Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Conundrum Tea
Tea Description:
This double-roasted black tea has almost no astringency or dryness to it but it contains some very complex, full flavors. It tastes of molasses, raisin, and sweet potato with more subtle hints of grape and caramelized sugar. It has an incredibly sweet aftertaste for a black tea. The orange color of the brewed tea reminds us of a fire and the leaves have a strong, sweet fragrance along with a root vegetable smell which is common for the high-altitude teas of Nepal.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve only had a few Conundrum Teas in the past but what I have tried has been amazing! Right from the start I knew this tea was going to be different and a nice change of pace. The dry leaf had such a lovely robust feel to it.
Brewed this up like a black tea -212F prepped water with about a 4 minute steeping time. Never having this tea before, I wanted to error on the side of caution. I didn’t want to oversteep.
Took my first sip and the description of this tea fits this tea perfectly. Sweet with hints of a sweet potato like finish. Almost and I hate to say it, dirt like? But take that as a good thing. This tea is delicious. The sweetness really mixes well with this malty note that is going on. I didn’t so much get the grape flavor but all the rest I did. Such a cool tea. So many different notes and flavors going on. Each sip I take I sit here and try to figure out exactly what I’m picking up.
This is why I started to drink tea. It is just such an adventure. . .especially when you are drinking a delight like this one. So good with so many different attributes. I think I need another cuppa!
A Field in Innsbruck Black from August Uncommon
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: August Uncommon
Tea Description:
As the Austrian Alps warm they offer a multitude of aromas and colors. The woods come alive with light flickering through branches, beaming in unexpected clearings redolent of grasses, herbs and wildflowers in full bloom. The bright spruce aroma overhead and earthy fir needles melding with the soil underfoot. Brushing your hands against the sticky juniper bushes, gathering fragrant herbs and ripe blackcurrant berries warmed by the sun. Capture the fleeting majesty of the aromatic journey.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
It’s been a while since I’ve written a review here on SororiTea Sisters but that certainly doesn’t mean I’ve stopped drinking wonderful, strange and unique teas such as this tea from August Uncommon!
This is such an interesting tea; any time you encounter a ‘savory’ tea with different kinds of unconventionally used herbs and spices, such as the rosemary and thyme in this blend, you know you’re going to be getting an outside of the box tea drinking experience. The dry leaf of this tea certainly has a very pungent aroma of thyme which is quite enticing. There’s also a slight earthiness which adds depth right off the bat, even before pouring any water!
The aroma of the brewed tea is surprisingly smooth with both a familiar, comforting aroma and air of exoticism. However, I just feel like once you begin drinking the tea it fails to deliver the level of flavour that you’d expect from all the wonderful aromas that have been experienced at this point. Not that it tastes bad! It’s just that I feel like this blend doesn’t quite commit to being either sweet OR savory. I taste a distinct flavour of thyme with hints of rosemary but not in the potency I expected or wanted. The sweetness comes from a hint of jammy flavour provided by the juniper berries; I’m missing the distinct pine flavour of the junipers though and that’s a slight disappointment too because I think that flavour note would have really sold the title for me. The whole thing is supported though by a very smooth, earthy base though and I’m REALLY loving that element of the blend.
And of course, like I said, it truly isn’t a BAD blend. On the whole, I actually find it really delicious – I’m just having to mildly adjust my expectations while drinking it. I absolutely recommend trying it if you get the chance. And for people who haven’t had savory teas before I think this would be a really good way to branch into that type of flavoured blend.
Pomegranate Melon from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Rooibos/Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Tea Description:
This unique combination merges tangy pomegranate and sweet melon into a surprisingly complex tea. Every sip takes you on a journey of flavors that is sure to intrigue and delight.
Tasting Notes:
candied apple, rainforest, campfire
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Let’s start this review off with talking about how gorgeous this blend is. I love the pops of bright colors. Just makes the tea blend so warm and inviting. The aroma I get from the dry leaf is the same. Sweet and alluring. From the beginning, I’ve got high hopes for this tea.
Brewed this tea up like an herbal- 5 minutes at 212F and just let the aroma take me away. This tea reminds me of summer. Summer pool parties and the beach. The melon fragrance is very prominent, giving you that summer feel. After the five minutes was up, I took my first sip.
This tea has such a lovely melon flavor. Melon in tea is hard to accomplish but they’ve done it with this blend. This reminds me more of a cross between watermelon and honey dew. Almost like the fruit you would see at a pool party. That is exactly what this tea tastes like. A huge bowl of fresh cantaloupe, watermelon, and honey dew. The pomegranate flavor is there but it is more in the background giving a slight tart contrast. The green rooibos is giving the tea an extra tang of sweetness while the yerba mate is bringing it back down with a grassy finish. This tea would be a phenomenal iced tea in the summer months or if you need to brighten up your day, this tea would definitely do it.
This may not be a tea I could see drinking everyday but I think this would be a great tea to serve at a party or over ice with some fresh berries in it while relaxing outside. Such a tasty treat!
Pyin Green Tea from Shan Valley
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Shan Valley
Tea Description:
This tea hails from Pyin Long within Northern Shan, Myanmar. This is also a first flush tea and is an everyday drinking tea. This tea is a reddish color.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Although I drink a lot more green tea than I used to, I still consider myself a learner when it comes to my familiarity with different types. This green tea looks like none I’ve seen before. For a start, the leaves are pretty much a uniform dark brown, almost black. They’re also wider than I’m used to seeing, kind of rounded or bowl shaped at the tip, tapering in to a narrow, short stalk. Intriguing! I used 1 tsp of leaf for my cup, and gave it 2.5 minutes in water cooled to around 170 degrees.
Buddy’s Blend from Geeky Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Geeky Teas
Tea Description:
Buddy has blended a black tea just for you! With the only other acceptable foods on his list being orange peel, ginger root, cinnamon bark, natural spice, ginger and cinnamon flavor, it’s perfect paired with spaghetti and maple syrup.
It’s only here during Christmas cheer! A seasonal new tradition.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
We are down to the wire! Last few days before the Christmas holiday is here. And what better way to celebrate the holidays with a festive blend from Geeky Teas, one of my personal favorite tea stores.
Geeky Teas is located in California where they combine two of my favorite fandoms- tea and all around geekiness! You’ll find anything from board games, Dr. Who merchandise, geeky fandom teas, and much more! I’ve never personally been there but I’m an avid follower and huge fan of theirs. I’ve used Geeky Teas for gift giving in the past and have always been impressed by Donna’s care and compassion.
Let’s chat about this tea- Buddy’s Blend. Now the first thing I thought of was that this tea was going to be a maple syrup blend or very sweet with the whole candy obsession Buddy has. Not the case at all. This is a black tea with more of a chai feel going on. Cloves, cardamom, ginger root, cinnamon, and other spices. I’m not the biggest fan of chais or blends that have a chai feel but I love Geeky Teas, so I had to check it out.
Brewed up like a black tea, this tea omitted a gorgeous aroma. The ginger really stood out. After about 3 minutes of steeping in water at 212F, the tea was ready to try. The tea itself had quite a nice amber appearance to it. I took a sip and from start to finish, you really do get a mild chai like flavor. The ginger still stands out as the most prominent flavor while the cardamom and cloves take a spot in second place. The cinnamon bark and cinnamon flavor rounds out the sip nicely with a touch of a spiced sweetness. The tea itself isn’t overall very sweet but with a bit of honey or sugar, this tea could really be stellar! I could even see this tea being a wonderful tea to create a latte with. A wonderful tea to start the holiday week off right!
Pretty tasty, tho I think I would like to see Donna’s take on a maple syrup tea. . . .that could be fun and fantastic!
If you haven’t checked out Geeky Teas, please do. They are a wonderful hand blended tea shop.