When I first saw this tea I will admit that I was not 100% interested. Of course I love chocolate, but I don’t love, love chocolate in my tea. I don’t mind a little, but if it’s too much I feel like I cant drink it because it is too dessert-like. Regardless, I decided to buy a taster/sample size just to try it out. Because of this tea being an ice cream flavor, I was not too enthused with brewing it hot. I wanted to try it cold and as an iced latte. I figured that the milk would give it a more creamy component and that it may resemble a milk shake!
I was certainly right! I couldn’t believe how delectable this tea was as an iced latte! It tasted like chocolate milk, but not overly chocolatey because there was still that nutty almond component which was completely driven home by the addition of sunflower seeds which I LOVED. After the third sip I caved and got onto 52 Teas’ website and ordered more before it was gone. The black tea itself was very mellow and in the background, not bitter or astringent which I appreciated.
The second time I tried this tea I tried it hot because, honestly, I was way too lazy to make a latte! I brewed it hot with a splash of milk and some agave. I am sipping on this hot blend as I right this and it is just as delicious as it was as an iced latte! You can smell the chocolate and almond and even the sunflower seeds. I don’t know why, but to me the sunflower seeds and almond really stand out and I absolutely adore that about this tea. Hot brewed the marshmallow is more prominent as well. Before, with the iced latte, the marshmallow sort of got lost. This tea is smooth and yummy and NOT overly chocolate. It has just enough of each ingredient and it is definitely addictive, so watch out!
Kudos to Anne for this blend. So good!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
I’m pretty sure that Frank had a Rocky Road tea at one point because I recall asking him to reblend it several years ago – I had never tasted it but I had found the tea description in his archives and I wanted to try it so I do remember asking him to reblend it. He never did.
So since I can no longer retrieve any of those archived teas and it doesn’t show up at Steepster, I’m just going to call this my blend.
I started with Laoshan black teas from Verdant for their chocolate-y character. Then I chose a rich, malty Assamica tea from the Jingmai Mountains. Then I added some Golden Yunnan tea to round out the flavors. To this, I added roasted cacao nibs, cacao shells, marshmallow root, sunflower seeds and vegan dark and white chocolate chips.
And yes, I’ve said it before and I’m going to say it again now: YUM!
Taster size is approximately 15g
ingredients: black teas, roasted & salted sunflower seeds and vegan white & dark chocolate chips
organic ingredients: black tea, cacao nibs & shells, marshmallow root and natural flavors
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!
Peeps Genmaicha from A Quarter To Tea. . . Take That Tea Name In. . .
That is right. Someone has combined Peeps with tea-or at least the flavor of Peeps with tea.
Peeps seem to split people into two groups, those that love them and those that despise them. I belong to the group that love them. I’ve yet to met a marshmallow product that I don’t adore.
Peeps Genmaicha consists of sprinkles, sencha green tea, popped rice, marshmallow root and a few other natural flavorings. You just have to love the sight of this tea. All of the lovely sprinkles adding a wonderful touch of spring to the blend.
As I steeped (170F water and used my Boreal Wildcraft-the WALL tea infuser) this tea, I sat in awe and enjoyed the delicious aromas that were coming from my cuppa. There was such a wonderful sweetness with a toasted note that I couldn’t get enough of. When the tea was ready, I allowed the tea to cool for a few minutes and greedily gulped the brew down.
Think fluffy toasted marshmallows with a buttery rich finish. That is exactly what this tea tastes like. There is a subtle Peep noticeable flavor but I would honestly compare this tea more to a toasted marshmallow that you would roast over an open flame without any of the campfire smell. You can literally taste the ooey-gooey roasted marshmallow sweetness.
Right along with the marshmallow flavor, there is also this wonderfully addictive vanilla pudding note that is apparent in about every other sip. I find myself craving that flavor and wanting more of it.
Genmaicha has always been on of my favorites and to have that lovely flavor paired with vanilla and marshmallow flavors is just brilliant. I took down 2 oz of this tea in just a few days and will be ordering 4oz of this tea as soon as I can. This is one of those teas that I literally infuse the leaves until they can not give anymore and promptly set myself up with fresh leaves to start all over again. And since I’m using my WALL tea infuser, I just keep adding water so I have a continuous brew waiting for me.
Highly recommend this blend and this will be a repeat buy for me. Here’s to hoping Lauren @A Quarter To Tea will keep this blend in permanent lineup and not just in her spring collection . Peeps Genmaicha is that good.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
A toasted marshmallow delight with roasty genmaicha, marshmallow, and brightly colored sprinkles
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Spiced Rum Raisin and Maple Cream from A Quarter to Tea. . . . .
Licorice root. Star Anise. Fennel. All ingredients that those who hate licorice fear. They often take over and drown out all other ingredients. I am happy to report, for all licorice haters out there, that is not the case here!
Spice and raisin are the shining stars here. Just a hint muscatel to bridge the raisin and rum notes together. Dry but sweet and it pairs nicely with the lingering maple. Mulling spices warm everything up. Alas, there is no cream to be found. The base is a little more brisk than I would like but it connects to the muscatel flavor to tie everything together.
The tea is nice but perhaps it is trying to do a bit too much. The flavors get muddled and it takes a bit of focusing to really pick out each individual element. It’s pleasant enough and comforting on a cold day but it might have done well to focus on just one or even a couple of components and highlight those.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Jun Chiyabari black tea is blended with the flavors of rum soaked raisins, maple, and mulling spices. Sweet, creamy and subtly spiced. This is a perfect fall cup.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Summer Sangria (Now Champagne Sangria) from The NecessiTeas
I’ve been saddened by so many teas claiming to mimic a favorite food, then failing. But not here! This tea is a WINNER!
This blend, originally called “Summer Sangria” and now titled “Champagne Sangria,” is made of white tea, orange peel, blackberries, red cornflower petals, marigold petals, natural and organic flavors.
I tried this tea chilled, and found it delightful. There’s something in here that really does taste like wine. This is 100% a sangria — minus the headache!*
* Am I the only one here who takes one sip of wine, gets a headache, and falls fast asleep on someone’s couch?
What a sweet little champion. This one’s going on my wish list for this summer…
… If summer ever comes. This tea is totally rubbing it in that there are times of the year that are better.
I have no idea what Punxsutawney Phil said this year, but I’m still holding him solely responsible for this dreary Pennsylvania weather.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
Enjoy a unique champagne-based sangria with light citrus and sweet fruit notes of cherry, blackberry and orange that will captivate you, and then the undertones of the bubbly will linger on the tongue with a mellow acidity. It will “tea”se you with the taste of a white wine sangria on a summer’s day.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
