Adagio Teas offers such a unique service for geeks/nerds like myself. Being a huge Doctor Who/Torchwood fan, I had to check out Adagio Teas Signature Blends to see if anybody had created a blend dedicated to Captain Jack Harkness. . .and was I ever pleased when I saw that someone had created such a blend.
Red Suspenders is a blend of Vanilla Green, Orange, Mocha Nut Mate, with Chocolate Chips as an added accent flavor. Right off the bat, this tea had a strong hazelnut chocolate flavor. Not being a huge hazelnut fan or really a big chocolate guru, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this tea, but thought this would be a great way to start my day off.
Since this is a tea made up of different tea blends, I stayed on the side of caution and brewed this tea with water prepped up at 190F and allowed to brew for three minutes and cool for two more. I took my first sip and wow, was I ever glad I decided to drink this first thing in the morning.
This tea delivers a solid sweet yet nutty flavor that really gets you moving. The vanilla green tea adds a sweet start, while the flavored black orange tea provides a malty touch. I can’t say I really was able to get much of the orange flavor. A well balanced nutty finish ends each sip which is eagerly provided by Adagio’s Mocha Nut Mate. Even though I can smell the chocolate aroma, I can’t say I really can pick up much of a chocolate taste. Another flavor that is hidden in this blend.
I brewed myself up another cup and enjoyed this round as a latte and I have to say that is where this tea shines. The frothed milk really gave this tea a touch of creaminess that really made my morning.
Being that this tea is one of Adagio’s Signature Blends, you really never know if this tea will be a hit or a miss. Being that this tea is one created in Captain Jack’s honor, I’m glad it was a total hit!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Green/Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Everyone loves a man in red suspenders- just take Captain Jack Harkness’ word. Now your tea can have red suspenders, too. Melty chocolate and orange meet vanilla in this blend- how could you resist?
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cream Flavored Black by Adagio Teas
The first sip tastes of vanilla/cream flavor. It isn’t the same as having actual cream in your tea but it is very nice, kind of floral and sweet. The black tea base is great too; it’s quite solid, not bitter, but somewhat astringent and very flavorful. It’s good for mornings or afternoons, I’d say, but afternoons especially, in my opinion. Also it would probably be great for adding your own flavors (for example, some would consider this sacrilege, but I personally sometimes add a few drops of Ghirardelli chocolate syrup to my tea in place of sugar).
It turns out to be lovely with milk, as well; it makes the milk taste extra-creamy but still has a bit of vanilla-like flavor, or maybe that’s the tea base’s floral notes I’m catching now? Either way, it’s very pleasant, satisfying and comforting, and a flavor that I’m sure I’ll savor on many afternoons to come. <3
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Which comes first, the cream or the tea? If you’re not sure, don’t worry… neither are the English. However, its unanimously agreed that, whether you prefer your tea first, or cream first, this dairy-free cream flavored Ceylon black tea is a treat for your teacup! Sweet, inviting and warm, with a delicate creamy consistency and aroma of fresh black tea. Pleasantly brisk and very refreshing. Teatime calls…
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Forest Friend blend by Leslie Kiesler on Adagio Teas
Adagio Teas is where I credit my loose leaf tea beginnings. They have a variety of teas for both beginners and experts, but their success comes from their lively fandom blend community. There’s a themed-blend for every movie, book, and video game out there. I know I’ve had a great time designing my own flavors, and I’m always interested in trying new blends from other tea lovers.
My favorite summer blend of late has been Forest Friend by Leslie Kiesler. This blend is a homage to the main creature in the film, My Neighbor Totoro, of Studio Ghibli fame. To me, Forest Friend is tea-blending at its best. It is mixed from Adagio’s white strawberry, white pear, and rooibos jasmine flavors. On their own, none of these teas are really my favorite: I found the strawberry to be a bit too sweet, the pear to be a bit too earthy, and the rooibos jasmine to be overwhelming floral. But when mixed together in these proportions, I can’t seem to get enough of this tea. It’s magical, like finding out you have a big fuzzy, forest friend as your neighbor.
I prefer this blend iced, with our without sugar depending on my mood. This is a blend mainly made up of white tea leaves, so keep your water temperatures a little cooler than usual to avoid any harsh notes. The strawberry makes this a delectable summer blend, almost like sugary kool-aid, but the pear and white tea gives the sweetness just enough grounding that it doesn’t become too much like candy. The rooibos jasmine is amazing when added to a blend in smaller quantities. It adds some tart, herbal rooibos flavors, and relaxing floral overtones. There are even blue cornflowers and golden marigold flowers in the dry leaf to make the blend look vibrant in my pitcher as it brews.
Top off the great taste with Leslie’s cute label on the tin and you’ll realize why it is so hard to resist this blend. Forest Friend is always in my wish list for when summertime comes around and I need a sweet, magical way to cool down and brighten my day.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White/Rooibos
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description: There’s a friend waiting for you in the forest, but he’s snoring the day away. Wake him up with a cup of tea so you can begin a magical adventure!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Huang Jin Bolero from Adagio Teas. . . .
This Anxi oolong isn’t currently available on Adagio’s site, but I’m reviewing it so you know what to look for if it returns or if something like it pops back up!
Here we have a lovely oolong with a nectar/nut flavor that’s closer to green than black. It’s a very light flavor that stays with you after you swallow it. This tastes like that point in the late afternoon when you’ve stopped paying attention to time. Dinner will come eventually, you guess.
This feeling is, more accurately, the feeling of long summers at summer camp. This tea is summer camp in a bag. It reminds me of long afternoons spent making crafts and learning archery and swimming laps. Gritting my teeth until I found a few friends in my group. Trying to make blades of grass sing. Getting picked up at the end of the day, woozy with sunburn. Having dirty feet and having little scratches around my ankles from hurtling across rocks. Learning how to craft a ghost story and tell a lie about having kissed a boy and pretend to be a mermaid effectively.
I eventually stopped going to summer camp (as do most of us, unless we wind up owning one). But every summer I always wonder why I’m not there, still. I’m like “it’s camp season. Why am I in this office?”
Today a little part of me scurried off to camp season. Thanks, Adagio.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
This tea is not currently available but click below for oolongs that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cream from Adagio Teas. . .
Just the notion itself of a cream tea (meaning a full tea service, scones + jam + clotted cream, etc.) brings up all the good feels for me, you guys. During my brief study abroad stint in London in college, this was my regular treat-yo-self to myself– a book, cream tea, some quiet.
So while this tea (aptly named “Cream”) from Adagio isn’t making me any specific promises including scones and jam, it certainly has some significant memories to live up to. And live up it does! It’s a lightly sweet, slightly vanilla-ish, mostly sweet-cream flavor that blends beautifully with the Ceylon base.
It, unsurprisngly, takes cream and sugar incredibly well, and is especially delightful on a rainy morning with the windows open and a good book nearby (ask me how I know). The reviews from fellow tea-lovers tell me that this one is an awesome accompaniment to other teas, and bumps up the creamy factor in everything from herbal infusions to Earl Greys. I haven’t tried this yet, but you’d better believe it’s how I’ll be finishing the rest of my stash. Along with scones + jam + clotted cream, of course.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Which comes first, the cream or the tea? If you’re not sure, don’t worry… neither are the English. However, its unanimously agreed that, whether you prefer your tea first, or cream first, this dairy-free cream flavored Ceylon black tea is a treat for your teacup! Sweet, inviting and warm, with a delicate creamy consistency and aroma of fresh black tea. Pleasantly brisk and very refreshing. Teatime calls…
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
