Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Amoda Tea
Tea Description:
There’s a whole lot of tang in this tea: orange peel, lemongrass, bergamot oil. The Ceylon (Sri Lankan) base tea can also have a tangy character. This is a smooth, medium-bodied cup. Obviously, the citrus in this tea is bold, but it’s not aggressive or bergamot-heavy.
Learn more about this tea here.
Learn how to subscribe to Amoda’s Monthly Tea Tasting Box here.
Taster’s Review:
This Citrus Earl Grey Black Tea Blend from Naked Teas Galore is the second of the three teas I received in this month’s Tea Tasting Box from Amoda Tea. I really do enjoy these boxes, and this month, they did things a little different. Instead of providing three different teas/tisanes from three different tea vendors, they chose just one vendor to focus on, and selected three different teas from them.
I kind of like this change … it gives me the opportunity to try not just one tea from a tea company, but, three! Let’s just hope that the company they choose will be a new-to-me company – like this month’s vendor, Naked Teas Galore.
I am very happy with this particular selection – Citrus Earl Grey. Of course, Bergamot is already a citrus, but Naked Teas Galore really zoomed in on the citrus notes by adding Lemongrass and Orange Peel. These additional citrus flavors soften the sometimes sharp bergamot flavor and create a sort of “medley” of citrus-y flavor … sort of like a citrus punch, if you can imagine that. The bergamot is still distinct, of course, but just … more mellow. Smoother. Sweeter! The orange peel and lemongrass do not offer a strong, specific flavor of their own in the brewed cup; instead, these ingredients contribute to the aforementioned “citrus punch” like taste.
The black tea is sort of a mellow-tasting black tea that sits off in the background, content to let the citrus-y flavors play. It is a solid black tea flavor, but it is definitely off in the background. It is not an aggressive flavor, but I think a stronger black tea flavor would have interrupted the citrus-y notes that I think Naked Teas Galore was trying to hone in on with this blend. It might be interesting to see how a stronger black tea base would have tasted here, but as it it, I find this to be a really tasty tea, perfect for one of those lazy afternoons, when you just want to sit and contemplate the joy of tea!
Orange Peppercorn Breakfast from Handmade Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Handmade Tea
Tea Description:
Orange Peppercorn Breakfast starts with a base of Assam and Ceylon black tea. Next the blend contains a peppercorn blend (black, white, green, and red) to spice things up a touch. Lastly burnt orange peel is added to the blend. The caramelization adds a deep sweetness.
Learn more about the subscription plan here.
Taster’s Review:
Orange Peppercorn Breakfast from Handmade Tea has everything I love in a breakfast blend! Its deep and robust, perfectly sweetened naturally and lightly by the citrus, with a wake me up spark from the peppercorns. It tastes a little like a mimosa with a kick and trust me I need a kick in the morning!
I have to be out the door soon for some appointments and had made another tea in my travel mug to take with me, but now I wish I had made this instead, except that it only arrived about an hour ago!
Handmade tea is a monthly subscription plan with two plan options. The one I subscribe to includes a big tin of tea and three tiny tins of the three elements used to make the blend with. Its really cool if you are a foodie or interested in blending teas yourself as it allows you to smell, taste, touch, and feel each individual ingredient on its own.
I love Caleb’s Handmade Tea! I have only received two months thus far but both have been beyond expectation and somehow I feel as though he has been stalking my tasting notes to figure out exactly what I want in a tea! I realize that is not possible as he has so many people who subscribe to his membership plan, there is no way he could stalk us and appease us all, but I tell you what, somehow he has managed to please my taste buds perfectly!
I adore peppercorn in tea blends, when done right of course, and even though I will admit I am not always that fond of citrus in teas, he really did this tea blend right by caramelizing the orange peel with a creme’ brulee torch to get that sweet sensation without making the tea too sweet!
I really suggest you check out this monthly subscription plan and you can check out more of the past blends here.
Sacher Blend from Upton Tea Imports
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Upton Tea Imports
Tea Description:
Inspired by the Hotel Sacher in Vienna, this is a traditional blend of Darjeeling with a hint of Ceylon. The blend is then lightly scented with oil of Bergamot and a hint of genuine Bourbon vanilla. The result is a floral Darjeeling surrounded by soft, fruity, citrus notes. A new formula which we find especially pleasing.
Ingredients: black tea, natural & artificial flavor
Origin: USA
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Sacher Blend from Upton Tea Imports, which can also be found on their website by item number TE22S, has a surprisingly mild flavor considering all the flavoring components listed in the description.
The bergamot is extremely light, barely noticeable, but the vanilla is what shines in this cup.
This is a black tea with a very smooth heavy mouthfeel, rich and robust, and I could see where a coffee drinker would very much enjoy this tea.
I tasted absolutely no bitterness nor astringency even after a rather long steep.
This is a remarkably smooth tea.
It may lack some of the promise the description eludes to especially if you are expecting much from the Bergamot notes, but if you have a sensitive palate you will taste it.
I think it is rather nice, and I personally love it because I prefer my Earl Grey to be light on the bergamot. I like bergamot but I too often find that bergamot is all I can taste in most Earl Grey. I think this blend is unique for those of us who only want a light EG flavor, and let us remember, this is not being sold as an EG.
I do wish that it did not contain artificial flavors, as I see no need for them. I would think that bourbon vanilla and bergamot should easily be able to obtain without artificial flavoring, I know it can be, so this is my only complaint about this blend.
Outside of that, unless you are expecting an EG flavor from this tea with a splash of vanilla, you should like it, just keep in mind this is far more a bourbon vanilla flavored tea with a splash of bergamot!
The flavors pop more as the tea cools. Would be excellent iced.
Citrus Punch Matcha from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Matcha, Flavored Matcha
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
This tangy flavored Citrus Punch Matcha is a delight on the palate that seeks for new horizons with Mother Nature’s bounty. Its fruity appeal makes it unique in its ability to delight and freshen the taste buds. Its flexibility makes it easy to add to virtually any drink or snack around the kitchen. It can also be used to enhance the refreshment offering in many special occasions with its delectable fruitiness. This makes it favorite for anybody looking for variety and spice.
Citrus Punch Matcha is ideal for lifting the flavors of many ordinary-tasting snacks to become well-rounded and exciting to the palate. Its delicious taste makes it a favorite among people who want to venture into new fruity directions that entice and delight the palate. This unique flavor is also excellent for many hot or cold drinks that require an added tangy fruitiness, especially for special occasions where people can truly sample the delights of Mother Nature’s special fruits.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Citrus Punch Matcha from Red Leaf Tea is really rather quite yummy! The reason I say that is because honestly I was a little apprehensive about trying this matcha.
I really thought it would be too tart, or too bitter, but its not! Its fresh, natural tasting, mix of orange, lemon, and lime. It reminds me a lot of a juice I used to drink when I was younger called Five Alive.
I made a latte with almond milk, and a splash of vanilla creamer and this matcha really tasted like a smoothie, or a Julius.
I am eager to try this matcha blended with some sparkling water or ginger ale as well!
Sometimes, with some matcha flavors I worry about a chemical after taste, and I am amazed that so much flavor can be packed into this dusty fine matcha powder! I don’t know how Red Leaf Tea does it, but I am so happy that they do!
Red Leaf Tea also has a fruit punch flavor I am dying to try, I have that on my shopping list! Then they recently released Apple Pie, Berry Pie, and French Butter Cookie, all which instantly made it on my shopping list as well.
Keep coming out with the amazing flavors Red Leaf Tea, and like a minion I will keep on buying!
As for this flavor, love it!
Beverly Hills Breakfast from Compass Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Yellow
Where to Buy: Compass Teas
Tea Description:
An antioxidant-rich Mimosa! Champagne & Orange flavors over a rare Yellow tea. Smooth, elegant & refreshing.
Ingredients:
Yellow Tea – High in antioxidants. Smooth, mellow flavor.
Organic FlavoringLearn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Beverly Hills Breakfast from Compass Teas is a must try. First of all its a yellow tea, which I adore yellow teas, secondly it is a bright, cheerful cup that is an excellent breakfast treat.
This tea can be purchased by the ounce or in a try me size which is really special because yellow teas are not only a little more rare to come by but usually you won’t find a means to sample them easily.
You can learn more about yellow tea here.
I was really happy to find this tea in my most recent package of tea samples from my SororiTea Sister Jennifer. I love yellow teas and am always eager to try a new one. I do recall having seen this tea offered by Compass before but I sort of spaced it out and never got around to ordering any. Also I will admit, orange flavored teas are not generally my “go to” flavor in teas, yet I am so happy to have had the chance to sample this one. It’s quite delightful!
Its sunny, crisp, citrusy, yet there is this champagne bubble like sensation that reminds me of a mimosa!
I suppose I should not be surprised, after all this is how the tea is described, but I’m really happy with how the blend comes over on the palate. Its light, refined, yet flavorful.
Compass Teas did a really good job on this blend!