Some mornings are no-nonsense; this Monday is one of them. No time for blends. Time for serious faces, email, and caffeine.
This black tea, which I received this month in my Simple Loose Leaf box, is a yummer. (Nope, “yummer” is not a word — or is it NOW a word? Language evolves, guys. Start using “yummer.” Let’s see if we can get it to catch on).
I knew immediately that this tea was from India because of its slightly spicy and raisin-y tones. The name “Karakundah” also helped — the name didn’t ring as Asian. Turns out that this estate is the highest commercial tea estate in the world.
Make sure to share that fact at your next party. You’ll be swarmed with friends in no time.
This black tea’s powerful rich and malty flavor from a single teaspoon made it clear to me from the get-go that it was a high quality pick. And, lo and behold, it turns out that it’s an “orange pekoe,” which is the highest quality of leaf on the grading scale. (The lowest quality is “fannings and dust,” which I’ve heard is what they throw into commercially-available pre-bagged cheap tea.)
Overall, this pick has gusted me into Awake Land in a quality, unfettered way. It met and, I daresay, exceeded my expectations. Nice work, you high-elevation pals. I tip my cap to you.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simple Loose Leaf
Description
Karakundah tea estates, found in the Nilgiri region of India, produce some of the highest grade black teas in that region. Commonly known for the medium-bodied cup of tea, Karakundah black teas are highly sought after on the world stage making this tea a prize for international buyers. Serve with or without milk and add sugar to taste.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Spiced Mulled Wine Tea from Simpson & Vail
When you can’t drink wine at work why not drink Spiced Mulled Wine Tea from Simpson & Vail? I have various tea stashes all over the place – at home, at work, in my car, – in my purse! I’m not sure where to keep this one! Either at home or at work – most likely! This specific tea is pretty amazing but for several additional reasons for it just being a tea! It’s a wine inspired tea!
Spiced Mulled Wine Tea from Simpson & Vail infuses to a beaming burgundy color that is really quite impressive! Special nod to the Beet Root ingredient that makes the color possible! The orange peel contributes to the fruity-citrus-tart flavor combo and it’s wonderful! I’m LOVING that this is a black tea base with a color like this WITHOUT the use of hibiscus! Oddly, the flavor is VERY MUCH wine-like! And with very few ingredients!
The aroma and the taste of this Spiced Mulled Wine Tea from Simpson & Vail are great! I LOVE everything about this tea and cannot express that enough! I’ve already had a hot cup of Spiced Mulled Wine Tea from Simpson & Vail as well as a cold cup of Spiced Mulled Wine Tea from Simpson & Vail! Delightful!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Description:
Looking for a winter concoction without the alcohol? Then, this brew is for you! The blend produces a reddish cup with a sweet fragrant aroma and taste. The tannic taste is reminiscent of red wine and it is perfectly complemented by the light spice taste and the earthy undertones.
Ingredients: black teas, orange peel, beet root, spiced mulled wine flavoring and malva blossoms.
Brew tea at 212º – steep for 3 minutes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Jane Austen’s Black Tea Blend from Simpson & Vail Tea
Our Sister’s Thoughts:
I have to say I’m LOVING these new Literary Teas from Simpson and Vail and today I will introduce you to Jane Austen’s Black Tea Blend from Simpson & Vail Tea.
Jane Austen’s Black Tea Blend from Simpson & Vail Tea is strong and independent…meaning it has a flavor all of its own. After reading the ingredients of Black teas, spearmint, lavender flowers and vanilla flavor I thought I knew what this tea would taste like but I was surprised with the flavor of this tea. Here’s why…yes, the black tea is strong and I LOVE that. The spearmint mixed with the lavender is what changed it up for me. Something happened when the spearmint and lavender joined as a union in this cup of tea. It formed it’s own flavor! Then you add that bit of vanilla in there to smooth it out and it’s unlike anything I have had before.
I LOVE being surprised – or better yet – proven wrong – by a tea and Jane Austen’s Black Tea Blend from Simpson & Vail Tea did exactly that! This is just what I needed to start my day on a crazy Monday morning! I just might have to buy this one in bulk and soon! This is a heavy-duty tea that gets a GOLD STAR from me!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail Tea
Tea Description:
Jane Austen was born on December 16th, 1775. After receiving her primary education at boarding school, Jane returned home where she and her older sister Cassandra would spend long hours in their father’s library reading the classics and writing their own stories. Jane had a close relationship with her father and he encouraged her creativity by supplying her with the paper and writing utensils she desired. In 1811, Jane’s first novel Sense and Sensibility was published and met with immediate success. Jane Austen’s novels illuminate the everyday lives of young women in the early 19th century and blend contemplative pastoral prose with witty banter and intriguing romance plots. Besides writing, she was an avid gardener who tended to her own plants late into her life.
The delicate prose of Jane Austen’s novels is evoked in this blend that combines peppermint with a gentle touch of vanilla. Lavender flowers, which look lovely in both the cup and the gardens around Jane Austen’s estate, add a sweet floral taste that complements the mint and vanilla wonderfully. This blend captures the color and joy of Austen’s characters while taking inspiration from the herbs and flowers she cultivated in her own garden. It brews to a refreshing cup with a cool mint flavor that’s softened by the warm vanilla and the sweet lavender flowers.
Ingredients: Black teas, spearmint, lavender flowers and vanilla flavor.
Certified Kosher
Brew tea at 212º – steep for 3 minutes.
4 Ounces of loose tea makes approximately 50 cups of tea.
Please note that the photo is shown for our 4oz tin. We are also offering this in a 4oz pkg size, which will come in one of our double lined bags labeled with the name of the tea.
Novels by Jane Austen:
Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Emma
Northanger Abbey
PersuasionCheck with your local bookstore for these titles or for recommendations for further reading.
Learn even more about this tea here.
Giddapahar SFTGFOP 1 CH 2nd Flush 2013, Darjeeling from Lochan Tea Limited
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea Limited
Tea Description:
This tea is no longer on their website however I can tell you more about the estate.
About the Tea Estate: Giddapahar is located on a mountain which is just a short drive from Kurseong. The garden is situated at 4864 feet above sea level. The Estate is a small family owned Darjeeling tea estate which is also known as “Eagles Cliff” lying very close to Kurseong town. From the estate, one can view the magnificent site of the mountains which also makes it the perfect site for taking photographs.
Giddapahar is almost 100% covered with pure china tea bushes and has followed the legendary classic grade production of Darjeeling Teas. The tea from Giddapahar Estate is very delicate due to the lower temperatures here and also because the area itself is covered by mist for a good part of the year. Teas are planted and picked by using traditional methods. Due to the temperature, the tea bushes from the estate produce a fine bouquet with great aromatic quality and a delicate floral smell.
Taster’s Review:
Eventho this Giddapahar SFTGFOP 1 CH 2nd Flush 2013, Darjeeling from Lochan Tea Limited is no longer listed on their site or available for purchase I wanted to give it an honorable mention because it really was a fabulous tea! As you can see from the description above the Giddapahar estate is a small family owned Darjeeling tea estate that is situated in a zone with lower temperatures which makes teas from this region very delicate.
This specific Darjeeling is mostly floral on the nose with hints of wet woodsy sniffs, too! The flavor matches the aroma and is first and foremost floral with wet woods on the end sip. I find this to be a good ‘working tea’ which means (to me) that I enjoying while working or writing trying to reach deadlines (such as this).
Have you had a tea recent that you rediscovered from your personal collection that deserves an honorable mention that may no longer be available for purchase? If so tell us in comments!
Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Tea from Simpson & Vail
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Simpson & Vail
Product Description:
A new addition to our flavored tea line and already a huge hit with all of us here! This slightly sweet, scrumptious blend has a lightly toasted flavor with the delicious taste of apples and cinnamon. Sipping this tea reminds me of the Sunday morning breakfast treats of my childhood. Now that I’m all grown up I could have those treats every day of the week; however, I think I’ll stick to this tea blend instead. It’s full of the sinful tastes of childhood but, with no calories, it suits my adult metabolism!
Ingredients: Black teas, organic cinnamon chips, apple pieces, orange blossoms and flavoring.
Brew tea at 212º – steep for 3 minutes.
Tasters Review:
I prefer this flavored tea to the real thing. I’m not much of a pastry person. This smells just like the name states. The flavor is RIGHT ON, too! It’s a gently roasted black tea with juicy apple notes, hints of citrus, a nice even cinnamon flavor, and that stereotypical coffeecake taste that you would expect! It has a smoother aftertaste, too, which was a nice surprise!
S&V continue to amazing me with their flavored black teas! Check them out!