If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. This little phrase can be used time and time again with tea.
If you don’t like it the first time you try it, try it again. I was not impressed with my first session, so here we are trying again.
The dry aroma is better this time around. Somewhat floral, somewhat earthy.
The first time around is the best but I’m finding subtle floral notes that are nice in later steepings as well. The mouthfeel is smooth and refreshing.
While using my aroma cup I encountered I very briefly encountered some intense fruity notes with woodsy notes but couldn’t find it again after that. The leaves are a unique dark color but when wet they are outlined with lighter brown shades.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Verdant
Description
贼王 or “King of Thieves” got its name from the famous story of a thief stealing this valuable tea tree in the middle of the night over 200 years ago, but leaving some of the roots and trunk in their haste to cut it down. King of Thieves growing today is said to have regrown from that little remaining root stock. This tea was hand picked and hand processed over 24 hours of intense labor to bring out its rich nuanced dessert-like flavor and spiced tropical undertones.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Maple Creme Oolong from Adagio Teas. . . .
One of my coworkers slipped me a baggie with 3 servings of this as I walked in this morning, so I obviously had no choice in the matter but to try it. It’s just me, the new Florence and the Machine album, and tea. Obviously the key ingredients for a great morning for this graphic designer.
The first thing I noticed about the tea was how strong it smelled. I could suss out that creamy maple through a Ziplock bag held at arm’s length. MAMA LIKEY.
Second, I noticed how ogle-worthy the tea looks. It has pieces in it (likely the apple) and red leaves (safflower) to give off that Canadian feel. Bless those Canadians and their charming accents and dreamy prime minster. What a great bunch of folks.
But what about the taste? Delicious, guys.
When it’s on the tongue, you get spices. It’s like a cider-chai. But then, when you swallow, ahhhhhhhh, syrup. Apples, spices, and maple for DAYS.
BOOM. Suddenly you’re Justin Trudeau’s best friend. He calls you with hot gossip. He invites you on hikes that are exactly at your exercise level. You’re going horseback riding with his mountie friends next week. Also: there’s a sale on flannel at your favorite store, and you will never be cold again.
Thanks, Canada!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
A Trio of Peach Teas from Beleave, Rishi, and Teavana. . . .
Who knew I had so many peachy teas in my cupboard? Let’s look at a spontaneous peach tea trio!
Pinkies Up Peach from Beleave Teas
Leaf type: white tea
This is a white tea with peach pieces and added flavors. The dry leaf smells fruity and juicy without being artificial. When brewed, the white tea base is smooth and buttery and pairs perfectly with the bright sweet peach overtones. White tea and peach are a winning combination. Black tea blends tend to get too tart or overbearing against the sweet fruit. Pinkies Up Peach from Beleave would make a great summer iced tea.
Peach Blossom White from Rishi Tea
Leaf type: white tea
Wow, blossoms indeed! There are plenty of buds and petals in the dry leaf, and the blend smells a flower box. Brewed, the fragrance is even stronger with jasmine and peony. The peach takes a back seat in this blend, and taste a bit more peach candies than fresh fruit. The peach tones pop up in the aftertaste, alongside citrus notes like mandarin orange. This wasn’t a very peachy tea, but it was a unique floral blend that surprised me.
Peach Cran Tango from Teavana
Leaf type: black tea
Even before Teavana closed its online shop, I believe the Peach Cran Tango blend was discontinued. So it’s a bit of a moot point for me to review it now. To help soothe the Teavana ache, I tried to replicate this blend on Adagio’s custom tea builder. Give my Peach Cran Tango and try and see how it stacks up.
The last of the Teavana sample I tasted was simple but enjoyable. Sweet peach is balanced with a bit of tart cranberry, all atop a solid black tea base. This is technically a peach blend, though it also features a good dose of cranberry. Cranberries are sweet, tangy and versatile, and seem to tango with just about any fruit partner. The red-berry tartness help the peach from being too cloying and make for a balanced fruit blend.
Well I’m feeling just peachy after all these peach teas. All this sweet fruit makes me feel like warmer weather is on its way already…
Colombo Garlic Tea from Mela Teas
Colombo Garlic Tea from Mela Teas is the tea of the moment here at the Sororitea Sisters! I have to start this off by being completely honest…I LOVE GARLIC! No! I don’t think you understand…I LOVE GARLIC! I would throw garlic on cereal if it were more P.C. – that’s how much I LOVE GARLIC!
Ok…now that we have THAT out of the way on to the tea review of Colombo Garlic Tea from Mela Teas! I’m trying to go in with the thought that not everyone is as CRAZY as I am about GARLIC because the MORE GARLIC the merrier for me! So, having said that, this is tasty! The garlic is NICELY done. Not OVERDONE at all. But as I continue to sip on this I can understand the level of garlic intensity Mela Teas decided to go with here!
The black tea base joins hands with the garlic in Colombo Garlic Tea from Mela Teas. Flavor-wise it’s a 50/50 partnership in terms of taste. I’m not sure if it’s because of the amount of garlic or the strength of the tea. One could say that it’s a weaker to medium strength black tea base and/or the garlic is at a strength where it kicks the black tea base down a notch. Either way – I’m game!
As this cools at room temperature a bit more I am getting more and more garlic which I really like. I suppose it’s much like COOKING with garlic where it strengthens over time as it simmers. Colombo Garlic Tea from Mela Teas is darn-tootin’ fantastic, folks! Whether you are a garlic fan or if you are looking for another way to up your garlic intake without having to actually eat it this is something to check out! Colombo Garlic Tea from Mela Teas is flavorful and interesting! I just might have to cook some rice in this tea just to see what it tastes like. Peppy, savory, and delicious!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Mela Teas
Description:
Many refer to garlic as the “great cleanser.” This tea fuses the sharp notes of garlic with subtle black tea, softening the garlic flavor for the palate, while maintaining its health properties. This tea not only opens your taste buds to adventure, but renews the body as you enjoy.
12-15 tsp per 2oz (12-15 cups). Teas can be re-steeped within 2 hours of first infusion by adding hot water to taste, giving 24-30 cups per 2oz.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Fig Formosa Oolong Tea from Stylin’ Tea Blends
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Stylin’ Tea Blends
Tea Description:
Full whole leaf quality Taiwanese oolong is the perfect base for the rich taste of Smyrna fig. The addition of cornflower and poppy flower petals add rich color and a natural sweetness enhancing the visual and taste character.
This blend is a complete departure from your typical cup of dark oolong tea and a pleasurable experience whether served hot or cold.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Fig Formosa Oolong from Stylin’ Tea Blends is a tea that I should have tried a long time ago. This lovely blend is soothing my tired soul today!
I have been on an oolong kick lately. This one caught my eye with the flavoring of the fig promise. I have to say, the promise delivers but in a different way than expected.
First off, lets chat about the dry leaf. The dry leaf is a lovely sweet candy like aroma. Almost like candied figs. That was the first thought that came to my mind. So did this tea deliver on the promise of the sweet candied figs? Yes and no.
This tea didn’t exactly have a fig like flavor but what this tea does deliver on is an almost earl grey like oolong. I know, peculiar, but that is what this reminds me of. There is a resemblance to earl grey that is just too hard to ignore. I can’t say I pick up beramot oil per say. But if I didn’t know better, I would think this was an earl grey oolong! (Which I typically don’t care too much for. But this was is simply brilliant!)
The tea has a sweet yet floral like flavor that swirls on your tongue and plays with your senses. The oolong has a silky buttery feel that really lets the other flavors become the star. Really lovely. A great mix of a sweet yet floral tea with a lush decadent background that leaves you wanting more.
Like I said, this tea is really soothing my soul today and giving me all the warm feels!
