, too, can share in the happiness that tea brings. I am excited to see where this hobby takes me and I will continue to spread the joy!

This post was posted in A Quarter To Tea, White Tea