Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Look ma: No mango this week! Instead, be prepared to be blown away by this new black tea blend. If you love our Pancake Breakfast blend, you’re going to LOVE this. It’s similar to Pancake breakfast, but a little sweeter with some cinnamon, brown sugar, maple syrup and yes, even a touch of butter flavors.
This is like French toast in a cup without the 600 calories you’d expect from some hot French toast drowning in maple syrup and butter. This is a brand new comfort tea and I imagine it’s going to go FAST.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oh yum, yum, yum! I have been looking forward to trying this French Toast Flavored Black Tea Blend from 52Teas! I adored the “Pancake Breakfast” blend 52Teas put out a while back, and I was certain I’d enjoy this one as well. And it certainly is living up to my high expectations.
It is totally YUM!
My one complaint, if one is to get picky … is that there is a tad too much cinnamon in this. I don’t mind cinnamon, not at all, and I personally am enjoying the level of cinnamon in this cup, however, to capture the true essence of French Toast in a teacup, I think that the cinnamon should be a bit more delicate. As it is, this is more like French Toast that has been made using cinnamon swirl bread … which is typically my favorite kind of bread to use for French Toast … although recently, I’ve discovered a Peach Cobbler bread and that stuff is AMAZING as French Toast … but I digress.
My point is this: when using non-cinnamon-y swirly bread, my French Toast doesn’t usually have this much of a cinnamon taste to it.
But the cinnamon rant aside, this is truly delicious. The black tea base is rich and robust. The cinnamon is the strongest note here, but, I also taste maple, butter, and a hint of brown sugar. There is also a sort of bread-y taste that brings all these flavors together and creates a taste that is very much like liquefied cinnamon French Toast breakfast in a teacup … made complete with a cup of tea to go with it.
What can I say? 52Teas does it again! This blend has already sold out, however, you can request a reblend of it by going here and clicking on the big, blue “Please Reblend” badge on the center of the page and fill out the form that follows.
Butter Rum Flavored Black Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Butter Rum was always my favorite flavor of Lifesavers. I’m not really a fan of rum itself, but butter rum candy is the stuff dreams are made out of, and so is this tea.
Learn more about this blend here.
Taster’s Review:
I was very intrigued by this blend as it is inspired by the Butter Rum flavored Lifesaver candies. I am not particularly crazy about these candies, but I like them alright. I’d much rather have chocolate. (No big surprise there, huh?) But I was certainly interested in trying 52Teas version of the Butter Rum candy in this flavored black tea.
And I really like this … perhaps even MORE than I like the candy.
The black tea base is robust yet smooth, and again, I am finding myself very pleased with 52Teas black tea base. It is so pleasantly rich. It has a strong, solid flavor … and given 52Teas penchant for strongly flavored teas it’s a good thing that the black tea base used is a strong one, otherwise the tea might be overpowered by the flavoring. But that’s not the case here … sure, the flavoring is strong – no doubt about that – but, the black tea is bold enough to stand out and be tasted. It is not an overly astringent tea … there is some astringency, but I would classify it as a moderate astringency, and it seems to be mellowed somewhat by the hint of vanilla in this tea.
The vanilla also gives this a really lovely creamy tone that evokes thoughts of the smooth, creamy, buttery candy that inspired this tea. This truly tastes like someone dropped a butter rum Lifesaver in my teacup and allowed it to melt in the hot liquid. It’s quite yummy!
I prefer this tea sweetened because I think it brings out the butter rumminess of it. (Yes, rumminess is a word, I just made it up) I don’t add a lot of turbinado sugar to this, but, I find that just about half a teaspoon to my cup brings out the flavors and makes it taste much more like the candy. It’s delicious served straight (with no additions) as well … and it also makes a rather delicious latte if you’re in the mood for something really creamy and decadent!
A really well-crafted blend from 52Teas!
Anxi Fo Shou Black Tea From Verdant Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Verdant Tea
Tea Description:
An experimental hybrid tea with the best of Tieguanyin, Wuyi oolong and malty black tea. . . .
NOTES: chocolate, scotch, caramel, walnut, coconut, jasmine
Fo Shou or “Buddha’s Hand,” is a varietal of tea from Wuyi, traditionally twisted and oxidized into an oolong tea. This revolutionary Fo Shou Black Tea is an experimental crop transplanted in nearby Anxi and fully oxidized as a black tea. The fusion of rocky Wuyi flavor, malty black tea flavor, and hints of Anxi Tieguanyin flavor make this a worthwhile and intriguing creation all of its own.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Anxi Fo Shou Black Tea from Verdant Tea is scrumptious! When I was opening the bag I could smell the chocolate notes just jumping out at me. I was surprised to find yet another sealed bag inside the first bag which told me this tea was very heavy with flavor notes considering how strong and wonderful the aroma was through not one but two sealed bags!
Anxi Fo Shou comes in small 5 gram bags – two servings per bag – in order to preserve its freshness. What a wonderful way to package teas! I wish more teas were packaged in this manner.
If you notice the flavor notes listed by Verdant Tea “NOTES: chocolate, scotch, caramel, walnut, coconut, jasmine” I want to note that every single note is easily detectable. Often times I see people mention and have myself experienced the searching for flavor notes mentioned by tea companies, and it can sometimes be disappointing not to be able to pick up on them. Sometimes we question our own ability to detect specific flavor notes, or we doubt the vendor wondering if they are not just trying to make a pretty good tea seem extraordinary. With Anxi Fo Shou, I am able to pick up on each and every element listed. I like that because it is exactly as it is described which adds to my faith in a vendor as well as my faith in my own palate!
The distinct note in the beginning is the chocolate note but caramel peeks through nicely. As the tea cools down some there is a note of a single malt scotch and a light lilting note of coconut! The walnut note lays nicely all over the tongue giving a slight drying sensation like walnut typically does, yet this tea is anything but drying! It is refreshing and juicy!
For me, the jasmine note is the lightest, yet its there in the aroma and comes alive even more the cooler the tea becomes.
There are other notes that I pick up on not mentioned in the notes provided by Verdant such as rock mineral, butter, malt, sweet potato, cream, and earth to name a few! The second steep especially had a more earthy, rock mineral aroma and flavor to it, yet so delightfully sweet!
Yes friends, this is a true winner and if I had any tea funds I would jump right on the Verdant Website and order more RIGHT NOW. I am so excited to have had a chance to get some of this tea and will be cherishing what remains of my stash. Hopefully soon I can order more if there is any left to order!
Get some while it is in stock – you won’t regret it!
An excellent tea FO SHOU!
English Toffee Matcha from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Matcha)
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
English Toffee Matcha is perfectly sweetened for being the best addition to many favorite sweets and other baked products like cakes and biscuits. Its sweet toffee essence makes it the perfect flavor for many treats for both special occasions and ordinary days. This sweet flavor is also ideal for adding to the sweet taste of many bland tasting treats and making them more edible and enjoyable. English Toffee Matcha makes the perfect choice for many children snacks.
Learn more about this Matcha here.
Taster’s Review:
I have a serious sweet tooth. But I also know that I shouldn’t eat too many sweets, because it isn’t good for me, my teeth, or my waistline. But those sweet treats are so hard to resist! If you’ve a sweet tooth like me, here’s what I recommend to help keep those craving at bay: stock up on flavored Matcha like this English Toffee Matcha. It really curbs the craving for something sweet and chocolate-y because it TASTES like a liquified English Toffee bar, but, it doesn’t have all the fat and calories of the candy bar.
Seriously! All that’s missing is the crunch of the toffee bar!
I prepared this Matcha the way I would normally, using water, but instead of adding all the water I would for my serving, I held off on about 1 – 2 teaspoons of water and instead added about that much of half & half (that’s all I have in the fridge right now!) and the result is a latte-ish bowl of Matcha that is sweet and delicious and very dessert-like!
I taste the buttery rich, caramel-y toffee, with nutty notes and hints of chocolate. This, together with a bit of sweet Matcha flavor – and you’ve got something truly YUM that is also good for you! How do you go wrong with that?
The only thing that I can find to complain about with this Matcha is that it disappeared too quickly from my bowl.
Weeping Angel Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
So, I’m sure you are wondering, what exactly is a Weeping Angel tea? Well, what else could it be, but a tea flavored like my favorite Dr. Who snack? It’s a buttered toffee caramel corn flavored black tea, and it’s heavenly–amazing enough to make a weeping angel smile.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I am not a Dr. Who fan … and I am sure that this is only because I’ve not taken the time to become one. But I am a fan of 52Teas, as many of you are probably well aware, and I’ve really enjoyed his popcorn flavored teas of the past. This Weeping Angel Tea from 52Teas, which promises a buttered toffee caramel corn flavor … well, I was pretty sure that this tea was going to earn a solid YUM from me.
And … oh man! I was right. This is seriously YUMMY!
This is one of those teas that I take a little sip of and as the flavors wash over my palate, my eyes roll back in delight. My first few sips, I enjoyed plain – with no additions – and it was absolutely sumptuous. Sweet and toffee-caramel-y delicious. But, I found myself missing something … where was the popcorn taste? Then I added about half a pinch of salt and the popcorn flavors emerged. Yeah, I know the idea of adding salt to tea may sound weird to some of you, but, with this tea, you’ve got to try it! As I said, I added about half a pinch, and this is enough salt to give it a hint salty-sweet taste and accentuate the popcorn notes without overwhelming the cup with salt. I have a large mug, I’d recommend even less than half a pinch if your teacup is smaller than 12 ounces.
The black tea is prominent – as it should be! – and it offers a pleasingly smooth flavor with hints of earthiness. I like the way the richness of the black tea complements the buttery rich toffee and caramel notes. The popcorn comes through nicely now that I’ve added the aforementioned salt, and it adds an interesting contrast to the sweetness of the toffee and caramel. It is a very enjoyable savory element.
But the real stars of this cup are the sweet toffee and caramel … I taste creamy butter and burnt sugar. It is sweet and very palate pleasing!
Yep … it’s a solid YUM from me on this one.