Terroir Tea’s claim to fame is telling you about the terroir (origin of the tea, including environment, location, soil, climate, etc). Which is totally one of those things I love to know. Where did this come from? Who grew it? Can I go meet them?
This particular tea comes from a place that allegedly smells like tea all the time because said tea is drying outside.
I dare you to find a better location, except for maybe Disney World or something.
What I like about this tea (aside from knowing about the enchanted town from whence it came) is how very light and buttery it is. The color hardly changes at all during steeping, so you have to TRUST that it’s steeped after a few minutes. It’s very airy and floral and sweet. It’s like a Precious Moments figurine of an angel.
I joke about Precious Moments figurines a LOT, but it’s mostly because I intend to become the kind of old lady who collects the heck out of them. I love their… little… faces.
I know I wear all black every day, and own more than one Marilyn Manson album, but I can’t resist sweet things. I love dessert tea and sweet light oolongs. I love puppies. I love figurines.
And I love the idea of a town in Taiwan that smells nice all the time. How WONDERFUL is that?
That’s how Terroir Tea brings you in. They sell not only the tea (which is delicious!) but the story behind the tea. It’s the whole package!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Terroir Tea Merchant
Description
An aromatic strip-style green oolong that’s purely delicious and refreshing. The lightest oxidised of all oolongs, Bao Chung has the best characteristics of green tea together with unique oolong qualities to create a complex and enjoyable tea experience.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lemon & Orange from Taylors of Harrogate. . . .
If you’re ever frustrated by teas that don’t taste like the thing they’re supposed to, turn to this tea. It’s “Lemon & Orange” and it is, true to form, Lemon. And. Orange. It streaks through your mouth like a Tazmanian devil of citrus.
Which is JUST the thing I needed this morning. It’s Monday AND it’s raining. I’m listening to a very fun playlist called “Sexy This Second” curated by Victoria’s Secret on Apple Music. It’s pumpin’, but it’s not ENOUGH. So I turned on my full-spectrum bulb. (It simulates sunlight.) Nah. Time to turn to tea.
I said to myself “what tea is basically a Pikachu here?” because I make my decisions like an adult. This one waved its metaphorical hand at me. Okay
Plus, it came in a bag. I don’t know about you, but there are days I just want that bag. The ritual of the gravity steeper and the lovely silver scoop makes me feel very special and important. Plus, loose leaf generally has an edge in the taste department. But there are so many PARTS. And then I have to CLEAN IT. The whole thing makes me want to flail myself onto the floor sometimes — especially on a rainy Monday.
So if you want to get down with a Tazmanian devil (older generation) or an electric-type Pokémon (younger generation), throw this one in the mug. Then throw the bag out. Boom. Easy-peasy, LEMON SQUEEZY. (See what I did there?)
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Taylors of Harrogate
Description
Ancient Chinese blend with essences of fruits and flowers. Combination of black tea with the sweet, tangy flavor of citrus fruits. Use one tea bag. Add freshly boiled water and infuse for 3-5 minutes. Serve on its own or with sugar or honey. This product is used by many restaurants for serving tea. This is a great foodservice product because of the large pack size. Chefs love this product because foil sachets keep the product clean and fresh. This professional product is used by many restaurants and chefs. This package is also convenient for the office.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Country Chai Spice from Cozy Leaf Tea . . .
If your discerning palette is in search of organic teas, I’ve got a new company for you to consider: Cozy Leaf! They focus on organic ingredients, and have a bunch of teas, including one for lactating mothers, and two specifically for pregnant women: baby blessings and pregnancy.
I have neither had children nor, accordingly, lactated, so today we’re sticking with my favorite: a nice black chai!
This is a yummy, deep mix. It has malty assam instead of the funky darjeeling that’s typically found in chai, which makes it richer and mellower. The cloves and other spices participate in giving it that chill vibe.
This tea is like a good pair of thick wool socks on a lazy Sunday. Maybe you’ll walk outside through crispy fallen leaves with your dog, sipping tea from an insulated travel mug. Maybe you’ll sit on your deck with a blanket, peacefully reading some light fiction. You’ll rent a movie and nuzzle with a buddy, laughing at all the perfectly-timed jokes. You will own a wind chime and it will only tinkle peacefully when you feel like hearing it.
Ahhhh. A chill chai. Throw it in your travel mug today — if you absolutely must leave the couch.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Cozy Leaf Tea
Description
Full-bodied black tea chai made with real chai spices of rich cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, and sweet anise and clove for a healthy and delicious treat.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Earl Grey Supreme from Harney & Sons. . . .
I have a friend who is always talking about how I have not truly lived until I have tried Harney & Sons’ Earl Grey Supreme. She will lock eyes with me and tell me I need to go to an Au Bon Pain (or whatever) and get a cup.
She is slightly terrifying.
I grabbed a few-ounce sample while I was on vacation, but lost it. I didn’t tell her this, because I feared repercussions. Luckily, I found it, and today is the day.
This is a very powerful, no-holds-barred bergamot-slam with a smoky underbase.
This is a MANLY sort of Earl Grey.
This is an Earl Grey that strips down to just a pair of suede pants and wrangles animals. Then goes back to his castle and eats boar for dinner and winks at the maids. He sleeps like a log, then wakes up, gets kicked back into gear with this blend, and goes back outside to get some more stuff done.
This Earl Grey does not do his own accounting. This Earl Grey is sort of frustrating to his wife.
This tea will put hair on your chest, whether you want it or not.
I like it, but it’s not for the weak of heart, or the person who doesn’t want to take an express train to Flavor Town. There are probably people who would find it overwhelming.
But if you DO find it overwhelming, for the LOVE OF HEAVEN, don’t tell my friend that. I fear what she would do.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Harney & Sons
Description
For the connoisseur we offer Earl Grey Supreme, which uses a higher grade of teas with the addition of Silver Tips. Most of our customers never go back to our regular Earl Grey once they taste the Supreme. If you love bergamot and fine tea, this is the blend for you!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Banana Maple Oatmeal from The NecessiTeas. . . .
I have a coworker that’s always wandering around the office with a bowl of oatmeal. It’s like his familiar — except it’s not a black cat. It’s food.
I’m always jealous of this oatmeal. You might be asking yourself “why don’t you get yourself a bowl of oatmeal?” I’VE HAD THAT IDEA, OKAY? Whenever I try to make my own, it never, ever smells as good as his.
Forget food preparation. I’m over it. I’m just going to make this tea instead.
This tea comes in a packet with real oatmeal and cinnamon and brown sugar in it. My desire is literally to just eat the contents of the bag. However, as someone over the age of 5, I knew I could not make this choice. I had to make the responsible decision. I had to steep it.
And aha! It really does taste like maple syrup, brown sugar, and oats!
There’s also, after you swallow, a little bit of a banana aftertaste. I’m not usually hype about banana flavors, but these are real bananas, not those yucky yellow banana-shaped candies that taste like a dumpster.
Mixed with the oats, the banana is transformed into a banana-bread flavor. And I’ll love the bread form of almost anything. I even like zucchini bread. And this is from a gal who probably couldn’t pick a zucchini out of a lineup. (Isn’t it kind of cucumber-like?)
Mmmm. This is a really nice blend. It’s totally worth a try, especially if you like the ingredients. You’ll be impressing your coworkers in no time.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
Oh, the aroma of banana and maple floating through the house… This oatmeal smelled so good simmering on the stove, I could hardly wait to eat it! And then I had that “Aha!” moment. Why not turn my breakfast into a big cup of morning deliciousness? This breakfast tea has all the yummy flavors of maple donuts mixed with banana bread and oatmeal cookies. Now, THAT is quite the combination!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!