Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Every once in a while we get a suggestion from a customer that’s just so full of awesome that I have to kind of put aside some of my other plans and work up a suggested blend. This is one of those weeks. Our friend Sweet Canadian on Steepster recently started a thread about how cool it would be to have a Candy Corn flavored tea. Well, Sweet Canadian, I agree, and I think it’s important that we make it available NOW so our friends up north can get this tea in time for Halloween. So, this week’s tea combines our amazing premium black teas with real candy corns and organic flavors. I had to work at it a bit, but found just the right mix of marshmallow, caramel and honey flavors, and it tastes JUST LIKE candy corn. I made a bit extra of this blend because I know there is already some interest for it on Steepster and I thought some of you might want to give some out to select trick-or-treaters or steep it up for your Halloween parties, but don’t drag your feet. This one is going to go fast. Get yours today.
Learn more about this blend here.
Taster’s Review:
When I read the thread in Steepster about a Candy Corn flavored tea, I knew that it was a job for Frank. I mean, this guy can make soda pop flavored teas that even have that effervescent, bubbly sort of taste and feel to them and he can make tea taste like pancakes and maple syrup. So, I knew that if anyone out there could make a tea taste like Candy Corn, Frank from 52Teas could do it.
And a week or two after the thread began, this Candy Corn Flavored Black Tea was introduced by … you guessed it, 52Teas (Well, it probably wasn’t that difficult for you to guess it, right? Since the name and the producer of the tea are in the title of this post.) I was excited to try this tea. I love Candy Corn! It’s not something that I buy anymore, because if I bought it, then I would need to eat it. And I don’t really need to be eating candy corn. But, I’m very happy to be drinking it!
When I opened the pouch, I smelled the tea. Mmm! It smells sweet; it sort of reminds me the smell that I remember fondly from my childhood, that smell of the candy that was in my trick or treat bag after haunting the neighboring houses on Halloween. It isn’t a specific candy corn smell, it smells like candy. Then again, what does candy corn smell like? It smells … like sugary candy, right? Then I noticed some candy corns in the pouch! I was tempted to eat one but I decided to leave it for the tea.
YUM! This is really tasty. The first sip or two were a little “muddied” because I sipped it while it was still quite hot, and I’ve found that flavored teas need just a few moments of cooling time to get the flavors to sort of settle in. Once the tea had cooled to a sip-able temperature, the flavors really popped.
Yes, this tastes like candy corn, people! The only thing that’s missing is that sort of waxy, chewy texture that one experiences when you bite into a candy corn. This tastes like someone melted a bunch of candy corn and put it into my tea.
And the black tea is there too. I would say that the flavor of the black tea and the candy flavor is about evenly balanced. With every sip, I taste candy corn and I taste black tea … and I’m loving every sip!
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.
Jade Oolong from The Mountain Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: The Mountain Tea Company
Tea Description:
Our Jade Oolong is a light-medium bodied tea that yields a buttery, pale-green liquor. We taste strong notes of cream and sweet corn.
Very well known among tea drinkers this semi-oxidized tea from the mountainous region of Nantou, Taiwan has a delightful flowery aroma, brisk flavor, smooth body, and fruity finish, all of which combine to make this a pantry stocker.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Ohhhh Yes!! This is one of those teas that makes me realize how far I have come as a tea drinker. I remember not too long ago I began my loose leaf journey somewhat haphazardly. I was rather lucky to start off with some really good loose leaf teas but stumbled across a few that were subpar. Along my journey I have went up a few hills and down a few hills, but at the summit of this Mountain Tea is where all good things are found! A tea like this makes me appreciate how far I have come as a tea drinker and what a truly excellent tea experience feels like. Yes, feels like, not just tastes like. A truly excellent tea will make you feel something, be it excited, or refreshed, or soothed, some emotion accompanies the tea drinking experience, and sipping this tea is an experience.
Jade, from The Mountain Tea Company, is a delight! Fresh and refreshing, yet buttery and soothing. Vegetal green notes with the essence of steamed corn on the palate are some of the flavors that just spring forward. The after taste is lingering and delicious. There is somewhat of a high or tea drunk feeling that sneaks in rather quickly with this one. Things just slow down around you. I find myself not quite so annoyed by my doggies incessant barking at the neighbor’s dog, not quite so bothered by the television blasting noise from the other room, not quite so anxious. Through all that noise I rather am picking up on the birds chirping happily outside, the sun is streaming into the house more brightly, and I just feel peaceful.
Isn’t it amazing how this little leaf, from a simple plant, can make something so delicious? I am often bewildered, astounded, that these leaves can be so different, give off such rich flavors, so many varieties to delight us. It makes me want to start steeping everything green I find! I realize that may sound strange, or make no sense, but tea just amazes me. This tea amazes me.
As the tea cools the flavors become a little stronger and there is an almost numbing sensation in the mouth from a herbaceous note. The mouthfeel is lightly creamy. There are subtle notes of peach, somewhat on the bitter side, but enjoyable. A bit like a peach that is not quite ripe enough to be eaten yet but temping nonetheless. There is a subtle sweetness as well somewhat like honey but not cloying. A nutty note plays around but disappears quickly, lingering fresh asparagus, dandelion, and fresh flower notes prevail.
This is a light roast oolong that is tightly rolled and when steeped unfurls into lovely tips with two leaves. Quite beautiful.
Tea like this is why I drink tea!
