When you have a rare, quiet morning to yourself, what tea do you choose to be your companion? Golden Moon’s Madagascar Vanilla is my choice today because I need something that has the chops to follow up waffles and maple syrup.
This vanilla can’t go wrong, with the vanilla taste coming from real Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans and not some mysterious dark liquid that knows beakers better than plants.
I am usually very sensitive digestion-wise to teas that are not from China, but this Indian base sits right with me. It has hearty breakfast tea flavor without the gut twisting bitterness that demands milk to tame it and sugar to tone it down. It has the light, tongue scraping sensation of gentle briskness and a touch of malt. I happily drink this sans additions.
This is vanilla tea for grownups, not a kiddie vanilla. I serve it morning and afternoon, because it does hold up well with a meal or with rich sweets. It is also a good fortifying cup. The hearty base makes it so versatile.
I can’t help but be impressed when I look at their website and see the pains they have taken to assure that the tea that comes to us is as pure as they can possibly make it. But it has to taste good, too! And this one definitely does.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Golden Moon
Description
There’s vanilla, and then there is vanilla. Sometimes “vanilla” is poured out of a small, dark bottle into your favorite boxed cake mix. That stuff is like that “iPod” you bought in Chinatown. Sure it may work, but it really isn’t the same. Our vanilla is straight from the vanilla bean. Not just any bean, but the world famous bourbon vanilla bean found in Madagascar. We chop up the beans, blend them with a pure, organic Indian tea base and let it age for over a month. Why? Because Madagascar Vanilla ends up having a fully infused, rich flavor with no weird chemical aftertaste. Sure it is a lot of trouble for us to make this tea, but it’s well worth it.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Vanilla Mint from Golden Moon. . . .
Vanilla and mint teas are an awesome combination. There are so many options out there and typically they utilize peppermint to mix with a vanilla black tea. Vanilla Mint by Golden Moon Tea is a little different since they use a black/green base with vanilla bean and spearmint.
I brewed this as a latte because vanilla mint lattes are awesome. This is no exception. The creaminess of the milk brings out the silky vanilla bean flavor. That makes it the flavor you notice first, though it slowly melts to a clear mint flavor. The mint lingers in the aftertaste and leaves you with a bright and fresh feeling.The base teas act as a solid foundation for the flavoring but don’t impart much of a taste themselves.
This is a nice take on a vanilla mint tea. At the end of the day it is not so different from other interpretations that I need to go out of my way to get it over other variations. However, it made for a nice latte this morning and at the end of the day, that’s all I could ask for.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Green
Where to Buy: Golden Moon Tea
Description
While this combination of flavors seems a bit out of the ordinary, trust us when we say it just works. In fact, this tea was invented when our Owner was on a “business trip” to Vienna, Austria. After having a really rough day of going to the Vienna Opera House, he stopped by a café for some of their renowned apple tarts with a thick vanilla cream called shlag. Noticing that the locals add the cream to their coffee, he decided to do the same to the mint tea he was drinking. And guess what? It was delicious. The creamy vanilla tempered the sharp mint and the two flavors melded almost perfectly. So, this is our version of this Viennese combination that is rich, sweet, and utterly refreshing.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Honey Pear Black from Golden Moon Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Golden Moon Tea
Tea Description:
Our Honey Pear begins with top-quality black tea. Then we add the sweet flavor of ripe fruit and rich, smooth honey.
Reminiscent of a succulent Mid-Eastern dessert treat, this loose leaf tea delivers a full-bodied, amber liquor and a sweet, rich flavor that is delicious hot or iced.
Learn more about this tea on Steepster.
Taster’s Review:
So, this tea is incredibly aromatic – even with my sample in a Ziploc over top of the foil sample pouch I can see smell intense, fragrant notes of pear. It reminds me of this really sweet, kind of ‘dewy’ pear scented hair detangler I used to have before I shaved off all of my hair. I know that doesn’t sound appealing, but I think that hair detangler was the best smelling ‘beauty product’ I’ve EVER owned. I remember even spraying it as a ‘perfume’ too (I was twelve at the time; don’t judge). And then, when I was out of it I was never able to find it again. If the taste of this tea translates into the smell of that detangler as well as the dry aroma makes me think it will I know I’m gonna be all over this tea.
I cold brewed my sample; and I have to say this turned out to be absolutely incredible. Honestly, the black base is a little drowned out but it’s not surprising given how intense the flavourings are. I would have been more surprised if the base had been able to compete with pear notes that strong. The mouthfeel is also incredibly thick and full; if I didn’t know better I could probably be persuaded that I was drinking the sweetened pear juices from a can of halved pears. It’s also just a sliver floral tasting. It compliments the pear notes well though. And you know what? It does kind of taste like that detangler smelled.
One thing I will say is that the ‘honey’ seems a lot less obvious; sure there’s absolutely 100% a sweetness to this tea that isn’t representative of just the pear on its own, but nothing identifies it specifically as honey. Though comparing this again to a ‘beauty product’ (but in the best way), my personal favourite perfume is ‘white tea and honey’ scented and this does have the same effervescent, fresh sweetness that I enjoy when I wear that perfume. The common denominator between the two is the ‘honey’. So that’s something.
Overall, I’m really impressed with this tea! At this point, it takes A LOT for a pear tea to sweep me off my feet and this blend certainly did it. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a good pear tea or just a fruity tea in general with an over the top juiciness and freshness.
Tippy Earl Grey from Golden Moon Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Golden Moon Tea
Company Description:
Smoooth. And Something Of A Paradox. You, too?
Mood: For the free spirit living in a proper society
Time: Traditionally taken in the morning or afternoon, but break free and enjoy anytime.
Cuisine: Delightful with toast and strawberry preserves. An excellent afternoon tea to serve to guests with cream cheese sandwiches, scones, and fresh or dried fruit.
Price Per Cup: .11-.20
Caffeine: MediumThis treasured Golden Moon recipe was hand-delivered (at great risk – but that’s another story for another day) by a Chinese tea trader to 19th Century British Prime Minister Earl Grey.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and probably again sometime in the not so distant future!): I LOVE Earl Grey tea. Something else that I’ve said before (and, I’m saying again) is that not all Earl Grey teas are created equal. Some tea purveyors skimp when it comes to the quality of the bergamot flavoring or the tea used in the blend – which results in a less than delightful cuppa Earl Grey.
That is NOT the case with Golden Moon Tea with their extraordinary Tippy Earl Grey tea. Which is fortunate for me as I sit here sipping on this delicious tea.
The black tea base is brisk, bold and bright. The leaves are large and tippy (hence the name), and their exceptional quality shines through in this blend. You can taste the quality here.
The pungent bergamot flavoring is a pleasant citrus flavor and is pleasantly accented with a touch of lavender. The lavender isn’t strong in this cup – but it is just enough to play upon the floral notes of the bergamot. Yes, I know that a bergamot is an orange, but there is a decidedly floral aspect about its flavor that makes it unlike any other citrus fruit I’ve ever encountered.
And yet, it doesn’t taste perfume-y, which can occasionally be the case when it comes to Earl Grey (remember that bit before about not all Earl Grey teas are created equal?) The flavor is floral, fruity, and very smooth. This is a very pleasant cup of Earl Grey tea.
I would recommend this Earl Grey to Earl Grey connoisseurs as well as those who think they dislike Earl Grey tea (probably because they’ve once tried one of those not-so-equal Earl Grey teas). This is a remarkable Earl Grey, definitely worth trying. I’m loving it!
