This tea had been sitting in my to-be-reviewed pile for far too long, you guys. Every once in a while, I’d pass by, give it a sniff, smile at how yummy it smelled, then get distracted by something else and completely forget to brew it up (story of my life). Until the other day, I was struck by the siren song of March– the Shamrock Shake. You know exactly what I’m talking about. As soon as 3/1 rolls around, billboards are covered with larger-than-life pictures of delicious, neon green vanilla-mint-chemical-deliciousness, and it’s near impossible to resist them. That said, it’s been a looooong time since I’ve had (or even been able to have, silly food allergies) an actual Shamrock Shake– but that doesn’t stop me from trying to healthfully recreate them at home every year!
Enter Sportland’s Focus tea. It’s a mate/matcha blend, leaves covered in bright green powder and smelling of deliciously balanced vanilla and mint. As soon as I took a whiff of this one the other day, I knew it’d be a perfect balance to an updated “healthy” Shamrock-esque shake at home, and you guys. I was right. SO YUM. Want to sip along with me? Here’s what I did!
Tea-Inspired Shamrock Shake: 1 large handful of greens, about 1.5 cups (spinach is most neutral-tasting) 1 avocado 1.5 cups of overnight cold-brewed Sportland Tea Co. Focus blend 1 frozen banana or handful of ice cubes optional: scoop of vanilla protein powder or collagen powder 1 tsp or to taste of each: vanilla extract, peppermint extract or essential oil
Blend all ingredients in a blender until nice and smooth. Enjoy your health-ified Shamrock Shake!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green/Matcha Blend
Where to Buy: Sportland Tea Co
Description
Sportland Tea Co.’s focus blend is a stimulating mix of matcha green tea and yerba mate.
With mint and vanilla for a smooth and delicious flavor, this blend offers a naturally sweet option to those looking for a boost of caffeine. Get the laser focus you are looking for!
Health Benefits
- High in antioxidants
- Increases energy levels
- Boosts mental alertness
Key Ingredients
- Matcha
- Yerba mate
- Peppermint
- Vanilla
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Focus from BlendBee
Blendbee has some of the most amazing smelling teas! Focus from BlendBee is one of those teas! Upon opening the package I could smell lemon-orange-chocolate! The second sniff is when I noticed the gently roasted, savory, and floral notes. Usually I would think all of these conflicting aromas would be weird together but they seemed to fit here. I could get over the amazing aroma!
The original reason I reached for this tea today was because I was having a hard time focusing. I’m not going to make any claims or anything here BUT once I smelled this tea I know I couldn’t FOCUS on anything other that how awesome it smelled! I knew I had to take the next step, tho! I added the water and waited 3 or 4 minutes before sipping. Once the tea was infused it was harder to identify each of those ingredients with a single sniff but it still smelled YUMMY.
Focus from BlendBee ‘brewed’ dark brown and I could taste a combo of Yerba Mate, Black Tea, Lemon, and Orange, mostly. In follow up sips I could taste the chicory and it was done perfectly! It was hanging out in the background and wasn’t over powering! The rose and chocolaty notes were more on the end sip and aftertaste and were lovely, too! This is a Yerba Mate/Black Tea blend I could see myself drinking often! YUM!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Description
Sharpen your mind & stay focused.
This invigorating black tea & yerba mate blend was specifically designed for a tea lover whose favorite tea was discontinued. We recreated it for her, and to our delight, we loved this blend and decided to whole world should have it. It definitely helps you to stay focused and has a great energy. Enjoy!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Focus by BlendBee
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Tea Description:
Sharpen your mind & stay focused.
This invigorating black tea & yerba mate blend was specifically designed for a tea lover whose favorite tea was discontinued. We recreated it for her, and to our delight, we loved this blend and decided to whole world should have it. It definitely helps you to stay focused and has a great energy. Enjoy!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This tea is named Focus but it is doing anything but making me focus right now. . because right now I’m taking a break from work and seeing what other blends BlendBee offers.
BlendBee is one I’ve had a few blends by but I will have to say, this particular blend has me craving and wanting more of their blends! This tea is giving me those warm tea fuzzies and I can’t seem to get enough.
BlendBee was created in 2014 by Jamah Dacus, a health-crazed tea lover (from the website). From what I’m seeing, these blends are handmade and seem to be crazy unique and fun. With teas like Ginger Ninja. . .this site has my attention for sure!
Focus is a gorgeous blend of black tea, yerba mate, rose buds, and other ingredients. The coloring of this tea is beautiful, with the pops of this lovely red mixed in with the black and yerba mate tea base. With those two teas having more of an earthy tone, the rosebuds leap out at you, demanding your attention.
I brewed this tea up per the instructions (boiled fresh water and steep for 5-15 minutes). I will say, I was worried about my first sip. I started having a conversation with a co-worker and allowed this tea to over steep by about 10 minutes. All I have to say is friends. . . this tea is crazy forgiving!
My first sip of this tea was like an explosion. Bursts of bright lovely flavors swirled, giving me a lovely afternoon beverage. The black tea is a subtle and gentle smoothness that gives way for the yerba mate to give a slightly earthy note. From what I can tell, the cacao nibs provide a dark rich silky touch and the rosebuds provide a sweetness that really becomes the star. The lemon balm and orange extract are my favorite part of this tea. They give this really lush citrus note that combined with the other ingredients takes this tea up to another level. There is also a subtle note of a roasted flavored.
I’m literally on my 3 infusion of this tea and I can’t get enough. Sure I’m starting to feel jittery from the yerba mate, but I can’t help it. This tea is that good and demands the attention and love.
BlendBee has impressed me and I will be ordering more of this tea for sure!
