So I just have to say, when you’re sweet tooth is crying out for a treat…THIS. TEA. IS. AWESOME!!
DAVIDsTEA offers plenty of dessert flavors from Red Velvet Cake to Birthday Cake to Lime Gelato to Banana Nut Bread and the list goes on and on. They all capture their namesakes to varying degrees though none quite mimic the flavor of their inspiration quite like Cotton Candy.
This tea tastes as if someone just melted down cotton candy in my mug, which in theory should basically taste like someone tossed a bunch of sugar in the cup but this is so much more than that. It’s sweet. It’s sugary. It’s fruity. It’s candy floss.
It is also a pretty versatile tea which makes for a nice hot tea, iced tea, and even a latte. I have even had a few great smoothies using this tea.So, if you want something sweet but don’t want (all) the calories or there is no carnival around, try grabbing a cup of this delectable offering, which I am happy to report is now part of the permanent collection.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: DAVIDsTea
Description
This sweet treat is deliciously nostalgic and ridiculously fun.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Candied Yams from Bluebird Tea
There’s something supremely fun about unusual seasonal blends that only come out at the most festive times of year. When I heard about the blend, Candied Yams from Bluebird Tea, I had to get a taste.
So, Candied Yams? I’ve had my fair share of mashed sweet potatoes (yams) and squash with butter and brown sugar, and the sweet, earthy, orange mash is a delicious side to any holiday dinner. (We’ve even forgotten to put the sweet potatoes out during dinner one year, and ate it with spice cookies during dessert, and they were still a winner). No wonder I like the cinnamon and nutmeg alongside the yams in this tea blend.
This tea blend is going for an even sweeter version of sweet potatoes; the kind that were baked in a casserole and topped with marshmallows. Cooking with marshmallows seems like the most nostalgic, American ideal, like putting marshmallows in ambrosia salad. All you need to know is that this tea also has mini marshmallows, and plenty of them to make the tea leaves look festive and the blend taste sugary-sweet.
Beyond the carrot-like yam sweetness, this brew also has a fair bit of tartness, like red cranberry, which comes from the small dash of hibiscus in the blend. This red-berry flavor adds a touch of mulled wine flavor alongside the sweet earthiness and light spice. I figure that if my family can put orange flavored dried cranberries in their Thanksgiving stuffing then this flavor profile makes some sense in this tea.
Don’t worry if you’re more excited about the yams than the cranberries, the yams are the driving force of this blend, most noticeable in the scent and aftertaste. After each sip, I get the sweet and starchy potato flavors, reminding me a bit of carrot cake with walnuts. As the initial sweetness fades on my tongue, the brew has a great, mellow, nutty, taste.
If you’re a fan of weird holiday brews, I’d recommend you pick up a sample of Candied Yams before the sweet-potato-yam season passes. And if you get super inspired, you can even bake a marshmallow-yam casserole to accompany your cup of tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Bluebird Tea Co.
Description:
Always looking forward to those sweet candied yams at Thanksgiving? Wish you had an excuse to enjoy ’em all year round? We hear you! Now you can get into the festive spirit with this Limited Edition holiday tea – it’s Thanksgiving in a cup!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Brigita’s Daylight from Lauku Tea. . . November’s Sips by Box. .
Sips by is an amazing monthly tea box. They curate teas for you based off of a profile you put together. So there isn’t a fear of getting a ginger tea if you aren’t into ginger teas.
What’s really cool about Sips by, is that they have collaborated with some amazing tea companies so each month you are presented with this wonderful variety of teas. From Matcha to organic herbals, Sips by delivers fabulous teas each and every month.
In my November box, I had an herbal tea from Lauku Tea-Brigita’s Daylight. Herbals are very hit or miss for me. I crave and yearn to adore more of herbal blends, but it just isn’t in the cards for me. A lot of herbals are incredibly spiced or have chai like elements that my taste buds are not fans of. So I was insanely giddy when I saw the ingredients for Brigita’s Daylight were all right up my alley.
Brigita’s Daylight is a gorgeous blend of fermented apple leaves, black currant leaves, dried apples, meadow clover flowers, lemon balm, and mountain ash berries. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this blend but I was eager to find out. I brewed up a huge pot full of this herbal and allowed the tea to steep for about 7 minutes. Allowed the tea to cool for a few moments and took my first sip.
This is probably one of the best herbal teas I’ve ever had. This tea tastes like fresh apples with a floral and citrus note and a subtle berry finish. The freshness is what I adore the most from this tea. All of the flavors pop easily and wonderfully.
The fermented apple leaves and dried apples provide this almost apple juice like flavor while the lemon balm and meadow clover flowers yield a seductive floral citrus twist that I want more of. The berry finish just nicely ties this tea all together.
I downed this herbal hand blended creation- and when I saw downed it, I mean that I couldn’t stop drinking this tea. I drank several pots full and am now in the process of ordering more, even though I need to seriously stop buying tea because my personal tea stash is getting out of hand.
With how stressful my day is, I love the fact that I’ll have this tea in my tumbler helping me get through the day. This tea gives you all the warm tea feels with all the love of being an herbal. Thank you Sips by for introducing me to this amazing blend!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Lauku Tea/Sips by
Description
Sunny and stimulating with the subtle sweetness of dried apple and the earthy green of meadow clover flowers. For those who need a clear head and good spirits for a day full of possibilities. Pairs well with a refreshing walk outdoors and a morning muffin.
Ingredients: fermented organic apple leaves, organic black currant leaves, dried organic apples, organic meadow clover flowers, organic lemon balm, organic mountain ash berries
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Soothing from Balcony Teas. . .
Between my stressful job and predisposition to be a night owl, I’m always looking for a good calming or bedtime tea. This one seems like a good candidate because I like all of the ingredients individually. It comes in convenient pyramid sachets, which I actually like for herbals because herbals generally don’t need much room to expand and I often prefer easy prep at bedtime.
The dry blend smells like equal parts chamomile and rose. I would totally wear a floral perfume that smelled like this! The hot brew smells of apple, rose, and a hint of lavender. It is, indeed, a soothing scent. Unfortunately, the flavor is less complex than I had expected. The dominant note is the apple-like chamomile, to the point that I can’t make out any floral or other flavors at all.
The chamomile is sweet and calming but the absence of floral flavor is disappointing. I made this three times on two different days just in case the problem was user error but I got the same results each time.
Still, I have to give this blend credit for living up to its name. I happily drank all three cups before drifting off to sleep.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Balcony Teas
Description
Feel transported to a beautiful evening in the Mediterranean. All is calm and you can smell wild flowers. Perfect for a moment to yourself or to wind down after a busy day.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cinnamon Bun from Pinky Up. . . . .
This delectable tea was part of my first order from Pinky Up. I have to admit, I am so impressed with this company. Not only are their teas packaged in these adorable tins, but I also purchased a cute black kitty cat mug. Unfortunately, the mug was broken and I contacted the company. They sent me a brand new mug! It was really nice. Anyways, back to their teas. They sell loose leaf as well as blooming teas- which are tea leaves wrapped around flowers that literally “bloom” as you steep them. Today, however, I am reviewing their Cinnamon Bun loose leaf herbal tea.
Upon opening my tin I could immediately smell cinnamon rolls. I swear, while this tea is steeping your husband/wife/roommate/children/etc. will definitely think that you’re baking cinnamon rolls, so prepare yourself for everyone to come running! #hidethetea The taste is just as realistic as the smell. Cinnamon can either make or break a tea.
Depending on the kind of cinnamon and what else it’s mixed with, sometimes it can be too hot or spicy. In this blend though, it is absolutely heavenly. Just like in a sweet, ooey-gooey cinnamon roll. There is this underlying hint of sweet bread or pastry. Then the experience is topped off with vanilla icing. I feel like this is the liquid version of an actual cinnamon roll, minus the calories! Add a pinch of agave and some low-fat cream and you’ve got yourself a delicious and guilt-free dessert!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Pinky Up Tea
Description
Decadent baked goods tempting you at the bakery? Have no fear! Pinky Up’s aromatic Cinnamon Bun Loose Leaf Tea will satisfy that craving in no time, and it’s naturally calorie free!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
