I’m sure you’re familiar by now with the cultural phenomena that is “pumpkin season”. I can’t judge– there certainly was a time in my life where the crack of September first heralded all sorts of pumpkin’ified lattes, baked goods, scented candles– the list goes on and on. But you guys. Does anyone else feel like we are missing out, collectively, on SO MANY other great fall flavors? Cinnamon, apples, oats and smoke and spice and stone fruits and and and– I want it all! Enter A Quarter to Tea’s seasonal blends.
This little beauty popped up in my most recent monthly box from AQTT, and I’ve been properly obsessed. AQTT does unusual flavors magically, and there’s something about her rolled black tea blends that I find myself sipping like a madwoman until my samples are cashed. This blend in particular harnesses all those “outlier” fall flavors, like oatmeal, cinnamon, dried fruits– and whips them all together into a delightful cuppa that is simply made for cool and rainy morning sipping.
Served as a latte, this one captures its namesake even better– the creamy, frothed milk in my mug tastes just like sweet, spiced, fruity oatmeal. The notes of malty bread-iness balance out the dried fruit/cinnamon spice beautifully, and make for a perfectly autumnal treat.
No offense, pumpkin spice, but if this is what you’re up against, you’re gonna have to up your game. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got another cup of fall to brew!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for black teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pumpkin Pie Tea from Tupelo Honey Teas. . . .
Disclaimer: I did not add pumpkin puree to my tea. While I found the thought of doing so very intriguing, I simply did not have the time to run out and get some. However, I did add pumpkin flavored agave. So I am crossing my fingers and crossing my toes that I enjoy this blend without the recommended-by-the-company pumpkin puree! I will say that I was a little annoyed with the fact that there was no pumpkin flavor in this tea, but that you had to add pumpkin puree. I do find it creative, but not everyone has a chance to run out and get that and I wish that there had been some pumpkin flavoring in there or pumpkin pieces or something else other than relying on the customer to go out and get pumpkin puree.
That said, the smell of this tea was pumpkin pie spice. I could totally pick out that there were all those spices in there. I have made pumpkin pie a lot in my life (pumpkin is one of my favorites) and I can pick out the spice blend from a mile away. The steeped liquid- as soon as I smelled it its almost like I was transported back to my childhood on Thanksgiving morning. My mom baking pumpkin pie and apple pie, my childish excitement over the day ahead. Just yum!
So, I steeped this for about 4 minutes and added pumpkin flavored agave and a splash of milk. This tea really was a nice treat! It had quite an interesting flavor to it. Im now curious to use pumpkin puree. I did, however, enjoy the pumpkin agave although I may have added a little too much because it was slightly over-sweet, but that made it all the more like a dessert. The pumpkin pie spices were really delicious and the black tea was smooth and creamy. I think I was close to drinking pumpkin pie in a glass and if I had listened to the company’s recommendation of pumpkin puree and whipped cream it honestly would have been pie in a glass! This would be a wonderful fall treat. Definitely recommend!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tupelo Honey Teas
Description
This tea doesn’t appear to be current available but click below for blends that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Downton Christmas Black Tea from Republic of Tea. . . .
I swear one of these days I will FINALLY start Downton Abbey…really I will! Until then…I have a nice selection of Downton Abbey themed teas from various companies to review…including this one from Republic of Tea. It’s called Downton Abbey Christmas Black Tea.
So what is this bagged tea made up of? Mulling spices including cinnamon, cloves, allspice and other fragrant herbs. Many of these spices have been infused into wine and cider since Victorian England and it’s what inspired this blend. Of course it also contains premium black tea and paired with the warmth of traditional mulling spices it offers a truly festive cup that will fill your manor with an aroma of the holidays, according to The Republic of Tea and it’s paraphrased description of this tea.
Personally, I first sampled this tea post-Christmas. I found it to be lovely, warming, of medium strength, and ending more spicy than when it first started. It was a decent cuppa. A good option for small groups of friends.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Republic of Tea
Description
Mulling spices – featuring cinnamon, cloves, allspice and other fragrant herbs – have been infused into wine and cider since Victorian England. Here we blend premium black tea with the warmth of traditional mulling spices for a truly festive cup that will fill your manor with an aroma of the holidays.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Holiday Delight from Souvia
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Souvia
Product Description:
Spiced tea with zip! This tea is a great pick me up, nicely spiced in a robust black tea blend.
Ingredients: black tea, apple pcs, cinnamon, cardamom, cardamom pods, coriander, flavoring, orange slices, pink pepper cloves
Product of Germany
Tasters Review:
Happy Holidays from SororiTEA Sisters! You will hear that a lot from us thru out this month as we continue to feature seasonal and holiday teas as well as new releases from many tea companies!
This Holiday Delight from Souvia sure does live up to it’s name!
It’s Orange Spice…But TRUE Orange Spice! There is a little bit of the juicy-goodness from the orange but it’s more orange zest than juice if you know what I mean!
I usually like my teas STRONG so I tend to add more loose leaf to my infusion right off the bat. And that’s what I did with this but I think I am going to try it again with the normal amount because it is VERY strong and I am thinking it will be JUST RIGHT for me with the normal amount instead of the up to double amount I usually use.
The peppercorns really come thru on this. It smells awesome and it’s very potent in both aroma and taste!
I did enjoy my “double shot” of this but I wanted to mention it isn’t needed to go over board with this loose leaf…a little goes a long way!
Another great tea from our friends at Souvia!
Winter Mint Tea from Octavia Tea
Tea Type: Rooibos
Where To Buy: Octavia Tea
Product Description:
WINTER MINT
100% caffeine-free red tea (tin)One of our best-selling teas, Winter Mint blends rooibos, sweet vanilla and a touch of chocolate-mint into a soothing treat and healthy alternative to dessert. Also called red tea, rooibos is rich in antioxidants and anti-aging properties.
NET WT (per tin): 4.06 oz (115 g)
- Rooibos
- Dried apple pieces
- Vanilla chips
- 100% organic peppermint
- Chocolate
- Natural vanilla flavor
This tea is made from 100% natural ingredients.
(Contains milk and soy products)
Tasters Review:
You may have noticed over the past week or two SororiTEA Sisters have upped the amount of Holiday Related Tea Posts! Well, indeed, we have! The Holiday Season is HERE afterall! To add to our ever-growing list of Holiday Teas or Seasonal Teas…Here is another one! One from Octavia Tea and it’s called WINTER TEA.
Winter Tea smells like Mint Chocolate Chip before infusion…right as you open the package. Post infusion smells like Vanilla-Chocolate-Mint-Rooibos.
Taste-wise is first and foremost Mint then Chocolate then Vanilla then Rooibos then spice then back to chocolate then Vanilla-Rooibos! Yup! It’s a great wintery rollercoaster of flavor folks! And I wouldn’t have it any other way! This has a lot happening here but everything follows suit with what you would expect based on the idea of this tisane and the ingredients!