Brewed in Solace recently reached out to me via our Instagram asking me if I was interested in one of their Tea Care Packages. My answer was a very fast and excited, “YES!”
The package features a very simple but very pretty teacup and saucer. It is available in a bunch of colours including pink, blue, green, purple, yellow and white. When Brewed in Solace informed me I would get to pick which colour I wanted, I struggled because they are all beautiful. I ended up going with purple, and I am not disappointed.
That was not the only choice I was asked to make. The tea care package I was sent also came with a tea filter in either gold or silver, a candle that was either in fresh linen or lavender, and two different teas. Also, included was a candle label of anything I wanted and a personalized note. These options to personalize make the gift suitable for someone close to you, but it could also work for someone you aren’t as close with since the options are still general enough they should appeal to all!
As for the teas, they are fairly generic tea options. I went with Black Peach and Summer Rose. Nothing truly unique about either, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Today, I am enjoying the Black Peach tea and it is very smooth and with a distinct peach flavor. Basically what you would expect from a tea called Black Peach.
The package costs $65. Given that a teacup and saucer can easily be half that amount, if not more, I would say the price is fair. You get a whole lot of bang for your buck. In fact, the filter was one of the things I was most excited for since I tried to buy something similar and it was going to run me about $20 just for that.
What I really liked about this gift idea was that it was packaged with so much care and love. From the minute I opened the box that it was shipped in, I felt like I was being treated to a beautifully wrapped gift, complete with flowers to make it feel more fun and festive.
The company itself was wonderful to work with – very kind and accommodating. They kept me updated each step of the way, something I did not ask for but made the experience that much better.
So, if you didn’t gather it from this review, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND Brewed in Solace for your tea gift needs if you are looking for something fun and a bit different for anyone on your list!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Package
Where to Buy: Brewed in Solace
Description
All of the coziness in one care package. Included in the care package: tea cup & saucer, gold floral teaspoon, two loose-leaf teas, 2oz natural soy wax candle with custom quote, gift message & tea poem.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Dark Rose/Little Wood Herbals -ashmanra-
With rain pelting down since before dawn and the forecast predicting more of the same for the whole day, I decided to try something new. This sample was sent to me by the Sisters a while back and it seems a good day to try it!
I always try to look up a new company and read about the tea I am going to drink if it is new to me. I wasn’t sure if this was puerh, dark tea, or black tea. When I went to the puerh tea heading this wasn’t listed. I checked under black tea and again, not listed. There was a heading for floral teas and there it was, but the description still didn’t tell me for sure what my base was. Let the nose decide!
I took the tiny pressed heart out of the package and sniffed. Based on the sniff test, I would have guessed it was puerh. Tea that is processed more or less like puerh but is not from Yunnan is called dark tea in China, so perhaps that is what I have here, and that is how it was labeled, but I wanted to be sure. (Black is called red tea or hong cha in China which is confusing to some because red tea in the west is what a lot of people called red rooibos.)
I placed the heart in a large infuser basket from my Curve teapot and set it in a large mug. I pouring boiling water over it and watched as the heart softened quickly and lost shape. The water was rapidly turning a deep shade so puerh or dark tea is still my guess.
The rose is nice but not overwhelming if you are not into florals. The tea base is dusty/musty and earthy with a gentle scrape of unsweetened cocoa on the tongue – the sensation of cocoa but not the flavor.
This doesn’t have the oily body of my favorite shu puerh teas but will do for breakfast. There is a hint of dry cedar, especially in the aftertase. The rose is a peppery rose flavor and may add a slight sweetness, but not much. I am finding it slightly medicinal somehow.
Although grateful to try it, this is not one that I would re-order. There are other rose puerh teas that I would prefer.
They have an adorable tea for two set on their site and some nice accessories and other interesting things to browse.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Puerh
Where to Buy: Little Woods Herbal
Description
This dark tea is medium to full-bodied and smooth.It has a delicious sweet, dusty rose flavor and aroma.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sakurambo/Lupicia – ashmanra –
A good friend surprised me with a box containing a Lupicia green rooibos blend and two sample sachets. I couldn’t wait to try them all! This was first pick.
A quick peek at google to find out whether it was a black or green tea so I could set the kettle to the proper temp told me it was cherry scented and I did not look any further. But it was a conundrum. Go ahead and make a fruity tea even though I was having waffles and maple syrup for breakfast, or rummage through my stash to find a plain black? My experience with Lupicia was that their fruity teas are SUPER fruity and it might all be too sweet together, but I decided I really wanted to try these sooner rather than later!
Then rats rats rats! I tasted the waffle before sipping the tea! I like to try a new tea unadulterated to get the full flavor. Nevermind, a few sips would clear the palate to give me the true taste.
And that’s where it got confusing.
Nice black tea base…yes, a hint of cherry but not super fruity, rather…..smokey? What is that? What is happening? Not smokey….SAVORY. And then…..warmth from a little spice starts to glow. Is that pepper? I don’t like peppery chai and this wasn’t offending me so what was it? Was the syrup messing with the true taste of the tea too much?
Here is where I had to stop everything and look up the tea to find out what was going on. The savory was coming from rosemary! And the spice was pink peppercorns, which I couldn’t see in the sachet at all but when I tore it open it was there. If there is going to pepper in my tea, I highly prefer pink peppercorn to any other kind.
This tea was a great pairing with the sweet syrup and waffles. The rosemary gave deep herbal notes and enhanced the black base while the pink peppercorns gave warmth and spice and a nice, lingering aftertaste that cut the sweetness of the food without the raw heat of black peppercorns. The cherry wasn’t cough syrup cherry or candy cough drop cherry, but a nice, realistic Japanese cherry that was not too sour.
This gets a thumbs up from me! In future I would buy it loose leaf so I could see those adorable bright pink/red peppercorns looking like tiny cherries!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Lupicia
Description
SAKURAMBO is A fresh, intriguing blend of black tea scented with juicy Japanese cherries, one of our best-selling flavored teas of all time. The tea is topped with crisp rosemary and pink peppercorns imitating the ripe fruit. Visually appealing, this tea will make a great gift. Try its delicious sister product, SAKURAMBO VERT, which is a green tea blend.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
(photo credit: Lupicia)
Scottish Legacy/teakruthi -skysamurai-
It is difficult to smell tea through the tea bag. No dry aroma really but a slight rose aroma when wet.
The woodsy and earthy tones are subdued by wonderful rose flavors. Literally like walking into a rose garden and being immersed in many different rose aromas. But it’s not an overwhelming sensation; instead, it is relaxing and uplifting. A great way to start the morning.
Heck, this is a great cuppa for midday or perfect for a tea party.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: teakruthi
Description
Grown in an artisanal style, this special black tea is grown in a medium region that is of special note. Sri Lanka’s Kandy region, from which this tea hails, is where Ceylon tea was first founded. In 1867 a Scotsman named James Taylor started Sri Lanka’s first tea plantation estate. With a short brewing time, you’ll be able to enjoy this rich light copper coloured liquid in a matter of moments. Sweet overtones blend with the slight touch of bitters in this unique tea making it taste like an Earl Grey. Featuring both an aroma and flavour of a strawberry vanilla mix you’ll enjoy this tea best in the morning or afternoon.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
(photo credit: teakruthi)
Litchi Chinesis Black Tea (featuring an Umi Tea Set teapot)
The wonderful people at Umi Tea Sets reached out to us on Instagram and were kind enough to send us a beautiful teapot and a bag of this tea, Litchi Chinesis Black Tea.
I steeped 1 perfect teaspoon of the tea (approximately 1.5 teaspoons) in the teapot, which holds about 7 ounces of water. I steeped the tea for approximately 2 minutes in 200F water.
The teapot, which is currently sold out, is dainty in looks but sturdy in make. It has lovely detailing on it and a unique shape that really adds a touch of beauty and intrigue to each steeping session. On the practical side, I really like the built-in filter on the inside of the spout, the large handle that makes pouring so easy, and the beautiful string used to keep the lid attached to the pot. While I might wish that the filter was a touch finer to filter more leaves, or that the pot itself didn’t get quite so hot when steeping (easy fix…just grab the handle), I really do love this teapot and am glad to have it as part of my collection.
As for the tea, it is so smooth. I was actually shocked when I took my first sip. Litchi teas can often have a touch of bitterness to it or an overwhelming floral note. This is floral and sweet but with a solid smooth black base. It’s the slightest bit malty and overall just a really easy drinking tea that is true to the fruit! My only cause for pause is the price of this tea. While I can tell it is excellent quality and it comes with a gift caddy package, it is almost $30 for 100 grams. If litchi black tea is your thing though, this is a great option!
Thank you Umi Tea Sets for your generosity! I would definitely recommend both the teapot and tea! Make sure to check out the Umi Tea Set website to explore all their other great options!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type:Black Tea
Where to Buy: Umi Tea Sets
Description
Lizhi Black tea is a black tea scented with the juices from litchis, one of Chinas most popular fruits, which give a sharp, almost citric, flavor: It may be enjoyed alone at any time of the day or evening. The Litchi Chinensis Black Tea, is from Guangodong Province in China, also know as Lychee Black Tea. It is treated with the juice from the lichee fruit, which yields a wonderful and sweet fragrance. Lichee black tea can also be enjoyed chilled.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!