Coconut Flan Genmaicha from 52Teas

coconutgenmaichaSSTea Information:

Leaf Type: Green

Where to Buy: 52Teas

Tea Description:

Green Tea, Popped Rice, Shredded Coconut, and Natural flavors 

This tea is no longer available but learn more about available blends here.

Taster’s Review:

So today I was finally able to set myself done and try this tea. With having coconut and genmaicha going on with the blend, I thought for sure I would devour this tea. So much so that I ordered an additional taster size for it.

I asked a co-worker is she wanted to try the tea with me and she eagerly grabbed her mug and we set to steeping.

The dry leaf mixture had a lovely and bright coconut fresh smell.  I wouldn’t say sun tan lotion like but there is a resemblance. The coconut smelled amazing and I wanted to bottle up the smell into a candle.

We steeped the tea per the package instructions and waited impatiently for the timer to let us know the tea was ready.  We allowed the tea to cool for a minute and took our first sip.

She loved the tea. She said it was just smooth roasted coconut love.  She was all smiles while drinking it and she barely sat the cup down.

When I took my first sip, I didn’t get a whole lot of flavor so I allowed the tea to cool even more.  After a few more minutes, I took another sip. As much as I wanted to love this tea, it just isn’t one that I am loving hot.  I’m getting a nice toasted flavor but I don’t know if I like it mixed with the coconut and then on top of all of that, with a hot temperature. I’m wondering if this is a tea that needs to be either cold brewed or iced to really get that tropical feel out of it.

Don’t get me wrong the tea is fine and I have no issue with finishing my cup. I just can’t say that I want more of it. This might just be a tea that I need to experiment with.

Off to make some iced tea!

Liquid Luck from Friday Tea

liquidluckTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy: Friday Tea

Tea Description:

This golden brew is one of Tea Girl’s finest! A magical tisane that reminds us of a peach orchard at the height of summer. Warm, fruity, herby, and slightly spiced. Definitely a favorite hot or iced!

Ingredients: Peach, apple, orange, cinnamon, chamomile, blue cornflower

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I have been wanting to try Friday Tea’s offerings for a while. And to my delight the other day I received a box from them thru a gift exchange I recently participated in.

This tea was the first one I had to try.  A lovely herbal blend of peaches, apple, orange cinnamon, chamomile, and blue cornflower. The tea itself was gorgeous to look at and smelled amazingly fruity .  I couldn’t wait to brew the tea up.

Steeped in water that was fresh boiled and allowed to sit for a few minutes, this tea was amazingly fruity, vibrant and delicious.  You first get a lovely base of the peaches with notes of cinnamon giving the tea a bit of a spiced kick, but a gentle kick.  The chamomile comes in next providing the blend with an almost baked dessert feeling and taste.  Each sip finishes off with a lush citrus note that lovingly completes the tea.

What I am trying to say, is this tea is dynamite! One of the better herbal teas I’ve had in a while and one that is impressive from the first sip. I’m on my second infusion and this tea is continuing to give this really bright and vibrant peachy flavor.   I can just imagine making this into a cold brew or as an iced tea.  This is one of those teas that will be amazing (I bet) anyway you prep it.

I’m excited to dig into the rest of the box to see what other lovely teas I have from them. I see a possible order in my future! Friday Tea offers quite a few unique teas that I can’t wait to check out.

Gin & Tonic from Tea Shirt

ginTonicTea Information:

Leaf Type:  White

Where to Buy: Tea Shirt

Tea Description:

Flavoured white tea

Ingredients: White tea, white apple pieces (apple pieces, citric acid), lemon peel, rose flower petals, natural flavouring.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I just recently discovered Tea Shirt on Twitter a few weeks ago. I was instantly intrigued by the name and ended up placing an order. Yesterday the box arrived and I was eager to dive right in. I ordered a variety of different samples but I have to admit this one is the reason I placed the order in the first place. I’ve tried different Gin & Tonic blends but not a white tea version. The others were herbals.

I eagerly steeped the tea and loved the fresh lemon aroma that I was getting from the steeping leaves. The dry leaves were a gorgeous bright vibrant looking blend with pops of rose buds, white tea, and apple pieces.  Such a lovely blend. So far, I’ve got some pretty high expectations out of this tea!

So after one sip I’ve decided that I should nickname this tea “Sweet Tart” tea.  Because that is what it tastes like to me!

This tea is an absolutely vibrant fun tea with notes of a citrus lemon background, floral hints, with a sweetness and tang that yes does resemble gin & tonic slightly but to me it really sings and says, “Hey, I taste like candy!”.  This tea is full of flavor and just keeps giving sip and after.

What I love the most is the acidic notes that give you the tang that reminds me of the tonic water from a gin & tonic.  The lemon flavor hits you next.  Such a great combo.  You could also say this tea reminds me of clear sodas like 7Up or Sprite.  Such a fun tea!

Anyway you look at it, this tea is vibrant, singing with brilliant flavors. I’m absolutely in love with this tea and am hitting the kettle again for my third infusion!

Pomegranate Green Tea from Solstice Tea Traders

PomGreenTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green Tea

Where to Buy: Solstice Tea Traders 

Tea Description:

Solstice Tea Traders Pomegranate Loose Leaf Green Tea is an amazing tea that lends itself well to hot or iced applications, and is a perfect option for summer afternoons, or cold mornings.Enjoy our pomegranate tea packed in large one pound bags, an amazing way to enjoy green tea, with a little extra flavor, without having to add a lot of sugar.

Learn more about this tea here. 

Taster’s Review:

Ever stumble upon a tea that just completely makes you say “What?!?”  This tea did that to me.

I review products for companies on Amazon all the time. Besides my blog and doing tea reviews for SororiTea Sisters, it is one of my favorite ways to spend my time.  Whenever I see tea up for grabs needing a review, I always get giddy and hope I make the cut.

So when this tea arrived in its giant 16oz package (yes, 1 lb!) I wasn’t sure what I would be in for except that I have a pound of this tea.  I opened the enormous tea pouch up and was hit with this lovely fragrance mix of green tea, pomegranate, and a sweet rose bud floral undertone.  I was incredibly impressed.  The tea leaves didn’t’ appear to be crushed but lovely and with a lot of substance. I couldn’t wait to try this tea.

Brewed up like a green tea and allowed to steep for about 4 minutes, this tea yields an amazing flavor.  Lovely rich buttery green tea notes with a jammy pomegranate flavor and a sweetness from the rose buds that really bring this tea to another notch.  There is just a slight hint of a tartness from the pomegranate but it is very very slight.  Everything is just so smooth and all the flavors are right where they need to be. (I have a feeling I’ll be drinking this tea all day).

The jammy notes are what get me the most and I can say that this tea has me hooked. I’ve already got a pitcher going for a cold brew for this week and I’m planning on making some iced tea as well for the day.  I’m on my third cup from the same infusion and the flavors are still giving me so much love.

This is one of those teas that proves you can’t judge a book (or tea) by its cover. This tea is amazingly priced for what you get and I can’t wait to try and check out the other teas I have coming.  Highly recommend this tea for a flavored green tea that bursts with flavor. I’m absolutely serving this at my sister in law’s baby shower in a few weeks. It is really that good and one that everybody would enjoy. The flavors are bright enough to give flavor but not so overwhelming that you can’t taste the green tea base. One of those teas you just have to share!

Focus by BlendBee

focusTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy: BlendBee

Tea Description:

Sharpen your mind & stay focused.

This invigorating black tea & yerba mate blend was specifically designed for a tea lover whose favorite tea was discontinued. We recreated it for her, and to our delight, we loved this blend and decided to whole world should have it. It definitely helps you to stay focused and has a great energy. Enjoy!

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This tea is named Focus but it is doing anything but making me focus right now. . because right now I’m taking a break from work and seeing what other blends BlendBee offers.

BlendBee is one I’ve had a few blends by but I will have to say, this particular blend has me craving and wanting more of their blends! This tea is giving me those warm tea fuzzies and I can’t seem to get enough.

BlendBee was created in 2014 by Jamah Dacus, a health-crazed tea lover (from the website).  From what I’m seeing, these blends are handmade and seem to be crazy unique and fun.  With teas like Ginger Ninja. . .this site has my attention for sure!

Focus is a gorgeous blend of black tea, yerba mate, rose buds, and other ingredients. The coloring of this tea is beautiful, with the pops of this lovely red mixed in with the black and yerba mate tea base. With those two teas having more of an earthy tone, the rosebuds leap out at you, demanding your attention.

I brewed this tea up per the instructions (boiled fresh water and steep for 5-15 minutes).  I will say, I was worried about my first sip. I started having a conversation with a co-worker and allowed this tea to over steep by about 10 minutes. All I have to say is friends. . . this tea is crazy forgiving!

My first sip of this tea was like an explosion. Bursts of bright lovely flavors swirled, giving me a lovely afternoon beverage. The black tea is a subtle and gentle smoothness that gives way for the yerba mate to give a slightly earthy note. From what I can tell, the cacao nibs provide a dark rich silky touch and the rosebuds provide a sweetness that really becomes the star.  The lemon balm and orange extract are my favorite part of this tea. They give this really lush citrus note that combined with the other ingredients takes this tea up to another level.  There is also a subtle note of a roasted flavored.

I’m literally on my 3 infusion of this tea and I can’t get enough. Sure I’m starting to feel jittery from the yerba mate, but I can’t help it. This tea is that good and demands the attention and love.

BlendBee has impressed me and I will be ordering more of this tea for sure!