Jane Eyre. . A Fandom Tea from First Edition Tea Co. . .

by VariaTEA

Trying the literary collection has been fun because it gives me a chance to not only try the tea but see how they compare to their namesake. However, Jane Eyre is the one novel of the five ( the others in the collection being Sherlock Holmes, Pride & Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, and Alice in Wonderland) I have not read. Obviously I have heard of it and know the basic premise, but I have never looked into it in much detail or cared to give it a read. So to me, this is a tea that I have no preconceived expectations going into the tasting brought on by the inspiring literary classic. This is also a tea that fell victim to my cleaning distractions and cooled before I got a chance to give it a try.

I like that the first thing that you taste with this tea is the cranberry. It is sweet and fruity and distinct. That melts away to the warming and dessert-like cinnamon. It is a little astringent and slightly drying, which could be because of the cooling or could be because of the flower petals and spice blend. The fennel peaks through at the end of the sip as if to say hello and the rose, slightly perfumey, comes with it. I worried that the licorice root and blackberry leaves would make this cloying but they seem to be kept in check.

It is a nice tea. Not one I feel compelled to keep around just because this flavor combination is not one I often reach for, but I probably would not turn away another cup. Plus, I could see this being lovely as a hot tea on a cool day. I’m interested to see how my sister’s feel about this one. Hopefully one of them have read Jane Eyre and can tell us how it draws inspiration from the book.

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy:  First Edition Tea Co.
Description

This tea is anything but poor, obscure, and plain. A solid black tea with a wild and free heart, an independent will, and all the warmth of a hearth in a home long searched for. Reader, it’s delicious.

Ingredients: Black tea, cranberry pieces, cinnamon, fennel, licorice root, blackberry leaves, rose petals, safflower petals, natural flavours.

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 Black Tea, First Edition Tea Co.

Have a cup on Lord Grantham with Downton Abbey Tea Blends #RebpulicofTea

by MrsPremise

Grantham Breakfast Blend is one of the Downton Abbey themed teas from The Republic of Tea.  This blend is built from a strong assam base with added ginger, meant to be masculine and just a touch fiery.  The ginger came to life right as I poured hot water on the leaves, surprising me with an almost-chai smell for a moment.  As the tea steeped and cooled, the assam really took the lead, providing deep and malty black tea tones.

This tea echoes Lord Grantham, pictured on the tin, clad in upper-class white-tie attire.  Both the man and the tea are strong enough to help you power through an early morning of managing accounts, spicy enough to manage bold daughters, and warm enough to provide comfort during a family tragedy.  
After trying this flavor, I had to take a look at the other Downton Abbey blends on Republic of Tea.  They have several options, a few of which include Miss Patmore’s Pudding, black tea with vanilla sponge cake flavors, English Rose hibiscus tea for the lady-like sisters, and Downton Abbey Estate Earl Grey, for your more traditional tea outings.  

These teas would be great for a Downton-themed tea party of your own!  

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Republic of Tea
Description:

Full-bodied, malty, organic Assam black tea is infused with the spicy flavor of organic ginger root. Try with a splash of warm milk and sweetener for a flavor reminiscent of sticky ginger pudding. This energizing tea is perfect for an early morning foxhunt or preparing for the dramas of the day.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

MrsPremise

Growing up, I drank herbal teas like fresh ginger tea during New England's harsh winters and iced blueberry tea during its humid summers. Over time, I was tempted into trying a wider variety of loose leaf teas by the fandom-themed blends available online. I have since gone on to design my own blends, and I greatly enjoy drafting up flavor ideas and drawing tea labels. When I'm not thinking about tea I can be found reading novels and comic books, playing video games, or watching movies; my favorite genres being history, humor, sci-fi, and fantasy. Generally, I prefer bold teas: spicy chais, rich black teas, even smoky lapsang souchong on occasion. But I have also dabbled in herbal rooibos, flavored oolongs, and traditional matcha. I'm glad to be expanding my palette by tasting and reviewing new teas and blends. Find me on Steepster: http://steepster.com/A2shedsjackson Fandom blends: http://www.adagio.com/signature_blend/list.html?userId=292149

This post was posted in Black Tea, Republic of Tea

VariaTea’s Thoughts on Alice in Wonderland from First Edition Tea Co. . . .

by VariaTEA

I love teas inspired by pop culture and media. Fandom teas are a thing of beauty because they can take flavors that may not be otherwise appealing and make them all the more interesting by naming them for a beloved book or tv show. This tea, for instance, is not one I would ever buy myself since I don’t usually love marzipan and I am indifferent to rose, but name it after a classic book like Alice and Wonderland and you got me signed up for a taste. Perhaps I am easily sold by a gimmick but somehow connecting teas to pop culture just makes the experience more exciting.

As far as the tea goes, the smell of marzipan in the dry leaf was incredibly powerful and had me worried that it would take over but in the brewed tea, it is quite balanced. Present and flavorful but not in-your-face. The rooibos imparts a bit of a medicinal taste while the black is almost smokey in flavor. It is a bit astringent but not terribly so, though I will say it gets more bitter as it cools so best to have this hot. The rose is a little more perfumey than I would like (probably since this cup has cooled quite a bit) but also candy-like in its sweetness which compliments the marzipan nicely.

All in all, this was an alright tea. Not my favorite though I did enjoy it more than I expected I would. Like I said, this is not the flavor profile I would normally pick for myself so at the end of the day I am probably not the target audience here. I will be passing this on for the other sisters to try though so hopefully this will be more to their tastes.

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black/Rooibos
Where to Buy:  First Edition Tea Co.
Description

It’s always tea time. Indulge with this sweet and floral blend of rooibos and black tea, filled with rose petals. A candy sweet blend that just says “Drink me!”

Ingredients: Rooibos, black tea, papaya, almond pieces, rosehip pieces, rose petals, blackberry leaves, natural flavours. CONTAINS NUTS!

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 Black Tea, First Edition Tea Co., Rooibos

Topsy Turvy Tea Blend – DisneyParks Tea

by Karatics

Hello, all! At first, I like to start off by introducing myself. My name is Kara and I am incredibly excited to be included in this delightful tea family! I have been a tea lover for a good 14 years and counting and I look forward to including my opinion with all of these amazing ladies! And if you would like to keep up with me I have my social media links down below.

Now on to the tea! I will not lie but when I saw this tea I gasped in delight! For Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite classic Disney movies. And the packaging is adorable and it encompasses everything that I love about Wonderland. First, I will start off with the specifics. The ingredients are as follows; bergamot, black tea, and citrus.  The (adorable) instructions recommend to steep it for 3-4 minutes. And if you on the hunt for this tea it is, unfortunately, a Disney Parks exclusive but I am sure you can find a seller on Amazon or eBay.

Now the taste of the tea – which took me by surprise. Now I am used to the flavors of this tea because my favorite is Lady Grey but just like Wonderland, this tea was not what it seemed. The color and the smell of tea was also alike a perfect cuppa but when I took a sip I was hit with a slightly fruity flavor aftertaste. Now I can’t put my finger on it but it was either a blueberry or raspberry taste. And to my amazement, I thoroughly enjoyed it. For I usually don’t like teas that have fruity notes. And before I knew it, my cup was empty.

All in all, this tea is very reflective of that classic and kooky Wonderland that I grew up with. I couldn’t help imagining myself at the Mad Hatter’s table drinking this blend while singing the “Very Merry Unbirthday” song.  I definitely want more of this tea and this will be a purchase (if I can find it) that I will make in the future.

P.S. I will have pictures of this magnificent packaging posted on my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (official_karatics) respectably.

See you for the next cuppa!

Karatics

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy:  Disney Parks
Only available at Disney Parks.

 

 

Karatics

I am an old soul and a tea lover and my days are even better when I have a nice cuppa and a piece of classic literature. I have an appreciation for most teas but my most favored ones are of the Earl Grey variety, especially Lady Grey. Even though my tea tastes are more of the classical range, I would not turn down something different. P.S. I am also a lover of video games especially ones of the RPG genre.

This post was posted in Black Tea, Disney Wonderland Tea

Butter Beer Black Tea from 52Teas. . . . . .

by VariaTEA

A few years back, my sister and I went on vacation. A Disney vacation. We went on the Disney Fantasy cruise for a week and then spent a week at Disney World. However, since we were already in Orlando, I insisted that we hit up the Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios. In fact, I told my sister I would not go on the trip at all unless she promised me that a visit to Hogwarts was in my future.

I had many plans for our day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, one of which was to try frozen butter beer. Of course the day we went to the park it was pouring rain but I was not going to let that come between me and my goal. Apparently others felt the same way because there was a long line of people willing to get drenched in the rain just to get a taste of the little bit less-sickly butterscotch concoction. We waited for 10 minutes until finally it was our turn to place our order at the tiny cart outside.

With frozen butter beers in hand, we decided to head into the Three Broomsticks to take shelter from the rain and get a nice hearty meal to warm us up. Well, I hate to tell you the look of pure hatred I got from my soaking wet sister when she saw “Butterbeer” and “Frozen Butterbeer” displayed prominently on the menu. Oops.

Sipping on this tea now, I am brought back to that moment. This tea is like a memory of that frozen deliciousness I had so many years ago, a bit more subtle and slightly less sweet but still amazing. It’s got a root beer thing going on that is in contrast to the more cream soda-like flavor I recall in the butterbeer I had at the park and yet a hint of butterscotch lingers and I find the two flavors are meshing very well. I also like that the base is present in the flavor but more as a malt that provides body and heft to drink as a whole.

Is it the same as the frozen butterbeer? No. Is that a bad thing? No. This inspires less of a toothache since its not as sweet and with much fewer calories, it can be enjoyed much more often and without the guilt. Plus, when a drink is inspired by a book, whose to say which take on the flavor is right?

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy:  52Teas
Description

I was really excited when this tea was voted to be the tea of the week for October’s Retro Monday because 1) I loved the original blend of this tea, and; 2) I was the one (or at least, one of the ones) who bugged Frank to create a Butter Beer tea! So I was excited to try blending this one myself.

This is how Frank described the original blend:

I got my recipe directly from The Three Broomsticks: Premium black teas blended with a bit of essence of rootbeer, a bit of butter vapors, some licorice root, chichory root and a touch of magic. Our Butterbeer tea is the beverage of choice for wizards of all ages, and if you have no idea what I’m referring to, please go on about your muggle life, this blend is for Harry Potter fans only. Well, okay, I guess muggles could enjoy it too. It is truly unique and delicious. A blend worthy of the 52teas brand of creative flavored teas. Enjoy!

I started with a base of organic black teas from China and India and added roasted chicory, licorice root, sarsaparilla root and vanilla bean (the original didn’t have sarsaparilla or vanilla bean but I decided that it should have it). Then I added some calendula petals (to make it pretty) and some special magic ingredients (aka organic, natural flavors).

The result is absolute tea drinker bliss!

Taster size is approximately 15g.

organic ingredients: black teas, licorice root, chicory root, sarsaparilla root, vanilla bean, calendula petals and natural flavors.

 

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 52Teas, Black Tea