Sunset in Seattle from Market Spice. . . . .

by Sophia

Wow! This tea is so cool tasting. It tastes like cream soda. Ingredients include rosehips, vanilla, chamomile, spearmint, raspberry, lemon grass, hyssop and herbs. This blend is very soothing, and very mellow. The taste is so unique and interesting. I want to keep taking another sip because there is just so much going on and I want to keep trying to figure it out. I can see why this tea has won awards and is a “fan favorite” at Market Spice

The first thing I noticed was that it smelled really sweet, so I skipped the agave (this is happening a lot lately! So unusual for me). I’m glad I went without sweetener because naturally it is already sweet enough. The second thing I noticed was vanilla and herbal flavor- spearmint, chamomile, and lemongrass. I could taste the raspberry at the end- but it really just added extra sweetness and nothing tart, which is great in my opinion because I don’t like tart. When I saw spearmint and lemongrass in the ingredients, I got nervous because I really dislike anything minty or lemony. I found that these ingredients were not overpowering and I quite enjoyed the little symphony they created, even if I don’t generally enjoy them on their own.

One thing I would like to mention- as a breastfeeding mother I am apparently not supposed to ingest the herb “hyssop”. It also shouldn’t be ingested if you are on any kinds of medications, like antidepressants. I realized this after I had finished about half the mug. Once I read the warnings on a few different medical sites, I dumped the remaining tea (sadly, because I really wanted to drink it). Please check with your doctor (or at least google interactions) before ingesting any herbs, it can be really dangerous. However- if you aren’t breastfeeding, pregnant, or on medications- go ahead and enjoy! This blend is dang good!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Herbal
Where to Buy:  Market Spice
Description

One of our sweetest and most popular herbal teas, Sunset in Seattle is a blend utilizing a myriad of herbs that are soothing and mellow. Ingredients: Rosehips, Vanilla, Chamomile, Spearmint, Raspberry, Lemon Grass, Hyssop and herbs. Contains no sugar and is caffeine free.
This tea is a 3rd place winner in the North American Tea Championship for Flavored Herbal Blends category.

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 Fruit/Herbal Tisane, Market Spice

Strawberry Shortcake from The NecessiTeas. . . . .

by Sophia

One of my absolute, all-time, favorite summer desserts is strawberry shortcake. I have really, really fond memories of strawberry shortcake from when I was a kid. My nana and papa would always have BBQ get-together at their house and my nana would buy biscuits from the grocery store and we would pile them with cool whip and fresh strawberries. It was so good, so cool, and fresh, and summery. When I think of a strawberry shortcake tea, I want it to be crisp and fresh tasting…and of course, strawberry!

Upon opening my pre-packaged tin of Strawberry Shortcake by The NecessiTEA’s I smelled something really sweet, almost like cherry. I was really hoping for more of a fresh strawberry smell so this was a little different. I steeped it for three minutes and added a touch of agave. I’m still smelling cherry instead of strawberry which is slightly disappointing, but now I’m wondering if its maybe the vanilla mingling with the strawberry.

The white tea is very light and a perfect base for the sweet flavors of strawberry shortcake. I think that I would have enjoyed this more if I wasn’t smelling that artificial cherry scent…but that’s not to say that it isn’t a good blend. I’m actually wondering if I would enjoy this better iced. The aftertaste is definitely vanilla with a hint of cake, so I do think this was half true to it’s name, but I wish there was more fresh strawberry flavor opposed to “cherry”. Either way, it is definitely worth trying and next time I brew it I will brew it over ice!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  White
Where to Buy:  The NecessiTeas
Description

Angel food cake perfectly combines with a light layer of sweet cream and juicy strawberries to create this guilt-free dessert. Enjoy hot or poured over ice.

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 NecessiTeas, White Tea

Dragonberry from Paper Box Goodies. . . .

by Sophia

When I think of dragonberry, I think of something sweet and berry flavored. Maybe a mix of raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry…or perhaps a blueberry, mango, and papaya blend with a little coconut thrown in. At least that’s what I would do if I was to create a “dragonberry” tea. Upon opening my little sample baggie I noticed that this tea was in a tea bag (ie: not loose leaf) so I inspected the leaves through the bag and they looked and smelled very herbal-y. On scent, I didn’t detect much berry scent. Interesting.

I steeped the tea for 2-3 minutes as suggested on the tea bag’s tag. I smelled the steeped liquid and again, detected no berry but instead there was that herbal scent again. It was herbal and had just the slightest hint of lemon. When it comes to the taste, I would say that the scent translated over very accurately. Its initially very herbal tasting and then some slight mint flavor comes into play followed by a hint of lemon. The first thought that came to mind for me was that it was quite refreshing. I bet it would taste yummy iced. Although this isn’t what I think of when I hear the word “dragonberry”- it was still a good tea that was a definite thirst-quencher!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Green
Where to Buy:  Paper Box Goodies
Description

his high-antioxidant blend is both tasty and good for you! Goji berries, Dragonwell green tea, and lemongrass make this a zesty, vegetal, and slightly sweet green 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 Green Tea, Paper Box Goodies

Lemon Poundcake Oolong from David’s Tea. . . . .

by Sophia
I don’t like lemon tea, honestly. I know that was not what you were expecting for the first line of a review on Lemon Poundcake Oolong tea, but it’s the truth. That said, the reason I decided to pick up some of this tea was: #1 I had some Frequent Steeper points I wanted to use and #2 The description of a “buttery Oolong” was tempting, and even though I may not generally like lemon tea I do like Lemon Poundcake. (or any poundcake, for that matter)

 

The first thing I noticed upon opening the bag was that there was a strong lemon scent, as if I just sliced open an actual lemon. Bleh. But I trucked on and continued to prepare my cup. The lemon scent became much more tolerable once it was steeped and I think that the oolong and other ingredients toned it down. Upon taking my first sip I realized that this isn’t even as strong as it smelled in regards to lemon, not in the least. It actually is quite tolerable and, dare I say, reminiscent of a true slice of lemon poundcake with vanilla icing! The Oolong definitely toned down the lemon with its buttery mouth feel and the poundcake flavor shines through at the end. The lemon is not strong or too tart, but it’s just right! Even if you are not a big fan of lemon, this tea could still be for you!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Oolong
Where to Buy:  David’s Tea
Description

This buttery, citrus oolong tastes just like a sweet slice of lemon pound cake. Yum!

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 DAVIDsTEA, Oolong

Cinnamon Bun from Pinky Up. . . . .

by Sophia

This delectable tea was part of my first order from Pinky Up. I have to admit, I am so impressed with this company. Not only are their teas packaged in these adorable tins, but I also purchased a cute black kitty cat mug. Unfortunately, the mug was broken and I contacted the company. They sent me a brand new mug! It was really nice. Anyways, back to their teas. They sell loose leaf as well as blooming teas- which are tea leaves wrapped around flowers that literally “bloom” as you steep them. Today, however, I am reviewing their Cinnamon Bun loose leaf herbal tea.

Upon opening my tin I could immediately smell cinnamon rolls. I swear, while this tea is steeping your husband/wife/roommate/children/etc. will definitely think that you’re baking cinnamon rolls, so prepare yourself for everyone to come running! #hidethetea The taste is just as realistic as the smell. Cinnamon can either make or break a tea.

Depending on the kind of cinnamon and what else it’s mixed with, sometimes it can be too hot or spicy. In this blend though, it is absolutely heavenly. Just like in a sweet, ooey-gooey cinnamon roll. There is this underlying hint of sweet bread or pastry. Then the experience is topped off with vanilla icing. I feel like this is the liquid version of an actual cinnamon roll, minus the calories! Add a pinch of agave and some low-fat cream and you’ve got yourself a delicious and guilt-free dessert!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Herbal
Where to Buy:  Pinky Up Tea

Description

Decadent baked goods tempting you at the bakery? Have no fear! Pinky Up’s aromatic Cinnamon Bun Loose Leaf Tea will satisfy that craving in no time, and it’s naturally calorie free!

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 Fruit/Herbal Tisane, Pinky Up Tea