Grapefruit Granita from DAVIDs Tea. . .

by VariaTEA

Grapefruit Granita, a 2017 Summer Collection Green Tea made with ginger, sweet blackberry leaves, apple, apple pomace, beetroot, grapefruit peel, marigold flowers, artificial grapefruit and cream flavouring.

Since this is a Granita tea, I figured at the very least I should try it iced.

First thing I noticed was ginger. Lots of ginger flavor stands as a wall at the front of the sip. And when you get over the wall, you find a flood of sweet apple. Very sweet apple thanks to the blackberry leaves. It is a weird dichotomy of flavors.

The clash of flavors does channel grapefruit, though one that is artificial and a touch bitter (which grapefruits are bitter so I don’t find that as offensive here as I would in other blends). I am blaming the cream flavoring for the artificial quality. It seems out of place here, in my opinion.

It is not my favorite but this received a lot of VERY negative reviews that I don’t think was that warranted, at least based on this cup. Will I be buying this again? No, but I also am not dumping the mug down the sink like so many others seemed to have done. I will probably finish my sample and move on.

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy:  DAVIDs Tea
Description

With hibiscus, rosehips and juicy grapefruit, this fruity tea is as fresh as it gets.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

VariaTEA

Hey there! My name is Rachel. I’m a twenty-something from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who loves dogs and has a bit of an obsession with tea. As a child I hated the stuff since all I ever knew was Red Rose (no offense to Red Rose). However, a few years ago that all changed. I was on a diet and desperate for new flavors without adding calories and that’s when I turned to tea. I started off by going to DAVIDsTEA and Teavana for all their dessert-inspired flavors, and since I didn’t know any better, I bought 100 grams each of about twenty-something different teas. This was okay for the teas I liked but for those I didn’t I needed to find some way of getting rid of them. Enter Steepster.com. This is where I met some incredible tea friends, discovered tea swaps, and learned of so many amazing tea companies. My desire to try all the teas grew and since joining three years ago I have tried over a thousand different teas. I have learned what ingredients I love and I have learned what flavors I don’t like. I determined my go-to brewing method is Western-style with no added milk or sweeteners, though I also enjoy cold brewing, iced teas, teapops, lattes, and smoothies. I have yet to brew gong-fu style but I hope to do so just as soon as I get the proper teaware to do it. About a year ago, I actually stopped drinking tea but as my stash of over 200 teas started aging I decided I needed to respark my interest. I chose to take a 365 days of tea challenge on Instagram in which I post a new tea picture every day. So far it has been rather successful as I find myself drinking (and buying) more and more tea each day. Plus it enabled CuppaGeek to find me and invite me here to SororiTea Sisters.

This post was posted in DAVIDsTEA, Green Tea

Blackberry Blizzard from DAVIDs Tea. . . . .

by VariaTEA

Blackberry Blizzard, one of the teas from DAVIDsTEA’s 2017 Summer Collection. This collection is comprised of a variety of fruity tisanes and rooibos blends that do NOT include stevia. Yep, you read that right. From what I recall, this collection contains no stevia at all (I may be wrong so don’t take this as fact) which is rare for DAVIDsTEA as of late.

So, no stevia means no sickly sweet flavor, right? Wrong. Blackberry leaves add a slimy sweetness to this iced tea that is not really for me. Other people might enjoy this though because between the sweetness of the leaves and the flavors of the other ingredients, this is like sipping on a berry flavored grape juice. Not sure how apple, papaya, and pineapple lead to grape but there you have it. Amidst the sweetness, there is also a touch of vanilla cream flavoring that has potential but is quickly overcome as the blackberry leaves coats your tongue.

As far as fruit tisanes go, this is different from the usual apple and/or hibiscus monotony of fruit offerings. I can see this being enjoyed by many who aren’t as sensitive to the sweet flavorings like the blackberry leaves in this blend. It is alright but I think after this sample, I am okay with saying goodbye to the blizzard.

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Tisane
Where to Buy:  DAVIDs Tea
Description

This sweet and tangy blend is bursting with fresh blackberries and creamy yogurt.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

VariaTEA

Hey there! My name is Rachel. I’m a twenty-something from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who loves dogs and has a bit of an obsession with tea. As a child I hated the stuff since all I ever knew was Red Rose (no offense to Red Rose). However, a few years ago that all changed. I was on a diet and desperate for new flavors without adding calories and that’s when I turned to tea. I started off by going to DAVIDsTEA and Teavana for all their dessert-inspired flavors, and since I didn’t know any better, I bought 100 grams each of about twenty-something different teas. This was okay for the teas I liked but for those I didn’t I needed to find some way of getting rid of them. Enter Steepster.com. This is where I met some incredible tea friends, discovered tea swaps, and learned of so many amazing tea companies. My desire to try all the teas grew and since joining three years ago I have tried over a thousand different teas. I have learned what ingredients I love and I have learned what flavors I don’t like. I determined my go-to brewing method is Western-style with no added milk or sweeteners, though I also enjoy cold brewing, iced teas, teapops, lattes, and smoothies. I have yet to brew gong-fu style but I hope to do so just as soon as I get the proper teaware to do it. About a year ago, I actually stopped drinking tea but as my stash of over 200 teas started aging I decided I needed to respark my interest. I chose to take a 365 days of tea challenge on Instagram in which I post a new tea picture every day. So far it has been rather successful as I find myself drinking (and buying) more and more tea each day. Plus it enabled CuppaGeek to find me and invite me here to SororiTea Sisters.

This post was posted in DAVIDsTEA, Fruit/Herbal Tisane

English Toffee from DAVIDs Tea. . . . . . .

by Sophia

I love toffee. When I was younger I used to not even want them to be coated in chocolate, I just wanted that salty, sweet, and nutty toffee. As an adult, I appreciate the creamy chocolate coating much more, and when I think of an English Toffee tea, cocoa definitely comes to mind. So does caramel, nuts, and that buttery toffee taste. I have been eating toffee my entire life, I am a self proclaimed expert! So when I try any kind of toffee tea it is going to take a lot to knock my socks off.

I actually delayed trying this one for a while….it came in my Advent calendar over Christmastime from DAVID’s. (It’s May) I don’t really know why I delayed trying it, I guess I was just so busy trying other teas that I didn’t have the strongest interest. But today is a rainy and stormy day, and i’m in the mood for something comforting and chocolatey. My first thought when I took my first sip of this blend was that it would be an amazing latte. Some frothed milk and a caramel drizzle? Holy yum. My next thought was that I wish I had tried this over the winter because this tea would have been my favorite! I don’t usually drink pu’erh like at all…but I don’t mind it one bit! It is very smooth and holds up well to the rich and creamy flavors of cocoa, caramel, and browned butter. This tea is sweet and satisfying. A great dessert blend that would even go well in the morning as a latte with a shot of espresso. A delicious caffeine boost!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Puerh
Where to Buy:  DAVIDs Tea
Description

This decadent, all-natural blend of pu’erh, cocoa and caramel is the perfect sweet treat.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Sophia

Hi, my name is Sophia. I am a first time mother to a beautiful little girl who will be 1 in July 2017. I spend my days at home with her and when I get a minute to myself, I usually spend that time making, drinking, or researching tea! My love for loose leaf tea is relatively new. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my mother (a tea addict herself) brought me to DAVIDsTEA. I enjoyed a cup of their Coconut Cream Pie Oolong and was instantly hooked! Since then, my addiction has grown to fill entire cabinets, and shows no sign of stopping. I am the creator of the Facebook group CommuniTEA where we have one big tea discussion. It is a great group for those new to the tea-world. I feel strongly about spreading the joy of loose leaf tea. I like making instructional videos and helping those that are new to the art of tea-making so that they, too, can share in the happiness that tea brings. I am excited to see where this hobby takes me and I will continue to spread the joy!

This post was posted in DAVIDsTEA, Pu-erh

Lemon Poundcake Oolong from David’s Tea. . . . .

by Sophia
I don’t like lemon tea, honestly. I know that was not what you were expecting for the first line of a review on Lemon Poundcake Oolong tea, but it’s the truth. That said, the reason I decided to pick up some of this tea was: #1 I had some Frequent Steeper points I wanted to use and #2 The description of a “buttery Oolong” was tempting, and even though I may not generally like lemon tea I do like Lemon Poundcake. (or any poundcake, for that matter)

 

The first thing I noticed upon opening the bag was that there was a strong lemon scent, as if I just sliced open an actual lemon. Bleh. But I trucked on and continued to prepare my cup. The lemon scent became much more tolerable once it was steeped and I think that the oolong and other ingredients toned it down. Upon taking my first sip I realized that this isn’t even as strong as it smelled in regards to lemon, not in the least. It actually is quite tolerable and, dare I say, reminiscent of a true slice of lemon poundcake with vanilla icing! The Oolong definitely toned down the lemon with its buttery mouth feel and the poundcake flavor shines through at the end. The lemon is not strong or too tart, but it’s just right! Even if you are not a big fan of lemon, this tea could still be for you!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Oolong
Where to Buy:  David’s Tea
Description

This buttery, citrus oolong tastes just like a sweet slice of lemon pound cake. Yum!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Sophia

Hi, my name is Sophia. I am a first time mother to a beautiful little girl who will be 1 in July 2017. I spend my days at home with her and when I get a minute to myself, I usually spend that time making, drinking, or researching tea! My love for loose leaf tea is relatively new. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my mother (a tea addict herself) brought me to DAVIDsTEA. I enjoyed a cup of their Coconut Cream Pie Oolong and was instantly hooked! Since then, my addiction has grown to fill entire cabinets, and shows no sign of stopping. I am the creator of the Facebook group CommuniTEA where we have one big tea discussion. It is a great group for those new to the tea-world. I feel strongly about spreading the joy of loose leaf tea. I like making instructional videos and helping those that are new to the art of tea-making so that they, too, can share in the happiness that tea brings. I am excited to see where this hobby takes me and I will continue to spread the joy!

This post was posted in DAVIDsTEA, Oolong

Rosé All Day from DAVIDs Tea. . . .

by Mary

“Whoa. This tea smells like…”

“Wine?” My fiancé laughed, finishing my sentence for me.

Yes, dear reader– this wine-inspired tea (Rosé All Day– David’s Tea, your marketing team sure is on point with the trends) smells like– you guessed it– wine. Like, for real. There is an astringent, slightly alcoholic grape-i-ness behind all the fruit in this infusion. It’s lightly pink and perfectly fruity, but with a hint of something MORE that just screams “ice cold alcoholic grapes!” to me. Brewed (which I’ve only done cold so far, because, hello– wine without the alcohol that I can drink during the workday, gimme), it’s that same scent brought totally to life– perfectly reminiscent of an icy glass of pink goodness. I think this one would be as excellent on its own as it would mixed with some chilled prosecco– or would be an excellent mocktail for someone avoiding alcohol but still wanting in on the fun! Perfect to have in your summer-sipping arsenal– and totally Instagram-worthy (just make sure you hashtag that #roséallday for maximum trendiness).

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Herbal
Where to Buy:  DAVIDs Tea
Description

This delicate and mildly fruity pink tea tastes just like a chilled glass of rosé wine.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Mary

Hi there! I'm Mary, a 27-year-old mental health professional living with my fiancé and our quirky kitten in the Midwest! I've loved tea for as long as I can remember-- in fact, I have vivid memory of being four or five in a tea shop and being mesmerized by all the tea flavors and proclaiming that I "was going to be kind of adult who drank tea, not coffee." A stint living (and tea-drinking my way through) London and twenty-some years later, I'm still channeling that sassy four-year-old and loving my tea habit. When I'm not sipping a cuppa, you'll find me reading, doing yoga, traveling, exploring my own city, planning our wedding and experimenting with different healthful and healing foods in my kitchen.

This post was posted in DAVIDsTEA, Fruit/Herbal Tisane