Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Tea Description:
Sharpen your mind & stay focused.
This invigorating black tea & yerba mate blend was specifically designed for a tea lover whose favorite tea was discontinued. We recreated it for her, and to our delight, we loved this blend and decided to whole world should have it. It definitely helps you to stay focused and has a great energy. Enjoy!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This tea is named Focus but it is doing anything but making me focus right now. . because right now I’m taking a break from work and seeing what other blends BlendBee offers.
BlendBee is one I’ve had a few blends by but I will have to say, this particular blend has me craving and wanting more of their blends! This tea is giving me those warm tea fuzzies and I can’t seem to get enough.
BlendBee was created in 2014 by Jamah Dacus, a health-crazed tea lover (from the website). From what I’m seeing, these blends are handmade and seem to be crazy unique and fun. With teas like Ginger Ninja. . .this site has my attention for sure!
Focus is a gorgeous blend of black tea, yerba mate, rose buds, and other ingredients. The coloring of this tea is beautiful, with the pops of this lovely red mixed in with the black and yerba mate tea base. With those two teas having more of an earthy tone, the rosebuds leap out at you, demanding your attention.
I brewed this tea up per the instructions (boiled fresh water and steep for 5-15 minutes). I will say, I was worried about my first sip. I started having a conversation with a co-worker and allowed this tea to over steep by about 10 minutes. All I have to say is friends. . . this tea is crazy forgiving!
My first sip of this tea was like an explosion. Bursts of bright lovely flavors swirled, giving me a lovely afternoon beverage. The black tea is a subtle and gentle smoothness that gives way for the yerba mate to give a slightly earthy note. From what I can tell, the cacao nibs provide a dark rich silky touch and the rosebuds provide a sweetness that really becomes the star. The lemon balm and orange extract are my favorite part of this tea. They give this really lush citrus note that combined with the other ingredients takes this tea up to another level. There is also a subtle note of a roasted flavored.
I’m literally on my 3 infusion of this tea and I can’t get enough. Sure I’m starting to feel jittery from the yerba mate, but I can’t help it. This tea is that good and demands the attention and love.
BlendBee has impressed me and I will be ordering more of this tea for sure!
Yuzu Ginger Macaron Cookie White Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
The inspiration for this tea is actually one of our start-up Kickstarter backers that purchased a “create a tea of the week” option when she contributed to that campaign (thank you!) – she wanted a Yuzu Ginger Macaron Cookie Tea and she wasn’t sure if she wanted that with our White Peony base or our green tea blend. She told me that she’d leave that decision to me so I tested out both bases with these flavors and I ultimately decided that the White Peony tea made a better base for these flavors. The Yuzu fruit notes were not as well defined with the green tea – but with the white tea you get a juicy, citrus-y burst of flavor that’s tart and tangy, a wee bit sweet and a wee bit bitter – just like the Yuzu itself.
The ginger adds a warm dimension of flavor and I’m even getting a slight almond-y meringue note that evoke thoughts of a delicate macaron cookie. I gotta admit that when I was given this cookie tea challenge, I was more than just a little worried because Yuzu is not a flavor that I’m very familiar with and I worried that I wouldn’t do right by the Yuzu fruit. And whether or not I actually have done that – I’ll leave it for you to decide after you’ve tasted it. As for me, I’m quite pleased with how this turned out.
Learn more about this tea here.
Learn about subscribing to 52Teas Tea of the Week program here.
Taster’s Review:
I will be honest. I am not a fan of ginger teas. Never have been. I find that the overwhelming flavor of the ginger just hinders the rest of the tea. But that was until I discovered this tea.
At the beginning, this tea had me at the word “Cookie”. I am not a huge cookie fan either but I love trying any tea that has a dessert or baked good flavor and feel to them. This tea came in my last order with 52Teas and was (I believe) a last minute add in.
While I was combing thru my tea stash tonight, I noticed it and thought, I feel adventure some this eve, let’s go with it! I brewed the tea up per the instructions on the package. All the while the tea was steeping, I was enjoying this lovely ginger baked good aroma. This is one of those smells you want to bottle up and put in candle form.
After a few minutes of steeping, I poured myself a really large cuppa and sat down to let the tea cool for a few minutes. (The package indicated to do this). I couldn’t wait the full time it said to wait because the aromas were just mouth watering and I needed a sip.
First impression of this tea? This tea is a muted gingersnap cookie where the flavors are subtle and not overwhelming and smack you in the face. More or less a subtle ginger note surrounding by this cookie almost buttery like flavor. I didn’t pick up any of the Yuzu and to be honest, I had to research the fruit anyway. I guess the fruit is sour so I was glad it was a hidden flavor. I was quite surprised by how I couldn’t pick out the white tea base. Usually with 52Teas, I can always pick up the tea base, but this one I really couldn’t. All I was getting was this lovely light gingersnap cookie tea. I mean this tea made me want to eat a cookie and I can’t tell you the last time I ate a cookie.
Anne from 52Teas has always told me that the second infusion of a white tea is the best so I eagerly prepped my tea kettle up for the second infusion. I let the tea steep for just a minute or two longer before I sat down to enjoy. I instantly starting drinking the tea this time around instead of waiting. Which turned out to be an great decision!
The brew this second go around had a much richer and deeper flavor to it. The ginger was still not overwhelming but the spice wanted your attention. That buttery cookie like undertone was more prominent really giving your taste buds that cookie baked good like flavor. I still didn’t pick up any of the Yuzu or white tea but at this point I really didn’t mind. This tea was amazingly rich and full of flavor. This is one of those teas that wakes up your tastes buds.
I’m eagerly awaiting my third infusion now to see what happens with this round. Can’t believe how much I’m enjoying this tea!
Groot Root Tea from Geeky Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Geeky Teas
Tea Description:
Green tea, natural ginseng flavor and ginger root.
I. Am. Root.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I will admit. . from the beginning, I thought this tea sounded unpleasant. I was fully expecting not to like it just from past experiences with ginseng and ginger root in tea. Those just are not my favorite components so I just had it in my head this wasn’t a tea for me. It sat in my tea stash for a while and the other day, I finally decided it was time to check it out.
Shame on me for judging a tea by its ingredients!
This tea blew me away! It was light, refreshing, soothing, and tasted fantastic! There was a hint of a herbal note to it but really what this tea tasted like was a semi-sweet green tea with a very subtle warming kick of spice. A wonderful way to either start your day, end your day, or an afternoon treat. I was literally sad when I realized the bag was empty. Good thing I have an email in to Geeky Teas about a few teas I’m interested in. Because this one needs to be on the reorder list!
Brewed like a green tea, this tea was just a wonderfully subtle way to enjoy a spiced tea without having an overwhelming amount of spice. I love how the spices were added in carefully without overdoing it yet you still get that nice kick and warmth. A gorgeous take on a slightly grassy yet buttery green tea with a kick. Another wonderful Geeky Teas offering! And who wouldn’t love a tea created for Groot!
Creamy Toasted Coconut from Simpson & Vail
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Tea Description:
A perfect tea for afternoon enjoyment! This delightfully light tea brews to an ecru color and has the taste of baked goodies with an undertone of an earthy oolong. The rich, exotic aroma is accompanied by the smooth, delicious taste of coconut macaroon with vanilla accents. Great hot or cold.
Ingredients: Oolong tea, cacao nibs organic, vanilla beans, organic coconut pieces, flavorings and blue cornflower petals.
Brew tea at 195º – steep for 4 minutes.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The other day I came home to an incredibly considerate package from Simpson & Vail. I just love this company and recommend them all the time. They have an amazing story, customer service, and a line of tea that just makes you drool.
This oolong has been one that I instantly grabbed out of the box and have been drinking ever since. I had just finished up my a delicious flavored oolong from Handmade Teas and was wanting another one. This one is completely satisfied that craving!
I scooped a few spoonfuls into my tea pot and prepared my water to 195. The lovely tea blend had a rich bright coconut aroma. I couldn’t wait to try it. I allowed the tea to steep for about 4 minutes and poured myself a huge cuppa. Sat down and took my first sip.
You ever have a day where you need a cuppa tea just to soothe your soul after a rough day? This tea is the answer! A lovely dose of roasted toasted coconut and oolong with a sweet creamy vanilla undertone and a very very slight chocolate note. Wow, this tea is one of those teas that reminds me why I drink tea. I can’t get enough of it. I’m typically not a fan of tea blends that feature coconut as the spotlight but this one has the perfect amount of coconut that mixes so well with the oolong. The flavors just go together perfectly. I’m literally on my fourth cuppa of the same infusion and I can’t get enough.
If you haven’t tried Simpson & Vail, I highly recommend taking a second and checking out their offerings. You’ll be glad you did! I’m off to brew up another cup!
Ceylon Mango from Beacon Hill Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Beacon Hill Teas
Tea Description:
This delightful decaffeinated ceylon boasts a rich ceylon flavor, and is playfully highlighted by bits of creamy mango.
Learn more about Beacon Hill’s Monthly Subscription here.
Taster’s Review:
I love my Beacon Hill Tea Company’s monthly subscription box. Each month you get 4 1 oz packages of a variety of teas for you to enjoy. Some of them I love, some of them I don’t. What I love the most is the variety of teas I can now try that I never would have thought of trying before. This tea is a perfect example.
A decaffeinated version of a ceylon tea with mango. A perfect tea for the spring/summer time. I brewed up this tea with the package instructions and then put to sphere ice “cubes” into a mason jar and finished the jar off with an orange slice. Can you save heavenly?
The tea is a lovely light fresh black tea with a creamy mango undertone. All ingredients are allowed to shine. The tea is amazingly refreshing yet simple. I love that. How simple the tea is. There isn’t a mix of complex flavors just fresh wonderful tea that make an amazing iced tea. I have tried this tea hot and it is pretty tasty but where this tea really shines is as an iced tea.
If you are looking for a great monthly tea box that provides you with a nice array of teas, then look no further. I love the variety the box provides and trying out teas that I never would have thought about trying before. Sure it is a bit more expensive than others but you do get quite a bit of tea that you can re steep for several sessions and infusions. So far I have been very happy with my subscription and don’t see myself cancelling anytime soon!