I want to start by saying that CuppaGeek sent me this sample a long time ago and I stupidly let it get lost in my stash. Though my teas are kept away from Sunlight in a cool and dry place, this was only stored in a single ziploc bag and might have had some flavor deterioration due to improper storage. As a result, my review should be considered with that in mind…
When I looked up the NecessiTeas’ Strawberry Shortcake on their website, it was suggested to try it hot or poured over ice. I decided to try it both ways since the sample I was sent was quite generous. I brewed both the hot and iced tea for 3 minutes in 185F degree water, my standard temperature for brewing white teas.
The hot tea is very subtly flavored but pleasantly so. Again the subtlety of the flavoring could be due to flavor deterioration from age and improper storage but then again a Strawberry Shortcake is a lighter and more gently flavored cake so that could also be intentional. Subtle as it is, there is still all the components of its namesake in the flavor. The white tea makes this buttery, like an angel food cake, while there is a smooth creaminess to the tea as a whole. The strawberry sneaks up on you but really fills out the aftertaste. It is good and now I am kicking myself for not trying it sooner because I want more strawberry and more cream but perhaps there was more when the tea first arrived. I guess I will never know.
The iced tea I don’t like as much. That creaminess that is portrayed in the hot cup is entirely lost here. Instead it is a whole lot of white tea flavors with a touch of strawberry tucked in. No cream. No cake. More sweet hay notes and that little bit of fruit. It is also just the slightest bit soapy from the base.
All in all, this tea is middle of the pack for me. Granted I might have felt differently if I’d try this sooner but I also might not have. There are other teas that have been stored in a similar fashion for an equal amount of time that still pack a flavor punch. This is just too subtle and since I don’t love white teas, I find myself seeking more flavor. It is pleasant enough but one I feel I might forget as I continue on my tea journey.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for white tea blends that are!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Orange Glazed Cranberry Scone from The NecessiTeas
I decided to splurge and treat myself to all the delectable offerings from The NecessiTeas. I was so excited for this package to arrive that I monitored the tracking like a hawk (sort of the adult equivalent of a child sitting by the door waiting for their present or friend to arrive…I did that too). I certainly was confused when I watched USPS take this from facility to facility in Utah then take it all the way to San Francisco, up through Vancouver and then finally to me in Toronto. My family drives to Florida yearly and we pass through Utah so I am not quite sure why this package did some travelling to the West Coast before appearing at my door, but I suppose that is life. Also, I was pretty shocked that not only was this delivered on a Sunday but it was delivered in the midst of a snowstorm and just left on my front step. I found it 12 hours later under a pile of snow when I checked the tracking at midnight and saw it was delivered.
Since it was a little too late to start making tea by the time I brought this in, wiped it clean, and inventoried my teas, I went to bed excited for my first cup in the morning. When morning came and with so many options in front of me, I was overwhelmed with choices and in the end opted for this tea since it seemed like a good option for breakfast time.
In university, my roommate and I actually used to make orange glazed cranberry scones and I am happy to report that this tea is reminiscent of those delicious treats. The first thing I noticed was the orange. Bright and zesty with an unmistakable icing smoothness. Underneath that is a slight tartness from the cranberry while the base provides a fullness and the buttery pastry notes needed to sell the notion of a scone. Every component of this tea’s namesake is represented in some way and they work together perfectly to sell the notion of an orange glazed cranberry scone.
This is definitely a great introduction to The NecessiTeas, now here’s hoping that the other blends are of the same caliber as this one.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Flavored White Tea
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
Whole dried cranberries bursting with tart flavor and pieces of flavorful sweet orange peel dot these white tea leaves with colorful and tasty accents. Brown sugar is combined with the creamy flavor of scones topped with clotted cream. Pouring a hot, steamy cup is like taking a bite into fresh-baked from the oven scones.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Yuzu Ginger Macaron Cookie White Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
The inspiration for this tea is actually one of our start-up Kickstarter backers that purchased a “create a tea of the week” option when she contributed to that campaign (thank you!) – she wanted a Yuzu Ginger Macaron Cookie Tea and she wasn’t sure if she wanted that with our White Peony base or our green tea blend. She told me that she’d leave that decision to me so I tested out both bases with these flavors and I ultimately decided that the White Peony tea made a better base for these flavors. The Yuzu fruit notes were not as well defined with the green tea – but with the white tea you get a juicy, citrus-y burst of flavor that’s tart and tangy, a wee bit sweet and a wee bit bitter – just like the Yuzu itself.
The ginger adds a warm dimension of flavor and I’m even getting a slight almond-y meringue note that evoke thoughts of a delicate macaron cookie. I gotta admit that when I was given this cookie tea challenge, I was more than just a little worried because Yuzu is not a flavor that I’m very familiar with and I worried that I wouldn’t do right by the Yuzu fruit. And whether or not I actually have done that – I’ll leave it for you to decide after you’ve tasted it. As for me, I’m quite pleased with how this turned out.
Learn more about this tea here.
Learn about subscribing to 52Teas Tea of the Week program here.
Taster’s Review:
I will be honest. I am not a fan of ginger teas. Never have been. I find that the overwhelming flavor of the ginger just hinders the rest of the tea. But that was until I discovered this tea.
At the beginning, this tea had me at the word “Cookie”. I am not a huge cookie fan either but I love trying any tea that has a dessert or baked good flavor and feel to them. This tea came in my last order with 52Teas and was (I believe) a last minute add in.
While I was combing thru my tea stash tonight, I noticed it and thought, I feel adventure some this eve, let’s go with it! I brewed the tea up per the instructions on the package. All the while the tea was steeping, I was enjoying this lovely ginger baked good aroma. This is one of those smells you want to bottle up and put in candle form.
After a few minutes of steeping, I poured myself a really large cuppa and sat down to let the tea cool for a few minutes. (The package indicated to do this). I couldn’t wait the full time it said to wait because the aromas were just mouth watering and I needed a sip.
First impression of this tea? This tea is a muted gingersnap cookie where the flavors are subtle and not overwhelming and smack you in the face. More or less a subtle ginger note surrounding by this cookie almost buttery like flavor. I didn’t pick up any of the Yuzu and to be honest, I had to research the fruit anyway. I guess the fruit is sour so I was glad it was a hidden flavor. I was quite surprised by how I couldn’t pick out the white tea base. Usually with 52Teas, I can always pick up the tea base, but this one I really couldn’t. All I was getting was this lovely light gingersnap cookie tea. I mean this tea made me want to eat a cookie and I can’t tell you the last time I ate a cookie.
Anne from 52Teas has always told me that the second infusion of a white tea is the best so I eagerly prepped my tea kettle up for the second infusion. I let the tea steep for just a minute or two longer before I sat down to enjoy. I instantly starting drinking the tea this time around instead of waiting. Which turned out to be an great decision!
The brew this second go around had a much richer and deeper flavor to it. The ginger was still not overwhelming but the spice wanted your attention. That buttery cookie like undertone was more prominent really giving your taste buds that cookie baked good like flavor. I still didn’t pick up any of the Yuzu or white tea but at this point I really didn’t mind. This tea was amazingly rich and full of flavor. This is one of those teas that wakes up your tastes buds.
I’m eagerly awaiting my third infusion now to see what happens with this round. Can’t believe how much I’m enjoying this tea!
