Tea has often been a solitary experience for me. It’s an opportunity for me to get lost in a cuppa, explore the aroma of the blend, and let the heat of the fresh brew melt away my thoughts. There are opportunities that allow tea to be communal in my life and I had that opportunity recently with a friend. One of my husband’s childhood friends is Korean and grew up with tea as a strong part of his daily routine. I had the opportunity to share Sir Rhuberry Oolongbottom from Blend Bee with him. This tea had a sweet aroma that reminded me of a berry, but I couldn’t place which berry to save my life! I even had other people smell the tea and try to guess the berry – with no luck. Thankfully, Blend Bee’s website let me know that this blend features strawberry! I’m typically hesitant with berry or fruit based blends as there is a distinct possibility the fruit will overpower the tea, but with this blend, the mix of oolong to strawberry is blended perfectly.
Once brewed, this tea presented an aromatic profile like a black tea, and created a lovely rose color in the cup. We drank this tea without cream or sugar so that we could truly enjoy the flavor profile of this tea. Overall, I think that this is one of the better oolong blends that I’ve tried. My husband’s friend had multiple cups; since he grew up with oolong, I think it’s safe to say that he like it as well. Anytime tea can be a communal event, let it! This tea is perfect for a relaxed morning or an afternoon moment. For lovers of black tea, this is a great tea to try in order to expand your palate!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Description
Juicy and refreshing, this blend has just a hint of sweetness and is rounded out with bold red fruit flavors. You will long for Sir Rhuberry Oolongbottom.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Creme Le Jasmine from BlendBee. . . .
You all know I am a huge fan of Creme Brûlée & Creme Brûlée flavored teas, I’ve talked about them so much! So clearly, this Creme Le Jasmine green tea blend from Blend Bee would be right up my ally. Jasmine is one of those flowers that people usually either love or hate. For me, I generally enjoy it because it tends to relax me. However, it does depend on what it’s mixed with. This specific blend consists of Jasmine Green Tea, Jasmine Flowers, Marshmallow Root, Chamomile, Agrimony Herb, and Custard & Vanilla extracts. Doesn’t it sound delicious?
Well, it sounds delicious AND tastes delicious. The Jasmine Green Tea is actually very light, so if you aren’t always a fan of Jasmine you may still enjoy this. I added a little agave to my cup, but it really wasn’t necessary because the vanilla and custard flavors definitely sweeten it up on their own. Even the marshmallow adds a delicious touch and really helps to resemble that crunchy, burnt sugar signature Creme Brûlée topping! This blend tastes like the inside custard of Creme Brûlée sprinkled with essence of Jasmine! Since it is a Green Tea blend, it’s light enough to enjoy even in the summertime!
Now I wonder how it would taste iced…. Definitely try a cup from Blend Bee today!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Orange Creamsicle from BlendBee. . . .
Often, I’ll find myself looking lovingly at my tea cabinet (not unusual) and envision myself as a tea blender. In this very particular fantasy of mine, I’m set up in a perfectly crisp, clean and home-y bright white kitchen, sunlight flooding through the windows, a gentle breeze pushing in the open windows, and I’m hand-blending delicious teas while the birds outside chirp backup as I trill, Snow-White-ing-ly.
I’m pretty sure this isn’t how actual tea blending happens. But this is my fantasy, so we’re gonna pretend it is.
Luckily, there exist some incredible companies who offer this service to fulfill all my tea-blending delusions of grandeur! I may not be in a sunlight kitchen, twirling through my own blending cabinet, but thanks to custom tea-blending services, I can almost be.
One of my very favorite companies that offers this service is the incredible BlendBee. I could wax poetic for ages about why I love BlendBee– super high quality teas, spectacular flavors, interesting blends and constant use of beneficial/healthy herbs and spices to flavor teas and support health, not just a bunch of “natural and artificial flavors” sprayed on some dry leaves. For a super reasonable price (and I’ve had great luck picking up a few groupons for this service recently, making it even more reasonable), you can completely customize your own blend, choosing everything from the base to a plethora of add-ins, flavors and other goodies.
In the past, I’ve made a custard tea (which was delightful, and I’ve already ordered more of), most recently, a blueberry Danish tart tea, and the one I’m sipping right now: Orange Creamsicle. I requested this blend be made with creamy, buttery green tea, marshmallow root, vanilla and custard flavor, lemongrass, orange pieces, and a touch of orange oil for flavor. The result s a pillowy green with dreamy, creamy vanilla flavors that is perfectly reminiscent of the favorite shopping mall Orange Julius of my youth.
Iced, this one is even better. The green is mellow, the flavors light and fresh, not at all artificial or overpowering. I love serving it up with a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice for a twist on an Arnold Palmer. It’s everything my little aspiring-blender-heart could have hoped for, and more!
Thanks, BlendBee, for making my tea-blending dreams a(n almost) reality. Now all I need are those singing birds in the background, and I’m set!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Description
Click below to learn how to blend your own teas with BlendBee.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sweet Dreams from BlendBee. . . .
You know when you find a tea company that you just love SO MUCH that you want to order their entire tea catalog? I have a small but mighty list– and just added one more. Blend Bee, will you be my tea-bff?
I recently ordered a design-your-own blend from Blend Bee (more on that to come), and the awesome owner, Jamah, told me she thought I’d be a fan of her Sweet Dreams tea, a lemony, custardy honeybush. And she was so right!
One of the reasons I love Blend Bee so much (besides the awesome aforementioned customer service) is that each tea isn’t just a great, flavorful brew, but comes packed with beneficial herbs with great health-supporting properties. Besides the incredible flavor in this brew (light, pillowy vanilla and sweet lemon), I’m also getting anti-inflammatory immune system support, digestive encouragement and more. Have I totally flaunted my tea-crush enough yet? Because it’s real, you guys. Blend Bee, let’s be bff-4-eva.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Description
This comforting and delicious Honeybush blend is perfect to help you wind down and relax. Rich and creamy, this blend helps with late night sweet cravings. Also, designed to help you detox while you sleep. Sweet Dreams!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
BlendBee’s Pecan Assam. . . . .
I grew up with the luxury of an AMAZING frozen custard stand within a mile of my house. In my younger years, I was all about the crazy flavors– brownie this and triple chocolate that, caramel twists and marshmallowy swirls and all that jazz. I always gave my mom and grandma a little side-eye when we’d be out for a girls afternoon treat and they’d get super pumped when the flavor of the day was butter pecan. Uh, guys? You know it’s just nuts in practically-vanilla custard, right?
Fast forward many years to the now-wiser adult that I am, and I can totally understand their infatuation with the simple goodness of butter pecan. Creamy, nutty, sweet-but-not-saccharine. Yes please.
As soon as I sniffed my sample of Blend Bee’s Pecan Assam, I was immediately transported back to those custard days of my youth. It’s everything I’d hope it would be with pecan so upfront in the title. It brews up strong and nutty without a hint of bitterness in the smooth Assam. With a little sweetener and coconut milk as a latte, the buttery undertones really shine for that spot-on butter pecan flavor goodness.
And bonus! It’s chock-full of good-for-you herbs like milk thistle and dandelion root. What! Count me a huge fan. With this one to keep me warm in the winter and a smooth cone of butter pecan custard to keep me cool in the summer, I’ve got all my buttery-delicious craving bases covered. Mmm.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Description
Filled with roots & seeds designed to help cleanse your body and soul. This butter pecan infused Black Assam Tea will be the perfect go to tea after a night of fun, or anytime you want a pick me up.