Product Information:
Leaf Type: Green
About Millie’s Savory Teas:
Our first-of-its-kind sipping broth is a blend of savory herbs and spices infused with loose leaf green tea. Excellent as an alternative to coffee or plain tea. Each tin comes with 15 tea bags that make 8 oz cups each. Just boil water, pour into a cup then add a tea bag and let steep for 2 minutes, stir and enjoy. Let the bag steep longer for a more intense flavor.
To Learn more about this Millie’s Savory Teas, click here.
To Subscribe to Love with Food, click here.
Taster’s Review:
I received this product – a tea bag of this Tomato Basil Green Tea Infused Sipping Broth from Millie’s Savory Teas – in my February Love with Food Box. I subscribe to these boxes and review many of the samples of food that I receive from them on my foodie blog, which you can read here.
I was very curious about this “tea” because, as many of you know, I’m a HUGE fan of 52Teas and after months of bugging Frank of 52Teas, he finally relented and created a blend for me: LiberTEAS Tomato, Basil, and Black Pepper Tea. And I loved the stuff! And to be honest, when I had originally suggested the tomato, basil, and black pepper blend, I had a green tea base in mind rather than a black tea base. Frank thought that a black tea base with a hint of Lapsang Souchong in it would be better, and I do think that the black tea base was a good choice. However, I remained curious about the green tea base, so when I received this Tomato Basil green tea infused sipping broth, I was excited to finally try a green tea with the flavors of tomato and basil.
The aroma of the bag when I opened the pouch was similar to the smell that I get when I open a tin of dried basil from my pantry. The aroma had a very strong herbaceous scent to it. The bag was kind of … hard. that is to say that it didn’t really seem very “loose” or “leafy” inside the tea bag, it seemed to be more like a bit of bouillon that was dried in the bag. Since this was called a “sipping broth” I didn’t find this objectionable, but, I can see how tea purists might find it a bit off.
Let me say that the “infused” part of the Tomato Basil Green Tea Infused Sipping Broth is the key word to the name of this product. Because the green tea flavor is nearly indistinguishable. I taste hints of an earthy, vegetative greenness to this “tea” which turns out to be more like broth than tea, and the hints are not really enough for me. I found myself wishing that this was more like a tea and less like a broth. That said, I do like that this is not quite as salty as I find the typical commercially produced broth or bouillon would be.
As a broth, it’s tasty. As a tea … it leaves quite a bit to be desired. Not bad, and it would be nice to maybe have on hand for when you might be feeling a tad under the weather and want a cup of broth to soothe and comfort you. Especially nice if you’re at the office. And that’s what I’d recommend it as: a soothing, comfort food for when you’re away from home. If you’re looking for a tea with the flavors of tomato and basil … I’d suggest looking somewhere else.
Thé Vert á la Vanille from Le Palais des Thés
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Le Palais des Thés
Tea Description:
A wonderful combination of green tea and vanilla. Enlivened by small vanilla pods, this delicately flavored Sencha is beautifully mild and smooth.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Mmmmm! I know I’ve said it before, but I’m going to say it again, I love vanilla flavored teas. There is something so luxuriously smooth and wonderful about vanilla teas … the soft, creamy taste of vanilla melds so beautifully with the leaves of camellia sinensis! And this Thé Vert á la Vanille from Le Palais des Thés does indeed taste creamy, smooth and luxurious!
The overall presentation of the cup is mellow. The soft, lush taste of the green tea – vegetative and fresh tasting – unified with the sweet, creamy taste of vanilla. It is delicate and delicious, with a buttery undertone and sweet high notes.
The green tea notes have almost a “lima bean” kind of flavor to them, and there is a hint of buttery taste in the layers of flavor, and a wisp of flower in there too. The vanilla brings it all together – and while it seems like it shouldn’t work (I mean, lima beans and vanilla? Really?) somehow, it does. It works out wonderfully!
A really nice cuppa. I think this makes a great afternoon tea … a beautiful way to spend a leisurely afternoon … not rushed, not hurried … the kind of day when you have time to just sit back and enjoy a delicious cup of tea!