Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Grey’s Teas
Tea Description:
Looks good, ..smells good, …tastes good. Just the reassurance you need on a cold winter’s evening. China tea with citrus peels and cloves. Perfect.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This Winter Warmer Black Tea Blend from Grey’s Tea is a really nice alternative to the typical “orange spice” winter blend. Other orange spice blends often overwhelm the palate with spicy notes … nothing wrong with that, of course, because I like spicy tea, but, sometimes, it’s nice to have something on the gentle side.
This Winter Warmer is just that. Warmly spiced, but gently so. The clove is exotically sweet and has a comforting, cozy kind of flavor to it without going over the top. The citrus brightens the cup but does not overpower the flavor of the black tea. The orange-y notes taste sweet, a little tangy, but it isn’t overdone.
The black tea is really the star of this cup, and that – in my opinion – is just the way it should be. The black tea tastes robust with a mild-to-moderate amount of astringency which is accented by the citrus notes.
This is a really nice black tea – one that maybe isn’t quite strong enough to serve as a breakfast tea alternative … but instead, one I’d like to sip in the afternoon – it’s something that would warm me up and energize me at the same time.
Holiday Crumb Cake Tea from The Tea and Spice Exchange
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where To Buy: The Tea and Spice Exchange
Tea Description:
Come home to the Holidays! Indulge and wrap your senses around this cozy cup of tea. Orange,raspberry, ginger, and cinnamon combined with black tea creates a flavor worth celebrating! Contains Black Tea, Orange Peels, Ginger, Cinnamon, Raspberry Leaves,Cranberries, Safflowers, Natural Cranberry and Chestnut Flavors.Learn more about this blend here.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is one of three teas that I received in my holiday stocking. Granted, I had to buy these teas myself to stuff in my own stocking, but, my husband DID take me to The Tea and Spice Exchange knowing full well that I had teas on my shopping list, including this Holiday Crumb Cake flavored black tea.
What can I say? I’m a sucker for limited edition teas! I think this has something to do with the fact that I’d categorize myself as a “taster” … I like to try teas, but, I rarely find a tea that I’d want to drink every day. I might like a tea … even love it, but, there are so many teas out there to try, and who knows what I might discover next! There have been some teas that I have enjoyed enough to want to keep stocked in my cupboard … but this is a rare occurrence.
This tea is really good! It’s a really tasty spin on the classic cranberry orange cinnamon holiday blend. The addition of chestnut flavors gives this tea a real cake-y kind of taste: warm, nutty, and sweet. The cranberry is tart and offers a nice contrast to the sweeter flavors. The cinnamon gives the tea the delicious warmth of spice, and the orange – as well as the raspberry leaves! – give this tea a burst of brightness. It’s a really nicely rounded cup of tea.
And what I like best here is that the black tea is not overwhelmed by all that’s going on. It is a sturdy black tea, robust, and even has a hint of smoke to it, which sort of plays to the idea of crumb cake … that browned crumb topping that tastes of caramelized sugars. There is some astringency to this tea, I’d classify it as a moderate to medium amount of astringency – nothing overwhelming.
A very enjoyable blend – around for just a limited time!
Beverly Hills Breakfast Tea from Compass Teas
Tea Type:
Yellow Tea
Where To Buy:
Compass Teas
Product Description:
An antioxidant-rich Mimosa! Champagne & Orange flavors over a rare Yellow tea. Smooth, elegant & refreshing.
Makes approximately 30+ cups of tea
Ingredients:
Yellow Tea – High in antioxidants. Smooth, mellow flavor.
Organic Flavoring
Tasters Review:
It’s been a while since my last YELLOW Tea Review here at Sororitea Sisters. When I saw that Compass had this one available I was super excited to try this one but wanted to save it for the right moment.
First – LOVE the name! Beverly Hills Breakfast Tea sounds SO Very posh!
The aroma is out-of-this-world! It’s Slightly peppery aroma meets yellow tea meets Mimosa/Champagne/Orange flavors all working hand-in-hand.
I would have to say I can taste the yellow tea along side the orange – first and foremost. Then I can taste a bit of spice – a mild pepper – perhaps – almost like a white peppercorn, maybe. Then…a subtle champagne type flavor on the end. Even with the flavors – it’s incredibly clean. There is a nice amount of ‘juiciness’ to it, too!
This is a very lovely flavored yellow tea from Compass. I’m so glad I was able to try it and share it with you!
Sunrise Sensation from sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Yunnan Gold Buds, Organic Yunnan Black, Hojicha, Kukicha Twig Black
Where to Buy: sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Description:
Sunrise sensation is a quadruple crown of black tea to wake up and face your day. Premium Yunnan Gold Buds honey tones with Organic Hojicha’s robust bitter cocoa tones, the rich citrus floral tones of Organic Yunnan black tea and Organic Kukicha’s coffee like aroma make the combination one to remember. The complexities in this sensational tea engage the flavor profiles from each ingredient and puts it together making something so refined and soothing. Just like a culinary masterpiece it is not always necessary for the recipient to know how it works, just that it does.
Sunrise Sensation with Yunnan Gold Buds & Organic Yunnan Black teas , Hojicha & Kukicha Twig Black teas simplifies the complexities of your day.
Premium Yunnan Gold Buds, Organic Hojicha Tea, Organic Yunnan Black Tea, Organic Kukicha Twig Tea, Raw Organic Cocoa Nibs, Organic Wild Lingberries, Cinnamon, Organic Vanilla Bean, Organic Maple Syrup Crystals, Orange
Naturally Caffeinated.
Learn more about this tea here.
Wow what a blend! Janet of sTEAp Shoppe has really outdone herself on this one! I have to refer to the description for a moment, one specific line “Just like a culinary masterpiece it is not always necessary for the recipient to know how it works, just that it does.” I have to say as much as I would like to understand how this blend works I am happy to just sit back and enjoy it!
Taster’s Review:
I adore Yunnan Gold Buds with its honey flavors, and I can taste elements of this tea in the cup quite distinctly, yet there is the Hojicha with its toasty caramel notes, which I also adore on its own, and there it is right there in the tea to be noted, however we also have Yunnan black with rich chocolate notes! Alas let us not forget Kukicha Black tea which has a nutty toasty flavor! I mean as if that is not enough, and could have been a total wreck or something simply divine which it IS the later, we have added to that a myriad of amazing elements such as, Organic Lingonberry, Organic Vanilla Bean, Cinnamon, Organic Maple Syrup Crystals, and Orange! SAY WHAT??? Again, this could have easily became some kind of mess but rather what it is – is one deliciously sinful cup of wonder!
I truly wish I could give a better review of this tea, describing how the delicate flavors of vanilla dance delightfully with the chocolate flavors of the Yunnan Black, or how the Hojicha’s caramel notes mix with the Kukicha’s nutty toasty notes to make something of a yam flavor when combined with the organic maple syrup crystals, and how the orange note is present but does not over take any of the other notes, yet adds what I can only attest to being something of a culinary experts’ secret ingredient that adds a subtle yet delightful citrus note that toys with our senses. I wish I could explain how the honey flavors within the Yunnan Gold Buds, blend masterfully with the Lingonberry and cinnamon to make what is something of a bake-y dessert like sensation, yet in some way you don’t even notice the cinnamon as an element unto itself… I just wish I could get across clearly how good this tea is!
If someone served me this tea and did not tell me it was a blend, I would guess it were a black tea from the finest tea vendor possible. You see, none of these “flavor” elements stand out as a solo ingredient and THAT is what makes a blend perfection! A tea so perfectly balanced, so mindfully melded, that it comes over on the palate as a straight tea!
I do hope you will try this one!
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent To Me …
Well, I really must admit that this 12 Days of Christmas box has really brightened my holiday season. Every tea thus far has been new to me, and that alone makes me happy.
I don’t really have anything clever to say right here, so instead, I think I’ll just jump right in to the review of today’s tea from Della Terra Teas.
Orange Brulee Oolong
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
On the fifth day, Orange Brulee!
As golden as five golden rings, so is a delicious, juicy orange. That mixed with a wonderful caramel brulee creates a perfect holiday season tea. Enjoy this Oolong tea any time of the day. You’ll thank your personal Santa.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
From the moment I opened the pouch of this tea I knew it was something special … well, actually, I knew that just by reading the name of this tea. Orange Brulee? Um… yes please! Creme Brulee is my favorite dessert, and so the idea of having it recreated in tea form makes me very happy. And while I’ve never actually had an Orange Creme Brulee, I can only imagine what an incredible dessert that would be!
And then when I did open the pouch and smelled the fantastic aroma of the dry leaf, I knew I was in for a real treat. It smells like candy orange slices. Sweet and juicy and distinctly orange, but with a lovely sugar-y note too. I could even smell a hint of cream. I was treated to this fragrance throughout the brewing process.
Once the tea was brewed and poured into my teacup, though, there was less of that amazing scent. Oh, it still smells yummy … just not quite as incredible as it did before or while it was brewing.
But it tastes oh-so-good! The flavor is sweet and creamy … custard-y even! The caramel is a little less distinguishable here than the custard, but, that is also true of every creme brulee I’ve ever eaten. Once you finish that bit of caramelized sugar crust, the caramel notes are pretty much gone. Here, I notice a sweet, burnt-sugar caramel note that arrives at the start of the sip, but wanes toward the finish. The creamy, custard-y note remains from start to finish, and then there is the bright, sunny orange notes that really perk up the whole cup. Every once in a while, I taste a note that reminds me of creamsicle, and this alone is enough to bring a smile on my face.
But this delightful treat would be far less interesting if I didn’t actually taste the tea – and I am glad to say that I do. This Oolong is a darker Oolong, and it offers a lovely texture as well as a pleasing fruit note that seems to enhance the orange notes rather than attempts to emerge as a real individual flavor. There are some woodsy notes as well as a hint … just a hint … of flower.
When I first read the description of this tea, I wondered if Oolong was the best base for these flavors, but after tasting it, I’m really happy with the way this tea turned out. It is certainly different, but, I like the way the smooth, luxurious Oolong interacts with these flavors. It is such a comforting and happy beverage!