Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Ingredients: Premium black teas, almond slivers, organic cacao nibs, coconut, natural flavors.
This tea is part of 52Teas’ Box of Chocolates Sampler.
Taster’s Review:
This is the fifth “new-to-me” tea from 52Teas’ Box of Chocolates Sampler, and I think that this is the one I was the one that elicited the most excitement from me when I first opened the box. I think I actually squealed when I saw the tea through the lid of the tin, and then turned the tin over to read the name.
When it comes to chocolate, I generally have pretty expensive taste, but, in a pinch, I’ll settle for a readily available candy bar and this tea is created with one of my favorites in mind (I don’t really need to tell you the name of that candy bar, do I?) So, needless to say, I had high expectations when I brewed this tea.
The aroma wafting from my tea cup at the moment is absolutely delicious. I can smell the sweet almond. YUM! I do wish there was a bit more coconut both in the fragrance and in the flavor. That’s not to say that it isn’t a noticeable flavor, because it is, but in the candy bar, the coconut is the strongest flavor, and that isn’t the case with this tea. Here, the almond dominates, followed by the chocolate and then the coconut.
So while I am enjoying this cup (immensely, I might add!), I do think it could be improved with a little more coconut flavor … and perhaps just a touch of vanilla to amplify the creaminess factor. Because while that candy bar may be for those who feel like a nut… its that creamy coconut that most of us really crave.
I also believe that by increasing the coconut flavor, it would help soften the black tea base here, which isn’t bitter but it is quite astringent, and I think that this takes away from the “joy” just a little bit.
Overall, it is still a VERY good tea, but, I think it could still use a little tweaking to make it even better.
Krueger’s Kiss Custom Blend from Adagio Teas
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush & Rooibos
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Tisane Description:
Freddy’s a little creepy, goofy, and nutty – kind of like this blend of Honeybush and Rooibos Flavors.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
Over the past week or so, I’ve been trying to focus on some teas that could be considered “romantic” Valentine’s teas. While I don’t think that I’d want to kiss Mr. Krueger, this custom blend created by my SororiTea Sister, Jennifer aka TeaEqualsBliss, is a delicious alternative to going mouth-to-mouth with Freddy. It is a blend of Adagio’s honeybush orange, rooibos cinnamon apple, and rooibos almond.
While I am not always particularly fond of rooibos, I do like the combination of rooibos and honeybush together. Somehow, when blended together, the honeybush softens the tames funky tasting rooibos. The two taste better together than individually, in my opinion.
The orange flavor is the most distinct note in this cup, but it doesn’t overwhelm. It is complemented by the apple, which softens the tangy citrus notes, and lends a very smooth sweetness to the cup.
The background is nutty and has a hint of woody undertones. The nutty flavor is further accentuated by the almond flavor. While it is not a particularly strong note, the cinnamon gives the overall cup some interest and depth.
A tasty tisane that can be enjoyed any time of day!
Butter Truffle Black Tea Blend from ESP Emporium
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: ESP Emporium
Tea Description:
A tea creation for all “sweet teeth”. Just like licking out a dish with freshly made huller cookie dough with hints of freshly grated orange peel… it must be scooped out to the last drop. Not even adults can say no to this indescribable taste. The unusual, colorful and abundant decoration of savory and spicy ingredients makes your mouth water just by looking at it.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Unexpected! That’s the word for this tea. I must admit that when this tea was ordered it was because of the name: Butter Truffle. It sounds amazing. I didn’t really even read the description or check the ingredients. My sweet tooth did all the decision making when it comes to this tea, and when I read “Butter Truffle” that sweet tooth of mine said: YES!
So, I guess I need not explain that I had expected something sweeter than what I’m tasting at the moment. But that is not to say that I dislike what I taste. This is really delicious – it’s just not quite what I had anticipated. I like when a tea surprises me this way.
The sweetness is there from the almonds and pistachios as well as a hint of citrus. It has a very biscuit-y kind of note to it, reminiscent of freshly baked cookies or possibly freshly baked scones. But this tea also has a savory tone to it, a delightfully savory quality from the spices. I taste a touch of smokiness from the cumin and a kiss of pepper. It tastes warm and spicy, but the spices are not overwhelming. It all works together very harmoniously.
The black tea base is fairly mellow and unassuming, completing the flavor of the cup without overwhelming it. There is a pleasing balance of tea flavors and spice, while teasing this drinker with hints of sweetness.
A very surprising and rewarding tea from ESP Emporium.
Nuttier Than a Fruitcake (Custom Blend) from Ovation Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: You can create your own custom blend at Ovation Teas
About My Custom Blend:
Nuttier than a Fruitcake – White tea blended with nutmeg, sunflower petals, almonds & pecans with apricot and vanilla flavoring.
Taster’s Review:
Not long ago, Ovation Teas made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Well, not just me, but to the first 100 customers who placed an order for a custom blend. The offer: 4 ounces of their very own, custom blend – FREE – just pay shipping and handling. Well, like I said, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse, so I placed my order immediately.
But the hard part for me was coming up with something unique. Something I couldn’t find elsewhere. Then, I recall tasting a fantastic “Wedding Cake” lollipop that I wanted to try to duplicate in tea form. I started with a white tea base (this appears to be a Bai Mu Dan, based upon the look of the leaves), then chose to add apricot and vanilla flavoring, almonds and pecans and finally some nutmeg. Then I added some sunflower petals to make it pretty as well as add some defining sharpness to the tea.
I decided to call this blend of mine “Nuttier Than a Fruitcake” because I was often told in my younger years that I was, indeed, nuttier than a fruitcake. And given the inspiration and the ingredients I chose, I felt it was a suitable name.
The outcome: A tea that … while doesn’t taste exactly like the fruitcake lollipop that I remember, still tastes pretty amazing. The white tea base tastes light but doesn’t allow itself to become overpowered by the other flavors. The nuts (pecans & almonds) are not a particularly strong flavor, but then, I didn’t really expect them to be. As is generally the rule with flavored/blended teas, it is the flavoring oil that is used to flavor a tea that really gives the tea it’s POP flavor … fruit and nut additions don’t generally contribute a lot of flavor.
The apricot and vanilla flavors are pretty evenly matched … sometimes I’ll taste a little more apricot, while others I taste a little more vanilla. It is smooth and creamy and sweet. As I had hoped, the sunflower does add some sharp tones to the cup … just enough to keep it lively.
But the real star of this blend is the NUTMEG! Every time I brew this tea, the scent of the nutmeg is delightfully strong. As it brews in the kitchen, I can smell it in the next room! The flavor of the nutmeg is equally as strong, and it lends a rustic, nutty, and deliciously warm flavor to the cup.
I am really thrilled with my custom blend from Ovation Teas, and even though they aren’t currently offering the free custom blend that inspired me to place this order, I am happy enough with this custom blend that I will order another custom blend sometime in the future (whenever the inspiration hits!) It is well worth the price, in my opinion, if for no other reason, than to enjoy something truly unique.
London Fog from Téanzo 1856
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Téanzo 1856
Product Description:
Our creamy Almond London Fog is sure to please with this almondy twist on the classic. Blend hot with milk and sweetener, or serve over ice. Top with whip cream for added luxury.
Ingredients: Black tea, almond, and natural & artificial flavors.
Taster’s Review:
What a delightful spin on the well-loved tea beverage found at that coffee shop. You know which one I’m talking about. Well, to be honest, I haven’t consumed many London Fog Lattes from that coffee shop (why go to a coffee shop and spend $5 on a tea beverage when I can stay at home and sip on better tasting teas for much less), however, I am willing to go out on a limb here and say that I prefer this to those London Fog Lattes.
Why? Well, first off, I like that I can choose how strong I make this, and how much steamed milk and sweetener to add. At the moment, I’m drinking this non-latte, and I think I like it even better like this than with the milk, because I’m able to enjoy the complex flavors of the tea, the bergamot, the vanilla AND the almond…
Which leads me to the second reason that I prefer this to the London Fog Latte at that coffee shop. This version from Téanzo 1856 is not only flavored with bergamot and vanilla cream, but also almond! And I love the sweet, nutty flavor that the almond brings to the party. It offers more creamy flavor … and this is so creamy and rich tasting that it really doesn’t need the steamed milk. It tastes so good straight up.
The black tea base is not as strong as some Earl Grey blends I’ve tried, but, it manages to hold its own and provide a pleasant background of black tea flavor that compliments the tangy notes of bergamot and especially the sweet notes of almond and vanilla.
This is the first tea I’ve tried from this new company, and it’s a winner as far as I’m concerned! If you like those London Fog Lattes, I think you’re going to love this London Fog from Téanzo 1856!