As is true to many of us tea-lovers, I’m a big fan of taking tea time as more of a ritual than just a beverage (although don’t get me wrong– many a cups are sipping while I’m racing out the door or mindlessly doing work at my desk) whenever I can. So anytime a cup encourages me to a sense of relaxation and place during my sipping, I’m all about it. Is my garden currently covered in snow and darkness post-5 PM still practically every day? Yes. Will I pretend I’m relaxing in the late warm summer breeze after dinner while sipping this tea regardless? Also yes.
This tea boasts a honeybush base (already off to a great start for my tastes) with elderflower, rose, lemon and vanilla. While I can’t say I know what elderflower tastes like (certainly not elderberry, which I think I’d assumed upon ordering), the rest of the flavors shine through for me here with some light floral undertones. I like this one with a touch of honey, which brings those citrus notes right to the top of my sip. Smooth and creamy vanilla lingers at the end, which is just delightful. Honestly, this one has been sitting in my cabinet for too long, and I just kind of… forget about it. But every time I brew up a cup, I’m pleasantly surprised by how lovely it is.
And in late winter, I’ll take any chance I can get to evoke those warm spring evenings that I know are on their way!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
Find yourself in a delightfully calming, quiet moment inside your teacup. This tea is a blend we are very excited about! We start with fresh elderflowers — a unique herb not as often used in teas. Then we pair it with lemon peel and rose petals to add a floral zing that is both refreshing and relaxing. Honeybush tea and a touch of vanilla essence add body. The combination is simply delicious — we literally almost called this tea Elderflower Awesomeness, but this organic elderflower tea can be for whenever and whatever you want.
“Enjoy a cup of smooth fragrant Evening in the Garden tea to ready yourself for sleep and dreams of floral meadows.” – Experience Life Magazine
All Plum Deluxe teas are hand-blended and infused with love in Portland, Oregon. Each 1 oz tea packet makes 15-20 cups. All organic ingredients — no sulfites, no artificial chemicals, non-GMO.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Aries from the Zodiac Collection by AstroloTea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black/Floral
Where to Buy: AstroloTea
Tea Description:
An energetic dance of flavors to initiate the courageous and enterprising new beginnings of the Ram.
Every sign rules a different part of the body, Aries rules the head and the face. The Aries blend, a light and subtle flavor with tones of fruit and flowers, helps promote mental clarity, new beginnings, and fresh perspective.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
First thought when I saw this tea was YES! Chrysanthemums!
Over the summer, I discovered these delicious floral teas with Chrysanthemum in it. Wow. My taste buds squealed in delight!
This tea is a unique blend of floral, spices, black tea, and a few herbals sprinkled in for good measure. This tea looks amazing. The dry leaf mixture had such a nice sweet slightly savory/floral aroma. Really nice. I couldn’t wait to brew this up. I poured the entire sample I bought into my tea pot, added the water and let it steep for 4 minutes.
While this tea was steeping, I swear I was drooling. This tea smelled just so good!
Finally it was time to try it. Took my first sip and yes, there is the good stuff. This tea really gives me the “wow” factor I look for. There is a unique sweet taste with hints of floral notes and a slightly savory sage finish. The tea base is nice and gives the tea a nice background depth. There are also notes of lemon here and there. Such a silky like smooth tea. So rich and full of flavor! I can’t get enough!
What is fantastic is that when you order this tea, you can order it caffeinated or not. Of course I choose caffeinated. I need something to get me thru the 2pm hour! I was also able to steep this tea about 4 times before noticing a lack of flavor.
If you aren’t familiar with AstroloTea, take a moment and check out the site. The owner is amazing and has such a great variety of teas for everybody!
By the way, if anybody is following my epic adventure to sipdown my teas. . .This makes #9! Woohoo!
Signature Batch No 6 from Teakoe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Teakoe
Tea Description:
Satisfy your palate with this perfectly crafted blend of estate grown teas. Our 6th batch achieved its signature status by balancing bold flavor with a smooth finish. The result… superior tasting iced tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Ever made up a huge batch of tea only to be incredibly disappointed by the results? We’ve all been there. There are a few companies out there that make more of a gourmet style iced tea bag to share with others. In the past I’ve been so excited. I’ve prepped everything up per steeping instructions and poured myself a huge glass. Take one sip and I’m disappointed in the flavors either being fake tasting or just non existent. Even over dominating sometimes. This situation sound familiar at all?
Well, not to sound like a commercial for this particular tea or tea company, but seriously look no further!! Teakoe has some of the best iced teas I have ever tasted. They are now a family favorite and have been demanded by the fiance to be a staple in our house.
Teakoe creates their iced teas in small batches with love and care. You can tell. This one in particular may just be my favorite. I brewed this up to the steeping specifications, put ice in my cup, and poured myself a glass. Took a sip and I just sat there and enjoyed. This tea is a beautifully done and well crafted black tea. On the back of the package it reads Black Tea + Artistry + Brilliance. I whole hardheartedly agree. This tea is just simply a slightly flavored black tea that is smooth, rich, and well rounded. it says there is bergamot in the tea but I honestly can’t say I tasted that. I did pick up notes of a slight citrus kick but it was ever so slight and subtle, which I’m glad. I could see this tea getting off the tracks fast and being over thought or complicated. I think that is what I like the best about this tea, the simplicity of it.
I can’t recommend this tea enough and have literally made a note on the fridge to order more soon.