I was very interested to try Strawberry Lavender Fields tea. Not only does this tea fuse three very distinct flavors, (strawberry, peppermint and lavender), but it starts with a black tea and honeybush base, two of my favorite types of tea! The dry leaves had a light strawberry and mint aroma and were actually very pretty with the purple lavender pieces peeking through the black tea leaves. I steeped the tea with boiling water for 2 minutes per the package directions.
The blend of China, India and Ceylon black tea was the first thing that really came through in my initial sip. There was a bit of astringency with the black tea and I can understand why they suggested just a 2 minute steep time to keep the tea from becoming too astringent. A blast of peppermint follows the initial black tea taste, nothing too intense but a nice, fresh mint flavor. Unfortunately the strawberry gets a bit lost between the black tea and mint. The fruit is there however it is extremely light. I didn’t pick up on any honeybush at all. A very subtle floral note from the lavender dominates the aftertaste.
I suspect that this tea would do well cold brewed as that may help to enhance the berry flavor. Overall I did enjoy this blend and am anxious to try it iced, however, I do wish that the strawberry was a bit more prevalent.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Socra Tea Detroit
Description
By popular demand! This is a complementary blend of sweet, musky & floral for hot or iced beverages.
Ingredients: Black tea from China, India, and Ceylon, strawberry pieces, peppermint leaves, MICHIGAN GROWN English Lavender & honeybush.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Blood Orange Black from Prestogeorge. . .
As a profoundly shallow person, I enjoy a nice-looking tea. And this Blood Orange Black is a stunner.
If that tea walked by on the street, I would whistle at it.
I bought this blend because it was pretty. I’ve enjoyed several cups of it so far because it’s tasty. It’s a Darjeeling paired with orange peel, rose hips, apple pieces, safflowers, rose petals and orange, vanilla and lemon flavors. It’s sweet, creamy, and citrus-y.
The citrus doesn’t thwack you over the head with a two-by-four; it’s part of a medley.
The vanilla notes make you think there’s cream in this, even when there isn’t, which is really nice, especially first thing in the morning, when I tend to want something fairly sweet. This goes down easy.
If you’re ever in Pittsburgh’s historical Strip District, you should check out Prestogeorge. It’s very pretty in there. You can look at all the blends and choose them according to appearance, like I did; and possibly luck out, like I did.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Prestogeorge
Description
Fine Indian black tea paired with reviving orange peel, rose hips, apple pieces, safflowers, rose petals and orange, vanilla and lemon flavors. Invigorate your senses and stimulate your mind. One of our most popular flavored teas.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Takarabako Tea Farm: Organic Shimane Aged Black Tea 2016 Vintage from Yunomi. . .
The Takarabako Tea Farm in Shimane Prefecture has been experimenting with creating aged black teas, “vintages” specific to a year, and allowed to age under fixed low temperature storage conditions. For this specific tea – Takarabako Tea Farm: Organic Shimane Aged Black Tea 2016 Vintage – I have to say I was blown away by the quality and flavor!
Straight-up this is an AGED Black tea. Cultivar: Yabukita with the harvest being that of Spring, 2016 from the Oba Sorayama District, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture region.
It’s Eco-farmer certified by Shimane Prefecture, has the Organic certification of JAS (Tea, Persimmon) for agriculture, processing and packing, Local GAP certification by Shimane Prefecture, and received the Excellence Award for the 19th Japan Environment Preservation Agriculture Promotion Competition. IMPRESSIVE, eh!?
The tea brews up a red/orange/brown color while the aroma shines with maltiness and a hint of cinnamon and plum. It’s smooth cuppa with the aftertaste of honey or agave!
This is a very special tea. I would share it with those I know would appreciate it. I can’t wait to see what other lovely leaves come from this region and farm!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Yunomi
Description
The Takarabako Tea Farm in Shimane Prefecture has been experimenting with creating aged black teas, “vintages” specific to a year, and allowed to age under fixed low temperature storage conditions.
- Ingredients: Black tea
- Cultivar: Yabukita
- Harvest: Spring, 2016
- Region: Oba Sorayama District, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Palas Afternoon Tea from BOH. . . .
Orange Pekoe. The highest grade for a black tea. Shown not only in the taste but also in the leaf. This tea is a great example of this high grading. The dried leaves are picture worthy; while the wet leaves unravel beautifully. The aroma is a sweet mix of earth. Cedar and hints of wet wood.
The liquid is a clear, golden brown that is velvety on the tongue. The website says best enjoyed plain and I would agree. Do not ruin this one with milk, sugar, cream or likewise.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: BOH
Description
With a light aroma, this full leaf Orange Pekoe ‘A’ afternoon tea is carefully chosen and picked from select tea fields. Its delicate flavours create a tea that is soothing and calming, best served and enjoyed plain.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Honey Bee Black from Pekoe Sip House. . . .
Today has been a bit of a lazy day spent inventorying my teas. I can get quite overwhelmed at times and for some reason it is calming to go through my stash, note which teas I still have in large quantities, which are almost done, which have maybe aged past their prime, and so on. It just helps me wrap my head around what’s hiding in my tea drawers and gives me a sense of control for some aspect of my life. Of course, no tea inventorying would be complete without a cup of tea to keep me company.
Honey Bee Black by Pekoe Sip House is today’s companion. It combines black tea, honey, honey bee pollen, vanilla, and caramel flavor. I brewed this per the recommended steeping parameters, letting the tea steep for 3 minutes in boiling water. I gave it a little time to cool and then got to sipping…
The scent of the steeped tea has a clear honey aroma and though that comes through in taste, it is a bit more subdued than the scent would suggest. That is probably because there is more than just honey happening in this cup. The black base comes through loud and clear with a malt that acts as the perfect foundation for the honey flavor. Together, they do bring out notes of vanilla caramel nearing the end of the sip.
What surprises me here is that this is not as sweet as you’d expect. The flavors are all there but none really jump out. On one hand that makes for a smooth tea that is easy to drink while trying to do other things and on the other hand, it can also be a bit boring.
Ultimately there is nothing wrong with this tea. In fact, it can be quite enjoyable. However, it is not something that stands out to me or something that I need to have again and again. It is a solid honey black option that I could see resteeping well but solid isn’t great and when you have the amount of teas I do, great is what you want
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Pekoe Sip House
Description
An unparalleled combination of sweet and malty black tea with honey and honeybee pollen. Sweet and satisfying on the palate for an afternoon delicate or robust enough to enjoy as a morning cup. Add a sweetener and milk of your choice to make it your own perfect cup. We recommend serving hot and tasting with multiple infusions.
Ingredients: Black tea, honey, honey
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
