Sensibly Script reports back on Thyme Chai by Balcony Tea. . . .

by Sensiblyscript
This tea is truly an adventure–and yet warm and comforting at the same time!

I brewed it in freshly boiled water (~8-10 oz) for 3 minutes as suggested. I love loose leaf tea, but the pyramid sachets this tea comes in are super cute and convenient. It’s just one less step (putting the tea into the brew basket) but can make a big difference, especially if you’re in a hurry.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a Thyme tea before, so this was new and exciting to me. This tea doesn’t seem to have any other herbs/spices besides thyme (the ingredients are black tea, thyme, and vanilla) but the flavor is pretty strong and the vanilla gives it more depth and richness. It’s a nice medium-dark, transparent honey-brown when steeped and smells both Thymey and sweet.

First sip: There’s a bit of cognitive dissonance here because I’ve only ever had Thyme in savory dishes so my brain is expecting this tea to be savory rather than sweet. It is sweet, though. I can identify the tannic astringency of the tea base, along the sides of my tongue, while the Thymey bouquet invades my nose. The astringency transitions into a sweetness on the top and back of the tongue that somehow connects it to the flowery herbal fragrance, keeping the whole thing somewhat coherent. So although the black tea flavor is mostly subsumed and the astringent component is the only part of it that really sticks out to me, it still contributes to the overall taste profile.

I next added a bit of sugar (only a little, since it’s so sweet already), which helped the various flavors flow together even better. I then added milk, which worked out great. It made the tea taste warm and strengthening (I mean, it technically already tasted warm, but still) and helped my taste buds get over the funky “no really, this should be savory because it has thyme in it” idea. I think I like it best with milk, but then I usually do with chais and other strong black teas.

This is a very different sort of chai, with a Mediterranean rather than a South Asian inspiration, but I really enjoyed it and I think I could add it to my rotation with great success.

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy:  Balcony Teas
Description

This is what my papa called “a signature tea”: refreshing in summer and protective in winter. We love the distinctly herbaceous, yet sweet and comforting taste of this black tea.

Ingredients:
Black Tea – The finest Ceylon tea. Fortifying, yet refreshing.Wild Thyme – Our thyme is wild-harvested in the Mediterranean to ensure its intense aroma and taste. The Romans believed Thyme to be a mood enhancer. My family used to drink it whenever we were feeling under the weather.Vanilla Pieces & Flavour – Smooth, sweet and luxurious.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Sensiblyscript

Hi! My name is Tabitha and I'm an uprooted PNW native living in the South with my husband and my cocker spaniel. My favorite teas are usually dark and strong and go well with milk and sugar. I like to combine tea-drinking with all of my favorite activities, such as listening to music, reading YA fiction, knitting, and writing blog and website content for businesses. Because I'm a well-rounded person, I also have other interests, such as wearing mismatched socks and pretending to be ambidextrous.

This post was posted in Balcony Tea, Black Tea

Mountain Bliss from Balcony Tea. . . . . .

by Mary

Historically, I haven’t been a huge fan of traditional green teas. (I KNOW. Don’t take my Official Tea Reviewer card away just yet.) But lately, my heavy, caffeinated black teas just aren’t doing it for me, and I’ve been craving something lighter, fresher… vegetal?! Who am I?

I reached for this offering from Balcony that’s been hanging out in my cabinet for far too long. I think I was a little intimidated by the description, at first– thyme, juniper, fruit? Also, what’s Greek Mountsin tea?! (still not totally sure on that one.) But my curiosity finally got the best of me and I brewed a cup after work one day for a treat. I can taste all of those unusual notes, and surprisingly, they work together quite wonderfully. I will say that I added a touch of honey, which helped to balance any green tea bitterness. Interestingly enough, even with the honey, this tea rings more of a savory blend than anything to me. Notes of thyme and juniper stand out most prominently, with just a hint of fruity notes at the end of the sip.

I think I’m being converted, you guys. Maybe I’m not yet reaching for straight up, traditional greens, but I’m on my way. Another winner from Balcony!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Green
Where to Buy:  Balcony Tea
Description

This blend is inspired by flavours and aromas that bring back childhood memories of walks through Mediterranean valleys. An invigorating blend of green tea, sweet apple and mountain herbs.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Mary

Hi there! I'm Mary, a 27-year-old mental health professional living with my fiancé and our quirky kitten in the Midwest! I've loved tea for as long as I can remember-- in fact, I have vivid memory of being four or five in a tea shop and being mesmerized by all the tea flavors and proclaiming that I "was going to be kind of adult who drank tea, not coffee." A stint living (and tea-drinking my way through) London and twenty-some years later, I'm still channeling that sassy four-year-old and loving my tea habit. When I'm not sipping a cuppa, you'll find me reading, doing yoga, traveling, exploring my own city, planning our wedding and experimenting with different healthful and healing foods in my kitchen.

This post was posted in Balcony Tea, Green Tea