Before I get started on this tea, I have to make a quick note: Fava Tea has REALLY GREAT customer service. I ordered a bunch of samples, and later received a SEPARATE HANDWRITTEN NOTE thanking me for my order and asking me if I had any questions.
I cannot recall that EVER happening to me in my LIFE.
So already: soft spot in the heart.
This blend, called Dasher’s Delight, doesn’t really have any Christmas-related inclusions, so I’m not sure why it’s branded in such a way. They could easily market this one as “nutty sugar cookie” year-round. In addition to green tea, this blend includes caramel, hazelnut brittle, almonds, and walnuts.
I like this one as an afternoon mellow-out tea. I don’t think it has the punch for a morning brew, but it’s perfect for that 3pm slump when you’re cranky and you want five candy bars and a soda the side of your head. This gives you some sweet and some caffeine without all the catastrophic health drawbacks of my lesser vices. I wish there was a little MORE to it, even in the afternoon, but it’s still a sweet brew that’s worth a try!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Fava Tea Company
Description
This seasonal tea is a delightful artisan blend of caramel, hazelnut brittle, almonds, and walnuts! Delicious warm-up for the cold winter months!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lavender Sunrise/Fava Tea Company via Sips By Box. . . .
Green teas are some of my favorite warm-weather teas. Here in Texas, we’re sort of bouncing between 20°F and 80°F and the weather can’t make up its mind. (We actually hit low 90s in late February, followed by a week of rainy 40s, then freezing weather.) Despite the fact that it’s already starting to feel like summer on some days, I still like my tea scorching hot. (But I’ve included a recipe for those that enjoy sitting out on the porch with a refreshing glass of iced tea!)
Lavender Sunrise is a nice break from your typical green tea. It’s still vegetal, a little grassy, but the hint of floral lavender and strong lemony flavor brighten it up. (I’m not usually a huge lemon-and-lavender fan, but this one’s a hit!) I think the lemongrass really does it for me—I love a lightly grassy green.
The leaves in this one are on the small side, even after they’ve had a chance to unfurl and expand, making it great for brewing in tea bags and smaller infusers. The flavor is also strong enough that it’s good for a couple of brews.
I had to let this sit in the pot for quite a while to get it as strong as I like (about 6 minutes). It lacks the astringency typical of darker teas and really brings out the lemon when you steep it longer. (Steep too long and the lemon covers up the lavender, though.) It doesn’t need much in the way of sugar—I like this one unsweet—but Fava also has a strawberry rock sugar that goes well with it .
I also tried this one iced and it does not disappoint. Brew at 180°F for about 5-6 minutes (7-8 minutes if you like your tea pretty strong). Mix in a tablespoon of honey while it’s still hot. Grab a shaker and pour over ice with a splash of lemon juice. Add some strawberry slices at the end. Great for the approaching warm-weather days!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Fava Tea Company
Description
This green tea is relaxing without putting you to sleep! It’s a smooth green tea blended with lavender blossoms and lemon.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
French Breakfast from Fava Tea. . .
Picture this: you’re sitting on the banks of the Seine, sipping a hot beverage and eating a buttery, flaky croissant. Gentle French music is playing in the background (from where? who knows!) and cute dudes in berets are slowly strolling past. Oh, and the world is also lightly sepia-toned and everything is in bloom, 24/7, 365.
This is what I picture breakfast in France to be like, friends. SO REALISTIC, I know.
Now, though my delusions are certainly of grandeur, this tea certainly isn’t very far off. Gently maple-y with subtle pastry notes and a beautiful sprinkling of cornflowers, this tea is hearty and bold while still being the tiniest bit floral and unassuming. Kind of like what I picture the French to be, in my most stereotype-y imagination. This brew is a nice counterbalance to its heartier European friends, English and Irish Breakfast respectively. And while I generally find teas from Fava to be a bit on the weaker side (unfortunately– I want to love this local-to-me company, but much of their offerings leave something to be desired), this brew is a bit stronger than others of theirs I’ve tried, and thus, it made it an easy choice to reach for in my morning-sip-down.
Now, if anyone wants to fund my ACTUAL, hypothetical trip to Paris, I’ll be over here in my daydreaming, sipping away.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Fava Tea
Description
A superior blend of vanilla, and sweet, smooth black tea. This blend is accompanied by tiny bits of pineapple and cherry to add a distinct flavorful sweetness and burst of character! An excellent choice anytime of the day that takes cream and sweetener well. French Breakfast Superior has been described as a cup of relaxation in a world of chaos. We hope you enjoy as much as we all do.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Paris Evening from Fava Tea. . . .
When you think of Paris, do cherries and pineapple come to mind?
If your answer is, “no, don’t pineapples come from Hawaii, on the literal other side of the planet?”, you’re thinking TOO LITERALLY.
If the answer is, “Paris has lots of classy pastries with fruits inside them, I guess,” you’re ON TRACK.
This blend, Paris Evening Rooibos, is a blend that leans heavily on pineapples. The effusive sweetness creates a gentle, sugary-tasting nest for a light, spunky cherry-and-slightly-citrus taste. It’s a wonderful after-dinner treat. It’s sweet, low-to-no-calorie, AND naturally un-caffeinated.
I’m sure the Hunchback of Notre Dame would approve.
Probably.
… I’m sorry. I have no idea why this tea was named after Paris.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Fava Tea
Description
The caffeine-free version of our famous French Breakfast black tea. This rooibos-based tea has cherries, pineapple, and no caffeine. Fragrant, sweet, and delicious!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Fresa Guayusa from Fava Tea Company. . . .
Guayusa is a non-traditional type of tea, like mate. Both guayusa and mate come from a type of holly bush and not the traditional tea plant. While technically herbal teas, guayusa and mate both pack a big punch of caffeine so brew this tea when you’re looking to get hyped.
Fresa Guayusa from Fava Tea Company adds sweet strawberries to the guayusa base. I think this is a great combination for tea. I find mate and guayusa to be a bit too plain on their own. They have a pleasant dry grass scent and flavor, like standing in a field at the end of the summer with everything feeling fresh but a bit dry and toasty. But after a whole cup of this flavor, I find myself wanting a little something else.
Adding strawberries makes this bright and happy, with natural pink fruitiness it livens up the blend. Besides, if you’re reaching for a blend with as much caffeine as this guayusa has, you could probably use a little perky sweetness in your cup too.
This would be a great iced tea to kick off hot summer days, or a nice alternative to black tea on an afternoon where you need something sweet and highly caffeinated to get you going.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Guayusa
Where to Buy: Fava Tea
Description:
This tea has been shown to reduce physical and mental stress allowing for stronger mental strength and courage.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
