Now that Game of Thrones is six seasons in and the books have been around even longer, I think it is safe to say that referencing Ned’s death doesn’t really require a spoiler warning. I mean you would basically need to have lived under a rock to not know the shocking decapitation that befell the Stark patriarch. I guess people should have seen it coming when the show cast Sean Bean in the role given he is known for being killed off. In fact, this particular blend is merely one of a series of teas inspired by the many Sean Bean deaths.
One of the biggest appeals of Adagio is their fandom blends. They don’t have the best quality ingredients but something about pairing a tea with beloved characters just gives them an edge. Nostalgia is probably to blame but slapping a name like “Happily Headless” on a blend just makes me enjoy the tea that much more. Maybe its just me who feels this way though.
This is a black tea/green tea blend with chai spices, cream flavor, orange, and bits of candy canes in the leaf. The combination creates a sort of spice cake flavor that is rather intoxicating. The green base is slightly vegetal and the orange can be a bit pithy but mostly this is a whole lot of delicious. The peppermint from the candy canes is lacking just a touch but I am not sure how well it would blend with the other flavors that are present anyways, so perhaps that is for the best. If anything, the candy canes contribute a bit of a winter bite as you finish the sip – perhaps a nod to Ned’s famous warning?
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
You’ll lose your head over your loyalty to this kingly brew!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Chew-brew from Adagio Teas (Signature Blend)
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Red Rooibos/Mate
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Tea Description:
Warm and fuzzy or strong and bold? Either way Chewy always has your back.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
So lets start this off with saying I am a huge science fiction/fantasy/horror nerd. The horror genre is my favorite but after having kids you learn that watching a good ol fashioned movie like Halloween or Aliens doesn’t fit into your schedule. I learned to adjust and started watching more science fiction movies with my kids. My boys love Star Wars. Especially my nine year old. It does a mama proud when you hear your son arguing Star Wars with another adult. Telling them that the best three are 4,5,6 and naming them correctly. Heart Swells. . .Sigh.
Anyway. . .Today is May the 4th. So let me say to all “May the 4th Be With You”. I had this idea to do a Star Wars inspired tea and ran it by liberteas. Thought it might be fun. So I picked up a tea that I had in my stash for today. One of my favorite characters is Chewbacca. I mean, how can you not just fall in love with him? He is just awesome from the very first time you see him on screen. From the noises and the amazing job done by Peter Mayhew, this character steals the show.
The tea I picked for this awesome day was Chew-Brew by Adagio Teas. I am going 100% outside my comfort zone with this one. The artwork is just awesome so I couldn’t resist. This has the dreaded red rooibos in it. Ugh. But I knew that. Again, the artwork gets me every time with these fandom blends. Brewed this one up at work so I just used the water spout on the coffee, threw the tea in my teapot, brewed for 5 minutes and poured the brew over ice.
While this was brewing, you could smell the hazelnut and almond flavors. It was an almost overwhelming smell. Not bad, but just a bit much for me this morning. As I took my first sip, cringing and waiting for that first hint of red rooibos to overtake the cup, I was 100% surprised. I do not taste the red rooibos at all in this blend!!! How can that be?? I almost did a little dance at work but thought better of it.
As I continued to drink my iced tea, I picked up all of the nutty flavors listed. The almond, the hazelnut, and the mocha nut flavors. I do really enjoy Adagio’s Mocha Nut Mate. It has this rich roasted nutty flavor that I adore and I can pick it up in this and it is amazing iced. The honeybush hazelnut provides a creamy touch. This would be a nut lovers dream tea. The whole tea has a flavor profile of rich nuttiness that I can’t say I’ve had too many other times.
I can’t say that I would drink this one again even though I really enjoyed it. I am just not a huge hazelnut fan. The red rooibos almond must be a very small percentage of this blend. So for people like me that really don’t like it, there is still hope for us.
There really is only one way to end this review. . . . . May the 4th be with you. . . . . .
Smooth Sophistication from Adagio – Signature Blend by Rachana Carter
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Adagio
Product Description:
All the feel and vibe of a coffee house with none of the coffee. The Cream and Vanilla combined with the Earl Grey Bravo will have your IQ feeling a few points higher. The Earl Grey Bravo will have just the right amount of strength and the cream and vanilla will help soften the finish of the tea. Enjoy!
Created by: Rachana Carter
Contains: earl grey bravo, cream, vanilla
Tasters Review:
Rachana sent me a few of her blends to try a while back and this one was one of my favorites!
The Dry Leaf Smell is a creamy black flavored tea aroma and the smell while infusing smells of Cream, Black Tea, and a slight hint of Earl Grey. The post infusion smell is a mild Earl Grey with a hint of vanilla or Cream. The Wet Leaves Smell like Earl Grey sort of but also Lavender. It’s Medium Brown in color – a very nice medium brown, indeed!
My first sip was FULL of smoothness right away! My 2nd sip was relaxing and still velvety on the tongue. Mild Black Tea Taste and Mild Earl Grey…my first time around but I have had other attempts since – with this tea – that have been quite bold…either way it’s a great cup!
