Mount Kenya Black is the first tea I have tried from Justea and I’m already in LOVE. I adore the tins, the labels, the packaging, the SPOONS, and of course the Mount Kenya Black from Justea!
Before I get to the tasting notes I have to point out that this tea has one and only ingredient and that is 100% Rainforest Alliance Kenyan Black Tea. It’s certified. It’s also Non-GMO Project Verified. PLUS this company is a Fair Trade Federation Member. Mount Kenya Black Tea from Justea is small-scale farmer grown, pesticide-free, and no chemicals were ever sprayed on the tea leaves! This is a tea and company I can get behind for sure!
As for the tasting notes and profile – it’s just as impressive! This tea is strong and malty and reminiscent of cocoa and dried fruit such as plums/prunes or raisins. The caffeine is HIGH and makes for a great hearty morning steep or an nice eye-opener during your afternoon lull
This is a black tea that I was able to get 2 spiffy infusions out of! Something I’m always impressed by if a black tea can pull it off that is! I really like the strength of this tea but also the way it’s smooth at the same time. This is a REAL WINNER all the way around!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: JusTea
Description
Mt. Kenya Black: A sip of our whole leaf black tea transports you to the lush, jade tea gardens at the foot of Mt Kenya. This rich black tea is fresh and smooth, but packs a serious hit of flavour. Sweet and complex on its own, but equally superb with a splash of milk and sugar. Also delicious as an iced tea!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
A Black Tea Featuring Tulsi. . . . #ChaiSafari
Spiced Tulsi Black from Chai Safari features a wonderous herb called Tulsi/Holy Basil and it’s been a part of the Indian household and culture for ages. This Tea combines the spicy flavour of ginger with the freshness of Tulsi leaves and it has properties to cleanse your mood and deliver a fresh punch that shall sooth your mind and body.
I really liked the deep, dark, strong black tea base that was used in this flavored tea. The ginger gave it a spicy pep and the tulsi added the herbal factor into the mix and it was just the right amount of everything!
This was aromatic to the nose and brisk on the taste buds. It was robust and that was my favorite characteristic of it. It had a dry texture to it. I say texture because I hate the term ‘mouth feel’. I’ve said that before and I will say it again…it’s just one of those words that make me cringe…like moist or shin-dig or panties. BLAH! But I think you can catch what I’m throwing here, folks, right? I really liked this tea and I wish I could come up with better words to describe the dance on the tongue it does!
It’s the best of all worlds…black tea base, spicy SPICES (Ginger), and herbs (Tulsi)! Now excuse me while I take another peaceful moment with this tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Chai Safari
Description
The herb Tulsi/Holy Basil has been a part of the Indian household and culture since ages. This Tea combines the spicy flavour of ginger with the freshness of Tulsi leaves. This tea has properties to cleanse your mood and deliver a fresh punch that shall sooth your mind and body.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
A Black Tea Inspired by Ireland. . . . #SimpsonandVail
Dunmore East Black Tea from Simpson & Vail was inspired by a small fishing village in Ireland called Dunmore East. It’s on the southeastern coast in County Waterford and is a beautiful village and very popular as a vacation destination known for its fishing and water activities, beaches, fabulous restaurants and cafes, music, and breathtaking scenery. Simpson & Vail created Dunmore East Black Tea to honor Cyndi’s wonderful memories of holidays in the village visiting her friends.
Cyndi is part of the Harron Family – the Family that is running Simpson & Vail. Simpson & Vail has been a well-known tea company since 1929. Prior to that it was known for being a Green Coffee Merchant established in 1904.
Dunmore East Black Tea is a delightfully bold blend of teas. With a golden cup, a malty flavor, and a slightly fruity aftertaste this is a sure WINNER if you are a black tea fan like I am! Simpson & Vail mentions on their website that Dunmore East has become one of their favorite blends! They suggest starting the day with this hearty black tea blend and claim it’s enjoyable with milk or sweetener but also perfect without! I completely AGREE with the WITHOUT option! It’s fine and dandy as-is and straight-up! Just the way I like it! YUM!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Simpson and Vail
Description
Dunmore East is a small fishing village on Ireland’s southeastern coast in County Waterford. This beautiful village is very popular as a vacation destination known for its fishing and water activities, beaches, fabulous restaurants and cafes, music, and breathtaking scenery.
This delightfully bold blend of teas, with a golden cup, a malty flavor and a slightly fruity aftertaste was created to honor Cyndi’s wonderful memories of holidays in the village visiting her friends. This tea has become one of our favorite blends! Start the day with this hearty black tea blend, enjoyable with milk or sweetener but also perfect without!
This tea blend pairs well with chocolate, spiced desserts, cheeses, eggs, pastries, meats and more.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
The Perfect Black Tea To Sip While Enjoying a Good Book! #PinkyOut
My “Grandma T” – the grandmother who was responsible for introducing me to tea at the tender age of 3 – drank tea with her Pinky Out. When I saw this tea come across my desk I knew I had to try it. Even if it was just for the memories of my grandmother. What started off as a tea association for me turned into instant love for the tea itself. The specific tea I’m referring to today is Organic Black Tea from Pinky Out.
This is a fantastic, sturdy black tea. There isn’t a lot of description needed as it’s just what you would think it would be. Strong, robust, black tea of the organic quality. There are hints of citrus in the middle to end of the sip as well.
What I found really interesting with this tea is the historical account that went along with it. On the website for the product description of this tea it states…
Black Tea came into existence completely by accident. During the mid 17th century an army passing through the Fujian province decided to stop for shelter at a tea factory. Their stay held up production forcing the factory to keep the tea leaves in the sun much longer than usual. The end result after smoking the leaves was Lapsang Souchong, one of the first black teas. Since then, the process has been perfected and tweaked for different flavor and aromatic characteristics.
Although THIS tea isn’t a Lapsang Souchong I was thrilled with the history of black tea here. Having said that – the more I think about this tea – the more I think it would be the PERFECT black tea to sit down with a good book in-hand, too!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Pinky Out
Description
Black Tea came into existence completely by accident. During the mid 17th century an army passing through the Fujian province decided to stop for shelter at a tea factory. Their stay held up production forcing the factory to keep the tea leaves in the sun much longer than usual. The end result after smoking the leaves was Lapsang Souchong, one of the first black teas. Since then, the process has been perfected and tweaked for different flavor and aromatic characteristics.
Our black tea was no accident. Sourced from Sri Lanka our black tea boasts robust flavor with hints of citrus making it a great choice for a morning pick me up or an afternoon delight!
Ingredients: Organic Black Tea from Sri Lanka
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sweet Slo-Sippin’ SimpliciTEA Raspberry Rhubarb from Cup of Love. . .
Sweet Slo-Sippin’ SimpliciTEA Raspberry Rhubarb is a blended Green Tea and Black Tea Duo! The funny thing is I was thinking it was Strawberry Rhubarb but that’s because that used to be my favorite type of pie and I must be hungry for it. Raspberry Rhubarb is just as good and plus I have been gobbling up raspberries like they are going out of style lately!
Enough blabbing and on to the tea, eh? Sweet Slo-Sippin’ SimpliciTEA Raspberry Rhubarb is from Cup of Love. And I’m truly LOVING it!
The Sencha Green Tea is of medium strength and delicious! The Black Tea is second in line and knows how to play well with others. It’s more mellow and quite marvelous in its own right. The dried raspberry pieces are tasty-tart and yummy! The blackberry leaves give it a little extra something – a subtle herb taste. The trio of flowers: Sunflower, Safflower, and Jasmine round it out with a welcomed floral taste. It isn’t a bitter floral flavor but seems to tie everything together.
I have really enjoyed the Sweet Slo-Sippin Series Cup of Love is offering and looking forward to any new flavors they come up with!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Cup of Love
Description
Down-homespun-goodness! Imagine picking raspberries and rhubarb, and baking them into a delicious pie, and then pouring it into a tall glass of front porch, sun-brewed iced tea. It‘ll knock your socks off! That is…iffin’ you wearin’ any.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!