There are times when I simply need a good, strong Earl Grey. The Delightful Morning Blend from Plum Deluxe is perfect for those times. What makes it unique is the addition of lavender and a hint of vanilla. All of Plum Deluxe’s teas are organic and made in small batches.
I love a pot of Delightful Morning served with milk and sugar on a lazy Sunday. Today was not-so-lazy, but this lovely blend gave me the perfect boost for the start of a busy day. It is equally amazing on ice!
Plum Deluxe is a mail order tea company based in Portland, Oregon. I discovered them on Instagram last year and joined their tea of the month club. Every month, members receive a purple envelope with a new surprise blend of tea! They also have a members-only Facebook page with some of the nicest people you will meet. However, one does not have to be a member to order from the wonderful selection of teas and accessories on their website.
I wasn’t a fan of Earl Grey until I started to try good-quality, loose leaf varieties. Now it is one of my favorites. For anyone who may have similar misgivings about Earl Grey, try a cup of Plum Deluxe’s Delightful Morning Blend and you may start to think differently about Earl Grey.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
Originally we created this tweak of our Mindful Morning earl grey with a pinch of Oregon lavender for the many flower festivals we visit during the spring and summer – and lucky day, it’s now available online.
The fresh lavender adds a softness and balance to the astringency of the bergamot, accented by the vanilla notes in the base black tea. It is truly wonderful iced or hot.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Classic Masala Chai from Chai Safari. . . .
I LOVE a good strong black tea. The Classic Masala Chai from Tea Safari is strong and bold without being overwhelming. I found it to be best with milk and sugar – and I used a little more milk than what I usually add to other black teas. The strength of the tea allows for multiple steepings, and the spices seemed to be more prominent upon the second steeping. It pairs well with a sweet treat!
The Chai Safari website is fairly easy to navigate and has a neat feature that shows what the tea leaves look like for each blend. When you click on the leaves, it shows what the tea will look like steeped in a cup. Their prices are very reasonable, and the customer will get the most bang for their buck with free shipping on orders over $50.
I enjoyed this nice cup of tea during a spring evening on the porch – the first evening where it was warm enough to sit outside, yet cool enough to enjoy a nice hot cuppa tea. The Classic Masala Chai was a delightful accompaniment for a lovely evening.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Chai Safari
Description
The Classic Masala Chai is India’s most popular chai. India’s own home grown recipe and consumed as a staple beverage across the country. This blend of exotic spices is the experience that will take you for a trip on this journey. The chai has dominant flavours of dried ginger and cardamom pods with a touch of black pepper’s spicy aftertaste. The sweet undenotes are delivered by cinnamon, Tulsi and a pinch of Saffron.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Blackberry Maple Waffle from The NecessiTeas. . . .
About ten years ago, I bought a package of loose-leaf black maple tea from a lovely tea house in California. The first time I tried it, with the usual milk and sugar, I had it with French Toast for breakfast. I felt like I was drinking a cup of maple syrup. Yikes! This may have caused me to shy away from maple flavored tea for a time – or at least to consider serving it with something more savory.
Flash forward to May 2017 when I received my first order from The NecessiTEAS. I ordered a variety of their creative flavors, which arrived in very nice tins. Among my selections was Blackberry Maple Waffle Tea. When I opened the can, I was delighted by the cuteness of the tiny dried blackberries in the tea. I made a pot for breakfast (savory scrambled eggs this time), and was very impressed with the flavor of the tea. Besides the real blackberries, the black tea contains bits of waffle cones – and maple, of course. There is a really nice balance of each flavor. The sweeter flavors blend well with the boldness of the black tea. The berries give it a tangy kick. It is delicious with milk and sugar, and also refreshing as an iced tea.
This well-done blend has quickly become a staple in my tea cabinet. And it pairs well with savories AND sweets!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
Why wait until breakfast time to enjoy the flavors of hot buttery waffles, topped with sweet maple syrup, and warm blackberry compote! Add some rock sugar and splash of milk to this brew to enjoy the steamy hot homemade flavor of juicy, ripe berries topping thick fluffy waffles, without the calories!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Limoncello from The NecessiTeas. . . . .#desserttea
I am so impressed with this tea that I immediately visited the website and ordered more. First of all, it smells DIVINE! I usually like to add sweeteners to my tea, but this tea is perfect just the way it is.
Limoncello is a refreshing pick-me-up in the evening. I can also see it as a go-to on an under-the-weather day as a soothing drink for a sore throat. I also tried it as an iced tea.
WOW! I will definitely be serving and drinking a lot of Limoncello iced tea this summer (possibly with some fresh mint leaves).
The NecessiTEAS website lists an intriguing variety of creative flavors. If a customer is looking for only one or two items, they have very reasonable flat-rate shipping. I was excited to try more of the fun flavors offered, so I received free shipping with my order.
I can’t wait to try and review more of their fantastic flavors!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Rooibos/Herbal
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
The Italian dessert drink has made its way into a tea. Imagine lemon meringue teasing your taste buds, while sweetly melting in your mouth with a blend of vanilla and brown sugars. The lemony brightness shines through with lemongrass and a sprinkling of golden marigold petals, all topping a green rooibos tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!