Before I get to my tea tasting time with Kathmandu Cosmos from Nepal Tea LLC I thought I would give you a little geography lesson.
Kathmandu is the capital city of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal which is the largest Himalayan state in Asia. It is the largest metropolis in Nepal, with a population of 1.4 million in the city proper, and 5 million in its urban agglomeration across the Kathmandu Valley, which includes the towns of Lalitpur, Kirtipur, Madhyapur Thimi and Bhaktapur. Kathmandu is also the largest metropolis in the Himalayan hill region.
As for this tea…Kathmandu Cosmos from Nepal Tea LLC it’s a spicy little number. It has a golden tip base with a hefty amount of spices blended in. It’s considered the company’s Ayurvedic Blend.
It’s not currently in stock on their website’s shop but I thought it was still worth a mention. Especially if you are into spicer teas, chai teas, and Ayurveda Teas.
At the time of writing this review for SororiTea Sisters it says on their website that their Classic Loose Leaf Teas include the orthodox range that is made from only the nest tips plucked from the Kanchanjangha Tea Estate (Nepal’s First Certified Organic Tea Garden) in Panchthar District, Eastern Nepal. All flavors described are from naturally occurring compounds created by the tea plant and crafting process.
It seems like their teas are normally priced between $9.99-$12.99 for about 1.7 ounces and depending on which loose leaf tea you are looking at averages to be about 25 cups. For the quality of the tea leaf I experienced this seems to be at a good price! Certainly a company you should check out in the near future if you haven’t already!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Nepal Tea LLC
Description
This tea may not be available but click below for the teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Winter Spice Tea from Sunshine Cottage. . . .
YUM! I literally said that out loud the first time I sipped on Winter Spice Tea from Sunshine Cottage. My second reaction was the same as the first…YUM!
Upon opening the package I was assuming this would be comparable to a chai but it was much more thought out than that.
Orange, cranberry, cinnamon and cloves all add flavor to this finger warming, nose thawing winter spice blend are Joan’s words – from Sunshine Cottage – not mine but I would totally claim them as my own if I could because I totally agree with them!
Sunshine Cottage states on their Etsy Shop that Winter Spice Tea is full of all the delights of the season, hold a steaming cup of this tea, breath in deeply and relax, you’ll be filled with the spirit of the season – of course, adding a big splash of brandy or rum to your cup will lift your spirits even quicker!
I’ll have to ask Sororitea Sister-CuppaGeek- if she has tried this yet! I know she went thru a phase of mixing tea with ‘adult beverages’ for an extra special tea steeping experience!
Regardless I am totally LOVING this straight-up…as-is…I wouldn’t change a thing!
Sure – you can taste the Cinnamon up against the medium strength black tea base and it’s scrumptious and warming. But the real gems of this blend of flavors are the cranberry and orange duo! Both are FAB!
Even tho this is a Winter Spice Tea – I wouldn’t mind it any time of the year! The flavor and aroma are wonderful! I’m a fan, indeedy!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Sunshine Cottage
Description
Orange, cranberry, cinnamon and cloves all add flavor to this finger warming, nose thawing winter spice blend. Full of all the delights of the season, hold a steaming cup of this tea, breath in deeply and relax, you’ll be filled with the spirit of the season – of course, adding a big splash of brandy or rum to your cup will lift your spirits even quicker!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Darjeeling – Ambootia Estate Organic Green Tea from Simpson & Vail. . . .
Darjeeling – Ambootia Estate Organic Green Tea from Simpson & Vail is something I MUST discuss with you today!
Internationally renowned Darjeeling teas come to Simpson & Vail from the area in and around Darjeeling, a Himalayan town in the state of West Bengal in eastern India. The soil and climatic conditions that exist there create teas that are treasured for their exquisite taste. Darjeeling is often referred to as the “Champagne of teas”, and are so prized that the government there created a special logo that certifies that the teas bearing this logo were actually grown in this beautiful mountain terrain. You may have read about this already here at the Sororitea Sisters but we like to remind ourselves and other – every chance we can!
The Ambootia Estate, specifically, was established in 1861, and currently produces all of their teas using organic and bio-dynamic farming practices. This is ALWAYS a PLUS! Their organic green is a superlative tea with its pale hues and refreshing aroma. The smallish green leaves impart a sweet after-taste, with more body than most green teas and the wonderful flavor of a fine Darjeeling…according to the Simpson & Vail website, shop, and product description. I tend to agree, however, I was able to also pick up on a few floral notes and a more vegetal green flavor instead of a sweeter green flavor.
This was a MIGHTY FINE Green Darjeeling! I would LOVE to try the Black Tea equivalent of this soon! YUM!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Description
Internationally renowned Darjeeling teas come to us from the area in and around Darjeeling, a Himalayan
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Duchess’ First Love from Tay Tea. . . . .
Duchess’ First Love from Tay Tea is part of their black tea collection altho it is made up of a blended base of black tea and rooibos.
Tay Tea says Duchess’ First Love is perfect for chilly days. I’d agree with that statement! It has a creamy and dreamy Earl Grey flavor that is a bit on the mellower side blended with herbal rooibos and has sweet notes of caramel to boot!
I have to say I really enjoy the teas I have tasted from Tay Tea. After ten years of being in business in Andes, NY, they moved to their new home on upper Main Street Delhi, NY in 2016! They converted a warehouse building for their growing business. The front area, which houses their twelve foot tea bar, has a dual purpose and serves as their tea tasting and staff training area (for wholesale clients) as well as their retail shop, which is open to the public on weekends.
Tay Tea also hosts a variety workshops and events and if I lived closer I would TOTALLY be addicted to attending them! To read more about some of their recent events check out this page.
Is it wrong to say that I can feel my attitude change while drinking this tea? I think not…I really needed this today! Duchess’ First Love is a KEEPER!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Rooibos Blend
Where to Buy: Tay Tea
Description
Perfect for chilly days, this creamy Earl Grey blended with herbal rooibos has sweet notes of caramel.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
White Tropical Tea from The Spice & Tea Exchange. . .. . .
The Spice and Tea Exchange in John’s Pass Florida claims that one sip of their White Tropical Tea will transport me to a tropical oasis. Sure…it’s more of a mental journey than physically being transported…but I’ll take what ever I can get!
Organic Chinese white tea is combined with luscious chunks of pineapple and organic peach pieces to create the fruity-sweet yet relaxing aroma and flavor of White Tropical Tea from The Spice and Tea Exchange.
The White Tea is light and slightly sweet. The pineapple and peach contribute to the overall sweet, too, but the pineapple packs a delightful powery puckery punch and the peach has a natural creamy-sweetness to it, too!
The paradise-reminiscent fruits linger at the end of the sip well on to the aftertaste. White Tropical Tea from The Spice and Tea Exchange is delightfully tasty!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White Tea
Where to Buy: The Spice & Tea Exchange
Description
One sip of this refreshing tea will transport you to a tropical oasis. Organic Chinese white tea combined with luscious chunks of pineapple and organic peach pieces will help you escape to a relaxing paradise!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!