I find coconut is one of those polarizing flavors. People either love it or hate it. I am on the love it side of things but overtime I learned that there isn’t just one sort of coconut when it comes to tea. Coconut can be sweet and creamy but it can also be reminiscent of body lotion. Personally, I am a lover of coconut in dessert teas though I am wary as it can also go rancid much quicker than other ingredients. Though, when done right, it can be SO RIGHT!
With that in mind, I was both excited and anxious to try this tea. Unlike the coconut blends I tend to reach for, this is a more Island-vibe sort of creation with the addition of lemongrass, orange peel and the floral rose all on a bed of green tea. I worried that that might result in the weird lotion-type coconut flavor/mouth-feel since islands and lotion (or the sun protection variety) just go together. My worries were not eased by the thickness of the steeped tea. The liquid moved as one solid unit in the cup, looking like it had an almost gelatin-like consistency.
My first sip eased my troubles as there was no lotion to be found, and even though it looked thick, this tea is smooth and mellow in texture. However, what I didn’t expect is that not only was the coconut not lotiony but it wasn’t even all that present in the flavor. It is being drowned out by the lemongrass and just a hint of a vegetal green base. I believe the only thing it is contributing to is the texture of the brew as there is a silkiness akin to creamier blends that I would attribute to the coconut.
It’s a pleasant enough tea and more sunshine and brightness than the delectable dessert I hope for when I see coconut in a blend. So, this one maybe isn’t for me but I can see others enjoying it a great deal. If you want something more reminiscent of an island life to escape the dreary winter months, this might be a tea to reach for.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Flavored Green Tea
Where to Buy: Harlow Tea Co
Description
This green tea is light and perfect for a breezy summer day. If that breezy summer day is nonexistent this tea will take you back to those days with refreshing coconut and citrus flavors.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
London Fog from Harlow Tea Co
I’ve been on a big afternoon tea kick lately. (Not like I’m not always on an “every time, every place” tea kick, but still.) My rules for a great afternoon tea? Refreshing, comforting, caffeinated but not buzzy, something that wakes me up as much as it helps me find peace and relaxation during the craziness of the day. Harlow’s London Fog seemed to fit the bill of just what I was looking for, with lavender and lemon to balance the caffeination of the black tea.
Following suit from the name, I brewed this one strong in about half the amount of water I’d normally use, swirled in some honey and filled the rest of my cup with steamed coconut milk for a delicious London Fog latte.
As for flavor, this one delivers on the lavender big time. It’s a delightful and slightly unexpected play on Earl Grey, and it hit the perfect balance of caffeine + calm for me once the afternoon doldrums hit. I’m not getting a ton of lemon in my cup, but I suspect that has more to do with my addition of milk than the tea itself.
It takes a lot for an earl grey to blow me out of the water, but this one hits all the notes I’d hope for plus a twist of the unusual with the addition of lavender. A great blend to grab when you need a little afternoon pick-me-up, for sure!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Flavored Black Tea
Where to Buy: Harlow Tea Co.
Description
Ingredients: Earl gray tea, lemon peel, and lavender flower.
Contains caffeine
Ever had a London fog latte? Well I wanted to make my own version. This black tea, with a hint of citrus and lavender, is perfect on its own or in a latte.
Want to try the latte? Steep the tea in 4 oz. of water, strain and add to 4 oz. of steamed milk for the perfect tealatte.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lemon and Ginger from Harlow Tea Co.
Harlow Tea Co is one of my favorite tea companies that I discovered this year. I just love the subtle yet solid flavors their tea yields. They have a wonderful slogan for their shop.
Tea is for everyone, every time, and every place
I think I’ve tried about half of their offerings and there have only been a few that haven’t been my cuppa. Lemon and Ginger was one of those teas that I wasn’t sure I would like but have to say, this blend is hitting the spot.
Starring honeybush, crystallized ginger root, lemon balm, lemon peel, and lemongrass, this herbal unique take on a lemon and ginger blend gives you all the tea feels. Warm rich notes of ginger that sooth while the citrus from the lemon gives the tea a tartness that contrasts nicely and also helps bring down the ginger bite. There is also a subtle sweetness that the honeybush brings.
All in all this tea is simple yet on point. Lush creamy lemon, almost vanilla like honeybush notes with that subtle ginger kick. Sweet, lightly spicy, with a creamy texture. A wonderful adaption to a tea that may just become of those teas I reach for at night when I’m trying to settle down for the night. This tea definitely gives you that cozy soul soothing feeling for sure!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Harlow Tea Co.
Description
Lemon and Ginger Loose Leaf Tea
This tea was made as a special request for an important woman in my life, MY MOM!
Honeybush red tea is a perfect base for a light but lingering flavor of only lemon and ginger, pure and simple!
Ingredients: Honeybush tea, lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon peel, ginger root, and candied ginger.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Oo’ Peppermint from Harlow Tea Co
So let me just start by saying I am not the biggest oolong fan. Often times, I find the base takes over and if you aren’t a lover of that type of tea, it can be hard to overcome that. With that said, I am happy to report that is not a problem here. The oolong is present but subtle, providing a slightly floral foundation on which the other flavors are shining.
The star here is the peppermint. This did not come as a surprise in light of the tea being named Oo’ Peppermint. That plus the dry leaf had a whole lot of of mint leaves. It’s bright and fresh and provides a crisp yet smooth flavor.
However, this is more than just your typical peppermint tea. The dry leaf had almond pieces, tulsi leaves, and vanilla beans as well. The tulsi adds a hint of clove flavor to add a touch of spice while the almond counters that with a slight sweetness lingering beneath the mint. I am not getting as much vanilla as I hoped, especially since vanilla-mint, is a favorite combination of mine, but there is a bit of a creaminess to this tea that could be attributed to the vanilla beans. I just wish there was more vanilla flavor.
This is a lovely introduction to Harlow Tea Co., a new company for me, and though I wanted a little bit more from this tea it is still making for a pleasant evening treat. If you are a peppermint fan, this is a great tea for you because it will give you that peppermint flavor and then some.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Harlow Tea Co
Description
Do you love peppermint, well I hope so! This tea gives a kick of peppermint that lingers long after that last sip is taken! Oolong has long, pun intended, been known as an all around pleasing tea for those who may find green tea too bitter and black tea too strong. Love both, then oolong is a perfect combination of the two!
Oo’ Peppermint offers hints of almond and is balanced with pieces of vanilla bean. You may even see some vanilla bean seeds in your tea!
Ingredients:
Oolong tea, peppermint leaf, almond pieces, tulsi leaf, and vanilla bean.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
#MusicAndTeaMonday: London Fog from Harlow Tea
It’s #MusicAndTeaMonday and I hope you will join us by posting on your favorite social media! #MusicAndTeaMonday: London Fog from Harlow Tea is the tea I chose today and the song pairing is London Calling by The Clash!
It’s been a while since my last flavored Earl Grey so I thought I was about due and London Fog from Harlow Tea stood up to the test! The black tea base is of medium strength and the flavors are a slight notch above medium. The Earl Grey-ness is peppy but the addition of the lemon peel and lavender flowers really take it to the next level in terms of flavor.
London Fog from Harlow Tea is such a comforting cuppa. I would share this with just about anyone – it’s that type of tea. Now…let’s get on to the music pairing for #MusicAndTeaMonday.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Harlow Tea Co
Description:
London Fog Loose Leaf Tea (My version)
Ingredients: Earl gray tea, lemon peel, and lavender flower.
Contains caffeine
Ever had a London fog latte? Well I wanted to make my own version. This black tea, with a hint of citrus and lavender, is perfect on its own or in a latte.
Want to try the latte? Steep the tea in 4 oz. of water, strain and add to 4 oz. of steamed milk for the perfect tealatte.
Packaging shown is the 3 oz. size with a recyclable paper container. 1 and 2 oz. sizes come in stand up pouches .
Learn even more about this tea here.
