Raspberry Earl Grey Black Tea from Shanti Tea

by liberteas

raspberry-earl-grey

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Shanti Tea

Tea Description:

One of our most popular Earl Grey variations, with pleasantly fruity berry notes mingled with an underlying bergamot profile, you’ll find it impossible to put this cup down. The aromas are so enticing, you’ll have at least 3 cups before you finally decide it’s time to get back to work… or you might just take the day off to spend with your new tea-love.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

The dry leaf aroma of this Raspberry Earl Grey Black Tea from Shanti Tea is lovely!  Strong notes of raspberry and bergamot, with hints of the black tea in the background.  It smells like something I’d want to bathe in!

And … the flavor is YUM!  You know me, I love Earl Grey and the many variations of the classic bergamot tea, so I was confident that I’d enjoy this Raspberry Earl Grey.  I’ve actually tried a few Raspberry Earl Grey teas from other companies … but I think that this one might be the best one I’ve tried thus far.

Why?  Because the raspberry notes are so distinct without overpowering the citrus-y bergamot … and the bergamot is strong without overwhelming the black tea notes.  There is a really nice balance of flavors here, and I’m enjoying that a lot.  With some of the Raspberry flavored Earl Grey teas that I’ve tried in the past … the raspberry seems a little “out of place” or even sometimes a little indistinguishable … but here, the raspberry fits right in.  It is a little sweet and a little tart and has a fresh, juicy taste.

The black tea base is smooth yet invigorating.  It has a pleasing, rich flavor that melds wonderfully with the flavors of tangy bergamot and sweet-tart raspberry.  Delicious hot or iced (it’s SUPER refreshing served iced!)

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Black Tea, Shanti Tea, Tea Company, Type Of Tea

Strong Earl Grey Tea from Shanti Tea

by liberteas

strong-earl-grey

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Shanti Tea

Tea Description:

Using a GBOP grade of black tea for this earl grey, and blending it with extra bergamot essence makes creates an infusion especially well suited for london fogs or for those seeking a strong bergamot flavor in their tea. Much stronger than the classic, malty notes, and a lively cup. 

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

If you’ve been reading my tea reviews for any length of time, you are probably well aware of my love for Earl Grey.  I am WILD about Earl Grey as well as the many variations on this classic favorite, so, when I learned about this Strong Earl Grey Tea from Shanti Tea, you know I had to try it!

And I’m SO happy to be tasting this amazing Earl Grey.  I have my favorite Earl Grey teas – and after having recently learned that one of my very favorites is no longer available – I think I may have just found one to replace that one.  This is a remarkable Earl Grey tea!

The bergamot is indeed strong – this tea is very appropriately named!  It tastes tart with a really delightful citrus tang to it, but, I’m happy to report that it doesn’t taste like perfume.  There is a really skillful balance here.  It offers a strong bergamot essence without tasting like the perfume-ish elements of bergamot.   I taste the citrus here, not so much the flowery taste of the bergamot.

The black tea is rich and slightly malty, and offers a very pleasing backdrop for the bergamot.  I think … if I were to change anything at all about this tea, it would be that I would like a slightly richer black tea base to support the bergamot – something more “filling” like perhaps a Fujian black.  But, aside from that, I’m finding myself very pleased with what I’m tasting here.

This is a really REALLY good Earl Grey – if you’re a fan of Earl Grey like I am, I highly recommend trying this one.

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Black Tea, Earl Grey, Shanti Tea, Tea Company, Type Of Tea

Strawberry Seduction Black Tea from Shanti Tea

by liberteas

strawberry-seduction

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Shanti Tea

Tea Description:

Think of a big jucy strawberry covered in warm liquid chocolate. Sounds delicious, right? Now think of that taste captured in a warm cuppa black tea. Completely irresistible? We thought so too.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Ohhhh YUMmmmm!

Chocolate covered strawberries!

Forgive me a moment as I sit here and indulge in this yummy tea!

The aroma wafting from my teacup is that of chocolate and berry, with notes of earthy black tea.  Shanti Tea has managed to capture the essence of chocolate covered strawberries in this Strawberry Seduction Black Tea quite well.  It not only smells like a strawberry that has just been dunked in chocolate fondue, but, it also tastes like that chocolate enrobed strawberry has been liquefied and stirred into a cup of rich, satisfying black tea.

There is a nice amount of chocolate to this cup (sure, it could use more, but, then, that’s the chocoholic in me talking!  As it is, it has a fair amount of chocolate, but, more chocolate always equals better), and the strawberry notes are not overpowered by the chocolate or the black tea.  There is a good balance of flavors here.

The strawberry is sweet with a barely there tart note at the finish.  (You know that little tingly feeling you get on your tongue after you’ve eaten a fresh, ripe berry?  Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.)  It’s a very flavorful strawberry note, I like that it doesn’t taste like fake strawberry.  The black tea is not overly assertive, but, it is strong enough to stand up and be tasted as I sip this tea.  Strong … but not overpowering in any way.

Overall, this tea is a real winner – if you like chocolate covered strawberries, this is a tea you should try!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Black Tea, Shanti Tea, Tea Company, Type Of Tea

Snow Maple Flavored White Tea from Shanti Tea

by liberteas

snow-mapleTea Information:

Leaf Type:  White

Where to Buy:  Shanti Tea

Tea Description:

A winter tradition for Ottawa residents, sugar bush season! The silver lining to the cold winter months and a great introduction to spring. It is a chance to see the production of pure Canadian maple syrup and enjoy the many delicious uses. Possibly the most memerable part of joining in is the taffy in the snow where children (and people of all ages) get some warm maple syrup to pour into the snow and make their own snow maple taffy.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This Snow Maple Flavored White Tea from Shanti Tea is AWESOME!  I love maple … and it’s been my experience that far too often with maple flavored teas that the maple flavoring just isn’t strong enough to satisfy me.  That is not the case with this maple tea!  This tea brings the maple, and brings it on loud and proud!

Well, as loud and proud as is appropriate for a white tea, which is, in itself a fairly delicate tasting tea.  And the maple flavoring does not overwhelm the tea … but it is strong.  This tea is less about the tea and more about the maple, but, I’m not minding that because I’m loving the way the maple is represented here!

It is sweet and deliciously maple-y!  The white tea gives notes of earthiness to the cup that I think really accentuate the maple notes deliciously.  It tastes warm and delicious – very autumnal!   It is a very crisp and delectable maple tea.

If you like maple teas … this is one you MUST try!  It’s oh-so-good!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Shanti Tea, Tea Company, Type Of Tea, White Tea

Green Elephant Tea from Shanti Tea

by liberteas

green-elephant

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Shanti Tea

Tea Description:

A pleasantly sharp green tea, lively, light sweetness with some astringency.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I am really enjoying this Green Elephant Tea from Shanti Tea.  It’s one of the more unique, pure green teas I’ve encountered in some time, and I’m really liking how unique it is!

The sip starts out relatively smooth and pleasantly sweet.  I was expecting some sharpness to present itself right at the onset, based upon the description, but I didn’t get that at first.  By mid-sip, though, I noticed a slight sharp bite to it, and by the finish, there was a unique spiced note that develops in the aftertaste, imparting a tingly sensation on the tongue that is quite interesting.  It definitely is “lively!”

I really enjoy how this tea develops on the palate.  I love the soft sweetness at the start, it doesn’t prepare you for the surprise you’ll get when you reach mid-sip … that really took me by surprise.  I had expected more of a bite at the start, and when I didn’t get it, I sort of relaxed and enjoyed the sweet tone, and then this sharp, snappy flavor just sort of hits the palate.

Truly an interesting and inspiring cup of tea … I expected no less from Shanti Tea!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Green Tea, Shanti Tea, Tea Company, Type Of Tea