There is something so wonderful about knowing a product is homemade. Knowing someone has put time and energy and effort into producing a high quality item and that they want to share that item with the world… well, that’s insanely cool in my book. Maybe that’s why I can’t help but smile every time I open my container of Meegs Tea from the Tea Dude. There’s a simple sticker on the back of the tin that proudly states that the herbal blend is home produced. Don’t be fooled though. This is a rich, flavorful blend that is as good or better than many of those from the Big Name tea companies out there.
The ingredients in Meegs Tea are simple: honeybush, cinnamon, clove, star anis, fennel seed. The mixture of these ingredients is what makes this blend so special. There’s a balance that keeps all of the flavors swirling together without any one ingredient dominating the others. I usually find teas with clove to often have an almost overpowering clove flavor, but that’s not the case with Meegs Tea. Instead, I get a spicy mixture of flavors with a woody note from the honeybush that I find delightful. This blend is wonderful for these late fall days heading into the holiday season. Since there’s no caffeine in this tea is a great way to wind down while still enjoying the flavors of the season.
I will say that the fennel seed in this blend made me a bit wary. I’m not a big fan of fennel in my food because it tends to dominate any other flavors. However, like the clove and other spices, the fennel in this tea has been added with a careful hand so that it doesn’t drown out the other flavors. I actually really like the addition of fennel. It adds an interesting and tasty twist, and it makes me think of drinking a nice chai tea at an upscale spa. That might just be me though.
I’d say give Meegs Tea a try If you’re looking for an herbal tea that’s a bit different from a lot of the other teas out there. It’s great for the end of fall, great for the holidays, and it’s a great any time of day pick-me-up. Plus, you’ll be getting a lovely, high quality, homemade tea. What’s not to love about that?
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Tea Dude
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
London Fog from Harlow Tea Co
I’ve been on a big afternoon tea kick lately. (Not like I’m not always on an “every time, every place” tea kick, but still.) My rules for a great afternoon tea? Refreshing, comforting, caffeinated but not buzzy, something that wakes me up as much as it helps me find peace and relaxation during the craziness of the day. Harlow’s London Fog seemed to fit the bill of just what I was looking for, with lavender and lemon to balance the caffeination of the black tea.
Following suit from the name, I brewed this one strong in about half the amount of water I’d normally use, swirled in some honey and filled the rest of my cup with steamed coconut milk for a delicious London Fog latte.
As for flavor, this one delivers on the lavender big time. It’s a delightful and slightly unexpected play on Earl Grey, and it hit the perfect balance of caffeine + calm for me once the afternoon doldrums hit. I’m not getting a ton of lemon in my cup, but I suspect that has more to do with my addition of milk than the tea itself.
It takes a lot for an earl grey to blow me out of the water, but this one hits all the notes I’d hope for plus a twist of the unusual with the addition of lavender. A great blend to grab when you need a little afternoon pick-me-up, for sure!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Flavored Black Tea
Where to Buy: Harlow Tea Co.
Description
Ingredients: Earl gray tea, lemon peel, and lavender flower.
Contains caffeine
Ever had a London fog latte? Well I wanted to make my own version. This black tea, with a hint of citrus and lavender, is perfect on its own or in a latte.
Want to try the latte? Steep the tea in 4 oz. of water, strain and add to 4 oz. of steamed milk for the perfect tealatte.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Blackberry Cobbler from Pinch of Geek
A couple weeks ago, my husband and I went out and had a mixed berry cobbler for dessert. We weren’t even that hungry, but we ate nearly to the point of tummy-explosion because it was just that good.
This tea tastes just like that ‘zert. The rooibos and spices make up the crumbles, and the rich berries fill in the rest. There are no artificial flavors in this, and you can really tell.
It’s like wandering around on a hiking trail and stuffing them into your mouth.
And wondering about whether that’s okay. Trails are always like “take only photos; leave only footprints.”
But what about a belly full of blackberries? Because I am basically foraging like a cavewoman every time I spot berries in the wild. My mouth and hands are covered in blood-like stains. Like I committed a heinous crime out there.
What I’m saying is basically that I love blackberries, past the point of acceptability, and this tea channels that. The people in charge of this blog definitely chose the right recipient for this tea. Except they only sent me ONE BAG, which was a little cruel. I’ve had my cup, and now I’m sniffing the mug in sadness. Next time I’m running low on tea, I’m definitely snapping this up.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos/Black Tea Blend
Where to Buy: Pinch of Geek
Description
Blackberry Cobbler is a secret blend of black, chestnut, Thai, and rooibos teas with dried blackberries and spices including cinnamon. It smells of holidays and home. Lovely blend especially when served with a touch of sugar and cream!
The tea has caffeine but no added sugar. The tea will appear brown from the very real spices added! This is not an artificially flavored tea because it is an actual blend of spices, fruit, and tea that taste and smell of the real thing.
Due to the complex blend or fruit, tea, and spices, this tea is only available in bags.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Luna Tea from Moongleam Tea Shoppe #VeganMoFo2016
Today’s prompt for Vegan MoFo is greyscale so I couldn’t resist posting about an earl grey tea!
Luna Tea from Moongleam Tea. I’m not going to lie…I love the name of the tea as well as the name of the tea company! My love for this tea goes beyond the names, folks! The ingredients include Black Tea, Lavender, Chamomile, Bergamot, and Basil. You may already know that I cannot get enough black tea in my life! I start each day with at least 1 (or 5). The Lavender is strong in this flavored black tea but I like it! Chamomile is one of the ingredients I could normally go without but if done right I can enjoy. Let’s just say that the Chamomile in Luna Tea from Moongleam Teas is done right! The Bergamot offers the citrus, juiciness I was craving. And the Basil seems to even everything out nicely.
With all of this in mind I have to say that this blend of flavors awakened all of the senses and put a smile on my face, too! It’s very calming and makes for a peaceful cuppa. I found this to also be a comforting tea – much like a comfort food would be comforting on a stressful day – or a cold fall day – both of which I have been faced with lately. Luna Tea from Moongleam Teas is a pure delight!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Moongleam Tea Shoppe (Etsy)
Description
This classically crafted tea is one of the first blends I ever created.
Smooth bergamot, coupled with chamomile, black tea, lavender, and basil, gives this tea a punctuating freshness. I have always loved Earl Grey because of the Bergamot in it, so I tweaked it to make it even better!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Burgundy Yerba from Tea Dude
Are you ready for a Yerba Mate review? Next up is…Burgundy Yerba from Tea Dude! I have to admit that Yerba Mate is down on my list of priorities when consuming and reviewing. It’s not that I don’t like Yerba Mate it’s just that I like so many other teas more regularly and it’s hard to fine interestingly-flavored Yerba Mates that I really want to try!
Burgundy Yerba from Tea Dude was pretty good but I had to do this one ICED. WHY? You guessed it – because of the Hibiscus! I think this was a little heavy on the Hibiscus and that is coming from someone who isn’t fond of that particular ingredient so you might find it to be fine and dandy!
Having stated my dislike for Hibiscus MANY times I will say that Burgundy Yerba from Tea Dude was pretty good ICED. I really loved the addition of the orange peel which was probably my favorite part in this. The natural flavor of Yerba Mate was stomped on by the hibiscus and orange peel which was ok especially if you want to consume more Yerba Mate and aren’t specifically looking for the taste of Yerba 
Mate.
Another thing I really liked about Burgundy Yerba from Tea Dude was the end sip and aftertaste. It was very pleasant. It was fruity
but didn’t leave a funky aftertaste like some fruity and hibiscus teas and tisanes tend to leave behind.
The energy boost of Burgundy Yerba from Tea Dude wasn’t too shabby either. That’s the TRUE reason I do enjoy Yerba Mate when I do consume it. All-in-All I found Burgundy Yerba from Tea Dude to be pretty tasty and satisfying
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: Tea Dude
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!