Pomegranate Detox from Tea Drift

by scheherazade

pomegranatedetoxTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy: Tea Drift

Tea Description:

You’ll truly enjoy this tea with a delightful fruity aroma. It’s a smooth, full-bodied tea with mild berry notes. This tea is tasty over ice or steaming hot.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

The first thing to say about this one is that it smells so, so good. Strong, rich, fruity pomegranate, as soon as you open the bag! The leaf itself is a pretty thing to look at, too, with whole golden chrysanthemum flowers plus a few stray petals, and tightly rolled oolong pellets. The scent, though! I used 1 tsp of leaf for my cup, and gave it 3 minutes in water cooled to around 180 degrees.

 Once brewed, it still smells really good, and looking at the leaf I think it might possibly resteep pretty well. The oolong has just about started to unfurl, and the pomegranate scent is still very prominent. The liquor is a pale yellow-green.
To taste, this is pretty much exactly as I hoped it’d be. The pomegranate flavour is right at the forefront, and it’s delicately sweet. It’s not quite as intense as the scent of the dry leaf would suggest, but that’s a good thing I think because it would be pretty overpowering if that were the case. Instead, it’s very natural tasting and spot-on flavour accurate, very reminiscent of pomegranate juice. I can hardly taste the oolong base at all, which from a flavoured tea perspective is a complete triumph. It would also be a good thing for those who are looking for an easy way in to drinking oolong, without an overload of scary flavours, or who are looking primarily for the health benefits and want a tasty drink to provide those. This is definitely a tea for flavoured tea fans; oolong connoisseurs probably won’t find much here.
As I’m not much of an oolong connoisseur myself, I’m pretty pleased with the flavouring here. It’s not at all artificial, and it reminds me quite a lot of lychee which is one of my favourite tea flavours of all time. I don’t feel I’ve drank enough of this one to really comment on the detox properties, but it’s certainly one of the more pleasant “detox” drinks I’ve tried. I’d also recommend it to pomegranate fiends, because that aspect is second to none. I found this to be a very enjoyable cup.

scheherazade

Hi! I'm Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I've been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway. I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter. I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they're the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer -- their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day. I'm still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don't think they'll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don't hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I'm also beginning to explore pu'erh, both ripened and raw. That's my latest challenge! I'm still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

This post was posted in Detox Tea, Oolong, Tea Company, Tea Drift, Type Of Tea

Crackling Fire from Beacon Hill Tea Company

by CuppaGeek

BeaconHillTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy: Beacon Hill Tea Company

Tea Description:

This myriad of autumn flavors simply smolders.  Grab a blanket and warm your soul with this spiced blend.  Ingredients: honeybush tea, apple pieces, aniseed, lapsang souchong tea, cocoa nibs, rose hips, cinnamon, red peppercorn, orange peels, cloves, natural cinnamon flavor, natural orange flavor, safflower, natural hazelnut flavor.

Learn more about Beacon Hill’s Monthly Subscription Plan here.

Taster’s Review:

I’m running a little behind in my reviews lately, but I’m glad I’m seeing a light at the end of the tunnel in regards to my November teas.  Crackling Fire was an offering the Beacon Hill Tea Company’s November box.  The tea itself has such a lovely description.  I took one whiff of it tho and I knew this tea and I were not going to be the best of friends.

This tea has a rather rich smoky flavor.  One that I just couldn’t get behind, but I wanted to give it a try anyway.  The rest of the tea sounded amazing.  I brewed the tea up per the packaging instructions (212F-5 min) and took a sip.

If you are one of those that love that campfire smokey flavor. . .this tea is for you! The honeybush and apple pieces bring a sweet and tanginess to the tea while the hazelnut and cocoa nibs give this tea real definition.  I wanted to like this tea so much but the smoky flavor just kept hitting me wrong.   If that smokey flavor was just a bit less, I can see this being an insanely amazing tea.  But for me, it just doesn’t work.  All of the other flavors are fanastic, tho and for a flavored smokey tea I would have to say this is one of the better ones I’ve had.  But-that’s ok that I didn’t like it.  This is the first tea from Beacon Hill Company that I haven’t really liked.  You can’t like them all and to each his or her own cuppa!

CuppaGeek

I am a late 30s something mom who loves her family, will be getting married to a wonderful guy and has 4 kids (2 mine-2 his). We have a beautiful life together and I wouldn't change a thing. Tea is a passion that quickly turned into an obsession, very similar to my love for polka dots, the horror genre, and anything that is geeky and fun. I drink all kinds of tea and will try a tea twice to make sure I didn't bumble the first infusion. Besides SororiTea Sisters, I'm also the blogger and genius (I use that word very loosely) behind CuppaGeek, where I review tea, books, and the horror genre.

This post was posted in Beacon Hill Teas, Black Tea, Tea Company, Type Of Tea

Hunan Mao Jian from Harney & Sons

by scheherazade

hunan_mao_jianTea Information:

Leaf Type: Green

Where to Buy: Harney & Sons

Tea Description:

While looking for the best teas in Changsha, we found this organic green tea. Not every occasion demands the best tea, so this is a nice one to drink more often.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Mao Jian has become one of my favourite green tea varieties over the last year or so, and I’m always pleased to try one that’s new to me. This Hunan Mao Jian from Harney and Sons looks pretty much as I’d expect – thin, wiry leaves that are a little curly and twisted, a fairly uniform dark green in colour, and pretty long (most around 2cm, but some more like 5-6cm). Dry, it doesn’t seem to have a great deal of scent. I used 1 tsp of leaf for my cup, and gave it 2.5 minutes in water cooled to around 170 degrees.

 Once brewed, more variegation in terms of colour is revealed. The wet leaves are a mixture of bright grass green at the tip and a darker kelly green towards the stalk. There are a few yellowish tinges, and the odd patch of brown. The scent is delightful, like freshly steamed green vegetables. Really fresh, vegetal teas like this one are what finally won me around in terms of green tea, and this is a perfect example. The liquor itself is a very pale green, with a mild vegetal scent.
 To taste, this is beautifully sweet and delicate, and very reminiscent of freshly shelled peas. It’s a pretty mild flavour all told, but smooth and buttery with absolutely no bitterness or astringency. There’s a slightly stronger vegetal flavour in the mid-sip, reminiscent of green beans, but it doesn’t linger very long and it’s still very much at the mild end of the flavour spectrum. The aftertaste contains a hint of floral, although it’s not too perfume-like or overpowering. It reminds me a little of lillies. As it cools, I’m picking up an edge of sharpness that puts me in mind of lemon zest. It adds a savoury twist to an otherwise relatively sweet ensemble, and works well as a refreshing, clean tasting element of the overall flavour.
 I’m enjoying this one for its fresh, sweet flavours, and ultimately clean, refreshing flavour. I actually think it’s a green tea I’d enjoy drinking most in summer, possibly cold brewed or iced. It’s good hot, too, and it’s really making me think of warmer days while I sit here in the middle of my centrally-heated winter. This is a really great green tea, and one of the most unique Mao Jian’s I’ve tried. Delicious!

scheherazade

Hi! I'm Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I've been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway. I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter. I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they're the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer -- their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day. I'm still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don't think they'll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don't hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I'm also beginning to explore pu'erh, both ripened and raw. That's my latest challenge! I'm still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

This post was posted in Green Tea, Harney & Sons, Tea Company, Type Of Tea

Jungle Fire Assam from Condundrum Tea

by CuppaGeek

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy: Conundrum Tea

Tea Description:

This Orthodox (whole leaf) Assam tea is a lot different from your typical Assam.  The tea leaves are hand-picked and hand-processed.  This results in a bold, flavorful, and complex tea.  It tastes malty and woody with hints of honey.  The brewed tea has a nice sunset orange color and it smells of a subtle campfire.

Learn more about this tea here. 

Taster’s Review:

Ever had a tea that made you appreciate the little moments life? I swear this tea just did that to m

Conundrum Tea is a new tea company to me but I’ve heard rave reviews about them.  After trying this tea, I can see why. This tea is like heaven in a cup!

Jungle Fire Assam doesn’t have the same flavor notes and profiles like other Assams I’ve had in the past.  This tea has a malty sweetness that you pick up from the very first sniff of the package and keeps on going right until that last drop.  The honey like flavor is remarkable and really something memorable. The woodsy flavor is present but more in the background.  No astringent factors at all.  Just a smoothness that I’m devouring.

I can honestly say this is one of the best Assams I’ve ever had and it will be one I’ll be visiting and wanting again and again.

I think I found my new best friend  in a tea!

CuppaGeek

I am a late 30s something mom who loves her family, will be getting married to a wonderful guy and has 4 kids (2 mine-2 his). We have a beautiful life together and I wouldn't change a thing. Tea is a passion that quickly turned into an obsession, very similar to my love for polka dots, the horror genre, and anything that is geeky and fun. I drink all kinds of tea and will try a tea twice to make sure I didn't bumble the first infusion. Besides SororiTea Sisters, I'm also the blogger and genius (I use that word very loosely) behind CuppaGeek, where I review tea, books, and the horror genre.

This post was posted in Black Tea, Conundrum Teas, Tea Company, Type Of Tea

St. Nick’s From Simpson & Vail

by CuppaGeek

stNicksTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail

Tea Description:

“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there….”

Add St. Nick’s Tea to your holiday wish list because this blend is Nutty & Nice! Black teas are enhanced with the flavors of chocolate and roasted nuts with a hint of maple. The tea brews to an amber cup with a smooth, nutty, slightly sweet taste. It’s the perfect blend to enjoy on winter nights while you’re sitting by the fire. A definite crowd pleaser!

Ingredients: Black teas, almonds, organic cacao nibs, vanilla beans, flavoring and orange blossoms. Contains Tree Nuts.

Brew tea at 212º – steep for 3 minutes. Certified Kosher

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I adore Simpson & Vail.  They are a great company.  Fantastic customer service and a great line of teas, you really want for nothing when you shop with them.  I was fortunate to be able to review some of their holiday teas and this one I’ve been quite excited about.  Almonds, chocolate, vanilla bean, orange blossoms. . This tea just sounds like a festive sweet treat!

I brewed this up at work with water I prepped at 212F and allowed the tea to steep for about 3 minutes.  This is a black tea and I wasn’t sure how forgiving the tea would be if I oversteeped.  I didn’t want to ruin any of this holiday goodness!

After three minutes, my entire desk had this wonderful aroma of chocolate.  Yum! I’m not a huge chocolate fan but even this tea was getting my attention.  Like all other Simpson & Vail teas, this tea doesn’t disappoint!

In each sip, you can taste all the different flavors.  The nuttiness, the citrus twist, the sweet creamy vanilla, and the rich lush chocolate.  All in one sip.  The flavors mingle so well together and really give you a tea that makes you sit back and saw “Wow”.  I think my favorite part of this tea is the black tea base that creates a smoothness that all the other flavors can play off nicely. This tea would for sure make an amazing latte so I’m keeping the remainder of my sample to do just that later tonight.

If you are a fan of chocolate teas, check this one out.  It even impressed a non chocolate eater like myself!

CuppaGeek

I am a late 30s something mom who loves her family, will be getting married to a wonderful guy and has 4 kids (2 mine-2 his). We have a beautiful life together and I wouldn't change a thing. Tea is a passion that quickly turned into an obsession, very similar to my love for polka dots, the horror genre, and anything that is geeky and fun. I drink all kinds of tea and will try a tea twice to make sure I didn't bumble the first infusion. Besides SororiTea Sisters, I'm also the blogger and genius (I use that word very loosely) behind CuppaGeek, where I review tea, books, and the horror genre.

This post was posted in Black Tea, Simpson & Vail, Tea Company, Type Of Tea