When my fiancé and I first started dating, he was a) charmed by my goofy nerdiness (or so I like to tell myself) and b) totally baffled that I had never really eaten smoked meat beyond the occasional barbeque. A few years into our life together now, I’m well acquainted with the intricacies of home-smoked brisket (mainly, how to eat it. YUM), which are the best BBQ joints within a fifty-mile radius, and how to reeeally love that earthy, rich flavor that smoking imparts on food. And on tea. (See! I promise this story had a point.)
This smoked maple tea from Shanti may be more nuanced than a brisket, but man, is it delicious. The dry leaf smells unmistakably maple, and brewed, you get the same delicious sweetness with the addition of classic, almost-floral oolong undertones. While I wouldn’t necessarily call this one abundantly smoky, there are some hints of smoke and spice at the end of the sip that elevate this tea to the next level. With the addition of some coconut milk, it takes on almost a toasted-marshmallow-y goodness.
I may be a relative newbie to the world of smoked-flavors, but this tea hits on all notes for me. Now to figure out if I could pass it off as a compliment to the brisket at my in-laws’ next family gathering…
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Description
A lightly smoky blend of dark oolong and maple, a best-selling breakfast Oolong.
Ingredients: Tea (Camelia Sinensis), Safflower, Natural Essences
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Black Maple from Shanti Tea
The holidays are upon us, which means two horrific things: 1) “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer,” which I STILL have not yet heard, thankfully; and 2) my annual Throat-Destroying Nostril-Apocalypse Cold.
This tea was JUST the thing! It’s organic, which means it’s healthy. Therefore, I chose it this morning to wash down Robitussin and an I-Deserve-It donut (the Breakfast of Champions).
This tea was JUST the thing! It’s organic, which means it’s healthy. Therefore, I chose it this morning to wash down Robitussin and an I-Deserve-It donut (the Breakfast of Champions).
Like, you know how Wolverine is Canadian? That kind of maple syrup ancestry. Wearing a flannel shirt. Brooding a little. Lots of chest hair. Claws.
This is not a Cupcake/Sugar type of tea. It is still, however, very rich and delicious. (Like Wolverine.)
In summary: this is a great tea, I have a crush on Wolverine, and this entire post was brought to you by Tripping On Robitussin.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Flavored Black Tea
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Description
Try our “Canadian Breakfast Tea”, the sweet flavor of maple with a soft black tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lemonade from Shanti Tea
I remember LiberTeas reviewed Lemonade from Shanti Tea a few years ago but I figured it would be a good time for me to add my two cents worth before I’m faced with colder weather in the upcoming winter months.
Lemonade from Shanti Tea is a Green Rooibos based herbal tisane that I am quite fond of. Along side the Green Rooibos there are Lemon Peel, Lemon Myrtle, and floral specs of joy throughout the dry and loose blend.
It infuses to a lemon-lime color with a light brown hue to it. It’s very lemony and I like that. Lemonade from Shanti Tea makes a lovely hot cup and an even lovelier cold cup. It’s sweet enough on it’s own but I’m sure if you were to add a sweetener of your choice it wouldn’t hurt the overall flavor.
This is a pure delight! Lemonade from Shanti Tea is a wonderfully flavored Green Rooibos that I would call a WINNER any day!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Rooibos/Herbal
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Description:
Bright, citrusy and zingy, caffeine-free tea, providing you with refreshment and amazing health benefits too! *RECIPE RECENTLY CHANGED*
Ingredients: Organic Green Rooibos, Organic Lemon Peel, Organic Lemon Myrtle, Organic Calendula, Natural Essences
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
J’aime Caramel White Tea from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White Tea
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Tea Description:
This flavored white tea is no longer available on the Shanti Tea website but I thought it was still worth a mention.
Taster’s Review:
Eventho J’aime Caramel White Tea from Shanti Tea is no longer available for purchase on their company website I thought it was still worth a mention. My first encounter with this tea was about 5 years ago and I knew awhile ago at some point the last of my stash would come to an end and it would be a sad, sad day. That day has come.
I don’t think I have ever had another caramel flavored white tea but even if I did this one would be hard to beat. It has that floral flavor that some white teas have but it also has a hardy caramel flavor to it too! The two flavors paired together work oddly well together. This tea is incredible smooth, sweet, floral, and a bit savory, too!
With the loss of this flavored white tea there appears to be a gap in the market. So if any of those creative tea companies out there are trying to think of a new flavor offering in their catalog – may I suggest a caramel flavored white? It’s shockingly tasty!
Winter Wonderland Tea from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Tea Description:
Creamy, spicy, warming with a hint of vanilla and a malty tea base
Ingredients: Black tea, orange peel, clove, cinnamon, ginger root, cornflowers, chrysanthemum petals, natural essences
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Not only is Winter Wonderland Tea from Shanti Tea one of my favorite teas this time of year but I also enjoy it year-round for the delightful quality and taste, too!
The black tea base is of medium strength and combined well with orange peel, clove, cinnamon, ginger, and a variety of flower petals. It’s pleasing the palate and the eye! My favorite part of this flavor combo is the orange. The spices are just an added plus. This is warming for the heart and soul and is perfect for sharing with friends when the holiday chill is about. It has a bit of creaminess, spiciness, and malt to it. I’m curious what this would taste like with the addition of a speck of mint. Regardless…Winter Wonderland Tea from Shanti Tea is certainly for me! Could it be for you, too? I wouldn’t be surprised.