Where to Buy: Arbor Teas
Company Description:
A rich, smoky combination of dark chocolate ganache and our smoked Lapsang Souchong Black Tea, square cut and dipped in dark chocolate.
Taster’s Review:
Editor’s Note: This review represents part 1 of 6 reviews, one review for each of the six flavors in the truffle collection available from Arbor Teas
Oh yummy! Is there anything more exciting than tea-infused chocolates? As a foodie, I love it when two of my favorite edibles are paired together in one delectable item. And as a tea enthusiast AND chocoholic, I simply cannot resist these Tea-Infused truffles from Arbor Teas.
The appearance of this truffle is truly luxurious. Regal even! It has a brush stroke of glittery edible gold leaf, which adds a bit of sparkle and elegance to this yummy truffle.
And as some of you are probably aware, I’m not particularly fond of Lapsang Souchong. I am slowly acquiring a taste for this classic, but, still, it’s not my favorite tea. So, this is the one chocolate truffle in the six about which I was the most skeptical.
But, it is truly amazing! The smokiness that usually throws me off in a Lapsang Souchong tea tastes absolutely divine in this dark chocolate truffle. The deep, dark caramel-y notes of the tea create a flavor that is euphoric!
If this chocolate is any indication of what lies ahead with the other five truffles – I am truly in for a treat! This truffle is amazingly, SINFULLY delicious!
PRODUCT REVIEW: Kati Loose Tea System from Tea Forté
Where to Buy: Tea Forté
Company Description:
Loose tea by the cup…..simple.
Our double-wall ceramic tumbler and integrated stainless steel infuser make brewing loose tea by the cup simple. The innovative double-wall construction keeps tea hot and the tumbler cozy to hold. Includes three of our Loose Tea Single Steeps. Brews a generous 12 oz cup and is dishwasher safe.
Product Review:
I’d like to introduce you to my favorite new tea accessory! The Kati Loose Tea System! It has officially replaced my favorite tea mug. I love this cup!
OK, so this is actually a “tumbler.” But, let’s not get lost on semantics. I love this cup! Let me tell you why…
I love the shape of this cup, and how well it fits in my hands. Because it does not have a handle, I cup my hands around the tumbler and experience the warmth from the tea. And because it has a double wall construction, the sides of the cup are warm but not too hot. This is a very important “selling point” for me, because my hands always seem to be cold. I like that I can cup my hands around the tumbler and enjoy the warmth without burning myself!
The double wall construction also insulates the cup so that the tea stays warmer longer. Another thing that helps to keep the tea warm is the lid!
The infuser is also a nice size. I found that there was enough room to allow the tea leaves to expand fully without being overcrowded. Generally, an infuser is something I don’t use because they aren’t large enough to accommodate the tea leaves properly, but, this one is just right.
Finally, I love the leaf design on the cup. Sure, we’re just talking aesthetics here, and it has really very little to do with the tea inside the cup, but, it has a lot to do with my enthusiasm toward the cup. I enjoy using a cup that makes me happy, and this cup (err… tumbler) makes me very happy!
White Tea Brownies from Sanctuary T
Product Information:
Where to Buy: Sanctuary T
Company Description:
If you are in need of a chocolate fix that complements your nice cup of tea, snatch a bag of these decadent, tea-inspired brownies. Loaded with white tea, valhrona chocolate, and bits of walnuts, these brownies are a rich complement to a cup of tea. Each package comes with 3 large, rich brownies!
Taster’s Review:
I have a confession to make. I am currently working on my second order of these brownies. I had only planned on ordering one order of them – just to try them – because, even though I thought they’d be good, I figured they couldn’t be as good as my fresh, made from scratch, home-baked brownies.
WRONG! These brownies easily blow my brownies out of the water. In fact, they are the best brownies I’ve ever eaten in my life! And, once upon a time, I worked for a famous cookie/brownie vendor in the mall, back when that vendor still made the cookie and brownie batches fresh instead of from frozen dough. These brownies are even better than those!
So… needless to say, once my package was empty, I ordered another one, PRONTO!
The flavor is rich and fudge-y and make the perfect tea-time snack. Maybe not for “High Tea”… because these brownieshave an ooey-gooey factor to them. It came as a bit of a surprise the first time I tried them. I mean, you kind of expect that you’ll be licking chocolate off your fingers with a home-baked brownie, but not something you bought off the internet. With these brownies, prepare for chocolate-y fingertips!
That being said, these brownies are a better “alone tea time” treat. Pour yourself a cup of tea (I really recommend Carnival Tea with these brownies) and devour!
The brownies are filled with chocolate chips, walnuts and I think I may have even encountered a bit of caramel in my first batch. In this batch, I haven’t found any caramel yet, BUT… I can taste the white tea a bit better in this batch than in the first.
Yes, it’s true, the white tea does get a little lost in this explosion of chocolate flavor. That being said, it is doubtful that someone would actually miss the tea after tasting these decadent delights. In the first batch, I could tell there was something else there… but it wasn’t a distinct white tea taste. With this batch, though, I can definitely taste white tea.
If you haven’t done so yet, check out the Sanctuary T website. While you’re there, be sure to join their mailing list, and you’ll receive a coupon code worth 10% off on your first purchase!
PRODUCT REVIEW: Ceramic Tea Tray from Tea Forté
Where to Buy: Tea Forté
Company Description:
Tea Forte’s set of ceramic tea trays offer a dramatic and festive presentation for serving our Silken Tea Infusers. Return infusers to these trays after brewing to catch the drips. Each gift box contains two trays. An ideal accompaniment to any size of our tea package options.
Product Review:
As I’ve professed before, I am not a big fan of gadgets, especially when it comes to tea. Tea, in my opinion, is best enjoyed when kept simple.
That being said, I have to admit that these ceramic tea trays from Tea Forté are REALLY cool! Not only do they provide a great service (keeping tea preparation area neat and tidy), they make using tea sachets fun and stylish. Even as someone who loves my loose leaf tea – I can still really appreciate this nifty little tool.
Imagine having tea with a friend… this simple yet effective little tray helps eliminate that awkward moment when you don’t know what to do with your tea bag. This is a moment that most tea drinkers have experienced… You don’t want to put it on the table – it will ruin the table or stain the tablecloth! You don’t want to use your napkin – that will render your napkin useless. And you don’t want to put it on your saucer – because it will result in a messy, gauche saucer. Having one of these cute, inexpensive tea trays 
(they’re just $6.00 for a package of two trays) gives you a place to put your tea bag while adding a sense of elegance to your tea table.
What I think I like most about these little trays is that they can suit just about any type of style desired. They are minimalistic, and yet, they can be whimsical, cute, charming, elegant and even somewhat masculine, if you want them to be.
Product Review: Three Strand Tea Timer from Eteaket … and a NEW Contest!
Product Information:
Where to Buy: Eteaket
Company Description:
A tea timer is a must for any self-respecting tea drinker. This specially designed tea timer will not only look the part in your kitchen, it will ensure you get perfect results every time. It has 3 separate, colour-coded hour-glasses: 3 mins for green tea; 4 mins for black tea and 5 mins for white tea.
Product Review:
This is a classic sand hour-glass tea timer, but with a neat twist. Instead of just one hour-glass, this one has three… with three different colors of sand: green, black and yellow.
The hour-glass with the green sand is a 3-minute timer, which is perfect for most green teas or lighter infusions of black teas. The hour-glass with the black sand is a 4-minute timer, which is a medium infusion for black teas. The hour-glass with the yellow sand is a 5-minute timer which is perfect for white teas.
The three hour-glasses are housed in a beautiful brushed stainless steel frame that is very durable. It is something that will last for years, is easy to clean and keep clean, and will also look nice on a counter top or desk.
I like this nifty little gadget. It’s handy to have by the computer so that you can watch the time without standing over your teapot. And… let’s face it, you COULD use the timer on your oven, but, what if you need to time the au gratin potatoes? This lets you have your tea and your potatoes too!
CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT!
Hey! How’d you like to win one of these nifty little timers of your very own? We’re giving one away this week to one lucky reader! In addition, I’m going to give away a 2 ounce tin of my (err… LiberTEAS, that is) Potpourri Tea. To read a review of this tea, click here.
That’s right – a Three Strand Tea Timer (from Eteaket – a USD value of $20.25) and a 2 ounce tin of tea (from LiberTEAS – a USD value of $7.50) – all for one lucky winner (total USD value: $27.75)
To enter, simply comment ON THIS review any time between now and August 21. The winner will be drawn via random draw (using random.org) on August 22. Be sure to include contact information so that I can get a hold of you if you’re the winner.
To earn extra entries in the contest (and increase your chances of winning!) you can do any of the following (one extra entry per item, up to 4 extra entries!):
1. Are you on facebook? Then, please “Like” our facebook page. Just click on the box to the right of the screen, log in, and click on the “like” button to become a fan.
2. Post a link of this contest on your Facebook page to tell your friends about it.
3. Publish a blog post on your blog. Be sure to include a link to our blog so that your readers can easily visit us here and enter too.
4. Twitter about this contest, including a link to this contest. While you’re at it, please follow Anne & Jennifer on Twitter.
If you choose to do any or all of these four things to earn extra entries, please do let us know by including the information in the comment section of this review, and include links for us so that we can check out your handiwork.
Thanks for reading, and GOOD LUCK!