I have literally no idea how to make a tea latte. I took half water, half oat milk, put it in the microwave for 95 seconds, and then put a tea ball in there to steep. Even if incorrect, this made a very nice result.
The first time I had this, I drank it straight, and I felt that the cinnamon was overpowering. Putting milk or creamer in there does wonders to take the spicy edge off the tea. If you’re a spicy person, by god, feel free to drink it straight-up. You’ll dig it.
This tea is super-sugary (maple syrup is basically sugar). It’s “sugar and spice and everything nice,” basically. It’s India meets Canada. It’s a weird blend but I feel like it works.
There IS a sort of sticky, sweet aftertaste. Sometimes I don’t like this. In the instance of this particular tea, though, it’s kind of like when your friend leaves the room and you can still smell her perfume.
I would liken the overall experience of this to being snowed in, and mulling some spicy cider to keep you company. You’ve got that fire, and that sweet. I’m into it. You might be, too. Throw some milk in there. You’ll see.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: DAVIDs Tea
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Maple Pecan/Plum Deluxe -Super Starling-
It’s been a perfect day so far. My rescue dog (an abuse survivor) was on his very best behavior during our walk AND our fetch session. I have fresh bread for my sandwich later. I’m going on a spaced-out masks-on walk with friends (and my dog!) later. And I’m trying tea!!!
Today’s goodness is Maple Pecan Black/Oolong from Plum Deluxe. I really love Plum Deluxe, as a company. They always list things like “love, gratitude” in their ingredients. Their tea costs more per cup than, for example, David’s Tea, but I feel like they manage to cram a LOT of goodness in there, and it’s worth it. Plum Deluxe is like my bougie treat.
I steeped this tea in boiling-hot water for 5ish minutes in a tea ball. (Sorry, guys, I don’t pay the best attention to the brewing specifics. I leave it in there until I remember to take it out.)
David’s Tea makes a maple chai that’s pretty good, but this one is better. It doesn’t feel as overly-sweet and/or artificial.
This one is rustic — no-nonsense, no pretension, just a nice gift. It’s a warm, chai-like tea with maple and nut overtones. The taste after you swallow is clove & cinnamon, not syrup.
A woods witch would infuse healing magic into this, and serve it to you in a handmade mug. Your skin would seal itself back together; your hair would detangle; your eyes would be 20/20. You would say goodbye to her, and she would hug you. After leaving the cabin, you’d take a glance backwards, and it would be gone.
You’d just have the cinnamon flavor in your mouth to remember her by.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black/Oolong
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
Originally featured as a new blend in our 2019 advent calendar, Maple Pecan is back as a wonderful sweet and nutty tea to enjoy during the holiday season. A blend of oolong and black teas, paired with fresh pecans and a hint of real maple syrup, it’s sure to please many palates.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Day 6 of the Plum Deluxe Advent Calendar (SPOILERS!)
Today is Day 6 of the Plum Deluxe Advent Calendar and if you have been following along with this adventure with me- so far I’ve had a few hits and a few misses. And today’s goodie was a sample size offering of Plum Deluxe’s Maple Pecan Black Tea, a tea I had never had but had heard of. I had heart great things about this tea so I was wondering if this tea really lived up to the hype.
And I”m so happy to say it does. This tea is unbelievably amazing. Being one that doesn’t traditionally gravitate to black tea bases, I seriously can not get enough of this tea. The maple flavoring is perfection and provides this gentle sweetness while the pecan notes add in that nutty flavor to contrast the maple sweetness. Each flavor playing off the other and let me tell you, this is just the beginning of the sip.
Towards the middle, you start to get this wonderful spiced tone that gives you a nice departure from the sweet nuttiness and then at the very end, you get that roasted oolong flavor that I adore. I don’t really get to much of the black tea base, just here and there as an after taste. I do think I used too much water which is where maybe the black tea flavoring isn’t as pronounced.
I’ve been watching a lot of Food Network over the past few weeks and have been learning a lot about how to properly balance food. This tea blend is a great example of a well balanced tea. Sweet, nutty, with a spiced and roasted tone. So much loving in one cup. This tea is already one the list to order more.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Oolong Tea
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
Part of the Advent Calendar-hopefully available on the website soon to purchase more
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Day 11: Maple Marshmallow Treat Genmaicha . . .Counting Down to Christmas with 52Teas!
On the 11th Day of Christmas 52 Teas gave to me…..Maple Marshmallow Treat Genmaicha Green Tea!!! (cue my happy dance) Just like the original Marshmallow Treat Genmaich Green Tea, this version is very near and dear to my heart. I believe it was a part of my first order from 52 Teas along with the original Marshmallow Treat that I previously said was actually the tea that led me to discover 52 Teas altogether!
A few days ago when I reviewed the Banana Marshmallow Treat Genmaicha that was a part of this box, I thought that it was absolutely fantastic….but I had forgotten about this maple version. After making a cup of the maple marshmallow one I am now super conflicted as to which I like better. First off, as soon as you open the pouch the smell is all maple. It literally smells like a plate of pancakes drizzled with fresh maple syrup. Once brewed, that delicious maple is still there but now there’s just a small underlying scent of vanilla marshmallow. And the taste? It’s so scrumptious!! It’s like Vermont maple syrup and fluff along with that classic toasted rice flavor of Genmaicha. It’s sweet and creamy and divine! It is a complete toss up as to which I like more- the banana marshmallow treat or the maple marshmallow treat. Oh my…a thought just came to me….what if we combined all three flavors and made a Banana Maple Marshmallow Treat Genmaicha? Well, that would just be my version of Nirvana!
Merry Christmas Eve! I hope you all enjoyed this tea as much as I do. Tomorrow is Christmas and I have a feeling our last tea in this box is going to be an exciting one…a real treat for us all on Christmas morning! So be sure to check back amidst all the present-unwrapping and Christmas festivities to hear my thoughts on Day 12’s blend
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is not available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pick Me Up Oolong from Plum Deluxe. . .
A delicious blend of oolong tea with Vermont maple syrup, orange peel, and almond essence. I was immediately excited to try this! It sounds more like a fall blend because of the maple, but that’s okay. It’s funny because my favorite season are fall and winter and that rings true in the flavors I prefer.
I like pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple, almond flavors and those tend to come out more in the fall and winter. But because I love them so much, i’ll drink them anytime if they’re available!
I’ve really been happy with all my tea blends that I received in my Plum Deluxe order and I am going to be ordering again. This blend, in particular, exceeded my expectations. My first sip was unsweetened, but I decided to add some agave for effect and it definitely brought out all the flavors more. The oolong base here is very smooth and subtle and is the perfect stage for this myriad of comfort-flavors.
The first flavor I could taste was the maple, which was almost creamy. The nutty and sweet almond came out towards the end of the sip and left a nutty almond taste in my mouth. The orange was undetected by me, but I did not have a problem with that as I am not always fond of citrus. This blend both smelled and tasted like pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and sprinkled with almond slices. I definitely recommend it, anytime of the year!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
Sometimes, we just need a pick-me-up — the kind of tea that gives us a gentle hug, a firm pat on the back and says, keep going. That’s what inspired us to create our Pick Me Up blend tea — it’ll put a spring in your step and give your creative spirit a boost.
We start with an earthy Formosa Oolong tea from Taiwan. We add a pinch of orange peel and rooibos tea as well as natural almond extract and real Vermont maple syrup (yes, really!). The result is a smooth, balanced tea that is both rich and sweet while at the same time being crisp and earthy. With the lower caffeine levels, it is wonderful any time of day you need a pick-me-up — from getting out of bed on the right foot to an afternoon emotional reset.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
