When DAVIDsTEA announced the release of their iced tea press, I had mixed feelings about the whole thing. On the one hand, it seemed like a pretty cool take on a french press to easily make iced tea on the go. On the other hand, I have always been told not to squish teas and that is definitely what gets done with this press. Each time new colors are released, I him and haw over whether I want one but could never bring myself to buy one. However, when a friend took me into DAVIDsTEA and told me to pick what I wanted, I went with something I would not buy myself…the iced tea press.
Of course now that I had it, I immediately had to give it a try. The first thing I noticed was how hard it was to remove the inner piece from the outer shell. I took this as a good sign because it meant the seals were tight and thus the press was most likely leak-proof. When it came time to prepare the tea, I used two perfect teaspoons of a fruit tea and poured the hot water up to the specified line on the outer shell, maybe even a little higher. I filled the inner piece with ice, and screwed the lid on top, then I set the inner piece within the outer shell and waited for the tea to finish steeping.
When I began to press the tea, I got a lot of push back. It just wouldn’t stay down. That was probably my fault since I didn’t have the lid opened so there was no where for the air to escape providing space for the tea to replace it. When I removed the lid, it slid with ease but only filled about 3/4 of the way. The rest of the tea remained in the outer shell, moving up the sides and spilling out where the two pieces connect whenever the tumbler is tilted. Needless to say, this didn’t go very well for me on my first try.
Nonetheless, there are still perks. I do think this is an easy way to make iced tea and I don’t have any gravity steepers left in the sink and needing to be cleaned. I also like the fine mesh used to press the tea as it filters out anything and everything. Another positive is that it gives leaf plenty of space to expand. Though that is not necessarily a relevant factor when it comes to fruit teas, it is an important part of brewing proper tea leaves.
Finally, I think if I had the lid open as intended and didn’t pump the tea before getting a proper press, the ratio of hot water and ice would be more balanced, making for the full 16 ounces of iced tea.
Some things I could see being a downfall with this press, other than the leaking I have already experienced is oversteeping as the tea is not fully removed from the hot water. This isn’t really “on-the-go” as you wouldn’t want to carry around the components while they are separated.
Also, you could not really cold brew in this as there is no lid for the outer shell where the tea steeps. Lastly, I worry about the longevity of the seals as they are silicone and I fear they may wear with time.
Ultimately, I can see this being a fun new contraption. I probably need more practice in light of my fail but I think I am up to the challenge. Granted, I won’t be tossing this into my purse and letting it roll around anytime soon but it is definitely an alternative method to using all my gravity steepers for iced teas.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Teaware
Where to Buy: DAVIDsTea
Description
What if we told you there was an all-in-one gadget to steep, ice AND sip your tea, at home or on the go? Meet the mug that’ll change how we make iced tea forever. Made of BPA-free, durable Tritan™, it makes iced tea prep quick, easy – and ridiculously fun. Just add your tea and hot water, and scoop your ice into the inner compartment. When you’re ready to sip, press it together to instantly ice your tea. No fuss, no muss. Plus its super-fine mesh stops the infusion, so even the most delicate tea won’t be oversteeped. Now that’s refreshing.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Banana Nut Bread from DAVIDsTea. . . . . .
I don’t usually gravitate towards banana flavored anything. I do, however, like banana nut bread and I also like chocolate covered frozen bananas. Banana flavor, though? Not so much. Alas, I was perusing DAVID’s website and decided to give it a try. I hoped that the banana wouldn’t be too sweet or artificial tasting and that the “nut” part would shine through because I absolutely adore anything and everything that is “nutty” (including people haha).
Upon opening my tin I swear this was trail mix! If I put this in a baggie and handed it to you, you would most likely start eating it. There were whole banana chips, dates, and little pieces of almonds. It smelled like banana, but I feel like it smelled a little artificial so I was concerned. I read on Steepster that you need to be careful when steeping this because apparently it gets messy. I used an in mug steeper and did not think it was too bad. I steeped this tea for 10 minutes, per the people on Steepster’s recommendation.
Once steeped it was a creamy and yellow liquid. I added just a small dash of agave and a splash of milk. Boy this tea was delectable! It really was delicious. The nuttiness truly does shine through. The banana is there, but its not in your face or artificial. It is not overly “banana” and is definitely drinkable and enjoyable even if you don’t normally like banana flavor. I think that this captured freshly baked banana nut bread 100%. Like, if I took banana nut bread and turned it into a liquid, it would taste like this tea. The dates add a slight sweetness to the overall cup, but the nuts really shine through and mingles with the mellow banana flavor. This is a total dessert replacement tea. Perfect for winding down after dinner.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Tisane
Where to Buy: DAVIDsTea
Description
Like all amazing recipes, this one took years to perfect – and it was totally worth the wait. This tea miraculously captures the flavour of freshly-baked banana bread. The taste of real banana slices blends perfectly with almonds and the sweetness of dates and currants. It’s fragrant, with all the warmth of a loaf hot from the oven. As deliciously comforting as mama’s special recipe, but without the calories.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Oh Canada from DAVIDsTea. . . .
This rooibos “taste of Canada” tastes so much like maple syrup you could probably dunk waffles in it. And if I hadn’t given up processed carbs for Lent, I would absolutely do this and get back to you with how it went. Because I think this would work.
It’s a super-rich, super-realistic flavor with lots of rooibos sweetness layered with it. There are also hilarious maple leaf sprinkles. They’re like Canadian fruity pebbles of overbearing Great White North patriotism.
You’d drink this tea in a giant flannel before going out to construct log cabins by hand. You’d shave in the morning and a have collarbone-length beard by mid-afternoon. You’d ride a moose to your neighbor’s house, eat elk-meat burgers, and come home to sleep the 10 hours necessary to maintain all that Canadian ruggedness.
However, the best part of this tea (maple syrup!!!!) is also the tea’s main drawback (maple syrup????). As much as I love maple syrup, I don’t know if I want to drink a huge mug of it, you know?
If Oh Canada were an outfit, Tim Gunn would describe it as “a lot of look.”
I think of this blend almost as a “concept album.” Like that time Christina Aguilera released her sci-fi album, “Bionic“: Or The Flaming Lips’ “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.” Or that time Garth Brooks was Chris Gaines for a while.
David’s Tea wanted to explore what Peak Canada could possibly be. This is their result.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: DAVIDsTea
Description
This super patriotic rooibos blend tastes just like maple syrup. Sweet!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Strawberry Shake from DAVIDsTea. . .
I have been (im)patiently waiting for DAVIDsTEA to come out with some new “summery” teas. It has finally happened! Yay! So their new collection they’re calling “Malt Shop” and all the teas are based off of ice cream. They not only have ice cream themed teas, but new tea tins and mugs with ice cream print on them. Talk about cute! I definitely went all out during my DAVIDsTEA shopping spree, and I am happy I did because I am loving the teas!
The first one I tried was Strawberry Shake. It is described as a green tea with strawberry and yogurt flavor. The initial thought that came to my head when I saw the description and smelled the tea was that this is a caffeinated version of Strawberry Rhubarb Parfait. However, this tea was not tart and does not contain hibiscus (phew!). So thankfully, in taste, there was no comparison to Strawberry Rhubarb Parfait.
The dry leaf’s smell does remind me of a strawberry milkshake. However, once steeped, it smells like fresh cut up strawberries. Seriously, if I closed my eyes and smelled the steeped tea I would likely say “hey, is someone cutting up some strawberries in here?” It is very realistic. I don’t know if I like the name “strawberry shake” for this tea, though. It more so reminds me of the strawberry syrup that you would drizzle on your sundae. You know, that syrup that has real strawberries in it? That stuff is good. Well, thats what this tea reminds me of. So, even though it doesn’t live up to the milkshake “vibe” that DAVIDsTEA is trying to give off, the tea itself is still good.
I feel like the “yogurt” part that was mentioned in the description was totally lost. It definitely lost its way and probably wont be coming back. I really didn’t get a yogurt flavor, unfortunately. Which is probably why I didn’t think that the tea resembled a milkshake at all. If I was to do this tea over for DAVID’s I think I would have added some freeze-dried ice cream pieces or white chocolate. It needed another creamy component in order to be considered ice cream, in my humble opinion.
Otherwise, I did like this tea. Even though I don’t think it lived up to it’s name does not mean it wasn’t good. It is definitely worth a try especially if you like strawberry. Even though I won’t be buying more, I will happily drink up the rest of my tin-full.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: DAVIDsTea
Description
Shake up your sipping with this creamy blend of green tea, strawberry and yogurt.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
The Malt Shop Collection from DAVIDsTEA. . . . .
Each season DAVIDsTEA premieres a new collection of about five teas. Sometimes there may be a returning favorite but most of the blends are new and exciting. Lately though, DAVIDs has been treating their customers to mini collections, released almost monthly to keep their selection fresh and intriguing. This month, in addition to the Valentine’s teas, they brought us The Malt Shop Collection, featuring three ice-cream inspired teas and ice cream teaware. Now I am a sucker for all things ice cream and cupcakes and milkshakes and the like so you can bet your a$$ I was in the shop the minute I could step away from the office.
As far as the three blends go, Mint Chip Sundae was the blend I was least excited about, since I am just not one for mint chip ice cream and chocolate mint teas just seem so overdone. This one is made with cocoa nibs, green tea, peppermint, white chocolate, cocoa powder and stevia. Scentwise, this is a whole lotta mint with a faint note of dusty chocolate. It brews up muddied from the cocoa nibs and cocoa powder settling at the bottom. When it comes to taste, this is creamy and minty, but the stevia just takes over and coats your whole mouth. For those that don’t mind stevia and are looking for a creamy mint chocolate tea, this could be a nice choice but if you’re anything like me, the stevia here will be a deal breaker.
Vanilla Swirl, made with lemongrass, pineapple, white chocolate, globe amaranth, cornflower, and stevia, is definitely the prettiest of the three blends with the pink and blue flower petals sprinkled among the white chocolate curls on the lemongrass base. The tea smells of artificial vanilla extract and herbs and brews up a light gold color. Again the stevia is a deal breaker for me but I will say it is not as bad as in the Mint Chip Sundae. Looking past the stevia though, there is a silky vanilla quality contrasted by the hint of lemon that acts as the foundation here. Does it taste like vanilla ice cream? Not really but there is potential here for a nice nighttime treat.
Strawberry Shake was the blend I was most excited about, not because of the tea itself perse, but because I am basically obsessed with strawberry milkshakes. There is even one restaurant that can recognize a delivery order as my family’s because I ALWAYS get the strawberry milkshake. This tea, made with green tea, strawberries, papaya, and yogurt, smells like candy – sweet but artificial. It brews up a light yellow and it tastes like a strawberry milkshake…sorta. The strawberry syrup element is captured nicely but muted slightly by the green tea base. Though the base doesn’t impart much flavor, which is a plus in my book. All in all, I am enjoying this creamy delight but this is the one time I think it is maybe too subtle. DAVIDsTEA is normally heavy handed with flavoring to the point that it is just too much but here, where the flavor should be over-the-top, it is way too subdued and borderline bland.
As an added bonus, I also grabbed the Strawberry Shake Tea-Infused White Chocolate Bar. Opening the package, what immediately took me by surprise is the green hue making it very clear that bits of the tea have definitely made it into this bar. Unfortunately, that doesn’t really come through in the taste. White chocolate is pretty much all I am tasting with just a touch of candy strawberry flavor.
All in all, I would say this is a fun collection. For me, I might go back for my Strawberry Shake tea but DAVIDs need to pre-sweeten everything with stevia is such a turnoff for me. Consequently, Mint Chip Sundae and Vanilla Swirl were misses in my book.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Various
Where to Buy: DAVIDsTEA
Description
A collection of three sweetly nostalgic, malt shop-inspired teas.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
