This was gifted to me by a friend who was curious about the blend but who isn’t really into black tea much anymore. She tried it and passed it on for me to taste.
It smells wonderfully fruity and sweet in the pouch!
I tried it hot first, and….wow. I actually did a slightly short steep of four minutes but this hits hard. The black tea is strong, builder’s tea strong, and might be just right for someone who adds milk and sugar, but I (and my friend) do not. To be fair, I have yet to meet a Monk’s Blend style tea that I liked, as they all came out too astringent or bitter for me, even with the fruit flavors. I love certain Ceylon teas, but others are a “no, thanks” for me.
I have never had catnip by itself but I read that it is woody and strong, and eventually minty notes will steep out. Maybe the catnip is also lending some bitter edge to this.
The grenadine is delightfully fruity, though, and with food this was okay. It is too astringent for my tastes to try to drink it without food – or sugar – to mitigate it.
Most tea of any decent quality can be manipulated to be at least drinkable no matter what your personal preferences are. I decided to cold steep this and see how it goes as a fruity iced tea.
I made simple syrup so we could each add sweetness to our iced tea as we like.
This is the way to go on this one for me! It cold steeped well in the fridge, and after about four hours of chilling and releasing those lovely grenadine notes, I poured it into mason jars and took it to the patio with a hearty dollop of simple syrup in each serving. Very nice this way, and might be just right for lovers of Monk’s Blend teas!
I will be saving some to pass back to my friend so she can try it cold steeped. It is really is the way to go with this one for me!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Piper and Leaf
Description
Ingredients: Ceylon Black Tea, Catnip, Organic Grenadine Flavor, Calendula Petals
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Maple Sugar Shack/Tease Tea -skysamurai
When I first heard the name I thought it would be full of sugar or flavoring but decided to take a peek at the ingredients anyway because I love maple syrup. I don’t guzzle it like a certain Elf we all know and love but I find it tasty and the process of making it fascinating.
Low and behold no crappy stuff!
So of course I ordered a bag. I was still a bit pensive of how the flavor was going to turn out but it has not disappointed. The loose leaf is gorgeous dry and wet.
The aroma has floral notes and also a hint of sweet red wine. The liquor has a unique hint of brandy mixed with maple and floral notes. It is great hot but also very good cold.
Will also have to try as a latte at some point when it’s not at a temperature in which I can cook an egg on the concrete.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tease Tea
Description
This blend is no longer available but click below for blends that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Anxi Dan Gui/Verdant – skysamurai
This is my first time drinking a Dan Gui. But knowing it is an Anxi region oolong I have high hopes. The dry aroma is very fresh.
With summer garden scents. . . . though I only got to smell it once since I was outside at a splash pad with my kids. Not ideal tea drinking area but we tea drinkers have to make do.
Leaf is gorgeous. Blends of light green and darker greens. Refreshing flavor. Reminiscent of tie guan yin but lighter. The mouth feel is silky. The wet aroma is very interesting.
There is a spot in Hawaii where the forest and the ocean meet. Bits of plumeria and other tropical flowers with a fresh water meets ocean water aroma.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Verdant Tea
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for oolongs that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Mint Medley/Brooke Birch Tea Shoppe -skysamurai
You’ve eaten a ton of pizza and now you’re dragging. Grab some peppermint tea to put some pep back into your step. Granted this varies depending on the pizza you consume.
While I generally do not pick a peppermint tea I thought tonight was a good night to give it a go. This is a lovely one as far as peppermint goes. Though I still find the spearmint to be just a bit too much.
I love mint but I prefer regular mint to spearmint. The dry and wet aromas are pleasant. My lungs feel a bit cleansed. My tongue definitely does as well.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Brooke Birch Tea Shoppe
Description
A after dinner mint tea at its finest. Great for the digestion system but lovely anytime. Makes a great dessert tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Moringa Lemon/Teakruthi -skysamurai
Teakruthi kindly sent me a bunch of tea to review for them. Which almost scared me at first when I received the shipping notification because I thought someone was using my account to order themselves tea.
I was surprised to find that this was not a tea bag as expected but full of gorgeous moringa leaf and lemon peel bits. But then I was hit by the aroma. This smells like Windex. Or that commercial cleaner they use in some hotels. And now I can’t get that out of my head. I’ll let that thought be so I can try to enjoy the flavor.
I’ve never had moringa before and I’m not much for herbals so… here goes. The liquor color is dark, clear, yellow. Kind of pretty in its own way. Steeped for about four minutes. Couldn’t take that smell any longer. The flavor is highly citrus with what I am assuming is the herbal flavor that comes off smooth and lightly medicinal. Cleansing.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Teakruthi
Description
Looking for the perfect refreshing and healthy herbal drink? Look no further than our Moringa Lemongrass herbal tisane tea. Highly nutritious and healthy, dried Moringa leaves are infused with lemon and lemongrass. While Moringa improves the immune system, controls blood sugar and blood pressure, lemon is a mood enhancer that helps with digestion. Together, the three produce a powerful herbal infusion that is free of caffeine and with a host of health benefits. The prepared brew has a dark yellow colour and a zingy lemony taste for you to devour.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!