I’ve been on a Smallville Kick lately…binge watching the series on Netflix. I wouldn’t call myself a SUPER FAN of SUPER MAN but after watching this series it occurred to me just how much I remember of the Superman Storyline and Comics from childhood thru adulthood. The classic line “It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s SUPERMAN!!!” comes to mind with this tea and here’s why…
It’s a Green Tea…It’s a Genmaicha…it’s Pumpkin Flavored…it’s a Spiced Latte…it’s all of the above, really! Pumpkin Spice Latte Genmaicha from 52 Teas is another iconically flavored Genmaicha offering from 52 Teas!
Upon opening the packet I could easily identify the pumpkin, the pumpkin spice, the pumpkin spice latte, the genmaicha, the mallow root, the spices individually and as a group, the creamy vanilla, and the toasty and roasty popped rice! There is so much going on here but it all ties together and makes COMPLETE sense and makes for an incredible cuppa!
I’m not sure why most of us only enjoy spiced pumpkin flavored things as a seasonal treat. Of course I know that is all based on it being harvest time and have pumpkin available but I think the flavors are tasty all year round.
Regardless when ever I am able to get my hands on this flavored green tea I gladly will! It’s a real beauty!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This time of year, it seems impossible to avoid the Pumpkin Spice trappings – there are pumpkin spice goodies every where you turn! Well, rather than fight ’em, I decided to join ’em and create a Pumpkin Spice treat of my own! And why not? I love the flavor! The pumpkin is sweet yet savory and the spices add a lovely, deep warmth to the pumpkin notes.
I started with organic Matcha infused Genmaicha and added chunks of real, dehydrated pumpkin, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla bean and marshmallow root to create a tea that’ll make you happy this time of year has finally arrived! This tea is terrific served straight up, but a drizzle of honey in this is oh-so-nice!
ingredients: green teas*, popped brown rice*, dried pumpkin chunks, marshmallow root*, crushed and whole allspice*, cinnamon*, nutmeg*, vanilla bean* and natural flavors*
*denotes organic
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Tomato, Basil, and Black Pepper Black Tea from 52Teas
Hello 2017! Welcome! Yes. . . I know I’m a few days late but I’m very ready to welcome this new year in.
This year I’m not going to make resolutions but I am going to make myself explore different types and flavors of tea. I thought this tea would be the perfect tea to get that ball rolling.
Yesterday I made a few homemade soups for my hubby’s and my lunches. One of those soups was a tomato bisque. I had a little veggie juice left over and enjoyed myself a glass. I don’t drink a lot of V8 or anything like that, but every once in a while I found myself craving it.
That is where this tea can absolutely come into play. There aren’t a lot of savory teas out there but everyone in awhile one will cross my path and I find myself devouring it.
Prepped up per the package recommendations- (212F-2 1/2 minutes- allowed to cool for 10 minutes) I was excited to see how this tea would taste. Smoky savory notes with a heat from the black peppercorn while the tomato and basil bring the flavor together to a solid and flavorful finish. This tea reminds me of a sweet yet savory tea but not sweet fruity like. Sweet like that familiar sweet and tangy flavor that is unique to what a tomato can deliver.
This is one of those teas that you surprisingly can’t get enough of. I found myself craving more after every sip. I think next infusion I’ll let the tea steep a bit longer and not allow the tea to cool for so long. If you have a chance to check out this tea or any savory tea, I recommend it. It definitely provides a nice change of pace from all of the teas I typically drink.
I have a feeling this will be a tea that I’ll be sad to see the end of.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This is a reblend that was crafted for one of 52Teas’ ambassadors. He didn’t actually request this reblend outright, instead, what he did is ask me to reblend my favorite tea. (Isn’t that nice?) Since I have several “favorites” from the 52Teas archives, I ultimately came to my decision by determining several factors: which tea I missed the most, which tea I wanted to try blending the most and which tea comes to mind first when I ponder the question: “what is my favorite 52Teas blend?” This tea – Tomato, Basil & Black Pepper Black Tea – won the most points overall in that decision making process.
Fortunately, the ambassador was very excited about trying the tea – so that was a bonus!
The original description of this tea went like this:
When our good friend, LiberTEAs [Yep, that’s me!] asked us to create this blend, I have to admit that I tabled the idea for a few days, thinking she would forget about it. We’ve created some unusual blends, but tomato, basil and black pepper? Really?
Well, she didn’t forget about it and though it took me a while, here we are.
We’ve blended our premium Indian black teas with just a tiny touch of lapsang souchoung, sun-dried tomatoes, black peppercorns, basil and natural flavors.
This is just a little different from the original because a) different black teas in the base, b) I crushed the black pepper with my trusty mortar and pestle and, c) I used freeze-dried tomato bits rather than sun-dried tomatoes.
For the base, I used my black tea base of organic Assam, Ceylon and Yunnan teas, plus I added a small amount of Lapsang Souchong – just enough to add a hint of smoke but not enough to overwhelm the cup. Then I added organic, natural flavors and freeze-dried tomatoes, organic basil and crushed organic black pepper. (You’ll still find some whole peppercorns in there too!)
This tastes amazing. If you liked the original blend – I’m confident you’ll enjoy this. Or, if you didn’t try the original blend and the idea of a tomato, basil and black pepper black tea sounds too interesting to pass up – please don’t! If history is any predictor, this tea will not stay around on my tea studio’s shelves.
Taster size is approximately 15g.
ingredients: organic teas, freeze-dried tomatoes, organic basil, organic black peppercorns & organic natural flavors.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
On the 12th Day of Christmas 52Teas Sent To Me (Spoilers!)
So its finally here. The last tea in the set of the 12 Teas of Christmas from 52Teas. This is actually my first time enjoying this popular advent style calendar and I have to say I will be getting this next year for sure. From the fun way you scratch off the sticker each day to not really knowing what the tea is going to be, it just brings a bit more festive love into your daily tea. At least it did for me!
Again, if you are following along and haven’t scratched off your 12th Day of Christmas tea. . . .you’ve been warned. I’m about to spill the beans on what the tea is. . .so without further ado. . the 12th Day of Christmas tea is. . . Winter’s Treat Oolong.
From the first whiff of this tea, you are greeted with this amazing array of flavors. I picked up hints of cinnamon, pineapple (maybe?) caramel, banana and those gorgeous oolong notes that I adore. I’ve asked Anne what exactly this tea is and I have a feeling its a play on Bananas Foster Oolong. If that’s the case, this little pouch isn’t going to do me justice! I’ll need more of this one!
Brewed up per the instructions on the pouch, this tea is a treat for sure. The flavors don’t come out as identifiable flavors but more or less one gorgeous layer of a sweetness with a subtle oolong flavor and a caramel after taste. At least that’s what I’m picking up. If that is large chunks of banana, I have a feeling I just didn’t shake my pouch up enough before scooping out my serving.
Regardless, this tea is simply heavenly. I’ll definitely be sad when I have to throw away the leaves because I’m just enjoying this one so much. Such a lovely silky sweet flavor that keeps giving and I just can’t stop enjoying it!
Here is the official description of the tea for those interested, looks like I was pretty close with my Bananas Foster comparison!
A Winter Treat!
Tea Description: I started out with a very special base – a charcoal baked TieGuanYin Oolong! Then I added bananas, a touch of cinnamon, some marshmallow root and essence of butter rum and cream! And seriously – I know I say this often when describing my teas but seriously! – this is totally YUM!
I’m not sure exactly where I got the inspiration behind this flavor – but I’m glad that the inspiration struck when it did because this tea is really good. It may just be one of my newest favorite flavors. The banana and butter rum work together phenomenally. The cinnamon is warm but not overwhelming. The creaminess of the TieGuanYin plays to the cream notes and the gentle smokiness of the tea along with the marshmallow root give a faint toasted marshmallow-y type of flavor that is SO GOOD that it becomes difficult to come up with words to describe it – it makes me just want to say Mmmmmmmm!!!
organic ingredients: bananas, cinnamon, marshmallow root & natural flavors
ingredients: charcoal baked tieguanyin oolong tea
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description:
This tea is a seasonal offering but click below to see what is currently available.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
On the 11th Day of Christmas 52Teas Sent to Me (Spoilers)
Today and tomorrow. That is all we have left in our 12 Teas of Christmas. What a wonderful way to count down the holidays. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this promotion and hope that I can partake next year as well. Each tea has been amazing and delivered on quality and taste. Can’t beat that!
Let’s scratch of the sticker and found out what today’s tea is. . . . . . .
Marshmallow Treat Genmaicha
Wooohoo!!! This is one of my favorite creations 52Teas has ever created. I’ve loved this tea from the first time I had it years ago as a cold brew, iced tea, and hot brew. For the longest time, I had a stockpile of this tea so I’m so glad I’m able to yet again enjoy this delicious treat!
Brewed up per the recommendations on the pouch, I allowed this tea to cool for the full five minutes for all the teas to really come together. Took my first sip and I instantly picked up on that familiar sweet roasted flavors with a green tea background. Just lovely.
Yes, this is another re-blend but this time around I feel like the marshmallow flavors have been heightened and are much bolder. Which is awesome! I mean who doesn’t love marshmallow? That flavor combined with the rice notes, roasted hints, and like I said earlier, green tea base, really deliver a unique flavor that keeps you wanting more.
I’ve reviewed this tea a few times and just love it. I would have to say that if 52Teas ever stocked a few of their blends all of the time, this would be one that I would hope would be considered. You just can’t go wrong with it!
So there is the 11th Tea of Christmas. I’m quite sad that we are about done with these blends, but am quite excited to see what 52Teas comes out with in 2017!
Below is the official description of the tea. I write my review before seeing the official description.
Marshmallow Treat Genmaicha!
Tea Description: Another overwhelming fan favorite! I’m also a big fan of this tea. I was one of the lucky ones to get one of the pouches from the first batch which was a blend of Genmaicha plus Genmaicha Uji which is Genmaicha that’s been infused with Matcha. So, in an effort to recreate that stunning first batch, I blended an Organic Japanese Genmaicha and an organic Japanese Genmaicha with Matcha (Or Genmaicha Uji). I really prefer it with the Uji, the little bit of Matcha adds a really nice creaminess to the overall cup. To this, I added marshmallow root and all-natural, organic flavors.
It’s a cuppa yum!
Ingredients: Organic Japanese Teas, organic toasted rice, marshmallow root and all-natural, organic flavors.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is not available but click below for teas that are!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
On the 10th Day of Christmas, 52Teas Sent To Me. . . (Spoilers!)
We only have two more teas left in our 12 Days of Tea countdown from 52Teas. I’ll miss this countdown when its gone! Such a wonderful way to enjoy the holidays.
Today is the 10th Day of Christmas tea. And again, if you don’t want to know what the flavor is you may want to stop reading here. For the rest of our lovely readers, keep reading because this tea is something else!
10th Day of Christmas Tea is. . . . . White Christmas Black Tea!
This tea blend just makes you happy. A whiff of the dry leaves and I was greeted with a mixture of milk chocolate (possibly cocoa nibs), black tea, peppermint, marshmallow root, and maybe spearmint? That is my guess. Below is the actual description that Anne@52Teas provided to me. A lovely and decadent black flavored tea for sure. One that I couldn’t wait to try and was very impatient for my tea kettle to prep the water.
Now to be 100% honest, I oversteeped this tea. By several minutes. But to my surprise, this tea is absolutely forgiving. You really wouldn’t have known I wasn’t paying attention to time and let the tea steep for probably more like 6-7 minutes.
First sip I prepared myself for an overwhelmingly bitter or astringent black tea flavor but that is not what I had. Decadent chocolate notes mingling with a fresh minty base along with that familiar marshmallow root flavor that I adore but can’t describe. I almost can pick up a hint of vanilla here and there as well. The black tea base is incredibly light and only noticeable every couple sips or so.
Another gorgeous and well balanced tea out of this set.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Flavored Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for the teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
