I love the wonderful world of Etsy. You just never know what you will find wandering through the shops. I always like to see what possible gem of a tea shop I might stumble upon. You really just never know what you might find and I think I have found quite a gem the other day.
Kipers Lil Tea Shop offers quite a variety of hand blended teas, anything from herbal teas to flavored puerh blends. When I saw the picture of Cinderlla, I knew I had to try it.
Cinderella is a blend of puerh, calendula, hibiscus, red clover, jasmine, and a few other inclusions. The combination of puerh and jasmine instantly grabbed a hold of me and screamed-“You MUST try me NOW”. So I threw a few other teas into my cart and anxiously awaited by the mailbox for my beauties to arrive.
Finally the day came when this adorably packaged treat arrived. Inside were my tea samples telling me to prep my tea pot asap. Since this is a puerh, I prepped my water to 212F and allowed this tea to steep for 4 minutes, then cooled for an additional 3 minutes.
With being a blend of puerh and jasmine, I wasn’t sure what to think. Floral and dark teas don’t exactly sound like they belong, but I have to say, they really do. This tea blend is absolutely gorgeous! The dark tea tones provide such a dark and alluring flavor that is earthy, robust, and rich. Hibiscus tart notes yield a wonderful contrast to the puerh while the jasmine provides this slight floral hint. The rest of the inclusions give off this lovely herbal feel to finish the sip off. Such a unique pairing of flavors.
I couldn’t get enough of this cuppa and quickly prepped for a second infusion. I have to say, this tea didn’t steep up for a second cuppa like I thought the blend would. The flavors definitely did not come across as strong but I was still happy to get another cuppa of this wonderful tea.
I’m insanely gaga over this tea and over Kipers Lil Tea Shop. Currently there are around 60ish teas available to check out from this lovely gem of a tea shop and quite a few of them are now calling to me. . . .
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Kipers Lil Tea Shop
Description
Cinderella – A delightfully original blend of black tea, herbs and flowers create this one-of-a-kind herbal tea that will have you wanting more. Starting on a bed of Pu’erh black tea, I add in some Red Clover Herb & Blossoms, Catauba Bark (a known aphrodisiac), Calendula petals, Jasmine buds, and Hibiscus, and then for added “oomph” I sprinkled in some Vitex Chaste Berry (the “female-friendly” fruit).
The result is a taste unlike anything you have ever had, and you definitely won’t find this pre-bagged on a store shelf.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
The Skinny from DAVIDs Tea. . . .
If you like a mildly spicy sheng flavor, and would like to drop a few pounds, I have just the thing for you: “The Skinny” by David’s Tea.
Actually, I can’t promise the weight loss thing. That’s a combination of diet, exercise, metabolism, and genetics.
But this tea is literally called “The Skinny,” so it’s more or less a claim they’re making. The description for this tea says: “Looking for the next big beauty secret or weight loss trend? Let us give you a hint: try water.”
I know the water thing is sound. It’s basically the first thing every weight loss article ever written says. However, you can pry the Diet Coke from my cold, dead hands.
In between Diet Cokes, I will, however, partake in water or tea (which is basically water with some stuff mixed in). This afternoon was this tea. It’s recommended to take this tea “after a heavy meal” to “block fat absorption.”
So I took it post-lunch, which was a giant shawarma pita from the nice people at Pita Cabana, which is running a Ramadan Special. (The key to Ramadan, for those not in the know, is not eating during sunlight hours. Running a food special during Ramadan must be brutal for the Muslim people who are serving a lunch they can’t eat.)
Speaking of shawarma… did you know?
I needed to pair the tea with this lunch because there was a LOT OF CHEESE on that pita. I wonder if the tea will really block fat absorption. We’ll have to see what my weekly weigh-in says next Wednesday morning.
In the meantime, though, regardless of whether this makes me “skinny,” it was a pretty good sip. Give it a whirl!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong/Puerh
Where to Buy: DAVIDs Tea
Description
With pu’erh, ginger, eleuthero and oolong, it’s the ultimate digestive aid.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
English Toffee from DAVIDs Tea. . . . . . .
I love toffee. When I was younger I used to not even want them to be coated in chocolate, I just wanted that salty, sweet, and nutty toffee. As an adult, I appreciate the creamy chocolate coating much more, and when I think of an English Toffee tea, cocoa definitely comes to mind. So does caramel, nuts, and that buttery toffee taste. I have been eating toffee my entire life, I am a self proclaimed expert! So when I try any kind of toffee tea it is going to take a lot to knock my socks off.
I actually delayed trying this one for a while….it came in my Advent calendar over Christmastime from DAVID’s. (It’s May) I don’t really know why I delayed trying it, I guess I was just so busy trying other teas that I didn’t have the strongest interest. But today is a rainy and stormy day, and i’m in the mood for something comforting and chocolatey. My first thought when I took my first sip of this blend was that it would be an amazing latte. Some frothed milk and a caramel drizzle? Holy yum. My next thought was that I wish I had tried this over the winter because this tea would have been my favorite! I don’t usually drink pu’erh like at all…but I don’t mind it one bit! It is very smooth and holds up well to the rich and creamy flavors of cocoa, caramel, and browned butter. This tea is sweet and satisfying. A great dessert blend that would even go well in the morning as a latte with a shot of espresso. A delicious caffeine boost!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Puerh
Where to Buy: DAVIDs Tea
Description
This decadent, all-natural blend of pu’erh, cocoa and caramel is the perfect sweet treat.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
RoRose Garden Puerh from . . Tocha Tea
Rose Garden Puerh Tea from Tocha Teas comes in breathable pouch. Through the pouch you see dark brown leaves, rose petals and a couple rose leaves. It smells similar to a black tea with a slight floral scent.
The taste is a lot similar to a black tea with a dark jammy flavor. There is also a slight spice kick, with an even slighter floral taste to finish each sip.
I really enjoyed this tea. I really enjoy black tea and this is the second floral like rose tea I have tried that I enjoy.
It is definitely nice and refreshing!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Puerh
Where to Buy: Tocha Teas
Description
For centuries, pu-erh tea has been treasured for its elegant flavor and health benefits. The unique natural fermentation process gives it an earthy, woodsy essence that is never bitter, even after a long steep. Rose petals add a graceful note to this delicious and versatile blend, a wonderful tea for everyday wellness.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
My New Morning Cuppa #Slim from Wild Leaf Active Teas. . . .
Weight loss teas or diet teas are something that I typically stay away from. Every once in a while, one will jump out at me and I’ll try it, but end up usually giving the tea away because of the way too herbaceous flavor or overly spiced ginger notes.
So when Slim from Wild Leaf arrived at my door, I was skeptical on whether or not I would like the tea. This tea has a different flavor profile compared to those other weight loss teas I’ve tried in the past. Slim consists of puerh, Siberian gingseng, cranberry, cocoa nibs, and fennel. A unique combination for sure. The dry leaf had a sweet and savory aroma that I couldn’t get enough of. I quickly set my tea pot up to prep water so I could check this tea out. A quick note about this tea, this is a bagged tea but this isn’t your typically bagged tea. You can see gorgeous whole pieced inclusions and tea leaves in each pyramid or sachet.
With water prepped, I sat down to enjoying this tea, allowing the tea to steep for 4 minutes and cool for another moment or two. Took my first sip and I instantly wanted a blanket and a good book to snuggle up with. This tea has a lovely slightly chocolate malty undertone with a sweet (slightly tart) berry jam and slight herbal finish. The flavor that really stands out is this berry jam like tone that creates this wonderfully rich and robust cuppa that makes you want to gulp and devour this tea with abandonment.
The deep jammy richness this tea provides makes this tea a wonderful way to wake up in the morning, which I now do. I signed up for a monthly subscription plan ($8.99 for 15 sachets plus shipping) and have enjoyed this tea every morning for the last week or so. I will say that I have noticed a quicker pep in my step in the mornings but I can’t say it is because of this tea. It could just be the fact I have completely cut coffee out of my diet (besides the occasional iced coffee) or the fact that I’ve started a healthier diet and exercise routine. I haven’t noticed any weight loss but that isn’t why I love this tea anyway.
Regardless, I can’t get enough of this tea. This tea loves and gives such an amazing flavor that I’ve shared this tea with a friend who in turned bought a few tins of this tea for herself. Fresh, delicious, and one that completely took me by surprise by how much I adore the combo of flavors this tea delivers. To be completely honest, this tea is a bit hard to describe taste wise, but one that I’ve quickly become addicted to. My morning cuppa for now on for sure!
Slim is part of a line of teas to enjoy for those with an active life style. That is me for sure.
Check out Wild Leaf Tea at this year’s Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC this June. I won’t be able to attend, but I’ll be jealous of those who can!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Puerh
Where to Buy: Wild Leaf Tea
Description
Goodbye yo-yo. Hello cocoa. Rev up your metabolism and curb cravings naturally with this full flavored blend of pu-erh and Siberian ginseng deliciously flavored with cocoa nibs, cranberry, and fennel. Dieting has never been our thing, but we love any reason to use the word svelte more.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!