As a profoundly shallow person, I enjoy a nice-looking tea. And this Blood Orange Black is a stunner.
If that tea walked by on the street, I would whistle at it.
I bought this blend because it was pretty. I’ve enjoyed several cups of it so far because it’s tasty. It’s a Darjeeling paired with orange peel, rose hips, apple pieces, safflowers, rose petals and orange, vanilla and lemon flavors. It’s sweet, creamy, and citrus-y.
The citrus doesn’t thwack you over the head with a two-by-four; it’s part of a medley.
The vanilla notes make you think there’s cream in this, even when there isn’t, which is really nice, especially first thing in the morning, when I tend to want something fairly sweet. This goes down easy.
If you’re ever in Pittsburgh’s historical Strip District, you should check out Prestogeorge. It’s very pretty in there. You can look at all the blends and choose them according to appearance, like I did; and possibly luck out, like I did.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Prestogeorge
Description
Fine Indian black tea paired with reviving orange peel, rose hips, apple pieces, safflowers, rose petals and orange, vanilla and lemon flavors. Invigorate your senses and stimulate your mind. One of our most popular flavored teas.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Yuzu Berry Sencha Green Tea from Prestogeorge. . . .
I’ve recently begun seriously exploring the world of green teas. They have the best alleged health benefits; they’re springy; they’re tasty. They’re also decidedly not soda, which I have been trying with little success to quit for years.
Greens are not like black teas. One can’t just use the hot water dispenser at work and forget about them and hope they turn out okay twenty minutes later. Green teas require a lower temperature and shorter steep time in order not to singe and taste icky.
I’ve learned the hard way to put an ice cube in the gravity steeper before putting in the water, in order to get an appropriate temperature. I also try to keep an eye on the time in order to only steep for about two minutes instead of, eh, whatever.
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Today’s pick: a sencha! Sencha is the most popular tea in Japan. It has very green leaves that are typically plucked while young and full of nutrients. Japanese Sencha tends to be more grassy/vegetal than greens from China.
This particular blend is mixed with yuzu and safflowers. Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit. (Tea has me experiencing all sorts of new fruits/flowers/berries I’d never even heard of before.)
The flavor of this blend is very tangy and grassy. The profound green-ness of the tea is balanced out with the sassy citrus of the yuzu, which is a distinctive sort of citrus. It’s zesty, like a lemon or a Mandarin orange.
I’m not sure I’d recommend this particular blend for a green tea newbie, because it has to be handled very carefully and has a REALLY distinctive flavor that one might not like. However, if you’re looking to expand your palate, this is a distinctive pick you might just love. Give it a whirl!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Prestogeorge
Description
Sencha green tea with safflowers and natural yuzu berry flavor. Yuzu berry is a Japanese citrus fruit similar to mandarin orange. Remarkable flavor.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lady Grey from Prestogeorge Coffee & Tea. . .
Ah, Lady Grey: the Earl’s stalwart, silky wife. It was with this vixen that I first fell in love, I’ll have you know. It wasn’t a loose leaf; it was some big brand boxed tea in bags, but it occurred to me that wow, tea was BECOMING MY THING.
So thank you, Lady Grey. You were my first love and I will always be indebted to you.
This particular Lady comes from PrestoGeorge, a HUUUUUGE tea and coffee shop in Pittsburgh, PA. It’s so grand one might call it an emporium. They have ENORMOUS glass jars of tea that you can pop open and sniff. Customers and staff are constantly popping around, grabbing tea off the massive shelves and replacing it. The turnover, chaos, and lovely smells make it almost a magical Harry Potter type of experience. (To be fair, if you went on a weekday, the experience would probably be calmer. Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District on a nice, warm Saturday is always crowded.)
Prestogeorge’s take on Lady Grey is, true to form, a more delicate Earl Grey. Lady Greys are typically more flowery and has less bergamot and more lemon/orange.
This Lady carries off her title with aplomb. The mouthfeel (ew, gross word) is EXTREMELY silky. This is some QUALITY stuff. The base tea is rich, a little bit malty and maybe a smidge woodsy. It feels like the Lady has put on a nice dress and is taking a stroll around the flowers and the grounds with her husband’s hunting beagles. It’s the last of late summer. They’ve wandered a bit afar, but she knows that the beagles will lead her home. She’ll let their noses lead the way back to her Earl’s arms.
If you’re interested in acquiring this tea for yourself, you can shop online and have it shipped to you. If, however, you’re anywhere near Pittsburgh, you should go check this place out in person. It’s enchanting.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Prestogeorge Coffee & Tea
Description
Whole Leaf black tea, blue mallow blossoms and begamot and citrus flavors. The bergamot flavor is more delicate than the Earl Grey Tea. Also a hint of citrus flavor is added to Lady Grey. Enjoyed the world over.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Tangerine Green from Prestogeorge. . . .
Ahhhh! Another TWO firsts for me! This is the first time I have tried this tea and the first time I have tried any teas from THIS company! Tangerine Green from Prestogeorge! Come to find out Prestogeorge is based in Pittsburgh which is just under 3 hours from where I live. WHY haven’t I known this before now?
I will say that the aroma of this flavored green tea is VERY mellow. Barely-there, even! I was expecting something more potent. But it all worked out! I mean this is a nice flavored green tea eventho the aroma and the flavor is on the mellower side.
Prestogeorge says its the goodness of pan fired green tea paired with orange peel, safflowers, marigolds and orange tangerine flavor. I will say that I think the pan fried green tea leaves were of exceptional quality. Just the way I like them! Pressed to perfection! Again – the orange-tangerine flavor whispered its way thru the cuppa but certainly made my tongue HAPPY!
I’ve been told by more than one person that this is excellent iced or hot. I, for one, can agree that my HOT cuppa certainly STOOD UP! Next I would LOVE to try it iced but I already know I will adore it! YUM!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Prestogeorge
Description
The goodness of pan fired green tea paired with orange peel, safflowers, marigolds and orange tangerine flavor. Excellent iced or hot!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
