Anyone who knows me knows I love peanut butter, especially Reese’s cups. The best ones are the ones for the Holidays, the eggs for Easter or the pumpkins for Halloween or the trees for Christmas. They seem to have more peanut butter! I have kind of always stayed clear of teas that attempted to replicate the delicious Reese’s candies though because I always figured they would end up tasting like stale hot chocolate mixed with goopy peanut butter. I don’t know why I thought this, but I did, up until now.
I spotted Peanut Butter Cup by The NecessiTEAs and I took a whiff of it- wow. Cue the mouth watering! It smells so peanut buttery and as if I just opened up a package of Reese’s. I brewed this one with near boiling water for the full 7 minutes- I wanted flavor! Well, flavor is what I got! Boy was I wrong about this blend, though.
I could totally taste both chocolate and peanut butter, but neither was overpowering. The liquid wasn’t thick and goopy either. Quite the opposite, actually. This blend was very light but still packed with flavor. Not only could I taste peanut butter but I could taste a simple nuttiness from the almonds. I could detect a bit of the apple pieces too, and this just added a nice sweetness to the overall cup. The chocolate, while present, was not overpowering and there was just enough to give the illusion of a true Reese’s cup, but not too much as to make me feel like this was a chocolate beverage. There are also caramel pieces included in this blend, and I have to say I just LOVE that! The caramel added a very small touch, just the right amount to give the drink a creamy mouth feel and some extra sweetness.
I’m telling you this was really well done. I literally drank it down in less than 5 minutes and then I was sad because that’s all I had! I can not wait to order my own tin of this. I really recommend you try it. It is a totally guilt free version of Reese’s cups and perfect for an after dinner delight! Total win. Thanks, NecessiTEAs.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal/Tisane
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
This blend is seriously addicting, over the top yummy and double-delicious. It’s quite amazing and tastes just like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup! To sweeten the deal, this chocolate peanut butter bliss is completely guilt-free!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Rocky Road from 52Teas. . . .
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!
Handcrafted Organic Green Tea Blended For Sweet Tea from Sweet Tea Junkie
Okay…full disclosure here…I’m far from being a Sweet Tea Guru so when I receive Handcrafted Organic Green Tea Blended For Sweet Tea from Sweet Tea Junkie I’ve been carefully planning on how to tackle this review.
I would like to explain that a bit more. I grew up on PLAIN tea. No matter what kind of tea it is I drink it PLAIN. Even Chai. I’m sure it’s because I was raised about as much of a Yankee as one could grow up! My husband – on the other hand – LOVES Sweet Tea and grew up on that as a child.
Having said that I thought I would share with you my experiences with Handcrafted Organic Green Tea Blended For Sweet Tea from Sweet Tea Junkie. First I would like to come clean and tell you that I sampled this tea straight-up, as-is, and with nothing added – because that is how I roll.
Plain and with NOTHING added this was a solid Gunpowder Green Tea. I’m careful NOT to over infuse green teas – especially Gunpowders because they tend to get bitter. This one worked out nicely and didn’t have the stale bitterness that others tend to have. My plain taste test with Handcrafted Organic Green Tea Blended For Sweet Tea from Sweet Tea Junkie was a success!
I then broke out of my comfort zone and tried Handcrafted Organic Green Tea Blended For Sweet Tea from Sweet Tea Junkie ICED the way the company intended it! I followed the instructions and decided to use NATURAL Sugar Crystals. I first tried it with about 5 of them and it was gently sweetened. I then added about 7 more and it really kicked it up a notch. According to these Sugar Crystals they are in its purest form and will not take away from the flavor of the tea. I found that to be true.
I decided to try a second infusion of this Handcrafted Organic Green Tea Blended For Sweet Tea from Sweet Tea Junkie and added just a few more crystals and I think I enjoyed the second infusion even better than the first.
When it comes to hot brewed – iced sweet tea – from loose leaf…Handcrafted Organic Green Tea Blended For Sweet Tea from Sweet Tea Junkie is a game changer! I was blown away at how much I enjoyed this cuppa – especially for NOT being into Sweet Tea to begin with! Excellent product!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Sweet Tea Junkie
Description:
Introducing the first Organic Tea from your friends at Sweet Tea Junkie. This Handcrafted Organic Green Tea is known as a Gunpowder Green, and was named such by British Soldiers hundreds of years ago due to the way that the leaves are “rolled” into balls that resembled the small pouches they would grind into gunpowder.
Hey, we know that looks and a good story are great but we’re tea drinkers here at Sweet Tea Junkie and can say with certainty that whether you want to stay traditional and drink this tea hot with no sugar, or go all southern on it and brew a gallon of Sweet Green Tea this will be the best tasting organic green tea you’ll find!
While black tea is the most popular type of tea in the United States, worldwide Green tea takes the crown due largely in part to it’s widely known health benefits and it’s popularity in Asian Countries.
The amazing thing about a loose leaf tea is that you can actually watch the leaves as they unfurl (open) during the steeping process. Our Handcrafted Organic Green Tea is no different, the fact that the leaves are tightly rolled makes for an interesting experience that you just won’t get from the big National tea brands who largely use teas that have been ground into a dust like form (ie. tea dust).
Learn even more about this tea here.
The Time is NOW!
For those of you who are waiting for the right time to check out my Kickstarter Campaign and contribute, that time is NOW! We are nearing the end of the campaign, and we still have a LONG way to go to reach our goal!
So, I thought I’d take a moment to answer some questions that you might have.
If you have other questions, please feel free to ask them in the comment section!
Why have we launched the Kickstarter campaign? What’s it all about?
A couple of months ago, I was approached by Frank from 52Teas (aka the Chief Zoomdweebie!) and he asked me if I was interested in taking over the 52Teas line. He wanted to focus his efforts on his iced tea business. You can check out his Indiegogo campaign to support his iced tea endeavor here! And please do!
Anyway, he wanted to focus his efforts on his passion, which is iced tea. My passion is hot tea. So, I was very interested, but also a little hesitant, until I talked to my daughter, Amethyst, who told me that she wanted to do this thing with me!
So, we have the passion for tea. We have Amethyst, who is very detail oriented and all about making sure things are done right, right on time! She’s going to be the one keeping the numbers crunched and the orders fulfilled and the inventory in stock so that I can do what I do best: tea.
But what we don’t have is equipment or inventory. That’s where the Kickstarter campaign comes in. If we’re successfully funded, we’ll have the funds we need to buy the equipment and the inventory we need to be able to get this business off to a running start.
But we can’t do it without you and your support!
Why do you need so much money?
Because, as I said, we need the equipment and inventory to get started. We need tea, we need the ingredients to create the unique flavors of teas that 52Teas is known for.
We need the equipment to make the business go. We need the pouch sealer, we need the pouch filler. Oh, we’ll need the pouches too. We need the shipping label printer and labels for it too. We have the passion and the ability to make the business go, but without the inventory and the equipment, we won’t get very far.
What do I get in return?
TEA! And seriously, is there any better incentive than that? You get tea. How much tea and what kind of tea is totally up to you. Check out the incentives list on the sidebar of the campaign for more details of what kinds of teas are available.
What happens if the campaign isn’t successfully funded?
Well, according to Frank, if we’re not able to take over the business as of March 31st, 2015, 52Teas will be no more. So, if the campaign isn’t successfully funded – if we don’t get the money we need to take over the business, it will wither and die. It will cease to be.
We can’t take over the business without the startup capital that we need to get the equipment and inventory.
I know it seems like a lot of money. But it’s for a good cause – it’s to support a small business and to support a mother and daughter team to help them realize their dream. And it’s about TEA.
Please support our campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/497705217/the-great-52teas-take-over
Also, please support Frank’s Indiegogo campaign to help him build his iced tea business: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/southern-boy-teas-organic-flavored-iced-teas
Every little bit helps! Please take a moment to help spread the word. Tweet about this blog post, tell your friends and neighbors, post it on your facebook. But most of all, take a moment to contribute because without the contributions, we simply won’t reach our goal!
Thank you!
Handcrafted Oolong Tea from JusTea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Justea
Tea Description:
This is a tea like you’ve never tasted before. Hand-rolled by the JusTeam in Kenya, the unique flavour profile is buttery, with notes of stone fruit and nuts. As the leaves unfurl, different tasting notes are revealed. Best enjoyed at a 1.5 minute steep time, this Oolong will last 2 or 3 steeps!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Amoda Tea is implementing some changes to their format. This month’s tea tasting box is the last that I’ll be receiving – they’re no longer offering the tea tasting box. While I’m anxious and excited to learn about the changes that they’re making to the company, I’m also quite sad that this is the last box that I’ll be getting from them. I’ve enjoyed receiving my monthly tea box from Amoda! I’ll miss the joy of opening my mailbox every month around the 12th or so and finding that familiar, slim “letter box” from Amoda Tea.
For this month’s box, Amoda has chosen to focus on two different tea companies that I’m already familiar with: JusTea and Nepali Tea Traders. These two tea companies are dedicated to creating sustainability in the tea industry.
One of the teas from JusTea is one that I’ve already reviewed: African Chai. I probably won’t be writing another review about this tea, but, I’m more than happy to drink more of it! The second tea from JusTea is one that I’ve not yet tried until today – this Handcrafted Oolong Tea!
When I opened the pouch, I was greeted with the smell of freshly cut hay. It was a little unusual for me to experience that aroma with an Oolong, but it left me intrigued! Once I poured hot water over the leaves for the initial rinse, the hay-like fragrance was replaced with the distinct scent of molasses. Sweet!
My first cup (infusions 1 and 2 after the rinse) tasted just like it smells – that is to say, I am tasting a thin molasses. I’m not sure if I’m actually tasting “baked” notes in this, or if it’s just my mind playing delicious tricks on me, but I feel like I’m sipping on liquefied molasses cookies. In the distance, I also notice hints of vegetative tones.
This is one of the sweetest Oolong teas that I’ve ever tasted – and Oolong teas tend to be somewhat sweet! But even for an Oolong, this is so sweet and delectable!
My second cup (infusions 3 and 4) was not quite a sweet as the first cup. The first cup was very much like a thinned molasses. This cup still has some molasses notes, but, I’m noticing more fruit notes emerge with this cup, as well as a subtle hint of a woodsy note. The fruit notes are like something between a sweet plum and a ripe nectarine.
The third cup (infusions 5 and 6) was more fruit-like, and I could taste the sweet as well as hints of sour notes of a tree-ripened plum that have been cooked to extract the sweet juices of the fruit. The molasses notes are not completely gone, but they’ve become integrated with the plum notes. Think of the aforementioned cooked plum juices mixed with a little drizzle of molasses … that’s what you’ll taste with the later infusions of this tea.
This is an amazing Oolong – I highly recommend it to Oolong enthusiasts. It is so different from the Taiwanese and Chinese Oolong teas that I’ve reviewed in the past … oh, sure, I still love those! But this one is special and stands out from those and definitely deserves some attention from you!
I am sad to see my Amoda Tea Box go … but I’m glad to see that they decided to go out with a bang! This Handcrafted Oolong Tea from JusTea is so good!