We’re in that seasonal stage now where it’s technically spring and everyone wants to act like it’s already warm outside, but it just isn’t yet. I am not immune from that urge. The long slog of winter has made me dream of sunshine and singing birds. I’m still waiting for springtime to hit the air, but in the meantime I can brew it up in my mug.
This blend is perfectly spring in a cup. Calabash lists the ingredients as jasmine flowers, Turkish roses, and first-pluck sencha green tea. First-pluck sencha usually comes out in April or May, so this is literally a spring tea. Plus I always think of flowers as a sign of spring (although I looked it up and it seems jasmine primarily blooms in summer and most but not all types of roses bloom in spring).
I like the choice of sencha as a base tea here. Its lightness allows the florals to shine. Rose is definitely the prominent flavor here, with jasmine playing a supporting role. It doesn’t have that chemically, artificial taste that some floral teas do and it’s not over-the-top. I also like that it’s only two flowers, so it’s not too busy. I get two solid steeps out of the leaf before it loses flavor.
This tea is the perfect way to tide me over until springtime arrives for real.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Calabash Tea & Tonic
Description
Hand-plucked jasmine flowers and Turkish roses compliment our exclusive first pluck sencha green tea & Love
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Dasher’s Delight from Fava Tea. . . .
Before I get started on this tea, I have to make a quick note: Fava Tea has REALLY GREAT customer service. I ordered a bunch of samples, and later received a SEPARATE HANDWRITTEN NOTE thanking me for my order and asking me if I had any questions.
I cannot recall that EVER happening to me in my LIFE.
So already: soft spot in the heart.
This blend, called Dasher’s Delight, doesn’t really have any Christmas-related inclusions, so I’m not sure why it’s branded in such a way. They could easily market this one as “nutty sugar cookie” year-round. In addition to green tea, this blend includes caramel, hazelnut brittle, almonds, and walnuts.
I like this one as an afternoon mellow-out tea. I don’t think it has the punch for a morning brew, but it’s perfect for that 3pm slump when you’re cranky and you want five candy bars and a soda the side of your head. This gives you some sweet and some caffeine without all the catastrophic health drawbacks of my lesser vices. I wish there was a little MORE to it, even in the afternoon, but it’s still a sweet brew that’s worth a try!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Fava Tea Company
Description
This seasonal tea is a delightful artisan blend of caramel, hazelnut brittle, almonds, and walnuts! Delicious warm-up for the cold winter months!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lychee Daisy/A Quarter To Tea. . . . Sip Down!
Sip Downs. . . They always make me feel like I’m being productive with my tea stash. It seems like all of a sudden I turn around and my tea has doubled in size. For some time now I’ve been on a buying hiatus but it seems like my stash just doesn’t seem to be dwindling. I have a lot of really great teas in my stash but I just haven’t been paying much attention to them unfortunately. Something I’m about to change.
So today, I said goodbye to one of my all time favorite A Quarter To Tea blends. . .Lychee Daisy!
Lychee Daisy is a vibrant green tea blend that gives you all the candied floral feels you could ask for. . . and then a bit more. This green tea blend is sweet with a romantic floral tone that really doesn’t steer you wrong. Brewed up as a hot tea or a cold brew, the flavor always stays on point and never lets you down.
The tea starts off with this touch of astringency from the green tea and the sweet kick from the sprinkles. Then as the sip develops, you get more of the floral flavors taking over (from the jasmine buds and rosebuds) which translates marvelously into a candied floral finish.
What really elevated the tea was taking a touch of a sparkling flavored peach water and topping my cold brew off. Really delicious, refreshing, and the perfect way to welcome in the spring like weather we currently have coming in.
For me being a green tea and floral fan, this tea is where its all about. Simple yet oh so lovely and tasty. I’m sad that I’m savoring the last little bits of this tea. I will be sad to see it go but A Quarter To Tea always has fun and unique blends to try. Once I’ve drank down more of my stash, I’ll be placing a good size order to see what new blends A Quarter To Tea has made lately.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below to learn more about A Quarter To Tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Hawaiian Pineapple Mango Green/The Tea Farm. . . . .
Today I was craving a sweet something or other and thought with this new health kick I’m on- that I would try to curve this craving with tea. I’ve done it before but always end up justifying a cookie and the end of the cuppa. What can I say? Shortbread cookies just to with tea beautifully!
Looking over my teas that I needed to pay some attention, I came across this blend, Hawaiian Pineapple Mango Green- a green tea blended with pieces of pineapple and mango. Figured that combination of flavors would be perfect to keep me from reaching from the cookie jar. . .and I was right!
With water prepped right around 180F and then steeped for about 3 minutes- the tea just didn’t have the umpf of flavor I was looking for. I could taste the green tea base, which was pleasant enough, but I wasn’t getting the pineapple or the mango. I decided I could wait a few more minutes and steeped the tea for about 8 minutes. Took another sip and was greeted with that sweet pineapple and mango flavors I was looking for. The flavors were sweet and I found myself not needing the cookie after all.
I can imagine this tea would be delicious in the summer iced giving you all the tropical vibes you can handle!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: The Tea Farm
Description
Try our Hawaiian Pineapple Mango Green Tea as an iced tea as a delicious afternoon iced tea!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lavender Sunrise/Fava Tea Company via Sips By Box. . . .
Green teas are some of my favorite warm-weather teas. Here in Texas, we’re sort of bouncing between 20°F and 80°F and the weather can’t make up its mind. (We actually hit low 90s in late February, followed by a week of rainy 40s, then freezing weather.) Despite the fact that it’s already starting to feel like summer on some days, I still like my tea scorching hot. (But I’ve included a recipe for those that enjoy sitting out on the porch with a refreshing glass of iced tea!)
Lavender Sunrise is a nice break from your typical green tea. It’s still vegetal, a little grassy, but the hint of floral lavender and strong lemony flavor brighten it up. (I’m not usually a huge lemon-and-lavender fan, but this one’s a hit!) I think the lemongrass really does it for me—I love a lightly grassy green.
The leaves in this one are on the small side, even after they’ve had a chance to unfurl and expand, making it great for brewing in tea bags and smaller infusers. The flavor is also strong enough that it’s good for a couple of brews.
I had to let this sit in the pot for quite a while to get it as strong as I like (about 6 minutes). It lacks the astringency typical of darker teas and really brings out the lemon when you steep it longer. (Steep too long and the lemon covers up the lavender, though.) It doesn’t need much in the way of sugar—I like this one unsweet—but Fava also has a strawberry rock sugar that goes well with it .
I also tried this one iced and it does not disappoint. Brew at 180°F for about 5-6 minutes (7-8 minutes if you like your tea pretty strong). Mix in a tablespoon of honey while it’s still hot. Grab a shaker and pour over ice with a splash of lemon juice. Add some strawberry slices at the end. Great for the approaching warm-weather days!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Fava Tea Company
Description
This green tea is relaxing without putting you to sleep! It’s a smooth green tea blended with lavender blossoms and lemon.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
