I am renaming this black tea pistachio ice cream. Yes, I finally found it. My one true love. My soul mate. Yes, I know that this tea is supposed to be like baklava. And also yes, I do know what baklava tastes like because i’m Greek and, well, I grew up eating it. I’ve even had baklava in Greece. My yiayia (grandmother in Greek) owned a bakery back in the day and was an amazing Greek baker. So, its safe to say if anyone can judge Baklava, its me. Unfortunately, this doesn’t resemble baklava in my opinion. Fortunately, it does resemble my absolute favorite flavor EVER! Pistachio ice cream.
Upon smelling the beautiful dry leaf, I said (out load) “It smells like pistachio ice cream!” I could smell that sweet, nutty, almond cream, and pistachio goodness. You could see whole pistachio nuts in the blend along with rose petals. It looks absolutely divine and smells that way too. I steeped 2 tsp of this in 12oz mug filled with near-boiling water for 4 minutes.
Once steeped, I could still smell pistachio ice cream. This tea smelled like almond cream and pistachio nuts. You can actually taste the pistachios, too. You know when you crack open pistachios and there is that skin that they have? The skin that’s slightly salty and nutty? I could taste that on my first sip. After that first sip I couldn’t taste it again. But this just goes to show that they really did a great job with the flavor. I don’t get anything artificial or chemical, it tastes real and natural.
However, I didn’t taste the pastry or baklava. For me, this wasn’t an issue because I absolutely adore pistachio ice cream (clearly) and have actually been looking for a tea that resembled it. For others who want it to have that “bakery” flavor, this does miss that mark in my opinion. I really didn’t get that honey, nutty, baklava. Either way, it is still a great black tea blend and I think it would go great with breakfast in the morning or as an after-dinner treat.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Rich Milima estate tea, with it’s beautiful malty pastry and bordeaux-like notes, is the base for the honeyed pistachio goodness of baklava. Just a touch of rose for a traditional experience.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
These Are A Few of My Favorite Teas!
Continuing the Birthday Par-TEA (yep- you can call me a nerd now), I thought I’d share some of my favorite teas that I’m currently obsessing over. Earlier this morning I wrote a post about my favorite vessel for brewing tea- The WALL Tea Infuser from Boreal Wildcraft. So I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to chat about the teas I’ve been enjoying with this brilliant mug.
(1) Peeps Genmaicha from A Quarter To Tea. .
I recently did a review of this tea and am still drinking this tea on a daily basis. I’m a HUGE fan of genmaichas so when you combine that gorgeously toasted tea with a marshmallow flavor. . .I’m 100% on board!
This tea is part of A Quarter To Tea’s Spring Collection. . one that I had to pick up several ounces of. If you are a fan of floral teas, you have to check out Lauren’s Honeyed Apricots and Amonds Chun Mee. After one sip of this tea, I was back on the website buying 2 oz. I’ll be reviewing this tea shortly on its own but just had to share the love for this spring inspired blend.
(2) Graveyard Mist from 52Teas. . .
This blend of marshmallow root, green tea, spearmint, and vanilla provides such a lush and haunting flavor that I’ve declared this tea as my ultimate favorite tea. Graveymard Mist is one of those teas that relaxes me and I’ve found so much comfort drinking this brew. From having sinus infection to having a bad day at work, this tea delivers a spot on flavor that just creates a soothing and relaxing feel. Luckily, our beloved Anne (aka LiberTeas) recently reblended this tea so I was able to get my hands on a new batch. (Thank you, Thank you Thank you Anne!)
My husband and I shared a pot of this tea the other night and this new batch delivers all those same feels as the blends that Frank blended a few years ago. I feel a petition needs to be created to keep this tea in stock at all times.
(3) Any tea from Wendigo Tea Co.
Wendigo Tea Co is one that really opened my eyes to what a high quality straight tea can deliver. All of Skye’s teas are ripe with amazing robust flavors and the fact that they are all named after different mythical creatures makes these teas even more alluring to me. Highly recommend these teas and they brew up gorgeously each and every time. Plus, the fact that you are able to enjoy these teas for multiple steepings. . .you can’t go wrong.
My personal favorites are Yeti, Bigfoot, and Nessy, but the King Dragon Oolong is something to behold.
(4) Extinction Event from Tea Historic
Can we just take a moment and chat about this tea company? I mean c’mon. . .combining marvelously high quality teas with dinosaurs. . .it’s such a great match! The logo alone gets me every time. A Dino Tea Party!
Extinction Event is a blend of black dragon and white jasmine pearls. The flavor is phenomenal. Rich and robust with lingering notes of a floral finish. This is another tea I’ve spent many tea sessions with. To make sure that you get an equal flavoring of both teas, Tea Historic has even prepackaged the teas for you for easier preparation. I’m excited to check out the rest of the line of teas they offer.
(5) Custom Blended Teas from The NecessiTeas and BlendBee
Being a sucker for a green tea mint combo, I am always on the hunt for different ways to spruce up this combination. And that is where they amazing ladies at The NecessiTeas and BlendBee come into play.
Linsey at The NecessiTeas has graciously reblended and created different blends for me based on her current lineup of teas. She takes dessert teas to a new level! With teas like Strawberry Cheesecake, Carrot Cupake, and her new blends- Jelly Bean and My Peeps. . .I’m gobbling these teas down like it is nobody business.
For being flavored teas, I’m able to even pull out up to three steepings. Flavors are spot on and even though you do have to buy in larger quantities from her site, trust me. . .it is worth it. Her hand blended beauties are teas you just can’t get enough of.
If you don’t follow Linsey on Instagram, I highly encourage you too. Her pictures are amazing and incredibly drool worthy!
BlendBee offers customized teas with fresh quality teas and inclusions that are second to none. Jamah’s attention to detail on each of her blends is outstanding and her customer service is amazing. I’ve had several conversations with Jamah through email where I’ve felt like I’m being a bother and a pain because I’d like this blend this way or this blend that way and she is always so incredibly courteous.
Along with BlendBee’s pre-made blends, you can also create your own. I’ve made blends like Orange Cranberry Yum (don’t judge my names, I’m terrible at being creative- ha!) and Honey Lemon Green. The process is incredibly simple and the fact that you can include different herbals to add in a healthy kick makes the experience even better. I drink BlendBee teas daily and have found myself consistently looking for these blends in my stash to share with others. I’ve even served these teas at my nieces birthday parties and have shared several pots of these teas with my dad.
These are just a few of my favorite teas that I’ve been enjoying but that is what makes tea such an amazing experience. There are so many different brilliant teas out there that I have yet to experience from companies that I have yet to meet. I have so many different teas that really are my favorites that I keep on hand at all times, but these are just a few that have recently captured my love and affection.
Eggnog Poundcake from A Quarter to Tea. . . . .
This was the third tea I tried from A Quarter to Tea. I got a small sample because I wasn’t sure if I would like it. I do like a glass of eggnog during the holidays, but when it comes to the tea I was concerned it may be over spiced. I have had really good experiences with other flavored blends from A Quarter to Tea, though. However, I don’t usually go for white tea so this is different for me. I am more so into green, black, and occasionally oolong. I was really excited to try this one.
It was a little hard for me to smell this dry blend because I stored it with a bunch of other samples and to be honest, it smelled like a medley of spices and teas. I can comment on how it smelled once steeped though. The steeped liquid is light, and gives off a custard/cinnamon/nutmeg smell- which is clearly eggnog! It smelled light and tasted light. The floral white tea was a perfect backdrop for eggnog and custard flavors. This tea was smooth and custardy with a perfect balance of floral and cinnamon. The custard taste came out more when the tea cooled significantly. The spices were very light and airy and just really accented the floral white tea. I’d say this was an accurate eggnog representation and very well put together. I think samples of this are still available on their website!
Overall I have been really impressed with A Quarter to Tea, and I just placed another order with them so more review to come. Stay tuned!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
White peony with a delicious eggy vanilla custard flavor and pastry notes and classical eggnog spices.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Peeps Genmaicha from A Quarter To Tea. . . Take That Tea Name In. . .
That is right. Someone has combined Peeps with tea-or at least the flavor of Peeps with tea.
Peeps seem to split people into two groups, those that love them and those that despise them. I belong to the group that love them. I’ve yet to met a marshmallow product that I don’t adore.
Peeps Genmaicha consists of sprinkles, sencha green tea, popped rice, marshmallow root and a few other natural flavorings. You just have to love the sight of this tea. All of the lovely sprinkles adding a wonderful touch of spring to the blend.
As I steeped (170F water and used my Boreal Wildcraft-the WALL tea infuser) this tea, I sat in awe and enjoyed the delicious aromas that were coming from my cuppa. There was such a wonderful sweetness with a toasted note that I couldn’t get enough of. When the tea was ready, I allowed the tea to cool for a few minutes and greedily gulped the brew down.
Think fluffy toasted marshmallows with a buttery rich finish. That is exactly what this tea tastes like. There is a subtle Peep noticeable flavor but I would honestly compare this tea more to a toasted marshmallow that you would roast over an open flame without any of the campfire smell. You can literally taste the ooey-gooey roasted marshmallow sweetness.
Right along with the marshmallow flavor, there is also this wonderfully addictive vanilla pudding note that is apparent in about every other sip. I find myself craving that flavor and wanting more of it.
Genmaicha has always been on of my favorites and to have that lovely flavor paired with vanilla and marshmallow flavors is just brilliant. I took down 2 oz of this tea in just a few days and will be ordering 4oz of this tea as soon as I can. This is one of those teas that I literally infuse the leaves until they can not give anymore and promptly set myself up with fresh leaves to start all over again. And since I’m using my WALL tea infuser, I just keep adding water so I have a continuous brew waiting for me.
Highly recommend this blend and this will be a repeat buy for me. Here’s to hoping Lauren @A Quarter To Tea will keep this blend in permanent lineup and not just in her spring collection . Peeps Genmaicha is that good.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
A toasted marshmallow delight with roasty genmaicha, marshmallow, and brightly colored sprinkles
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Spiced Rum Raisin and Maple Cream from A Quarter to Tea. . . . .
Licorice root. Star Anise. Fennel. All ingredients that those who hate licorice fear. They often take over and drown out all other ingredients. I am happy to report, for all licorice haters out there, that is not the case here!
Spice and raisin are the shining stars here. Just a hint muscatel to bridge the raisin and rum notes together. Dry but sweet and it pairs nicely with the lingering maple. Mulling spices warm everything up. Alas, there is no cream to be found. The base is a little more brisk than I would like but it connects to the muscatel flavor to tie everything together.
The tea is nice but perhaps it is trying to do a bit too much. The flavors get muddled and it takes a bit of focusing to really pick out each individual element. It’s pleasant enough and comforting on a cold day but it might have done well to focus on just one or even a couple of components and highlight those.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Jun Chiyabari black tea is blended with the flavors of rum soaked raisins, maple, and mulling spices. Sweet, creamy and subtly spiced. This is a perfect fall cup.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
