Sometimes flavored green teas and I don’t get along. I don’t know if a sharper base is usually used or if my stomach – and tastebuds – sometimes object to the flavorings themselves. I looked up the ingredients on this one to see if I needed to brace myself before sipping, but I am hopeful since this isn’t technically a flavored tea but rather a blend of lots of ingredients.
And this tea is a blend of wonderful things that I need! The base is Chinese green, and the herb sideritis from which Greek Mountain tea or shepherd’s tea is made is in there as well. This herb has long been used as a folk remedy for soothing stomach ailments as well as for treating colds. Thyme and juniper berry are savory smooth ingredients, and olive leaves are also in the mix, giving a richer body to the tea, all also touted for health benefits. There are also apple pieces and calendula petals.
The tea itself is warm and embracing as I sip. I can taste the thyme, not strong but easy to pick up since I usually put French thyme in my omelette. (Today I used oregano instead.) Perhaps it is the juniper berry adding the warm hug. It could be the sideritis, but I have never tasted it on its own so I don’t know exactly what it contributes to the flavor profile. I have no worries about post-breakfast heartburn today.
Bottom line – this is a warm and savory cuppa that did very well as a breakfast tea, holding its own when served with an oniony omelette, and did NOT eat up my poor gastritis prone tummy! Hooray!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Balcony Tea
Description
This blend is inspired by flavours and aromas that bring back childhood memories of walks through Mediterranean valleys. An invigorating blend of green tea, sweet apple and mountain herbs.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sensibly Script reports back on Thyme Chai by Balcony Tea. . . .
I brewed it in freshly boiled water (~8-10 oz) for 3 minutes as suggested. I love loose leaf tea, but the pyramid sachets this tea comes in are super cute and convenient. It’s just one less step (putting the tea into the brew basket) but can make a big difference, especially if you’re in a hurry.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a Thyme tea before, so this was new and exciting to me. This tea doesn’t seem to have any other herbs/spices besides thyme (the ingredients are black tea, thyme, and vanilla) but the flavor is pretty strong and the vanilla gives it more depth and richness. It’s a nice medium-dark, transparent honey-brown when steeped and smells both Thymey and sweet.
First sip: There’s a bit of cognitive dissonance here because I’ve only ever had Thyme in savory dishes so my brain is expecting this tea to be savory rather than sweet. It is sweet, though. I can identify the tannic astringency of the tea base, along the sides of my tongue, while the Thymey bouquet invades my nose. The astringency transitions into a sweetness on the top and back of the tongue that somehow connects it to the flowery herbal fragrance, keeping the whole thing somewhat coherent. So although the black tea flavor is mostly subsumed and the astringent component is the only part of it that really sticks out to me, it still contributes to the overall taste profile.
I next added a bit of sugar (only a little, since it’s so sweet already), which helped the various flavors flow together even better. I then added milk, which worked out great. It made the tea taste warm and strengthening (I mean, it technically already tasted warm, but still) and helped my taste buds get over the funky “no really, this should be savory because it has thyme in it” idea. I think I like it best with milk, but then I usually do with chais and other strong black teas.
This is a very different sort of chai, with a Mediterranean rather than a South Asian inspiration, but I really enjoyed it and I think I could add it to my rotation with great success.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Balcony Teas
Description
This is what my papa called “a signature tea”: refreshing in summer and protective in winter. We love the distinctly herbaceous, yet sweet and comforting taste of this black tea.
Ingredients:
Black Tea – The finest Ceylon tea. Fortifying, yet refreshing.Wild Thyme – Our thyme is wild-harvested in the Mediterranean to ensure its intense aroma and taste. The Romans believed Thyme to be a mood enhancer. My family used to drink it whenever we were feeling under the weather.Vanilla Pieces & Flavour – Smooth, sweet and luxurious.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Fresh and Fruity – Balcony Teas
If you are in need of a perky, good for you herbal cuppa this may be what you are looking for. The hibiscus is overpowering, like it generally is in most herbal teas, however, the other flavors meekly make their presence known. This was my first time hearing of Greek mountain tea. With the bit of research I did it would seem that it has a herbaceous flavor.
Which I can subtly detect along with the lemon peel on the initial sip along with the lime flower. Honestly, I wish that the hibiscus was the last ingredient as it seems to be masking too much from the others.
While we are on the topic of this tea’s ingredients take a moment to look up lime flower. This combined with the Greek Mountain tea really packs a healthy wallop.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Balcony Teas
Description
Feel energised and revitalised by this vibrant infusion. This very special blend is packed full of unique herbs and bursting with flavour. It will put a smile on your face at any time of day.
Ingredients:
Hibiscus – A colourful blossom with a delicious tangy taste. Lime Flower – Traditionally used to treat headaches and indigestion. Greek Mountain Tea – The best-kept Mediterranean secret. Lemon Peel – For its zesty flavour. Olive Leaves – A Mediterranean treasure used in traditional Mediterranean medicine.
Making a perfect cup:
Brew in freshly boiled water for 3 minutes and serve without milk.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Mountain Bliss from Balcony Tea. . . . . .
Historically, I haven’t been a huge fan of traditional green teas. (I KNOW. Don’t take my Official Tea Reviewer card away just yet.) But lately, my heavy, caffeinated black teas just aren’t doing it for me, and I’ve been craving something lighter, fresher… vegetal?! Who am I?
I reached for this offering from Balcony that’s been hanging out in my cabinet for far too long. I think I was a little intimidated by the description, at first– thyme, juniper, fruit? Also, what’s Greek Mountsin tea?! (still not totally sure on that one.) But my curiosity finally got the best of me and I brewed a cup after work one day for a treat. I can taste all of those unusual notes, and surprisingly, they work together quite wonderfully. I will say that I added a touch of honey, which helped to balance any green tea bitterness. Interestingly enough, even with the honey, this tea rings more of a savory blend than anything to me. Notes of thyme and juniper stand out most prominently, with just a hint of fruity notes at the end of the sip.
I think I’m being converted, you guys. Maybe I’m not yet reaching for straight up, traditional greens, but I’m on my way. Another winner from Balcony!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Balcony Tea
Description
This blend is inspired by flavours and aromas that bring back childhood memories of walks through Mediterranean valleys. An invigorating blend of green tea, sweet apple and mountain herbs.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Revitalizing with Peppermint from Balcony Teas
Revitalizing with Peppermint from Balcony Tea is a herbal tisane made up of peppermint, spearmint, aniseed, chamomile, liquorice, and rosemary.
Ever since I had a Licorice and Peppermint tisane from a completely different company I am afraid what others might bring. Maybe afraid is the wrong word – perhaps – CAUTIOUS – would be more fitting. But I didn’t have to worry with this Revitalizing with Peppermint from Balcony Tea because it was VERY nicely done!
The ingredients in Revitalizing with Peppermint from Balcony Tea were playing together nicely. I was able to taste the licorice and minty duo of peppermint and spearmint upfront but with the others following closely behind. The subtle Aniseed, Chamomile, and Rosemary served a mighty purpose with a small roar. This was a DANDY of an herbal!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Balcony Teas
Description
This indulgently sweet and minty blend will refresh and revitalise. Naturally caffeine-free, it is perfect after a meal or as a pick-me-up during the day. It is packed full of herbs traditionally used to sooth the digestive system and boost wellbeing.
Ingredients:
Peppermint – Cooling and balancing. Used traditionally to aid digestion. Spearmint – Tingling and refreshing. Aniseed – Delicately aromatic, widely used as a digestive. Chamomile – Treasured for its relaxing properties. Liquorice – Traditionally used to treat cold symptoms and improve digestion. Rosemary– A wonderfully flavoursome Mediterranean favourite, used traditionally to help circulation and concentration.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
