What is tulsi? Apparently, it is another word for “Holy Basil”. Apparently its a very powerful and multi-functional herb. The other ingredients in this blend were interesting as well- green tea, a myriad of berries, black pepper, and long pepper. I’ve never had a blend that was more on the savory side like this one seems to be. Try something new everyday, right?
The dry mixture smelled mostly like berries, but the steeped liquid smelled very herb-y. I could smell the pepper and I do believe that I could smell a hint of basil.
My first taste was very herb-y as well. I mean this takes herbal to another level, but the base was green tea and I could taste that. There’s a refreshing quality to any tea that has a green tea base, they’re always thirst quenchers. The berries were there, but the main star was definitely the tulsi followed by a hint of pepper and berries. I cant sit here and say that this is my favorite blend ever, I also cant sit here and say that I disliked it.
In truth, I don’t really know how I feel about this. It is so different and unique. It’s not my usual and it’s definitely not in line with my preferences, but there was something intriguing about it that kept me sipping more. I came out of my comfort zone to try this blend, and I am really glad I did! A must try…but all 52 Teas’ blends are!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green/Herbal
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
Earlier this year, I played around with some Tulsi when I blended the RandyCandy and the Hot & Unbothered blends. I enjoyed the result of both those teas, so I decided that I wanted to further explore the joy of Tulsi! This time, I decided to try blending it with some berry flavors!
This is really tasty! I started with a blend of organic Tulsi (Green, Purple & Wild Leaf Tulsi) and added some organic Chinese Sencha. Then I added a blend of berries (strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry & juniper berries) – ok, ok, so juniper berries aren’t actually berries but because I added juniper berries to this blend, it just seemed like the appropriate time to mention that. Then I added some crushed black peppercorns as well as some long pepper.
The result? A really tasty beverage that tastes a little bit herb-y/vegetative, a little bit warm and spicy, a little bit sweet and a little bit tart. The berry is really nice in this and I like the contrast in flavors between the cool, herbaceous basil/mint notes from the tulsi and the hint of zesty heat from the pepper.
It tastes a little bit like what taking a hike into the woods and foraging for berries might feel like. Or at least what I imagine that might feel like (as I’ve never actually foraged for berries before and I would no doubt end up picking the wrong berry). It has a rustic, woodsy kind of flavor to it, somewhat earthy and nicely spiced!
organic ingredients: green tea, tulsi (green, purple & wild leaf varieties), strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, juniper berries, black peppercorns, long pepper and natural flavors.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Peace from A Quarter To Tea. . . . .
April’s A Quarter to Tea monthly tea box certainly had an interesting selection: Rose Water Shortbread, Strawberry Rhubarb Salad, Cacao Cashew Beet Cake, and this tea, Peace.
This tea is a herbal but one that is based on Olive Leaf, which I personally have never seen before, though that would explain the name. In light of that, I was certainly intrigued. In addition to the olive leaf, this tea has ginger, lemon, and rose “for a calming experience”.
Now that I am actually drinking the tea, I will say it is both familiar and unique. The lemon, like that of lemon zest, is by far the strongest flavor. The ginger is contributing to the taste as well, though it lingers in the back of the sip. However, there is no ginger spice/kick in this tea, which seems to actually work better with the other ingredients. There is a little sweetness from what I imagine is the base, or maybe the rose, and also a touch of dryness from those components as well.
If I didn’t know any better, I would probably think this was a lemongrass and ginger infusion, with something added to keep it smooth and slightly sweet. This is because the lemon and ginger flavors are by far the most prominent and bright.
It is good for a herbal blend and definitely fun to try something new. Like I said, this tea is simultaneously unique while also remaining familiar.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
A slightly sweet and floral full-bodied tisane featuring olive leaf and brightened with lemon and ginger.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Earl Grey Le Creme from The NecessiTeas. . . .
Dear Earl of Grey, (I’m just assuming that’s your title. Correct me if I’m wrong.)
I have to be honest with you, dude. Sometimes, you’re awesome. And sometimes– well, you’re just not. You can be fruity and tangy and light and mellow and robust and fragrant and creamy and all sorts of good things– but if you knock that balance off, even by an inch? Well, you can be kinda gross. (Sorry not sorry. My tea-reviewer oath ensures I tell it like it is.)
But this particular iteration of you? Well, you’re kinda dreamy. You’re fruity and bright, but creamy and vanilla-y– you know, the warm, buttery kind of vanilla, not the saccharine-sweet, fake-frosting kind. Mmmm. You take milk and cream well (way to play nicely with others!), and your bergamot and fruitiness isn’t anywhere near overpowering. In fact, I’d say this is one of your finer iterations. I’ve met your other “cream” brothers– they’re not all as well-balanced as this version, friend.
In short, I am a fan of you. I’m sure you’re very busy Earl-ing it up somewhere (you know, being caffeinated and all), but who doesn’t like to hear a nice compliment now and again? And that’s what I’m here to give you. Way to go, Earl Grey Le Crème. You should be pretty proud of yourself.
With sincerest sips, Mary
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
Our Earl Grey Le Creme is a forgiving indulgence essenced with bergamot, vanilla and cream. Go ahead, treat yourself!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Jasmine Pecan Shortbread from A Quarter To Tea. . . .
Jasmine Pecan Shortbread by A Quarter to Tea- Doesn’t this sound so interesting? I love pecans. I put pecans in my shortbread. Yes, I make shortbread and yes it is absolutely incredible shortbread. I put pecans in it to add that crunch and my other half and I go nuts (no pun intended) over it. But, my shortbread is laden with butter. A Quarter to Tea’s “shortbread”, though? Not so much. What better way to get my cravings in than with this? I have been so excited to try this blend and I think today is the perfect day to do so.
I steeped this blend for four minutes with hot water. I used half of a sample bag in my 12oz mug. Once steeped I could smell sweet jasmine, the vegetal green tea, cookies, and the nutty pecans. The smell was very realistic! My first thought when I tasted it is that I could taste the green tea, which I love. I love green tea so I don’t mind when it’s flavor is strong. I think that the second part I tasted was the floral jasmine followed by nutty pecans and finished with slight sweet cookie and vanilla flavor just at the very end. I’m actually really digging this blend, wow. It is good! I’m sipping on it as I write this and the more I drink the more I can taste pecan shortbread freckled with jasmine. The aroma of sweet vanilla and jasmine is definitely there as well, and that, coupled with the taste of pecan cookies, makes for a very happy “me”.
You got to try this one, people! Yeah, i’m probably going to be ordering more. YUM! I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, A Quarter to Tea is just plain winning.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Lovely vanilla, butter and pecans flavors with a jasmine background. Definitely try more than one steep — the more steeps, the more the jasmine comes to play!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Taking The Day On With My Morning Blend from The NecessiTeas. . .
I drank three cups of this before I wrote this review because I read that there were chocolate/cocoa nibs in here — but I could never find them. I’ve never given up on locating Waldo, so I don’t know why I’d quit on this tea.
But friends, despite the delicious chocolate smell in the dry leaf, I cannot pinpoint any chocolate flavoring in this tea.
Which is not to say the tea is bad. It’s a lovely Assam-y bread-y malt-y mix. A dark blend of sultry Eastern European men telling fortunes and learning to box. Like, if the Winter Soldier were a tea, this might be the one.
The caffeine content is no joke. I could actually feel my brain rousing itself. “AHA. THE DAY. GOT IT. ON IT NOW.”
It’s weird that wake-up juice comes from natural sources like tea leaves. Doesn’t caffeine seem like something that would have come from a lab, like some kind of drug? You could imagine some sort of mad scientist raging “LIKE GARFIELD, I HATE MONDAYS. I MUST IMPROVE MY LOT.” And storming around, lab coat flapping behind his frenzied, sweaty body, as he crafted a glowing substance that looks a lot like alien pee and/or Mountain Dew.
Nope? Just me?
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
If you are looking for a wake-me-up, perk-me-up cup in the morning, that’s off the beaten path of coffee, look no further. This strong black tea has the smoothness of chocolate, and the boldness of roasted cocoa beans. Doctor it as you would a cup of coffee, with milk and sugar to start off your day!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
