One of my absolute, all-time, favorite summer desserts is strawberry shortcake. I have really, really fond memories of strawberry shortcake from when I was a kid. My nana and papa would always have BBQ get-together at their house and my nana would buy biscuits from the grocery store and we would pile them with cool whip and fresh strawberries. It was so good, so cool, and fresh, and summery. When I think of a strawberry shortcake tea, I want it to be crisp and fresh tasting…and of course, strawberry!
Upon opening my pre-packaged tin of Strawberry Shortcake by The NecessiTEA’s I smelled something really sweet, almost like cherry. I was really hoping for more of a fresh strawberry smell so this was a little different. I steeped it for three minutes and added a touch of agave. I’m still smelling cherry instead of strawberry which is slightly disappointing, but now I’m wondering if its maybe the vanilla mingling with the strawberry.
The white tea is very light and a perfect base for the sweet flavors of strawberry shortcake. I think that I would have enjoyed this more if I wasn’t smelling that artificial cherry scent…but that’s not to say that it isn’t a good blend. I’m actually wondering if I would enjoy this better iced. The aftertaste is definitely vanilla with a hint of cake, so I do think this was half true to it’s name, but I wish there was more fresh strawberry flavor opposed to “cherry”. Either way, it is definitely worth trying and next time I brew it I will brew it over ice!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
Angel food cake perfectly combines with a light layer of sweet cream and juicy strawberries to create this guilt-free dessert. Enjoy hot or poured over ice.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pear Green White from Mahamosa. . . . .
I was interested in the name of the blend since it implied a white and green tea base. The label of the packaging indicated that it contained “China Sencha, Lung Ching, green Yunnan and Pai Mu Tan” – quite a few teas! Looking at the blend, there was also a nice sprinkle of rosebuds and mango cubes. The dry blend had a nice pear aroma that became grassier after steeping.
The liquor was smooth and pale yellow with very mild astringency. The green and white tea blend base came through and had a very clean taste. There was a slight sweetness at the tail end of the sip, which may have come from the mango cubes or pineapple flakes.
This would be a nice tea if you want to unwind and relax with a book or movie!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green/White
Where to Buy: Mahamosa
Description
This noble blend of different green and white teas captivates the senses with the typical, attractive Pai Mu Tan and a Yunnan which is dominated by light, fluffy tips. Yellow rosebuds, pineapple flakes and mango cubes enhance the delicate yet significant freshness of this aromatic variety. The tea leaves dominate the overall taste with their typically delicate, slightly bitter notes. A touch of juicy pear and creamy sweet exotic flavors envelop the characteristic flavor of green tea. Ingredients: China Sencha, Lung Ching, green Yunnan and Pai Mu Tan (89% total tea), flavoring, mango cubes (mango,sugar), pineapple flakes, rosebuds.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Meditative Mind from The Tea Spot. . . . .
With the new semester starting and my mind trying to keep up with all the things around it, I was more than down for a nice cup of soothing tea. I was glad to find just want I was searching for with this relaxing blend.
Meditative Mind is a very soft tea where your taste buds will be lightly touched by the flavors of the jasmine flower and the rose petals. And as I said before in my previous reviews, this power couple of these two flowers always is a good base for any tea in my book. Not to mention the white tea does a fabulous job of joining these two together.
Additionally, I am glad that the flavors of this tea are very subdued for that is the point of this tea. In my opinion, this should be a tea that you drink when you are trying to wind down either by listening to the rain or some light music. Giving you a chance to really experience each flavor without distraction.
Also, a great thing about this tea is that is moderately inexpensive. For a 1.5-ounce tin is $12.95 but if you buy a 2-ounce tin you save some change by paying only $12.25. But if you are still unsure The Tea Spot also offers $3 samples which according to their site is good for five 8 ounce cups, which I think is a perfect trial for any tea. Another thing to feel good about if you do purchase this tea is that 10% of all The Tea Spots’ sales go to cancer and community wellness programs. So, while you enjoy the warmth of one of their numerous teas you can be confident that your purchase is helping those who are less fortunate.
Now, will I purchase this tea in the future? Most definitely! Because not only is it a good blend for stress relief and relaxation but my money is also helping to maintain “the on–going wellness of cancer survivors and facilitating healthy habits to decrease cancer risks”.
See you for the next cuppa! Kara
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White Tea
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Description
Our beloved blend of pure Chinese white tea, rosebuds and jasmine pearls creates an experience of aromatherapy that sharpens the mind and arouses the senses. The exotic floral scent of night–blooming Jasmine is uplifting and soothing, and is used as an anti-depressant in herbal medicine. Rosebuds are used to ease nervous tension and stress, and have a calming effect on the mind. This combination works together to enhance the light, subtle flavor of the white tea leaves. This tea brews into a golden liquor with a very soothing fragrance, and is perfect before, during, or after a stressful day.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pumpkin Caramel Torte from A Quarter To Tea. . .
My daughter is one of THOSE people who goes crazy over pumpkin-everything in the fall. When I saw this sample, I knew we had to taste it together, so I packed it up for the trip out of town to her place.
The dry leaf smells wonderful, with a creamy vanilla and spice scent that is very promising. The white tea leaves are large and there are chunks of all kinds of goodies in this blend. We followed the recommended steeping instructions to a T.
The steeped tea has a wonderfully comforting aroma, different from the leaves. The dry leaf smelled primarily of vanilla and caramel to me, but the clove is intensified by steeping and the aroma of clove tingles in your nose as you take your first sips. It isn’t strong enough to over-tingle the tongue or detract from the creamy caramel and vanilla flavors.
My daughter said she was pleased to find that she tasted PUMPKIN, and not just pumpkin spices as is so often the case. Maybe that is because of the sweet potato bits in the blend.
This was a limited edition blend that is presently sold out, so why review it? Because it may give readers a good idea of the skill of the tea blenders at A Quarter To Tea and some insight into the quality of their ingredients.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Ginger and pumpkin with a slight pastry and note cool into a dreamy caramel creme.
Abundant caramel when slightly cooled.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Rose Water Shortbread from A Quarter To Tea. . . .
If I am being honest, this is probably the tea in April’s tea box that I was least excited about. I blame the Rose Water for that. When I think Rose Water, I think of sickly sweet desserts like baklava and gulab jamun. I don’t mean any offense as I know these are loved by many but they just aren’t for me and I thought the same might be said for this tea. Add to that the fact that I don’t really love white teas and you might get my hesitation here.
However, this tea came in the monthly box which means someone took the time to carefully craft this tea, testing it and perfecting it until they felt it was worthy enough to be sold. When a friend once commented at a restaurant how weird a dish on the menu sounded and questioned why anyone would eat it, my father said that chefs don’t just put things on their menus willy nilly but rather they partake in trial and error until they think they came up with something that is worth serving in their restaurant and if nothing else, it is worth a try. That stuck with me and I think about it whenever I’m at a restaurant but also I think that applies here. So even though these aren’t flavors I love, I know that Lauren at A Quarter to Tea would not be sending a tea she didn’t think was awesomely delicious so the least I could do is give it a taste.
Lucky for me I had enough sense not to try and pass this along without sampling it because as soon as I cut open the package I knew I was in for a treat. The smell of the dry leaf just filled the air!
This is one tasty, TASTY tea!! It’s like a rich and buttery graham cracker or maybe a shortbread with a slight cinnamon sugar glaze. Sweet but no where near sickly. Just smooth. Sugary. Baked goods. Deliciousness. It took me by surprise but now that I have tried it, I can say with confidence I will be having this again.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Sweetly floral white tea with vanilla, butter and a touch of cinnamon.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
