It’s hard to resist a tea named Vanilla Cupcake, especially on a day when you just need something cute and sweet to brighten your day. This tea smells surprisingly fruity alongside the vanilla cake flavors, reminding me of fruitcake or banana bread. In a world of frosting-flavored, cake-themed tea blends, the amount of fruit flavors and fruity ingredients makes this blend stand apart.
The orange and papaya coupled with the vanilla, make this feel more like an orange-glazed sponge cake. Yum! The banana chips add their own full-flavored sweetness, but there is distinctly less of the traditional “frosting” taste, so if you want the extra creaminess, you should add a splash of milk to give the blend that dessert-like twist.
Because this is a decaf rooibos blend, it would be a perfect choice to brew up for a girl’s tea party. Who wouldn’t want a sip of a tea called vanilla cupcake? You could even serve it with real cupcakes and make a day of it!
In addition to all the fruit pieces in the tea, the leaves have at least two types of flower petals which makes the blend especially pretty to the eye. The bright and varied colors seem especially festive if you imagine this tea blend not just as a vanilla cupcake, but maybe as a “birthday cake” cupcake. This is a great blend for any day that needs a celebration.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Roobios
Where to Buy: True Tea Club
Description:
This Vanilla Cupcake Rooibos provides an exotic and smooth rooibos which provides a velvet-mouth feel. A dash of Banana chips amplifies this infusion into a heavenly status.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
June ZenTeaBar.Love’s Box of Tea Lovin’ Goodness. . . . .
Adulting has been ever consuming in my life recently, in a good way, but that hasn’t left a whole lot of time to sit back and enjoy gorgeous cups of teas.
Enter June’s ZenTeaBar.Love box of goodies. If you aren’t familiar with ZenTeaBar.Love, I highly encourage you to check them out. For $10 a month (that includes shipping), the lovely folks at ZenTeaBar.Love curate a box of tea lovelies that will help reset your soul and get you back on your track. Hawaii natives, the creators of the ZenTeaBar.Love box want to provide a box of tea that really helps create the perfect zen vibes to create that perfect “zenful” moment.
This month’s box was based on the four seasons.
Summer was represented by Adagio’s Citrus Green. A lovely simple green tea with a sturdy helping of citrus flavors to keep summer in check. Brewed up hot, this tea just didn’t resonate well with me but cold brewed- this tea was exactly what I was looking for. (Included in the box were three conveniently packed tea bags.)
Pumpkin Spice Chai was the perfect choice for a fall tea. Art of Tea is one of those companies that I absolutely adore. Their teas are always great quality and I can’t help but gobble them up. This particular take on a pumpkin flavored chai was right up my alley. Brewed hot and made into a latte, this tea screams all things fall and all things pumpkin. The pumpkin flavor is spot on with a creaminess that really helps elevates the cuppa. What I love the most about this tea is that the spices don’t overwhelm the tea like other versions of this tea that I’ve had. A perfectly blended pumpkin loving tea with a hint of spice. (Included in the box was an abundant sample of loose leaf tea in a tin.)
Winter’s tea may have been my favorite. I have tried this tea before but that didn’t disappoint me at all when I saw Chocolate PuErh by Numi Organic Tea. Chocolate lovers, pay attention. This tea is one of those teas that just can’t help loving and I’m not even a big chocolate fan. Brewed hot, this tea has a chocolate creaminess that mixes and mingles so well with the puerh tea. The earthy tones are subdued by the chocolate but it works so well. I’ve always been a big fan of this tea. (Included were three tea bags.)
I’ve always wanted to enjoy a tea from Tea Source so when I noticed Machu Peach-U was in the box to represent Spring, I was excited. Cold brewed, this white tea is divine. Gorgeous subtle floral notes with a peach flavoring that definitely has more of a natural peach flavor than other peach flavored teas that I’ve had in the past. A wonderful white peach tea to keep your spirits bright. (Included in the box was a great sample of loose leaf)
All in all, there was more than 17 cups of tea included in the box. I should also mention that included in this box was tea bag filters and a bamboo teaspoon. For the price, this box can’t be beat and the variety is wonderful. What I love the most is the fact that this may be a way for me to enjoy tea companies that I may not necessarily come across on my own. Plus they include a lovely tea menu that gives you the low down on where you can purchase more of each of the varieties of teas included in the box.
I can’ wait to see what teas are hand packed with love for July.
Here’s the scoop!
Where to Buy: ZenTeaBar.Love
Description
The ZenTeaBar family is completely in love with our connection to nature! Kelly, creator of ZenTeaBar.love realized there is more to just a cup of tea. The “ZEN” vibes you feel…that flowing mindfulness, the connection! We should Zenfully sample teas we love! During this process, a few questions came about:
-How can we select the perfect tea with all the tea options available today?
-How do we experience the true benefit of a tea leaf?
-How can we share the “ZEN” vibe?
Through this realization is how ZenTeaBar.love blossomed.
Our goal is to expand a new way for you to Zen-fully experience teas you love in the most comfortable, elegant way possible. All of our boxes are individually stamped, folded, and packed by hand; and are infused with our team’s Aloha and good vibes. We’d love to have you along on this ZenTeaBar venture with us! Mahalo!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Malibu by Bruu Tea
Hello tea friends!
This comes straight from the Bruu Tea Club box from February. It isn’t available to buy on the website but it may in the near future.
The information card from the box mentioned this blend has a Pina Colada charm to it.
Ingredients: Apple, Rosehip, Pineapple, Coconut and Hibiscus.
Opening the packet I am met with a sweet fruit melody that screamed tropical punch as it filled my nostrils. It also had a creamy scent among the sweet and juicy fruit. In terms of blend the pieces are mostly medium sized.
Steeping Instructions: 1tsp – 100C – 6 minutes
Once steeped the tea is red in colour and bares a super tropical fruity scent with a touch of sourness.
The first few sips reveal an insanely sweet and fruity drink with a sour aftertaste. Pineapple and coconut were the dominant fruit flavours and the hibiscus lingered in the after taste with a touch of dryness.
It’s only a fruit blend but it’s very tasty, much stronger than I expected. Though sour, the hibiscus is acceptable and it dies down quickly. I think this would be nice mixed with a mild green tea.
It may not be Pina Colada but it’s tropical and tasty!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Bruu Tea
(This is not currently for sale)
Description: A dreamy fruit tea with lashings of coconut. Works great on its own, blended or as an ice tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Mayfair by Bruu Tea. . .A Monthly Tea Subscription Box
This tea came from the February 2017 Tea Club box from Bruu Tea. Unfortunately I got a little backlogged due to a hellish couple of months. While this tea is not for sale on the website, it may be in the near future.
Thanks to the card I have a little more information on this blend:
A careful blend of Assam and Kenyan black teas are mixed with a sprinkle of calming Safflower petals to produce a wonderful, full bodied tasting tea with a slight mellow astringency. It’s a high-class breakfast tea that should be savoured and enjoyed. Origin: Assam, India (2016 2nd flush) and Kericho, Kenya (2016) grown 6500ft above sea level.
Opening the packet I see the leaves are small and loosely chopped with bright red safflower petals scattered throughout. It bares a strong, sour wood scent.
Brewing Instructions: 1tsp – 100C – 3 minutes
Once steeped the tea is burnt red/orange in colour and bares a sour wood scent, similar to it’s raw form.
The first few sips reveal a rich body with some sourness and a dry finish. Pleasant enough without milk nor sweetener.
The dry aftertaste increases to become moderate, which is perhaps the most negative aspect of the tea. The sour wood is nice though and has some natural sweetness.
It’s a nice, strong tea but I think a splash of milk is probably for the best. It’s too dry for me but the strength is desirable so it just needs a little help to be a great tea. This would be perfect for a breakfast tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Bruu Tea (Mayfair is not currently for sale)
Description:
A high-class breakfast tea that should be savoured. A luxury blend of Assam and Kenyan black tea that is produced at over 6500ft above sea level.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Orange Creamsicle Tea Anyway? #plumdeluxe
This tea (available again in May!) is an orange creamsicle confection! It has orange peel bits floating right in the mix, boasting of their bold flavor. The black tea isn’t hiding, though, it’s a nice, slightly tart black with plum* notes. * (Appropriate to Plum Deluxe!)
This blend is recommended as frozen into a popsicle form as a treat. I wish it weren’t 40 degrees out; I’m always into trying out oddball suggestions like that. I’d totally lap at it in a friend’s hammock.
Because, alas, this tea has reminded me of a thing I’ve always wanted, but never had: a hammock to call my own. It’s a first-world problem, I know. But it’s my burden to bear.
If you have a hammock (or convenient access to one), take a moment and think about how lucky you are. Revel in your blessings.
And then revel in this tea. Which is a very nice little blend. It’s not an aggressive blend, it’s just a tart-and-sweet buddy that would keep you company. ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL HAMMOCK. You glorious, bourgeoisie monsters.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
When we set out to make the perfect loose leaf iced tea blend, we knew one of our favorite flavors was orange. With a hint of “creme” vanilla flavor, it makes the most delicious iced tea, the perfect thirst quencher on a sunny day. As the name implies, grab a cool glass of this tea and relax. Reminds you of an orangesicle without all the calories!
All Plum Deluxe teas are hand-blended and infused with love in Portland, Oregon. Each 1 oz tea packet makes 15-20 cups. All organic ingredients — no sulfites, no artificial chemicals, non-GMO.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
