Just the Facts
*Tea Type: Tisane / Herbal
*Region: Not Specified
*Caffeine Level: None
*Ingredients: sweet apple, light lavender, and chamomile.
*Description: apple sweetened tea with a flowery hint.
*Appearance: small dried chamomile and lavender buds with bits of dried apple.
*Brewing Instructions: Temp of 212*F or 100*C. Brew 3-5 minutes.
*Multiple Infusions: No
*Aroma: apples with herbs.
*Color: light champagne
*Tasting Notes: apples, lavender and chamomile.
*Availability: In stock / Sold in Temples (sachets)
The Review
I often find myself drinking herbal tea when I want to remedy an aspect of my life or health. It’s not uncommon for me to pull out a ginger or peppermint tea when a digestive ailment plagues me, and chamomile or lavender to calm. Lately, I have had difficulty regulating my sleep cycle so I was eager to try Snooze Tea by Teapigs. Before I had released the temple, the term used to describe their pyramid shaped tea bags, I had heaped upon it my desperate desire for immediate and a deep recuperative sleep. I know, I imposed sleeping pill expectations that no tea could live up to. However, what I did find was a calming chameleon in a sachet. I use the term chameleon to describe teas with tasting notes that change when a different sweetener or steeping applications is introduced.
I was unable to find the amount of water to be used for their single serve tea temples on the website or packaging. I tend to like a stronger tea which prompted me to use 6 ounces of water heated to 212F or 100C, and the steep time of 5 minutes. The color was that of light champagne and the aroma reminiscent of a farmers market in the south of France. Sweet earthy apples, warm chamomile, and heady lavender wafted from the cup. I pictured myself riding a 1950’s lavender-blue cruiser style bicycle with a wicker basket on the front packed with cheese, bread, and produce. I giggled when I pictured myself falling off the bicycle because I haven’t ridden in over 25 years; so much for that daydream and the now crushed wicker basket.
I parted the brewed tea into three 2 ounce portions and commenced with my tasting. The plain brew had a heavy herbal taste to it that left a minty-medicinal finish; odd, given that I didn’t remember mint being listed amongst the ingredients. The portion sweetened with white sugar had a pronounced pleasant floral aroma and finish. Finally, the remaining portion sweetened with clover honey brought forth an apple crispness and finish. I found both sweetened versions incredibly enjoyable.
While they did not induce sleep, they did calm my mind and spirit. I would not recommend these teas be paired with strong dishes, but they would compliment light fare such as cheese and crackers. Really, any foods where you want to add an apple or herbaceous note. Better yet, drink it alone or try it as a refreshing iced tea on those hot summer days when you want something light but thirst-quenching.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Teapigs
Description
Fancy. Sweet apple, light lavender and a flowery hint.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sleep from We Are Tea. . . .
Oh, my aching back! I have a severe case of text neck that has traveled down my shoulder and upper back and sleeping has been a bit rough lately. A friend told me that tulsi is the best pain-in-the-neck reliever and I would love to get a good night’s sleep, so let’s see if it gives some relief.
When I mix my own tulsi blend I usually just put tulsi and lavender. This blend also has chamomile and rose. It looks beautiful in the sachet and is clearly nice big pieces and not dust. You can tell it is fresh by the lovely colors of the ingredients – no oasty gray here. And the sachet is made of cornstarch! No nylon in this baby, so I can toss the whole thing in my compost tomorrow – after I resteep it, of course!
After three minutes of steeping, I am ready to be enticed away to la-la land. The tea tastes and smells primarily of tulsi to me even though that is the last ingredient listed. Secondly, I taste chamomile and then the lavender and rose equally and subtly. It is a little bit savory and a whole lot relaxing. There is a lingering herbal aftertaste and it isn’t really floral, but still savory.
I could swear I feel my jaw unclenching, and I didn’t even realize it was clenched…
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: We Are Tea
Description
There aren’t many things that a good night’s sleep can’t fix, so we created this ultimate night time blend to help you along the way. Settle your mind, sink into your pillow and let this caffeine free tea melt the pressure away. No sheep counting required!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Soothing from Balcony Teas. . .
Between my stressful job and predisposition to be a night owl, I’m always looking for a good calming or bedtime tea. This one seems like a good candidate because I like all of the ingredients individually. It comes in convenient pyramid sachets, which I actually like for herbals because herbals generally don’t need much room to expand and I often prefer easy prep at bedtime.
The dry blend smells like equal parts chamomile and rose. I would totally wear a floral perfume that smelled like this! The hot brew smells of apple, rose, and a hint of lavender. It is, indeed, a soothing scent. Unfortunately, the flavor is less complex than I had expected. The dominant note is the apple-like chamomile, to the point that I can’t make out any floral or other flavors at all.
The chamomile is sweet and calming but the absence of floral flavor is disappointing. I made this three times on two different days just in case the problem was user error but I got the same results each time.
Still, I have to give this blend credit for living up to its name. I happily drank all three cups before drifting off to sleep.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Balcony Teas
Description
Feel transported to a beautiful evening in the Mediterranean. All is calm and you can smell wild flowers. Perfect for a moment to yourself or to wind down after a busy day.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Night Time Tea from Harlow Tea Co. . . . Getting Your ZZZ’s in 2017!
What do Red Rooibos, Orange Peel, Lemongrass, Suma Root, Peppermint, Anise, and Hawthorn Berries have in common? They are all IN Night Time Tea from Harlow Tea Co. that’s what!
And before we get to the aroma and flavor of this Rooibos based tisane perhaps you are wondering what Suma Root is? In case you are interested in different roots, herbs, seeds, etc like I am you might be surprised that Suma Root has many things to offer us!
After doing some research I found that the natives of South America would consume Suma Root daily to increase their physical strength, energy, and stamina. Suma Root promotes balance of the hormones and strengthens the adrenal glands and is a powerful immune system booster. Many people use Suma Root today to treat skin problems, diabetes, tumors, and the symptoms of menopause. Of course I have to state that I am not making any claims for this product but I am just telling you I found this information interesting about this powerful root.
Now on to the aroma and flavor of Night Time Tea from Harlow Tea Co. It is certainly minty-fresh which I LOVE and ADORE but it also has a subtle spice that I am chalking up to the Anise Seed. The sweetness comes from the Red Rooibos and the Lemongrass is always a nice touch. The Hawthorn Berries don’t overly contribute to the overall flavor of this Night Time Tea from Harlow Tea Co much but the ingredient still makes sense and follows suit to the detoxifying theme this herbal seems to stand for. The orange peel is identifiable upfront but mellows out quickly because of the lingering mint and I’m ok with that.
It’s rare if I choose an herbal tisane to be my favorite from a tea company that also sells straight-up teas but I have to say this is among my favorites that I have tried from Harlow Tea Co. so far. Night Time Tea from Harlow Tea Co. might just become a staple in my unwinding process.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Harlow Tea Co.
Description
Red rooibos tea, anise seed, peppermint leaf, orange peel, suma root, lemongrass, and hawthorn berries.
Does not contain caffeine. This night time tea is amazing to relax with, and while doing so allowing your body to recover.
Suma root has been used for centuries for its heath benefits, most notably being its effects on boosting the immune system. Suma root is similar in properties to ginseng. Roughly 14 servings per 1 ounce package. This tea is an amazing “detox” tea. Combine this tea in the p.m. with “The Cleanse” in the a.m. for a complete “detox”.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
