Vista Blend from Plum Deluxe. . . . .

Some teas are workhorses. They’re made for caffeinating you, or calming you, they never let you down– but maybe they’re not the fanciest or most intricate. (I’m lookin’ at you, English Breakfast and Chamomile.)

Some teas are fancy. Like, hand-me-my-monocle-and-top-hat, I Am A Very Important Person levels of fancy. (Oh hello, super delicate and intricate blooming white teas currently eyeing me up warily from the cabinet. You can tell I’m not fancy, can’t you?)

Some teas are the perfect in-between. They’re intricately flavored with a perfect balance, but they’re also… comforting. They’re gonna be there for you, they’re not gonna let you down. But they’re also gonna make you feel like the fancy, knowledgeable tea-drinker that you are (while still hanging out in your sweats).

This tea from Plum Deluxe, the Vista Blend, is such a tea. It’s a beautifully balanced, intricate flavor (hello, apricot and lavender– YUM.) that is incredibly unique, but it’s flexible enough to be brewed hot or iced (and tastes incredibly delish made both ways). Picture this: it’s like hanging out in some Italian villa, staring out over a gorgeous view (a VISTA, even. See what I did there?) while in your comfiest pjs, eating Italian snacks straight outta the bag. It’s comfort. It’s refinement. It belongs in your cup right now.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Herbal
Where to Buy:  Plum Deluxe
Description

The apricot + lavender “Vista Blend” is inspired by one of our favorite things about nature — the views. This tea reminds us that we can have a beautiful view wherever we are, if only we slow down to appreciate it.

We use a base of earthy honeybush tea, paired perfectly with Oregon lavender and apricot essence. The fruit and floral pair to create a calming influence.  It’s just delightful — and especially refreshing on ice. Originally this tea was a seasonal-only blend but based on your demands, we’ve elevated it to a signature blend so you can get your Vista cuppa anytime of year.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Lola from Sicilian Tea Company. . . .

This blend will makes you feel like singing, or humming along to your favorite pop song, comforting, pleasing, and drinkable. It’s a rooibos blend, so it’s decaf and full of feel-good antioxidants. There also warming cinnamon and a hint of relaxing lavender. Licorice root brings smooth, natural sweetness, almost fruity, like apples, which compliments the caramel tones of the red rooibos.

The rooibos is the dominant flavor, and if brewed strong, it will overwhelm the other flavors with the almost-medicine floral taste. This blend strong enough that it’s best brewed twice, for two full cups of flavor. This is a versatile tea, and can also be brewed ice with a splash of milk for a creamy, faux-caramel latte.

This is the perfect cup for when you need something sweet, easy, and comforting. Not to mention is will get the pop song stuck in your head… lalalalala Lola…


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Sicilian Tea Co.
Description:

Lola is a sweet treat that’s safe to have before bedtime. South African Red Rooibos is rich in antioxidants. Organic lavender, licorice root and cinnamon make for a yummy treat (without the guilt).

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Gingerbread Man from BRUU Tea. . . .

 

Continuing with my apparent disregard for the non-holiday season (remember when I sipped on a Chanukah-themed tea in March?), I grabbed this sample out of my stash for our nightly tea lattes the other day. Skeptical as I was, as I usually am with red rooibos, both my fiancé (fellow nighttime tea lover) and I couldn’t get enough of this one.

All the goodness of red rooibos with none of the medicinal ick, this one is like a woodsy-orange, with hints of custard and pink peppercorn spice. Rather than a creamsicle-esque orange, this one is a bit more reminiscent of a holiday orange, dotted with cloves, smothered in warm custard cream. Mmm. Am I making anyone else as hungry as I’m making myself right now? No? Moving on.

Would I necessarily harken these flavors to a gingerbread man? Probably not. Would I sip this one nightly, regardless of name or closest holiday (I’m pretty sure this one isn’t meant to be sipped on the 4th of July, but I say it matters not)? Yes and yes.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Rooibos
Where to Buy:  BRUU Tea
Description

This tea was part of a monthly tea subscription box.  Click below for more info.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Lemon Blue Green from Mad Hat . . . . . .

This alone got me through all my presentations for finals week.

The mix of rooibos and MeiLu green tea means a naturally sweeter cup with lower caffeine. I make it both hot and iced depending on the weather. I do have a lot more fun smashing the dehydrated berries after they’re heated though, and watching the indigo lines swirl into my peach colored brew. This tea also has a great resteep value, hot and iced, although I seemed to get more hot brews.

It looks like there is a lot of lemongrass in the dry mix, but my first impression of the infusion is the inviting berry scent. It tastes like a summer shandy, crisp and fruity. It leaves my mouth feeling refreshed with a mellow lemon aftertaste – aha that’s where it went!

Yep, now I’m seriously considering brewing this in beer later this summer.

I’m all about supporting local Pacific NorthWest businesses and This company is literally right up the street from my school, so win-win!

The Mad Hat Tea Shop is celebrating their 10th anniversary right now, as if you needed another excuse to visit.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Rooibos/Green Tea

Where to Buy:  Mad Hat Tea

Description:

We don’t know who came up with this one, but we are glad they did. Blueberry and Lemongrass taste amazing together and with the backbone of Mei Lu Green you have a terrific cup of Tea. The Rooibos gives it a richness that rounds it out nicely. Besides, how many times do you have the opportunity to taste Blueberries and Lemongrass. You’re welcome.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

 

Organic Royal Camomile from Hampstead Tea. . . .

Hampstead Tea has been around since the 1980’s. They are committed to biodynamic practices in producing what they sell; i.e. putting in more than is taken out. They offer organic tea with fair trade options.

This particular tea came in an individually wrapped tea bag. And yes, they spell it Camomile. Is that a British thing? Is it just the Americans who spell it Chamomile?

This particular tea came in an individually wrapped tea bag. And yes, they spell it Camomile. Is that a British thing? Is it just the Americans who spell it Chamomile?

If the herbs are fresh, I don’t detect huge differences from one chamomile to another in the ones I have tried, so a deciding factor for me is going to be whether the product is fresh and whether it is organic. Adding on biodynamic and fair trade makes this company even more attractive.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Herbal
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Description

A beautiful golden infusion made from prized sweetly scented camomile petals. Camomile relieves inflammation, soothes and relaxes.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!