Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Green Tea, Popped Rice, Shredded Coconut, and Natural flavors
This tea is no longer available but learn more about available blends here.
Taster’s Review:
So today I was finally able to set myself done and try this tea. With having coconut and genmaicha going on with the blend, I thought for sure I would devour this tea. So much so that I ordered an additional taster size for it.
I asked a co-worker is she wanted to try the tea with me and she eagerly grabbed her mug and we set to steeping.
The dry leaf mixture had a lovely and bright coconut fresh smell. I wouldn’t say sun tan lotion like but there is a resemblance. The coconut smelled amazing and I wanted to bottle up the smell into a candle.
We steeped the tea per the package instructions and waited impatiently for the timer to let us know the tea was ready. We allowed the tea to cool for a minute and took our first sip.
She loved the tea. She said it was just smooth roasted coconut love. She was all smiles while drinking it and she barely sat the cup down.
When I took my first sip, I didn’t get a whole lot of flavor so I allowed the tea to cool even more. After a few more minutes, I took another sip. As much as I wanted to love this tea, it just isn’t one that I am loving hot. I’m getting a nice toasted flavor but I don’t know if I like it mixed with the coconut and then on top of all of that, with a hot temperature. I’m wondering if this is a tea that needs to be either cold brewed or iced to really get that tropical feel out of it.
Don’t get me wrong the tea is fine and I have no issue with finishing my cup. I just can’t say that I want more of it. This might just be a tea that I need to experiment with.
Off to make some iced tea!
My First Experience with a 52Teas Monthly Box. . .
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Variety
Where to Buy: 52Teas
52Teas was named 52Teas because we create a new tea every week: a new tea, every week, 52 weeks a year.
By subscribing to our Tea of the Week program, you’ll receive a package once a month (at the beginning of the month) that includes all of the teas in our taster size (1/2 ounce pouch) for the following month.
Learn more about subscribing here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve reviewed a ton of 52Teas for SororiTea Sisters and CuppaGeek. I love them and highly recommend their teas. When you purchase from 52Teas, you know you are getting a quality blend that was made with love and care from someone who has a passion for tea and tea blending.
I will admit tho, I have never subscribed to the monthly service. Shame on me! Reason? Well, I am very much against red rooibos. It is one of those ingredients that (for me) once that ingredient is in the blend, it ruins the tea. No matter what else is in it. There has only been one blend that I have enjoyed red rooibos in. I also am not the biggest fan of ginger or chai teas so basically what I’m saying is that I’m picking up what I get. I do subscribe to Handmade Tea and Plum Deluxe so I do take a gamble here and there. After this month’s box that I received.. . . I will more than likely start subscribing.
Having never rec’d a box from 52Teas before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I loved opening the box and seeing a special note or the tea menu, outlining all the tea that was in the box and a little description of each flavor. This is a great way to learn more about what teas are in your box at a glance.
This box featured five different teas- Blackberry Zomba Green Tea, Raspberry Almond Cookie Honeybush, Rose Mango Daiquiri, Bananas Foster Black Tea, and Coconut Flan Genmaicha. My tea kettle is just itching to start prepping the water for these mouth watering teas!
My eyes went instantly to the Blackberry Zomba Green Tea. That sounded like heaven to me. Green tea, blackberries, and other organic flavors. . .sign me up. I quickly set the kettle to green tea setting and began the prep to check this tea out. This tea was amazing! Simply fabulous. Sweet yet vegetal like green tea with a gorgeous blackberry finish. Like the description says, simple straight forward tea. And wow, is it ever good. So good that I instantly emailed Anne and said I needed a larger size.
The next tea I tried was the Raspberry Almond Cookie Honeybush. Do yourself a favor. Check this tea out right now! I’m surprised there is even some of this left. This tea is just dynamite! I had talked to Anne about this tea and she told me it was good. I think she underrated it a bit by saying good. This tea has lovely fruity berry notes of raspberry with a solid nutty finish that gives you that baked cookie feel. Holy tea kettles! This tea is a winner and one that I may need a larger size of as well.
I have yet to try the remaining teas due to a crazy work schedule but I will be fixing that soon. From the experience I’ve had with these teas so far, this is a winning box. The teas are fresh and each pops with its own unique character and flavor. I’m crazy impressed with the presentation and the little menu you get in the monthly box as well. A simple touch that gives the recipient a warm fuzzy and shows that the ladies behind 52Teas care!
After this experience, I’ll be signing up for sure to start receiving this box myself. A great way to keep getting these unique and fun teas without worrying about ordering them on time and missing out. I’ve missed out on blends before. By signing up for this box, you don’t have to worry about that!
It’s Not Easy Being Green from Cat Spring Yaupon Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Yaupon Tea
Where to Buy: Cat Spring Yaupon Tea
Tea Description:
As a tribute to Kermit the Frog’s ballad about the color green, our floral and fresh green yaupon tea blend bears the name, “It’s Not Easy Being Green”.
This green yaupon tea blend from Cat Spring Tea is a fresh soft green tea with a hint of mint and overtones of wildflowers, it is similar to a green jasmine tea yet without sharpness.
Contains: yaupon tea, organic green rooibos, organic ginger, organic lemongrass, and organic compliant lime flavoring.
The gorgeous longhorn and Texas wildflower artwork is by Dolan Geiman.
Learn more about this tea here.
Amazon also sells this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Yaupon Tea is a type I can honestly say I’ve never heard of. That’s one of the reasons of tea. The variety you get is amazing. So many different types and blends to try. There is always something new to check out!
From my research, I’ve found that Yaupon Tea is made from a plant native to North America. It actually has a really cool story. I won’t weigh the review of the tea down by all the facts but if you are interested like I was about the story behind this tea, check out this article.
So let’s chat about the tea itself. This tea had a very herbal look to it. Bright greens with pops of a yellow-white inclusion which I’m assuming is the ginger. The dry leaf has a pretty strong ginger aroma to it and me being one that doesn’t care too much for ginger, I was starting to wonder if I was going to like this.
I brewed this up like I would any other green tea and allowed the tea to steep for a bit (about 4 minutes). The brew still had a very strong ginger aroma and looked more like a black tea than a green tea when brewed up. I allowed the tea to cool for a few minutes and then took my first sip.
This is a unique tasting tea for sure and one that probably could use a bit more steeping. The tea reminds me more of a black tea than a green tea. I don’t pick up any of the green grassy notes or rich buttery-ness that I typically get out of green tea but more of an earthy malty flavor. I am noticing a slight sweetness that is nice but the ginger takes over towards the end of the sip and almost overwhelms the tea. The ginger is to me the only downside of this tea. I would love to see the green rooibos and lime flavorings that are in this blend really take over so I am going to try and steep this tea one more time to see if I shake up the package if I can get more of those inclusions to pop.
I started fresh and added in three scoops instead of the 2 I used last go around. I allowed the tea to steep for about 7 minutes and cool for three. Took my first sip and I have to say, my experience was pretty much the same with this infusion as the first. I didn’t pick up any of the lime flavorings or the green rooibos but I did get this lovely malty earthy ginger sweet flavor that really is tasty. Being the huge fan of green rooibos and lime, I was hoping that I would get. Regardless, the tea is still tasty the the experience is quite unique. So much so that I’m wanting to try the a few more from the line.
I did take one more quick experiment and made an iced tea out of the brew. Out of all the different ways to make the tea, this one is my favorite. The tea takes on a different level of deliciousness. Yes, the ginger is still the most notable flavor but the sweetness and floral notes are kicked up a bit more providing a much needed contrast. In just about every other sip, I swear I’m picking up those green rooibos honey notes.
All in all, a really lovely tea and one that I want to learn more about!
Pomegranate Green Tea from Solstice Tea Traders
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Solstice Tea Traders
Tea Description:
Solstice Tea Traders Pomegranate Loose Leaf Green Tea is an amazing tea that lends itself well to hot or iced applications, and is a perfect option for summer afternoons, or cold mornings.Enjoy our pomegranate tea packed in large one pound bags, an amazing way to enjoy green tea, with a little extra flavor, without having to add a lot of sugar.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Ever stumble upon a tea that just completely makes you say “What?!?” This tea did that to me.
I review products for companies on Amazon all the time. Besides my blog and doing tea reviews for SororiTea Sisters, it is one of my favorite ways to spend my time. Whenever I see tea up for grabs needing a review, I always get giddy and hope I make the cut.
So when this tea arrived in its giant 16oz package (yes, 1 lb!) I wasn’t sure what I would be in for except that I have a pound of this tea. I opened the enormous tea pouch up and was hit with this lovely fragrance mix of green tea, pomegranate, and a sweet rose bud floral undertone. I was incredibly impressed. The tea leaves didn’t’ appear to be crushed but lovely and with a lot of substance. I couldn’t wait to try this tea.
Brewed up like a green tea and allowed to steep for about 4 minutes, this tea yields an amazing flavor. Lovely rich buttery green tea notes with a jammy pomegranate flavor and a sweetness from the rose buds that really bring this tea to another notch. There is just a slight hint of a tartness from the pomegranate but it is very very slight. Everything is just so smooth and all the flavors are right where they need to be. (I have a feeling I’ll be drinking this tea all day).
The jammy notes are what get me the most and I can say that this tea has me hooked. I’ve already got a pitcher going for a cold brew for this week and I’m planning on making some iced tea as well for the day. I’m on my third cup from the same infusion and the flavors are still giving me so much love.
This is one of those teas that proves you can’t judge a book (or tea) by its cover. This tea is amazingly priced for what you get and I can’t wait to try and check out the other teas I have coming. Highly recommend this tea for a flavored green tea that bursts with flavor. I’m absolutely serving this at my sister in law’s baby shower in a few weeks. It is really that good and one that everybody would enjoy. The flavors are bright enough to give flavor but not so overwhelming that you can’t taste the green tea base. One of those teas you just have to share!
Focus by BlendBee
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Tea Description:
Sharpen your mind & stay focused.
This invigorating black tea & yerba mate blend was specifically designed for a tea lover whose favorite tea was discontinued. We recreated it for her, and to our delight, we loved this blend and decided to whole world should have it. It definitely helps you to stay focused and has a great energy. Enjoy!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This tea is named Focus but it is doing anything but making me focus right now. . because right now I’m taking a break from work and seeing what other blends BlendBee offers.
BlendBee is one I’ve had a few blends by but I will have to say, this particular blend has me craving and wanting more of their blends! This tea is giving me those warm tea fuzzies and I can’t seem to get enough.
BlendBee was created in 2014 by Jamah Dacus, a health-crazed tea lover (from the website). From what I’m seeing, these blends are handmade and seem to be crazy unique and fun. With teas like Ginger Ninja. . .this site has my attention for sure!
Focus is a gorgeous blend of black tea, yerba mate, rose buds, and other ingredients. The coloring of this tea is beautiful, with the pops of this lovely red mixed in with the black and yerba mate tea base. With those two teas having more of an earthy tone, the rosebuds leap out at you, demanding your attention.
I brewed this tea up per the instructions (boiled fresh water and steep for 5-15 minutes). I will say, I was worried about my first sip. I started having a conversation with a co-worker and allowed this tea to over steep by about 10 minutes. All I have to say is friends. . . this tea is crazy forgiving!
My first sip of this tea was like an explosion. Bursts of bright lovely flavors swirled, giving me a lovely afternoon beverage. The black tea is a subtle and gentle smoothness that gives way for the yerba mate to give a slightly earthy note. From what I can tell, the cacao nibs provide a dark rich silky touch and the rosebuds provide a sweetness that really becomes the star. The lemon balm and orange extract are my favorite part of this tea. They give this really lush citrus note that combined with the other ingredients takes this tea up to another level. There is also a subtle note of a roasted flavored.
I’m literally on my 3 infusion of this tea and I can’t get enough. Sure I’m starting to feel jittery from the yerba mate, but I can’t help it. This tea is that good and demands the attention and love.
BlendBee has impressed me and I will be ordering more of this tea for sure!