Have you ever wondered what would happen if you combined Earl Grey with a cupcake?
Don’t worry if that thought passed you by. Because it did NOT escape the lovely people behind A Quarter To Tea.
And the result is super-fabulous.
This is an Assam Earl Grey (yum! citrus!) with Bavarian Cream mixed in, giving it a super-creamy no-milk-needed vibe. It’s like an orange-and-vanilla cupcake. HAPPY. BIRTHDAY. TO. ME.
(Note: It’s not my birthday. This fact saddens me 364 days a year, which is the overwhelming majority of the year. There is a song out there, called “Party Like It’s Not,” which features the lyrics “Nobody gives a damn about the day that you were born! This song is for everyone who it ain’t your birthday! You gotta party like it’s not, party like it’s not!” This song brings me UTTER JOY, and you might like it, too.)
The sprinkles in this blend contribute to the tea’s birthday feeling.
Why are there sprinkles? Why are they green and gold?
I couldn’t figure out what the heck “support the green and gold” meant on the back, or why it was called “Earl Bay.” If you’re a jock, you’re probably In The Know by now.
For the rest of us, it’s because AQTT are Green Bay Packers fans, hence “Bay” and the colors. Are they celebrating a good season? The joy of football? I honestly would not know. My in-laws are the only NFL people I know, and they’re Steelers people. (If you want to talk Penn State football, though, I’m your girl. And no, I don’t want to discuss That Other Thing. Ever again.)
Which made me think: if I were going to make a sports blend based on my university, what would I do? Penn State is known for its ag program and its Creamery, so I think I’d make it a creamy blueberry (blue) with vanilla/yogurt bits (white) and cornflower petals (blue). And sprinkles (blue and white, in the shape of paw prints or cats). I think the base would be black — not for any University reason, but because that’s what I like best.
If you were going to celebrate sports (or some other local themed thing), how would you make YOUR tea?
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Support the green and cold even on the coldest days with this creamy, scrumptious Earl Grey blend.
This Earl Grey features vanilla, hopps, bavarian cream and some totally team worthy sprinkles!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Chocolate Covered Almond from DAVIDsTea
It seems like forever ago since I drank a tea from David’s Tea. Today I’m sharing with you their Chocolate Covered Almond flavored Black Tea. This tea is NOT currently listed on their website but according to the package does NOT contain dairy.
It claims that this is sweet, crunchy, and totally addictive. I would certainly agree that it IS a tasty treat! Cocoa, Carob, and Almonds are the addictive trinity here, friends! This tea also contains yerba mate, sugar, and flavorings.
Aside from the yummy-goodness of the flavor of this tea I have to say that I was overly impressed that it contained a black tea and Yerba Mate blended base. Because it had so much flavor it was hard to pick out the Yerba Mate flavor by itself but I appreciate that it was in there, regardless!
It’s sweet, bold, creamy, nutty, tasty, and certainly satisfies the sweet tooth on occasion.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: DAVIDsTea
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
French Toast Oolong Tea from Steeped Tea. . . .
I’ve totally been into French Toast Flavored Teas lately and there are some really wonderful ones out there for a bunch of different reasons. Today I would like to share French Toast Oolong from Steeped Tea!
Of course it has Oolong Tea as the base – you can tell that by looking at the name – but to look at the Oolong used – dry and prior to infusing – it is one of the darkest dry Oolong I have seen so far!
After you move along to the other ingredients you will notice this tea has pineapple bits (that are coated in a little sugar), Coconut Chips, Lemon Wedges, Cranberries (that are coated in a little sugar and Sunflower Oil), Orange Peels, Rose Buds, Pomegranate Blossoms, Prickly Pear Blossoms, Vanilla, and flavors.
The blossoms are lovely and add a VERY little floral aftertaste to this. But the flavors that really shine are the Coconut Chips and various fruit ingredients. The fruits that have just that spec of sugar coating add a nice touch. And that’s just what it is – a nice touch – it’s not overly sugared. I was actually surprised with all the fruity ingredients that it wasn’t overly fruity to the tongue. But it was surprisingly buttery-sweet, nutty, savory, and creamy! Not any of the individual ingredients are overdone. EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING has just enough flavor to all mesh well with the other ingredients, too! YUM! This was a special treat!
I’ve tried other French Toast Flavored Teas that were more French Toasty but this one was a winner on it’s own. Not so much for the toastiness – not so much for the cinnamon – not so much for the buttered-bread-likeness of others – but for the ratios used and flavor combo that turned out to be something completely of its own.
I wouldn’t mind if this had a sprinkle of cinnamon in it but it’s completely fine without it, too! Well done!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Steeped Tea
Description
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!
Super Starling drinks English Breakfast from Solstice Tea Traders. . .
After killing myself at the gym this morning*, I needed a little bit of comfort. Black teas are my go-to morning cuddle buddy. They never cause DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). They never make me sweaty. I never collapse after drinking one.
* (10 flights on the stairmaster, a mile on the treadmill, then a variety of circuit training nonsense that at one point just had me laying on a mat, reaching for my inhaler.)
Comforting though this blend is, it’s still got that black-tea kick. This one’s an eye-opener. It pries your face open, Clockwork Orange style. Are you nodding off at your desk?
NOT ANY MORE YOU’RE NOT. WELCOME TO THE DAY.
The flavor is a nice smooth blend, a bit malty and raisin-y. I have a feeling that, if you mixed some with an herbal tea (maybe berry-flavored), you’d have a great iced tea. This could be a strong backbone for a kickin’ blend.
If you’re the sort of person who does this sort of thing. Which I do. I like to play alchemist all the time. Is it unclassy to throw ingredients into other teas? Probably. But I’ve come up with some awesome stuff. (I have also — full disclosure — completely failed.)
So give this one a try, either straight or with a buddy. At the very least, you’re in for a good morning jostle.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Solstice Tea Traders
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!