Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Tea Description:
A uniquely strong, full bodied malty tea from the sun drenched region of Assam.
Ingredients: Fairtrade black tea
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Do you ever wake in the morning, only to wish that you could sleep longer? Of course! Don’t we all? Truth be told, I experience that just about every morning!
On the days when I can’t hit the snooze button, this is the kind of tea that I need in my tea cup. It is a strong, stout kind of tea, with plenty of gusto to help me wake up and get focused.
This full-bodied cup has a rich, malty character, and takes the addition of milk and honey quite well, if you care to add them. These additions will help take that Assam “edge” off just a little. I find this to be quite enjoyable without additions, as well. Very bold and spirited, yes, but sometimes, that’s just what I want from a tea. This one delivers.
I do recommend exercising caution when brewing this tea, though. I found that 2 minutes is the perfect time for this tea … any longer and you may wind up with a cup with a bitter bite to it. Assam tea is celebrated for its strength and rich flavor, but not for its forgiving nature!
This is the kind of Assam that you want to have on hand for when you need that extra push in the morning! One of the strongest Assam teas that I’ve yet to encounter!
Organic Ginger Green Tea from Hampstead Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Product Description:
Ginger’s ability to improve the immune system and circulation combines with the antioxidant qualities of green tea producing a potent, fresh brew to be enjoyed any time of the day.
Ingredients: Fairtrade green tea, Fairtrade root ginger
Taster’s Review:
I really enjoy the flavor of ginger teas, but sometimes, the ginger is just too strong, and others, the ginger is too light. With this blend from Hampstead Tea, I’m finding the amount of ginger to be just right. Not too peppery, but just enough kick to make for a vibrant, lively cuppa.
The green tea base tastes fresh. It has a moderate astringency and a crisp, light grassy taste. The ginger starts out mild, but develops as I continue to sip. By mid-cup, the flavor of the ginger has developed a pleasing, gentle warmth without being too spicy.
It is not only tasty, but it is also soothing. A nice cuppa to enjoy after a meal, or any time of day when you want something light and rejuvenating!
Lemon Ginger from Hampstead Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Fruit & Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Product Description:
A zesty, edgy, invigorating infusion with a delicious kick. Ginger, a natural stimulant, is used extensively in traditional Ayurvedic remedies. Here, it combines with lemon to warm and enliven your spirits.
Naturally caffeine free.
INGREDIENTS:
Lemon rind, lemongrass and Fairtrade root ginger
Taster’s Review:
I’ve tasted a lot of ginger and citrus blends, and I’ve enjoyed most of the ones I’ve tried. I really like the contrast of flavors: sweet, tangy and spicy. This is one of the more simple combinations, containing just dried lemon peel, lemongrass and ginger root. But sometimes the simplest of blends are the tastiest – and this blend is no exception to that. This is really nice.
The ginger is not quite as spicy as I might have anticipated, although it does have a gentle peppery kick right at the tail of the sip, imparting a spicy aftertaste that I really enjoy. If you’re one who is generally hesitant when it comes to ginger teas, this one might be right up your alley – because while the ginger is prominent, it isn’t overwhelming. It is a strong flavor here, but I’m tasting more of the savory tones of the ginger rather than the spicy-hot ones. It’s a very pleasant ginger experience.
The lemony flavor is very smooth and sweet. It has a slight tartness to it, but here again, it isn’t the tart-and-tangy flavor I might have expected from a lemon flavored tisane. It is a strong flavor, but it isn’t sour. It offers some of the sweeter notes of lemon without the pucker-y tart taste that usually comes with lemon.
While these two ingredients are invigorating, I also find them to be very calming after dinner, which is when I steeped this cuppa. It is a stimulating yet relaxing tisane. I like it!
I’ve been very pleased with the teas and tisanes that I’ve tried from Hampstead Tea. This one is very enjoyable, lightly sweet and very soothing. Nice!
English Breakfast from Hampstead Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Product Description:
Carefully blended black teas from North India create a punchy and full-bodied brew. Londoners like it best with a dash of milk. Great to start a busy day.
Ingredients: Fairtrade black tea
Taster’s Review:
Now THAT’S what I’m talking about! This is an excellent cuppa! And what amazes me most about it is that I brewed it from a teabag. (This blend is also available as loose leaf.)
I have drank (and enjoyed!) many different English Breakfast blends. But, I have found that not all English Breakfast blends are created equal. Some can be rather ordinary. But not this English Breakfast. This IS the English Breakfast blend that others should strive to become.
This is robust! It has a lot of gusto – just what a person needs first thing in the morning. It is a good, solid black tea with a lot of flavor. There is a fair amount of astringency to it, but no bitterness (as long as it’s not oversteeped!) It is a full-bodied, full-flavored blend with a hint of woody earthiness in the background, and a pleasing hint of sweetness.
Most breakfast blends are meant to be served with milk and honey, and this one takes these additions deliciously. For an edgier cuppa, try it without milk.
If you’ve been looking for a really good English Breakfast blend – try this one and you may need to look no further!
Royal Camomile from Hampstead Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Hampstead Tea
Product Description:
A beautiful golden infusion made from prized sweetly scented camomile petals. Camomile relieves inflammation, soothes and relaxes.
Naturally caffeine free.
Ingredients: Fairtrade camomile flowers
Taster’s Review:
When I first opened the pouch of this tea bag, I was amazed at just how fragrant the chamomile was. Yes, I’ve smelled chamomile before, but, usually it is a much more subtle aroma than this. The scent here is so strong, much stronger than other bagged chamomiles that I’ve tried. Such a lovely fragrance – sweet and flowery. Beautiful.
And the bouquet is not the only unexpected thing about this tea – the flavor is very surprisingly good. I know that I have been harsh in the past about chamomile, especially bagged chamomile. But this bagged tisane is changing my beliefs about chamomile in a tea bag! This is lovely!
The flavor is light and flowery with a crisp apple-like note. It is a very soothing, comforting tisane – especially later in the evening when I’m getting ready for bedtime. Especially good with a drizzle of honey.
I do recommend steeping this (and all botanical teas) at a below boiling temperature. When the water is too hot, it really seems to destroy the flavor of the chamomile. I think this is one reason why I disliked chamomile so much in the past – because I was brewing at too high a temperature. Keep the temperature below boiling, and you too will be rewarded with a pale gold cup of tasty goodness!