My brother described the smell of this as “the inside of Bed Bath and Beyond… no, the other one. Bath and Body Works. That one. WITH THE SMELLS.”
The strong and enthusiastic odor of this blend is definitely one of its defining characteristics. It smells sweet, nutty, vanilla-like — which is, as it turns out, precisely what it is. It tastes like the illustrations from the original Candyland look: rounded and bright and lip-smacking.
Kids like playing Candyland. It’s easy to learn, it takes a while, and anyone can win. Everyone has a chance.
Like Candyland, this tea doesn’t live in the land of adults. Due to its sweetness and decaffeinated status, it is accessible to children, too! Share it with yours today.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black (Decaf)
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
Given the state of world affairs, we thought you could use a good cup of something with no expectations attached — hence the aptly named No Obligations blend. We use a fresh, vibrant decaf Ceylon black tea for the base and add both hazelnut and almond extracts with some spiced cinnamon, a pinch of cocoa nibs, and a creamy vanilla.
The result is a cup that will wrap around you tighter than your granny’s arms. Sip and relax, knowing that you’re doing the best that you can and that taking a moment for yourself is always a great idea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Birthday from Adagio Teas. . . .
Do you enjoy creamy molasses/caramel flavors against a deep black base? If you do, well, I’ve got just the thing for you (INCLUDING SPRINKLES): Adagio’s Birthday Tea.
If I were to liken it to something — and you guys know I BASICALLY ALWAYS DO — I’d say this is a caramel fudge treat you buy yourself on your way out of an amusement park. You’re sunburned. Your stomach is jumpy from soda and roller coasters. You are holding a prize you’ve won that’s made of oddly slick polyester and crumbly stuffing. Your clothing is still damp from that splash ride. Your hair is fluffing out from your head in a dizzy halo. This treat melts in your mouth and your hand as you try to remember where you parked the car. You wipe your hand off on your shorts and stride off in what you think is the right direction, friends in tow.
It wasn’t the right direction. Where on earth did you put that car, already?
You’ll find it eventually. In the meantime, you’re enjoying the sweetness in your mouth and the streaky, saturated sunset.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
A treat for any day of the year! A tasty blend of vanilla, cream, and a touch of caramel. The inclusion of rainbow sugar sprinkles adds a festive note and makes this tea perfect for celebrating your special day.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cocoa Chili Pumpkin from Tiesta Tea. . .
Tea friends, imagine this next paragraph as a deep-voiced movie-trailer:
“In a world of slightly-altered Earl Greys, chais, and variations on ‘creamy’ whatever, this tea dares to go where No Tea Has Gone Before. Pumpkin, chili, and cocoa: Can they overcome their differences to make a good tea?”
I’m not quite sure, but I’m definitely glad I tried it.
The pumpkin and cocoa are pretty straightforward: you experience the cocoa and the pumpkin on the tongue, and the pumpkin as the aftertaste.
The memorable feature is the chili. You can experience the burn as you swallow. It’s unusual. It’s a bit exciting. You feel like you’ve swallowed fire or walked across coals, without, you know, having actually left your living room or done anything dangerous.
The caffeine content is the bomb. This is part of Tiesta’s “energizer” line, and yuuup, that is what it is. Your mouth is sizzling and your eyes are bugging out.
You are prepared for your day. No matter how unusual it may be, you’ve already got this tea under your belt.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tiesta Tea
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Midnight Black from Love Some Tea (LST). . . .
Do YOU have trouble sleeping if there aren’t the appropriate number of pillows around you, at the right fluffiness, in the right configuration? If you said YES, then I have a MORNING CAFFEINE SOLUTION FOR YOU:
Black Midnight by Love Some Tea!
This is a well-rounded no-nonsense straight black that has notes of wood and raisin and malt. It comes in beautiful long twists that feel like something a witch would pluck and drink while waiting for her eye of newt to cure.
And the caffeine! Ah! The caffeine! If you were that witch, up all night plotting where to put your hex symbols on the floor, this would perk you right back up. Your pointy hat would stand right on end.
I have taken the witch analogy too far. I now declare it over.
Anyway, there’s something to be said for a sturdy, all-business, get-it-done kick-in-the-pants brew. And this is just the thing.
Onwards and upwards, my darlings. It’s time to start the day.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Love Some Tea
Description
A tea as dark and flavorful as midnight itself. Our black tea is wild picked and fermented to a beautifully dark complexion with robust an bold flavor.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sweet Colombian Black Tea from Simpson and Vail. . . .
The primary word I’d use for this blend is “smooth.”
Though “Colombian Blend” refers to South America, this tea says New Orleans to me. It’s got a malty, liquor-esque back-of-the-jazz-bar vibe. A throaty saxophone is being played on stage by a guy in sunglasses.
It is ambiguous whether he is blindingly cool or actually unable to see. He is the best you have ever heard. People used to smoke in the bar. They can’t any more, but the smell lingers in the dark, beaten wood furniture. Outside, a party dwindles. Plastic beads clatter on necks and pavement.
The bartenders declare last call, but you are content with the tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simpson and Vail
Description
This Sweet Colombian Black Tea has large, black wiry, slightly tippy leaves with a light malty aroma that brews to an amber cup with a smooth taste and delicate fruity notes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!