I know we all know this…but…COVID has changed EVERYTHING. One of the few things I can still find welcoming, familiar, understanding, and comforting is a great cuppa tea.
For this review – I have decided to jump back in the ring with Yorkshire Harrogate from Cup of CommuniTea (formerly TeaLeafs in Williamsville, NY).
The origin of Yorkshire Harrogate – a bold black tea – is from regions in India, Kenya, and China. It has a RICH fullness and flavor to it that also offers a slight astringency.
BOLD…I NEED BOLD these days. I need a solid start to my day. I need a good, swift kick in the pants to continue many of these days. Yorkshire Harrogate from Cup of CommuniTea.
I long for the day when this virus is over. When people don’t have to worry about whether or not they are going to ‘get it’ or ‘pass it on to a loved one’. When we can function like we used to – eventho I think there will be a ‘new normal’ but whatever that ‘new normal’ might be. I can’t wait to get out and about again. When I can travel to some of my favorite tea shops again and discover new ones, too. For now, a simple yet flavorful tea is where I can find normalcy in something.
Another hope I have – is to hear back from Cup of CommuniTea and see if I might be able to do an interview about the name change and business as a whole. In the meantime, I will continue to write reviews of their amazing tea!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Cup of Communitea
Description
Origin: India, Kenya, China Ingredients: Black tea Rich fullness and flavor. A light astringent cup becomes golden bright with milk
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Masala Chai Organic Black Tea/Rishi -TeaEqualsBliss
I’m doing my own personal sipdown during COVID that’s for sure! I’m flying thru a lot of the teas I have had on hand for a good-long-while including Masala Chai Organic Black Tea from Rishi Tea.
To be honest, I thought I already reviewed this one, but apparently I did NOT.
I drink chai like I drink tea…plain…straight-up…with nothing else in them. The spices are BOLD in this chai. The ingredients consist of Organic Black Tea, Organic Cardamom, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Black Pepper, and Organic Cloves. I almost typed GLOVES. Now…THAT would have been a tea I have never tried – hahaha!
As you can see – the ORGANIC theme runs thru this offering. It is certified USDA Organic and also Certified Kosher and both labels are clearly shown.
This is a bold chai and it reaches high standards. It’s a GOODIE!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Namaste/Simpson and Vail -TeaEqualsBliss
I have made a vow to drink more caffeine free teas and herbal tisane offerings in the past year. I’d like to boast and brag and say that is the main reason for me sampling and reviewing Namaste from Simpson and Vail but I wouldn’t be telling you the whole truth. I have been battling some skin irritations – as well as – some aches and pains so I thought I would buff up my herbals more for that reason, too!
I won’t blab anymore about my aging and ailments. Instead, I will proceed with describing this herbal tisane. Namaste from Simpson and Vail is an offering in their Yoga or Yogi or Yogic Tea line.
Ingredients include Birch Bark, Chamomile Flowers, Jasmine Blossoms, Wild Cherry Bark, Vanilla Beans, Organic Damiana Leaf, Organic Oatstraw, Rose Petals, Honeysuckle & Lavender Blossoms.
The flavor of this tisane was pretty tasty. I was pre-judging it and shame on me. I was afraid the Jasmine and Chamomile were going to be the flavors that overpowered the others and they were not. Everything in the loose mix worked well with each other. It was calming and comforting. I’m glad I finally tried this tisane. One of these days I will learn to not wait so long to try an herbal (or at least not have to have a reason to try it).
I think I will pour myself another cup! Cheers!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Simpson and Vail
Description
Namaste is a greeting or parting phrase as well as a gesture.
In Sanskrit, Namaste means, “the light in me bows to the light in you” or “I bow to light that exists in me and you and to all that is sacred in life”. When spoken to another person, it is usually accompanied by the gesture of the hands at the heart center in prayer position and a slight bow of the head and shoulders. This can also be performed wordlessly and still carry the same beautiful intention.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Gokuzyo – First Crop Japanese Green Tea – Limited/Japanese Green Tea Company
After losing track of this tea in my stash for a while I finally found a bit of it again and it was due to an honest mistake on my part! I mislabeled it! Shame on me! I forgot to write down the full name of this tea company! I had it as “Tea In” but in fact that is only part of the website URL. This tea, Gokuzyo – First Crop Japanese Green Tea – Limited is from Japanese Green Tea Company, LLC!
This exact tea is no longer listed on their website but they do currently have a High Grade Crude Japanese Green – Gokuzyo Aracha.
As for this specific – Gokuzyo – First Crop Japanese Green Tea – here were my thoughts, feelings, and findings…
This loose leaf is very coarse, broken tea leaves with very fine powder. So fine, that I didn’t even know it was there until I infused it. The tea water infused to a grey-green liquor and offered a semi-mild aroma and flavor. The flavor was a tad grassy and I was careful to not over infuse because once I saw the color I knew it had the potential to turn a bit bitter if I wasn’t careful.
I have to admit that Gokuzyo is not one one the green teas I have had LOTS of.
Gokyuzyo translates literally to “The Highest Grade” in Japanese. Among all the green tea harvested, Gokuzyo is the section of the best tea leaves based on taste, water level, aroma and the quality of the leaf itself. Trained masters (called chya-shi in Japanese) pick the best tea leaves by hand, one leaf at a time.
As I sip, I give thanks and positive vibes to all of the tea masters who made this lovely cuppa possible!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Japanese Green Tea Company
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Bold Breakfast/Dunkin Donuts -TeaEqualsBliss-
Sometimes even the most loose leaf tea-loving fan gets lazy from time to time. That’s why I recently sipped on one of the packaged Dunkin’ Donuts Bold Breakfast Black Teas.
There were two reasons for this. One – was because I was overly lazy. Two – I wanted a black tea I didn’t have to think much about. Enter…Bold Breakfast from Dunkin’ Donuts!
I’ve been known to roll my eyes at some bagged teas that claim to be ‘bold’ only to find out that they aren’t bold at all or even close to being so!
With this tea – I have to say I was pleasantly surprised! For a bagged tea – this WAS pretty bold! It brewed really dark and the black tea flavor stood up to the test, too! Even the 2nd infusion wasn’t too shabby!
A mighty fine way to start your day or kick your butt back into gear during that midday lull!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Dunkin Donuts
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!