Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Simpson & Vail
Product Description:
Do you love chocolate but hate the calories? This tea may be the answer! Made from all organic and natural ingredients, this black tea blend tastes decadent with no residual weight effects. The aroma of this tea reminds me of my grandma’s kitchen when all of us kids were able to coax her into baking us brownies … delicious….
Ingredients: Organic China black tea, organic cocoa nibs, organic cinnamon pieces and natural flavoring.
Brew tea at 212º – steep for 3 minutes.
Tasters Review:
Oh.My.God! I LOVE THIS!
The name is Cinnamon Chocolate Brownie and that’s exactly what it tastes like in that order…first Cinnamon, then Chocolate, then Brownie!
It’s incredibly smooth!
A true treat without being too sugary, too spicy, or too chocolatey! It’s a lovely mix of ingredients and flavors!
I Highly recommend this to anyone up for a fun cuppa, a great tasting black tea, and those who want to live on the edge! It’s time to let it all hang out, folks! Live life on the wild side and enjoy some of this new scrumptious tea from S&V!
Assam Kama Tea from Simpson & Vail
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Simpson & Vail
Product Description:
In the northeastern state of Assam in India, along the Brahmaputra River grow the hearty, malty Assam teas. The heavy rainfall and hot, humid day time temperatures in this area create the perfect green house like environment for growth, as well as helping to create the unique taste found only in Assam teas. Their distinct flavor can be enjoyed “as is”; however, Assam teas are often used in conjunction with other teas to create numerous blends, specifically breakfast teas.
This outstanding jet-black, long, twisted leafed tea from the Satrupa Estate in the Tinsukia district of Assam has a clean, fresh, mountain aroma. The tea yields a bright copper cup with a smooth, rich taste and is one of the thickest, creamiest and most malty Assam teas we have ever cupped.
Brew tea at 212º – steep for 3 minutes.
Assam teas complement foods such as chocolate, spiced desserts, meat, strong cheeses, fish and more.
Tasters Review:
Assam Kama from Simpson & Vail is more complex than most Assams I have tried in recent months! It’s really memorable and nature really put this one together well!
This tea is a great way to start a day and a great way to start the week!
This is strong and malty and somewhat astringent – but in a good way! Notes of floral, grassy, and sweet peek thru and it seems to morph thru-out the sip. It has a strong/malty yet buttery-black aftertaste.
This is an Assam I would drink over and over again! Really wonderful!
Blue Mist from Simpson and Vail
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Simpson & Vail
Product Description:
Blue Mist is a blend of Jackfruit (a fruit from India with an aroma of banana and pineapple), Apricot and Mango black teas with cornflowers and marigold petals. Brew tea at 212º – steep for 3 minutes.
Tasters Review:
Thought I would step outside my comfort zone with this one. I HATE Bananas!!!! I mean HATE them! When I read this had Jackfruit in it – which is supposed to smell like Pineapple and Bananas – I thought I would try it! I love Pineapple but not Bananas but I gave it a whirl…
It smells nice…you can tell Mango and Pineapple but there is a little hint of something else which I will ‘chalk up as’ that banana illusion. Nothing is too over the top to make me change facial expressions – like I normal would when smelling bananas – but it does have a different sort of aroma, that is for sure!
It’s VERY dark in color.
It tastes like a HOT tropical smoothie. Not really floral but fruity and not like Pina Colada but truly unique. Almost like a tropical drink with NO Pineapple, Coconut, or Flowers in it…if you can picture that. It’s much different than ANY flavored black I have tried to date. If you are looking for something different this just may be it.
Silky Spice from Simpson & Vail
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal/Spice Melangé
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Company Description:
This fabulously heady blend of hibiscus flowers, cinnamon, cloves, sarsaparilla, coconut, allspice, and orange blossoms with vanilla and cinnamon flavors brews to a deep red cup. Definitely a palate pleaser! The taste is slightly spicy, with a creamy finish and a lingering spiciness that is uniquely refreshing.
Taster’s Review:
While I had high hopes for this tea, I was also a bit hesitant to try it. All of the ingredients sound GREAT… except the hibiscus! So, here, with a little apprehension, I am about to taste this new herbal/spice melangé offering from Simpson & Vail.
First reaction: Interesting. The hibiscus does offer its trademark tartness to the cup, as well as a bit of body to what might otherwise be a somewhat thin tisane. That being said, I’m still of the opinion that this would be better without the hibiscus.
But, lets consider the tea as it is. I really like the spicy notes of this tea. It isn’t a “hot” spicy, but more of a gently warm spice combination with a lot of character to it. The cinnamon, cloves, and allspice give a nice, well-rounded spice taste that is neither too hot nor abundantly sweet.
What I really find interesting about this blend is the sarsaparilla. It adds a really intriguing note to the cup. The vanilla is soft and adds a sweet creaminess to the tisane, as does the coconut. There is a also faint citrus note from the orange blossoms.
I think I prefer this hot, because some of the most interesting flavors become a bit more elusive as the tisane cools. Try it with a drizzle of honey – I love how it brings out the sarsaparilla! 
Here is a recipe for Silky Spice Hot Grog, found on the Simpson & Vail website:
Simmer 1 cup of apple cider and 2 Tbsp Silky Spice Hibiscus Herbal Tea for 10 minutes.
Strain out the herbs.
Sprinkle cinnamon and garnish with orange slices and a cinnamon stick.
Makes 1 serving.
Java Kertasarie Estate Tea from Simpson & Vail
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Simpson & Vail
Product Description:
The medium-brown leaves brew to a greenish-brown leaf, with a flowery aroma. The amber cup of Java Kertasarie Estate is medium-bodied, brisker tasting than a Ceylon and has a flavorful infusion with a delightful oak cask aftertaste. Brew tea at 212º – steep for 3 minutes.
Tasters Review:
I’m revisiting this tea EARLY this Monday Morning – and let me tell you – this tea is MEANT for Monday Mornings!
Java Kertasarie Estate is a wonderfully bold, black tea. It’s full of flavor and surely helped me wake-up when I really didn’t want to.
Each time I have tried this tea I have picked up on the notes of oak which is unique yet tasty.
This time around I noticed the floral notes in the beginning of the sip and a more masculine/woodsy finish. A nice solid tea that both men and women will enjoy! Not too girlie – yet – not overly rough and tough. Although, I might say, more masculine than feminine, but I’m ok with that!
I think I like this one specifically for the boldness! I tend to infuse more than the amount suggested because I like bold teas and this one certainly is. It’s like Black Tea…to the 2nd Power!
All I need now is a New York Style Bagel with Cream Cheese! My morning would then be complete! Thank you for another great tea S&V!