Today has been a bit of a lazy day spent inventorying my teas. I can get quite overwhelmed at times and for some reason it is calming to go through my stash, note which teas I still have in large quantities, which are almost done, which have maybe aged past their prime, and so on. It just helps me wrap my head around what’s hiding in my tea drawers and gives me a sense of control for some aspect of my life. Of course, no tea inventorying would be complete without a cup of tea to keep me company.
Honey Bee Black by Pekoe Sip House is today’s companion. It combines black tea, honey, honey bee pollen, vanilla, and caramel flavor. I brewed this per the recommended steeping parameters, letting the tea steep for 3 minutes in boiling water. I gave it a little time to cool and then got to sipping…
The scent of the steeped tea has a clear honey aroma and though that comes through in taste, it is a bit more subdued than the scent would suggest. That is probably because there is more than just honey happening in this cup. The black base comes through loud and clear with a malt that acts as the perfect foundation for the honey flavor. Together, they do bring out notes of vanilla caramel nearing the end of the sip.
What surprises me here is that this is not as sweet as you’d expect. The flavors are all there but none really jump out. On one hand that makes for a smooth tea that is easy to drink while trying to do other things and on the other hand, it can also be a bit boring.
Ultimately there is nothing wrong with this tea. In fact, it can be quite enjoyable. However, it is not something that stands out to me or something that I need to have again and again. It is a solid honey black option that I could see resteeping well but solid isn’t great and when you have the amount of teas I do, great is what you want
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Pekoe Sip House
Description
An unparalleled combination of sweet and malty black tea with honey and honeybee pollen. Sweet and satisfying on the palate for an afternoon delicate or robust enough to enjoy as a morning cup. Add a sweetener and milk of your choice to make it your own perfect cup. We recommend serving hot and tasting with multiple infusions.
Ingredients: Black tea, honey, honey
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pekoe Breakfast from Pekoe . . . .
The smell of this tea reminded me of English Breakfast, and that triggered me to think this blend would be great with cream and sugar! Pekoe’s website recommends trying this blend with cream and sugar, and the flavor profile does not disappoint. The flavors of this black tea were able to penetrate the cream and sugar to provide a smooth and clean black tea flavor.
I was able to get three quality brews from this tea in one serving of leaves. I personally selected to brew this in my press, and the leaves provided a beautiful light mahogany color when brewed. Before I discarded these tea leaves, I also tried this blend as an iced tea with sugar. I’m from Louisiana and a good black sweet tea is a staple in my family. When on a third brew, this tea gave wonderful light notes that were enhanced by the sweetener in the sweet tea. It was everything a sweet tea should be for a southern girl!
This tea could easily replace your English Breakfast tea that you have in your cupboard, and the quality of the leaves are apparent. This is definitely a tea I’m excited to brew again.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Pekoe
Description
Perfect for when you’re up at dawn for a run or readying for another busy day, sip on our signature organic loose leaf black tea that provides uplifting energy in a smooth and malty cup.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pekoe Breakfast Black Tea from Pekoe Sip House. . . .
Well, it may be Pekoe Breakfast, but I had it in the afternoon! It is touted as being a good tea to give energy and heaven knows I needed some of that.
This is a blend of Assam, Nilgiri, and Chinese black teas, but the main aroma hitting my nose is Assam. Reminding me of a stout Irish Breakfast tea, this is so fruity, rich, and malty. You will swear someone added lemon to your tea.
Sometimes Assam and I don’t get along. I have a tender tummy. This blend caused no trouble at all. I drank it straight, though the company does say it can be taken with milk or sugar. I didn’t feel the need for it, but if I was in the mood for a cuppa that way, I wouldn’t hesitate to add both because this tea can handle.
Check out the snazzy teapots when you go to the site. Modern and sleek, they will sass up any kitchen!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Pekoe Sip House
Description
Perfect for when you’re up at dawn for a run or readying for another busy day, sip on our signature organic loose leaf black tea that provides uplifting energy in a smooth and malty cup.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Plum Pear Green from the Pekoe Sip House
I couldn’t resist giving Plum Pear Green tea a try from the Pekoe Sip House. It’s nice to see a tea featuring these fruits. I feel as though both plum and pear don’t get enough love in the fruit-flavored options of the world. There’s plenty of peach and strawberry teas and candies, but not so many for plum or pear.
This tea did not disappoint, and even the dry leaf was fragrant with mellow plum fruit flavors. The stone-fruit taste of plum and apricot reminded me of some of my favorite oolong teas, with their trademark smooth earthy and fruity tones. The pear comes forward with the green tea taste, both a bit nutty and grassy at the same time.
This tea is best brewed while following the instructions, with cooler water and a two minute steep time. To further bring out the fruit’s nature sweetness, consider adding a touch of honey to you mug. Or give this tea a try as a cold brew and mix in a few fresh pear slices to dress it up.
This blend is juicy and fruity, against a savory green tea backdrop. There’s a lovely buttery mouthfeel and the crisp-sweet note of pear on the aftertaste. The blend isn’t too candy-like or over-flavored, but it’s also not too boring. The plum and pear are nicely balanced in the overall palette of the tea and make for a very comforting, drinkable cup.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Pekoe Sip House
Description:
A gentle blend of green tea with the flavors of fresh pear and soft sweet plum.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Basil Lemonade Oolong from Pekoe Sip House. . . . .
Words cannot express my LOVE for this incredible wonder of a flavored Oolong. The tea I’m referring to is Basil Lemonade Oolong from Pekeo Sip House and it’s absolutely AMAZING!
It’s rare that I find a flavored Oolong that I adore so much I LONG for my next cup but Basil Lemonade Oolong is that Oolong!
It’s composed of half-fermented Chinese oolong tea, basil, lemon granules, natural lemon oil, marigold blossoms. Sure I find ALL of those ingredients but the secret weapon is the lemon granules! For some reason these lemon granules were like crack to me. They were SO ADDICTING and worked SO VERY WELL in this tea!
It’s light and refreshing. It’s almost creamy with a lemon-sugar twist to it, too! Pekeo Sip House’s Basil Lemonade Oolong tea is made with half-fermented tea that blends beautifully with basil, lemon granules, natural lemon oil, and marigold blossoms. Everything works in this loose leaf blend. Everything!
This is one of those teas that I would buy in bulk and cherish every cup! It’s tasty both HOT and COLD. I say with confidence Basil Lemonade Oolong from Pekeo Sip House is one of my FAVORITE Flavored Oolongs of ALL TIME! Definitely in the TOP FIVE maybe in the TOP THREE even! That’s how much I adore this tea!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Pekoe Sip House
Description
A refreshing and invigorating infusion of basil and crisp lemon in a traditional Chinese oolong. Silky and smooth, this tea energizes and enlivens.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
