I found out today that gunpowder green teas are called “gunpowder” because they’re a little smoky — not because they’re going to violently pop open when they unfurl. Which is sort of disappointing, because I wanted to watch some sort of mayhem in my steeper this morning.
I also found out, while locating this tea on the Tea Spot’s site, that gunpowder tea is “commonly used by athletes to improve endurance over periods of 3-6 hours.”
Well, then, this tea has found its audience, because I am a HUGE ATHLETE. Like, super-beefy. I spend upwards of 8 hours a day hitting “file, print” on my computer. Gotta keep my PRINT ARM strong. Then, at the end of ALL THAT, I go to my local Planet Fitness and halfheartedly put forth about 20-30 minutes on the elliptical. Sometimes. About twice a week.
But there I go, talking about being SUCH A JOCK ALL THE TIME. This is about the tea.
Visuals: This tea comes in cute little pellets. I pity the person that has to sit there and twist them, but the effect is awesome. This tea is a wonderful unfurler. It bounces open in a really satisfying way.
Flavor: This taste profile is just like the movie Fern Gully: the Last Rainforest. It tastes like rich chlorophyll, like sun distilled across leaves, thriving, growing.
I used to think that “vegetal” was a bad word. Veggies are the thing you have to be FORCED to eat, right? What person innately comes out of the womb wanting greens?
But I’ve come around. I like brussels sprouts and broccoli. I’ll throw greenery on my plate on purpose. It’s not sweet, but it’s healthy, and it’s RIGHT, somehow.
This tea is totally right like veggies belong on the plate now for me. It’s the balance of the feminine green-ness with the faint masculine smokiness. It is yin, it is yang.
I feel like I’d be drinking this in a zen garden in the middle of a forest before teaching my Young Grasshopper calligraphy and battle skills. I have no battle skills in real life, but this tea makes me think that maybe I could develop them.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Description
The leaves of this green tea are rolled into the shape of little pinhead pellets resembling gunpowder, hence its name. Gunpowder green tea tastes bold & lightly smoky, also lending to its name. Gunpowder tea leaves stay fresh longer than any other green tea leaves due to its compressed form. Gunpowder green is higher in caffeine than most other green teas (35-40 mg/8 oz serving) and is commonly used by athletes to improve endurance over periods of 3-6 hours.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Earl of Grey from The Tea Spot. . . . .
I GOT A FREE SAMPLE IN MY BOX! FREEEEEE! A PRESENT FOR MEEEEE!
Is there anything better than a free sample? One that you LIKE?
I didn’t order this because my life is full of Earl Greys. I’m “that girl that likes black tea,” so people tend to hand me Earl Greys. So when I was ordering myself a bunch of samples, I went, “meh, let’s skip this one. I know everything about every Earl Grey ever.”
This is a totally unique take on Earl Grey. It’s loaded with vanilla, orange, and… licorice root. It tastes a little bit like those Easter oranges you smash into a wall and eat. But with vanilla instead of chocolate. Really, really heavy into the sweet and zesty citrus.
Unfortunately, there’s that licorice root. It’s like when you’re listening to a song and somebody doesn’t QUITE nail the note.
Like the National Anthem of the United States before sporting events. The National Anthem is basically impossible to nail. People criticized BEYONCE when she did it. And Beyoné is literally perfect.
I would argue that we should get a new National Anthem. One that a person who can sing decently can handle.
So anyway, the licorice brings it down a little, but if you want a sweet and zesty Earl with a little extra moxie, give this one a whirl.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Description
This unique blend takes traditional Earl Grey to the next level by combining the expected bergamot flavoring on full leaf black tea then adding the perfect proportions of other citruses, vanilla, licorice root, and mallow flowers. The result is a captivating aroma and a deep liquor with a well-balanced, smooth, bright, and slightly creamy flavor profile. This tea is for those who like to veer from tradition, explore new ground, and a must for those with fond memories of the orange-creamsicles of childhood. It pairs perfectly with strong cheeses or creme brulee.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Morning Mojo from The Tea Spot. . . . .
Have you ever taken one sip of a tea and been like “yuuuup, I’m going to have to buy a vat of this and keep it in an armed fortress just for myself”?
That’s how I felt about this tea, a super-creamy vanilla/orange pu’erh/black confection. It’s perfectly balanced, like a ninja poised to strike another ninja. (Because that obviously requires extra stealth). There’s the sweetness of the vanilla against the tangy of the orange and the earthy of the pu’erh and the depth of the black.
The flavors are like constructive criticism, which starts and ends with a compliment, and offers helpful advice in the middle. It’s like hearing “hey, sweetie, honeydew, WAKE THE HELL UP, lovely. Today’s going to be fine.”
And you know what? Today is, as promised, just fine so far.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Description
Wake up, Buttercup! Morning Mojo’s boost will help you take charge of the day. This breakfast blend pairs pu-erh with the ideal black teas to create a perfectly rounded morning cuppa. Pu-erh, known for its effective caffeine punch, has been used traditionally for centuries as a slimming and beauty tea, as well as a hangover cure. With added vanilla to smooth out your morning routine, and citrus peels for a cleansing glow.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Smokejumper Ginger from The Tea Spot. . . . .
Smokejumper Ginger…you’re FORWARD aren’t you!? Smokejumper Ginger from The Tea Spot has a LOT going on for only having 2 ingredients! It’s made up of Organic Lapsang Souchong Black Tea and Organic Ginger from Honduras.
If you are looking for a tea that is smoky and adventurous you might enjoy this Smokejumper Ginger from The Tea Spot if you like peppy, spicy, smoky teas! It infuses to a light brown…very pale for a black tea but then again I only used a little bit based on the aroma that smacked me in the face as I opened the bag. I usually use double the amount for half the infusion time because I like STRONG flavored teas but this one seemed to smell pretty strong to begin with.
Smokejumper Ginger from The Tea Spot smells like smoke and ginger. It’s as simple and easy as that. I’m not sure what else to say about the aroma because it’s pretty straight-forward. A guy who gets straight to the point – I like that!
My experience with Smokejumper Ginger from The Tea Spot ended up being real good one! It’s more smoky up front and more gingery on the back end. It switches-up half way thru the sip and it’s not a gradual switch it’s an immediate one. Nice play- Tea Spot – Nice Play!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Description
Tasting Notes:
For an invigorating wakeup, our Organic Smokejumper Ginger is the way to go. This spicy blend of lapsang souchong and ginger root jumps right out of the cup and into the morning air. Its sharp ginger highlights and smoky backbone blend perfectly into a flavor you’ve yet to experience.
The black tea base has notes of hickory smoked bacon, so you’ll either love it or leave it. With a generous portion of ginger, this exciting blend becomes warming, spicy, and feels good on your throat. Because ginger is sought out for its health benefits, we love adding it to blends like Cold Buster and Climber’s High. Paired here with a smoky black tea, it brings to life a powerful new flavor combination: sharp & smooth, stimulating & comforting, a new adventure in a single cup.
Features:
- Organic Smoky Black & Ginger Tea
- Smoked Black Tea Origin: China
- Ginger Root Origin: Honduras
- Sample = 5 8-oz Servings
- 1 LB Bulk = $0.21 / Serving
- Gluten-free & Sugar-free
Ingredients: organic lapsang shouchong, organic ginger root
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Japanese Orchid Green (AKA Iccha Kariban) from The Tea Spot
Apparently I have been on a green tea kick as of late but sometimes you have to listen to your body and HEAR what your body wants you to drink and this time around it was Japanese Orchid Green (AKA Iccha Kariban) from The Tea Spot.
The magnificent aroma of greens and sweet peas filled my nose! The lemon-lime color of tea liquor filled the cup! The flavor of one of the most lovely straight-up green teas I have tasted overjoyed my taste buds! Japanese Orchid Green (AKA Iccha Kariban) from The Tea Spot is REALLY something! It’s completely satisfying and apparently EXACTLY what my body was looking for in a green tea!
Japanese Orchid Green (AKA Iccha Kariban) from The Tea Spot tastes like pure greens but on the sweeter side. As it cools it taste like sugar snap peas. It’s soft, smooth, clean, vegetal, and down right glorious! YUM! Japanese Orchid Green (AKA Iccha Kariban) from The Tea Spot is one to remember!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Description
We’re proud to offer this delicate green tea with refreshing notes of orchid and lily of the valley. This unique spring tea hails from Kagoshima, the southernmost island of Japan. The cup is soft, smooth and very easy drinking with a sweet character and clean finish, making it a great introduction to Japanese green tea. Also known as Iccha Kariban, this new tea is versatile in preparation — amazing prepared hot, iced, and cold-brewed.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!