52 Teas has done a few houjicha/white tea blends, all of which I have enjoyed. I was particularly interested in this one because of the mulberries. If you have never seen mulberries, google them. They are cool looking. I have never eaten them or elderberries before. So I was definitely interested in trying this.
I always enjoy houjicha. It adds a warmth and toasty-ness to the cup. The white tea that Anne (mad tea artist at 52 Teas) adds usually rounds out the toasty-ness and gives it a fuzzy sweetness and maybe even a tad bit of floral flavor. Once steeped, this blend smelled fruity but I could also smell the toasty houjicha. Just like all the other houjicha/white tea blends from 52 teas, I really enjoyed this one. I can not speak to the specifics of how realistic the flavors of the berries were because aside from drinking this tea, I have never had them! What I can say, though, is that this tea was so good. I really like the fact that these berries are actually really sweet, and not tart (like raspberries or blackberries can be). I am actually now wanting to try elderberries and golden mulberries on their own to see if I like eating them. These ingredients are so different, and they really blend well with the tea leaves. I like that the houjicha/white tea brings this toasty warmth and the berries bring a sweet warmth.
Together they make a very enjoyable cup of tea!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green/White Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
Tea Description: One of my fellow tea blenders gave me the idea of blending Shou Mei (white tea) with Houjicha (roasted green tea) to create a base that’s mildly toasty. And I gotta tell you, I really like the result! The Shou Mei softens the rich toasty flavor of the Houjicha a little bit and creates a flavor that evokes thoughts of walking through the forest when the autumn leaves have fallen. (You’ll just have to try this to understand what I mean!)
The idea of walking through a forest after the autumn leaves have fallen brought thoughts of gathering berries to mind so I decided to turn that imagery into a tea! To the base of Shou Mei and Houjicha, I added some dried ‘wild’ berries: black currants, elderberries, blueberries and golden mulberries.
This is the kind of tea you want to brew a great big mug of and curl up in a warm, cozy blanket with a good book and that great big mug of this tea. It’s delightfully sweet and tart with a really lovely toasty tone. Deliciously different!
organic ingredients: white tea, roasted green tea, black currants, elderberries, blueberries, golden mulberries and natural flavors.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
White Pina Colada from Tea and Tins. . . .
I have kind of been on a roll here, trying all sorts of pina colada and coconut flavored teas. I have said it before and ill say it again, they both really are my favorite flavors in the summertime. I can honestly say, with 100% certainty, that thus far this White Pina Colada tea is hands down the best i’ve tried. I am SO GLAD I bought two ounces of it.
irst off it smells like pina colada mix, so right off the bat it is realistic and giving me visions of me laying on an island beach in a bikini catchin’ some rays. Second off, when it comes to taste- I swear my taste buds are dancing. The white tea is fluffy and creamy, the coconut is nutty and sweet, and the pineapple is subtle and fruity. Altogether, it forms the most amazing pina colada tea. The taste lingers long after the sip is gone, and it leaves me wanting more. This hot cup is so fragrant and enticing. I literally could close my eyes and pretend I was laying poolside sipping a pina colada! I guarantee this blend would be ahhh-mazing iced in the middle of summer. I also have the bright idea that with a splash of milk, this would be an awesome frozen tea-pop. This is definitely a must try, everyone.
The perfect summer beverage!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Tea and Tins
Description
Ingredients: Bai Mudan white tea, shredded coconut, pineapple bits, coconut and pineapple flavor.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Candied Chestnut from The Tea Spot. . . .
This tea tastes like a baby shower for a child of unknown gender. Try to imagine the scene: comfortable, lighthearted, full of pastel yellows, whites, and light green gifts. Everyone’s in a good mood. It’s sweet and exciting and soft.
Boom. That’s this tea. It’s a smooth, buttery light flavor that is sweet. It tastes like nuts. It tastes like sugar. It tastes like calories.
The Tea Spot likens this tea’s flavor to a wedding cake, which I hadn’t realized until after I started this review’s “baby shower motif.” But you can see that I was spot on with their intentions!
This synchronicity is because I’m very, very tapped into the collective unconscious, you guys. Basically at one with the Universe.
I say that sarcastically, but when I was a kid, my grandmother totally had me believing I was psychic. She thought SHE was, and it had “skipped a generation” down to me. AS THOSE SORTS OF THINGS DO. She told me it was possible to hug trees and pick up their vibes. I always sensed that the trees were calm. (In retrospect: what would a rage-tree FEEL like?)
If only she knew about this “I can tell the intent of the flavor-maker” thing.
She’d be like “you can feel the intent of the tea-makers THROUGH THE TEA. My god, you are SO GIFTED. You are a CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK.”
I wish you could all meet this woman. You guys would love her. She is very gauche about her tea, but oh god she’s a character. (She buys the cheapest grocery store bags and uses them over and over again. It makes me want to cry when she does it. My mother has to shake her head at me so I don’t say anything.) She’d probably tell you all about your inner workings.
And tell you to have children. She would nag you to give her a great-grandchild.
If you succeed, I promise to serve this at your baby shower.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Description
This full leaf white tea will indulge your senses and make you dream of sweet sugarplums. Adorned with beautiful white flowers, this tea has sweet, light chestnut notes and a smooth buttery finish that lasts through multiple infusions. The Bai Yun tea leaves impart a great body & flavor which lasts over multiple infusions. Sipping this dessert tea is like indulging in a slice of decadent wedding cake… without the calories!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Banana Split from A Quarter to Tea. . . .
Everyone knows I love banana teas, and I also love dessert teas, especially ones modeled after ice cream. I have had tremendous luck with this company, A Quarter to Tea. Their flavors are so different and interesting, and all of their teas are really well done. This one, Banana Split, I knew would be extra special the minute I smelled it. It really smells like a banana split- banana, cocoa, and strawberry. The white tea leaves were big and fluffy. I was really excited to try it!
On taste, I can honestly say it was spot on. The white tea was creamy and light, the banana and strawberry was fruity and sweet, and the chocolate and caramel flavors added a nice flair that was definitely reminiscent of a delicious banana split sundae. This is definitely a great dessert tea, for its rich and flavorful. Although the flavors are rich, the white tea lends a nice creamy, but light, background and allows the other flavors to take the stage. The first flavor I notice is definitely banana. The banana is followed by chocolate and strawberry, and then finished with caramel, vanilla, and cream.
I have always recommended A Quarter to Tea since the first time I tried them, but I am really going to have to recommend that everyone try this one especially if you are looking for a guilt-free dessert tea. You don’t even have to add sweetener to this, the flavors are sweet and rich enough as is! A definite favorite of mine.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Vanilla custard, bananas, strawberry and a hint of caramel and chocolate come together to make this creamy, fruity dessert tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Eggnog Poundcake from A Quarter to Tea. . . . .
This was the third tea I tried from A Quarter to Tea. I got a small sample because I wasn’t sure if I would like it. I do like a glass of eggnog during the holidays, but when it comes to the tea I was concerned it may be over spiced. I have had really good experiences with other flavored blends from A Quarter to Tea, though. However, I don’t usually go for white tea so this is different for me. I am more so into green, black, and occasionally oolong. I was really excited to try this one.
It was a little hard for me to smell this dry blend because I stored it with a bunch of other samples and to be honest, it smelled like a medley of spices and teas. I can comment on how it smelled once steeped though. The steeped liquid is light, and gives off a custard/cinnamon/nutmeg smell- which is clearly eggnog! It smelled light and tasted light. The floral white tea was a perfect backdrop for eggnog and custard flavors. This tea was smooth and custardy with a perfect balance of floral and cinnamon. The custard taste came out more when the tea cooled significantly. The spices were very light and airy and just really accented the floral white tea. I’d say this was an accurate eggnog representation and very well put together. I think samples of this are still available on their website!
Overall I have been really impressed with A Quarter to Tea, and I just placed another order with them so more review to come. Stay tuned!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
White peony with a delicious eggy vanilla custard flavor and pastry notes and classical eggnog spices.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!