Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Fandom Teas
Tea Description:
Spoilers!
Our Hello Sweet-tea blend is a ginger peach black tea with notes of spearmint, hibiscus, and cinnamon. It can be enjoyed hot or iced and it’s perfect as a little afternoon pick me up, or at any other time of the day. This blend is inspired by River Song from Doctor Who!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I will admit this and probably sound like a poser but I do not watch Doctor Who. I have nothing against the show and do have an interest in one day watching it, but really it comes down to time. With our schedule being so hectic, I’m going to bed basically as soon as my 10 year old is to catch up on a few games I play on my Kindle and to read. My TV watching really happens more on the weekends or when I’m yelling at the screen during America Ninja Warrior. I’m kinda obsessed with that show right now. (Ryan Stratis- I’m looking at you to win this year!).
Ok, that is out of the way I have to say I’m very intrigued with the combinations in this black flavored tea. Peach, ginger, cinnamon, spearmint, and hibiscus. And you can smell each ingredient as the tea steeps. The color is a beautiful amber and so far I’m enjoying just sitting here indulging in the fragrance this tea is emitting.
Now it is time for the taste test. I brewed this tea up like a black tea and made an effort not to allowing this tea to oversteep and become bitter. So how does it taste?
Unique. Very unique. The flavor that hits you first is the combination of spearmint, peach, and cinnamon. Very different. Not bad, just different. As the taste starts to end you come away with the hibiscus aftertaste. In the very next sip I came away with peach and ginger notes with malty hints. It seems like each sip you are presented with a different flavor combination. As the tea cools, I am definitely getting that astringency but it really isn’t adding anything to the tea. I’m wishing that the tea was either more of a peach, sweet cinnamon, black tea without the ginger but I could see where some tea drinkers may want that hint of spice in the tea to give it a kick.
Being not much of a ginger tea fan, I can see where this one isn’t right up my alley. I do enjoy how different the tea is and if a tea is part of a fandom, I’m all over it being the geeky gal I am. I’m just not sure if this particular tea is for me. But they have several more fandoms I’m excited to try including a Game of Thrones tea and a Walking Dead tea.
Sipdown #34!
Passion Dragon Green Tea from Mountain Witch Tea Co.
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Mountain Witch Tea Company
Tea Description:
Passion Dragon Green Tea is one of our bestsellers at the farmer’s market. Green tea flavored with passion fruit, lemon and a pop of spice. Especially great as an iced tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Being such a fan of Mountain Witch Tea Company, I couldn’t wait to try another green tea of theirs. I have had a couple in the past but have found that I tend to like their flavored black teas better than their flavored green teas.
First off, I love the logo for this tea. The beautiful artwork is so fun and really eye catching. The loose leaf tea is the same way. The gorgeous green tea looks amazing along side the giant chrysanthemum that was in my sample.
Brewed up like a green tea, this tea sent a lovely tropical green tea aroma thru my desk. I really loved how this tea smelled. First taste and sadly this tea is not for me.
This tea delivers on a nice bright green tea flavor but there is an odd taste in there that makes this tea tart and not taste right to me. I’m not getting lovely buttery notes or any of the berry/passion flavors. I pick up the lemon and the cardamom and something else I can’t really put my finger on. What I can really pick up on is how very astringent this tea is. This tea may be one that needs to be cold brewed or enjoyed more as an iced tea to get those flavors to mingle together and give that passion fruit a chance to pop. Another one that I might need to go back and experiment with.
As much as I adore Mountain Witch Tea Company, I know this tea can be dynamite. Just need to figure out the best way to get those flavors to work for me.
Wen Shan Baozhong Oolong from Tribute Teas/ChaHoney
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Tribute Teas & ChaHoney
Tea Description:
Baozhong oolong originated from Anxi in Fujian, China. A history of production reaching back nearly 150 years, it is the most famous tea of northern Taiwan. The name ‘Baozhong’ refers to its traditional packaging in a bamboo wrapping. A uniquely light oxidation and minimal roasting reveal a elegant, smooth, and notably fresh flavor. Its aroma is floral and sweet, with notes of apricots. . .
Learn more about this tea here.
Learn more about subscribing to ChaHoney here.
Taster’s Review:
Subscription boxes are the thing these days. I myself subscribe to a few. The one that intrigues me the most is ChaHoney, a monthly subscription plan that basically does your tea shopping for you. ChaHoney doesn’t blend their own tea yet instead looks for those amazing teas that you might have overlooked here or there. Each month features a different company. I just love this idea and hope to become a member soon. But first I need to sipdown some teas (this will be #33!!).
I’m almost finished with this first box from ChaHoney that I received. I’m quite impressed with the teas I’ve had so far. The company that was featured was Tribute Teas. You’d think I would have tried them by now since they are in my home state but alas no. Shame on me.
This oolong right out of the gate smelled decadent and romantic. I can absolutely pick up notes of lilacs. I love lilacs and am happy just to sit around enjoy the aroma from this tea. So beautiful.
I let this tea sit for just a moment and then took my first sip. Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous, romantic and exactly what I needed today. This tea is everything you could ask for and more. Irresistible floral notes paired with hints of a sweetness that I would compare to an apricot. The description is spot on. I am incredibly impressed and next payday, this one will need to be re-ordered.
I am simply in love with this floral roasted sweet apricot loving oolong! I can absolutely see this tea being one that you drink while you get lost in a good book. This is my favorite Tribute Tea to date!
Awake from Treehouse Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Treehouse Teas
Tea Description:
A wonderful energetic blend that will keep you awake! Maybe you’ve been traveling the world or just need a little boost to get you through the day. Green Tea, Green Mate, Gynostemma Leaves, Strawberry and Papaya make this blend a get up and go to.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I am such a fan of green tea and green mate. I love how the flavors mix. What is fun with this mix is that there is also a bit of a tropical feel to it with the added strawberries and papaya. This tea had such a nice sweet aroma.
What I always seem to be confused by is what steeping parameters I should use. Green tea and green mate have completely different steeping times. To play it safe- I went with the green tea setting on the Breville One Touch because I wasn’t sure how forgiving the green tea would be if I went with the mate setting I typically use. Poured the sample into the brewing basket and away I went.
My thoughts? I like this blend. It isn’t overpowering and it is very subtle. No one flavor gets in the way or pushes the other around. The green tea has a nice buttery feel that really pairs well with the strawberry and the mate gives a slight roasted flavor that goes well with the papaya. All in all, a nice brew subtle brew. I would love to try this one on ice. With ingredients like strawberry and papaya, I can see this being perfect for these last days of summer!
Tsugaru Green from Lupicia
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Lupicia
Tea Description:
Japanese green tea flavored with “San-Tsugaru” apples from Aomori prefecture in Japan.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Green tea is one of my favorite kinds of tea. I love the soothing and refreshing flavor you can get out of green tea. This tea was no exception.
Never having this tea before I wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t even know what kind of tea this was since this was a sample from a tea friend. I wanted to be surprised so I didn’t check online either.
Brewed this up with my Breville One Touch on the medium green tea setting. A few minutes later, I had a lovely cuppa awaiting me. I took a sip after the brew cooled for a few minutes and this tea was light and refreshing as you could ask for!
Crisp and almost apple juice like was what I would guess. So after I finished my cuppa, I looked online and was pleased to see that I was correct. An apple flavored green tea. This tea is spot on with flavor and I like the fact that there are any spices included and this is a simple yet well done apple tea. Most apple teas include cinnamon or some kind of a chai spice. This tea let the juiciness of the apples shine thru with the backing of a slightly hay like and slightly buttery undertone.
I brewed up another infusion of this tea and experienced it as an iced tea. It was magnificent. This is definitely one that I’m taking note of and am loving! This would be a perfect alternative to the fall inspired teas that will soon be available.
In other news, this was sipdown #20! Woohoo!