I’ll be right upfront about this tea…it exceeded my expectations! There, I said it. I suppose I should elaborate, eh!? Okay…here ‘goes…
Climber’s High from Banff Tea Co. is pretty darn incredible! It features green tea, yerba maté, peppermint, goji berries, safflower petals, and natural flavoring.
The green tea is a mild and mellow semi-sweet type of green. The yerba mate gives it that raw sweet pea or sugar snap pea type flavor that I always associate with yerba mate. The peppermint is…what do the kids say…ON POINT!? The goji berries contribute a plump yet semi-muted fruity-berry hint. Then there are subtle floral flavors underneath, too!
I’m obsessed with peppermint so – for me – that totally makes this overall STELLAR in my book…but…if you aren’t a HUGE fan for fresh minty-ness…I think you would still enjoy this tea because it’s not over the top or overdone with the mint.
This is delightful hot but also pretty amazing when iced, too!
I would put this into my ‘daily drinker’ category for sure! An excellent green tea and yerba mate blend, folks! Give it a whirl!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea/Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: Banff Tea Co.
Description
Uplifting and energizing, this blend will make you feel on top of the world and help you reach new heights!
Caffeine Level: High.
Country of Origin: China, South America.
Ingredients:: Green tea, yerba maté, peppermint, goji berries, safflower petals and natural flavouring.
Steeping Suggestions:Use one teaspoon of tea (3g) per 6oz cup of water. 70°C (160°F) for 2-3 minutes. You can steep this tea several times and at a hotter temperature if you like it strong!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Candy Apple from Tickled Tea. . . .
I never got into the whole candy apple thing. I can recall eating one in my life with a friend at Canada’s Wonderland. I blame braces. Candy apples are like the number one item on the “do not eat” list for those with braces. That and mostly I enjoyed chocolate covered or caramel apples. However, when I saw this Candy Apple tea by Tickled Tea (made with Fair Trade Chinese green tea, apple pieces, cinnamon bark, rose hips, beet root, and artificial flavoring), I was intrigued.
I brewed this both hot and iced. Both were steeped for approximately 3 minutes in 185F water.
Hot, this tea does have a sweet apple flavor. The chinese green tea is more roasty than vegetal and provides the base layer of flavor. To me this is a little weird because it gives it more of a Fall/Winter vibe than a light Spring/Summer vibe that you’d expect with a candy apple tea. Once you get past that though you get a whole lot of baked apple flavor with a nice sweetness. Between the base tea, the cinnamon, and the baked good vibe, I would say this is more baked apple than candy apple, at least when it comes to the hot tea.
Iced this is a lot lighter than the hot tea but unfortunately a lot more vegetal. There is a candy apply flavor but it tastes a bit like a candy apple that was dropped in the grass. Not really what I was hoping for if I am being honest.
So I definitely prefer this hot over iced and though it was enjoyable, it’s more baked apple than candy apple. Not bad but not what the name promises either.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Tickled Tea
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for green teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sencha from Raw Brews. . . .
Raise your hand if you are one of those tea enthusiasts who start their day with a cup of coffee. Everyday I start my day with coffee. I have found that a strong black tea will upset my stomach in the morning so I start my day with a cup of coffee or two then quickly switch to tea. This is where Raw Brews fits perfectly into my routine.
Raw Brews is a monthly subscription tea and/or coffee service. Each month you can sign up to get just coffee, just tea, or a combo of both tea and coffee. I personally love the fact that this subscription service offers all three choices. So when Raw Brews contacted The SororiTea Sisters to review their subscription service, I was giddy.
In our sample box, we were sent Sencha as our tea offering and I was beyond excited to set my tea pot up for a proper steeping. I set my water at 180F and allowed two scoops of the tea to steep for about three minutes and allowed to cool for a few more. Took my first sip and wow. This is one of those teas that you can just drink and drink and drink.
Sweet vegetal notes envelope each and every sip down to the very last drop. Simple, yet so satisfying with a twist of “I need another cuppa asap”. This green tea really offers it all. The fresh crispness with that sweet yet fabulous vegetal tones that all green tea lovers fall in love with. This tea is definitely an every day drinking tea. Pair this tea with one of the chocolates they offer in the box and you are set. Tea time is done!
I’m a huge fan of this box because of the thought of combing my two favorite beverages but I have to say I was impressed with how much I enjoyed the Sencha we received. I can’t wait to see what our other sisters think. And btw, for the coffee drinkers out there, the coffee was smashing and out of this world! This is one of those subscription plans I’ll be taking a closer look at once I drink down some of my current tea and coffee stash.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Raw Brews
Description
The most popular box we offer is the Yin-Yang Coffee and Tea Box. Within each box contains six ounces (6 oz.) of freshly roasted coffee beans and two ounces (2 oz.) of quality loose leaf tea!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Connoisseur Jasmine Green Tea from Zesta Ceylon Tea. . . . .
I LOVE jasmine green teas when they are done well. Some are not. A lot of jasmine tea is actually pouchong and can have a bit more bite than I care for. Lots of people like those teas, especially with food. But since jasmine tea is my special “take me away” tea, it has to be just so.
The instructions on this one scared me. Boiling water? For green tea? In a teabag? Are you kidding me? I know a few types of green tea thrive on it, but I was afraid this was going to be the train to heartburn city.
I dialed it back to 200F and let it steep right in the middle of the recommended one to two minutes.
Wow. I expected a harsh green base, lots of astringency, and artificial jasmine flavor, but this is infused with real jasmine flowers and it is GOOD. As in, actual tasty jasmine tea with all its calming capabilities in a teabag!
The jasmine is natural and sweet tasting, the tea has minimal briskness that does build a little now that I am on my second cup, and there is a creamy texture to the liquor. The Chinese green base starts to come through more on the aftertaste.
I think this would be a great, affordable tea to serve with food, and now I want spring rolls. Really, really badly. I guess I know what I am having for supper tomorrow night.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Zesta Tea
Description
This delicately fragrant green tea adds a touch of beauty to your day with its imprint of natural Jasmine petals. Zesta’s Jasmine green tea is an exotic tea that can be enjoyed any time of day and is great as an accompaniment to food.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Thoughts on Green Lemonade / The Love Tea Company. . . . .
Citrus and green tea. Not one of my favorite combinations. In fact I usually detest it to the point that I will avoid it.
So why did I try this one? Because everything deserves a second chance. Except the one at Starbucks. I am just not a fan of that one.
Today is very windy with a high of 80 so I figured it was a good time to test this one out. Initially brewed hot and then cooled over the course of the day.
Enjoyable both ways.
The citrus flavors would definitely be enjoyable with a sore throat when it’s hot, maybe a drop of honey along with it. For those who aren’t fond of grassy flavors this is a great tea for you as the citrus is predominate.
By the way if you prefer to buy tea from companies that care about more then their bottom line, Love Tea is a great company to buy from.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: The Love Tea Company
Description
This Brilliant Blend is a fan favorite. It combines the best of green tea with the best of a lemon, with lemon bits and wedges you’ll get the full “lemon-y” affect. Low in caffeine and easy on the pallet, it goes down like a smooth summer day (without the humidity). Brew a pot of this fine blend and serve hot or cold year ’round. It never hurts to add a fresh lemon slice to anything! Be sure to #sharethelove on this one.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
