So I know that this one is probably supposed to be drunk iced, but I was too lazy and too impatient today to ice it. I like cooling the tea down a lot before pouring it over ice, otherwise the ice melts and its too watered down. Anyways, the reason I ordered this tea was because of course the name made me think that it would be a great summer blend, and also because of the ingredients. I’m always down to try something different and unique. Black tea with blueberries, pineapple, coconut, caramel, and freeze dried yogurt pieces all sounded like a combo I haven’t tried before. The only thing that made me hesitant and slightly disappointed right off the bat was the inclusion of hibiscus. I have only tried one tea that included hibiscus that I enjoyed thus far. Anytime hibiscus is listed I usually don’t buy it, but Fava didn’t use “tart” as a descriptive word to describe this blend so I decided to give it a try.
Once steeped I could smell the caramel, pineapple, and coconut. It smelled like DAVIDsTEA’s Caramel Corn blend. In all honesty it tasted like it, too, except with blueberries. I was immediately in love after the first sip and I know for a fact I will be stocking up on this one. It is fantastic hot and I am now eager to try it iced!
The first thing I notice is how creamy it is and I wonder if that is from the yogurt pieces. The next thing I notice is that I would not peg this as a black tea blend, it tastes more like a fruit infusion and I love it! It is creamy, fruity, nutty, and not the least bit tart. It isn’t overly sugary though, and I did add agave still. The blend of pineapple, coconut, and blueberry is so good and so unique. The added ingredients of caramel and yogurt pieces give the blend a smooth, creamy, and sweet aspect that leaves you wanting to continue going back for another sip. It’s addicting because there is so much going on in each sip that you have to keep trying it! I really really like this one. I know I say it a lot, but this is truly a must try this summer…no matter what you think you like or what flavors you usually gravitate towards, everyone should try this at least once.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Fava Tea
Description
This black tea blend will set you thinking of palm trees and beach-side afternoons. The flavors of pineapple, blueberries, and coconut all complement each other in an endless circle of deliciousness. It’s refreshing and perfect for porch lounging, or for mermaids drinking tea in their lagoons!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Tangerine Cupcake? With Marshmallow FROSTING? #52Teas
There’s just something about a well-named tea, you guys. I’ll be the first to admit that I TOTALLY judge literal books by their covers when I’m in a bookstore, or the library– and that same tendency seems to spill into the tea-loving parts of my life as well. So when I stumbled across this tea– TANGERINE cupcake? With MARSHMALLOW FROSTING? it immediately got bumped to the top of the list on name alone.
Like many other sisters reviewing here, I am a sucker for marshmallow in tea– particularly, the pillowy, creamy goodness that the marshmallow root herb adds to a tea. No disrespect to the (delicious) cute little mini marshmallows peppering so many of my favorite dessert teas, but I love how the root adds that flavor without the additives and sugary-sweetness. And this tea has it in spades! The dry leaf looks to be almost 60:40 black tea to marshmallow root, which is a fantastic ratio, if you’re asking my palate.
Brewed, however, this tea doesn’t quite hit the mark that I was hoping for. Is it a fantastic marshmallow black tea? YES. Did I maybe set my sights too high in hoping for something citrusy, sweet, cake-like AND marshmallow-y? Probably, yes. I’m not picking too much tangerine up in my cup, which is a little disappointing. But to be fair, if this tea hadn’t been named so spectacularly (thus, setting my expectations sky-high), I would’ve been super pleased by the pillow-y, vanilla goodness from this black tea blend.
Three takeaways from this experience: 1. 52 Teas can make a pretty spectacular marshmallow tea. 2. I should learn to temper my judge-a-book-by-its-cover tendencies. 3. I’ll take another cup, please and thanks.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for blends that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sweet Slo-Sippin’ SimpliciTEA Raspberry Rhubarb from Cup of Love. . .
Sweet Slo-Sippin’ SimpliciTEA Raspberry Rhubarb is a blended Green Tea and Black Tea Duo! The funny thing is I was thinking it was Strawberry Rhubarb but that’s because that used to be my favorite type of pie and I must be hungry for it. Raspberry Rhubarb is just as good and plus I have been gobbling up raspberries like they are going out of style lately!
Enough blabbing and on to the tea, eh? Sweet Slo-Sippin’ SimpliciTEA Raspberry Rhubarb is from Cup of Love. And I’m truly LOVING it!
The Sencha Green Tea is of medium strength and delicious! The Black Tea is second in line and knows how to play well with others. It’s more mellow and quite marvelous in its own right. The dried raspberry pieces are tasty-tart and yummy! The blackberry leaves give it a little extra something – a subtle herb taste. The trio of flowers: Sunflower, Safflower, and Jasmine round it out with a welcomed floral taste. It isn’t a bitter floral flavor but seems to tie everything together.
I have really enjoyed the Sweet Slo-Sippin Series Cup of Love is offering and looking forward to any new flavors they come up with!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Cup of Love
Description
Down-homespun-goodness! Imagine picking raspberries and rhubarb, and baking them into a delicious pie, and then pouring it into a tall glass of front porch, sun-brewed iced tea. It‘ll knock your socks off! That is…iffin’ you wearin’ any.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sweet Mango Peach Tea from Gypsy Soul Tea . . . . .
I have been on an iced tea kick lately. My friend got me an iced tea press and it is my new obsession.
Consequently, I am going through fruit teas like crazy. That is why when this sample arrived, I jumped at the chance to steep it up.
Made with apple, hibiscus, pineapple, peach, papaya, lemon peel, and natural flavors, but no mango to be found. Sipping on it now, it’s flavor is quite subtle and light. There is no tartness from the hibiscus which could be a plus for many but that also seems to be a side effect of lack of overall flavor. What I am getting is a generic fruitiness that leans slightly towards stonefruit. The apple base and dried fruit is contributing a bit of waxiness as well that you sometimes get with fruit blends.
Personally, I am not a fan because I find myself wanting more. More mango, more peach, more flavor. It is not bad but at the end of the day, it is underwhelming.
However, Gypsy Soul Tea has many other offerings to choose from and though this is the first I have tried of this company, I would be interested to see what else they have.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Tisane
Where to Buy: Gypsy Soul Tea
Description
This sweet, peachy temptation, is made from all natural fruit and herbs. Naturally caffeine free, this tea is great for the kids and anyone avoiding caffeine!
Try it iced or with a splash of ginger ale for an extra treat!
Ingredients: apple, hibiscus, pineapple, peach, papaya, lemon peel, natural flavors
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Passion Berry Jolt from Tiesta Tea. . . . .
This tea is FIERCE. It’s a black tea with super-vibrant raspberry/passionfruit flavor. The tea is robust. The flavor is spiky. The flower petals are lovely.
You know how Rihanna had that red hair for a while? And it was really hot and bright and worked on her? That is this tea. It’s like Rihanna, turned into a tea. It’s a fast-paced hip-hop album of a tea.
This tea will not mince words with you and tell you that the dress works when it does not.
This tea will not pretend to like that guy you’re dating if he’s a wasteoid.
This tea will show up when you are sick with the entire boxed set of Sex and the City and a bottle of booze. For herself. She’d stay all weekend.
This tea will stand up for you.
This tea will pay for the entire check while you’re in the restaurant bathroom.
This tea is the spunky best friend we all wish we had. In liquid form.
Give it a try.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Tiesta Tea
Description
It may look robust, but this tea is light on its feet and has grabbed raspberry for a dance partner. If you need the energy of a black tea but want that fruity flavor, cut in and give this a whirl.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
