So I had this sample of Jane Austen’s Black Tea Blend by Simpson & Vail in my tea stash and I remembered being excited about this tea but I could not remember what was in this blend at all, let alone what I was so excited about. When I was scooping the tea out of the bag, I noticed bits of lavender so there’s that. Also, the steeped tea smells of mint and baked goods (which makes me think vanilla is lurking in this mug). If nothing else, it certainly smells delicious!
Well this is a very smooth and relaxing tea. I want to use the word mellow. Is that weird? It is what I am going with though. The black tea base is just a touch malty but not overly flavorful. Instead it provides more of a subtle foundation for the other flavors. Mint is probably the most prominent flavor and though it tastes of natural spearmint (as opposed to a sweeter peppermint note), it is not harsh or sharp by any means. The lavender is also present but with just a touch of lavender flavor as opposed to the overbearing lavender spiciness that many teas tend to have with this ingredient. Nothing is over-the-top but that works here. There is also a a gentle sweetness that is combining seamlessly with the malt of the base. My guess, again, is vanilla is responsible.
I was curious what it was that I was so excited about and whether I was accurately detecting various ingredients so I investigated on the Simpson and Vail website to see what this tea is made of. The ingredients include: black teas, spearmint, lavender flowers and vanilla flavor. Yay! It would seem my tastebuds are doing a-okay when it comes to tea tasting.
All in all, this is a tea I could see being really nice in the nighttime before bed (for those that can drink black tea before bed). It has enough flavor to keep things interesting without getting you wired or overly stimulated with sweets and treats. It is like a Jane Austen book in that sense actually, there is enough going on that you’re intrigued but it is calm enough that you feel comfortable gently dozing off into the night.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simpson and Vail
Description
The delicate prose of Jane Austen’s novels is evoked in this blend that combines peppermint with a gentle touch of vanilla. Lavender flowers, which look lovely in both the cup and the gardens around Jane Austen’s estate, add a sweet floral taste that complements the mint and vanilla wonderfully. This blend captures the color and joy of Austen’s characters while taking inspiration from the herbs and flowers she cultivated in her own garden. It brews to a refreshing cup with a cool mint flavor that’s softened by the warm vanilla and the sweet lavender flowers.
Ingredients: Black teas, spearmint, lavender flowers and vanilla flavor.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Spiced Mulled Wine by Simpson and Vail. . . .
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simpson and Vail
Description
Looking for a winter concoction without the alcohol? Then, this brew is for you! The blend produces a reddish cup with a sweet fragrant aroma and taste. The tannic taste is reminiscent of red wine and it is perfectly complemented by the light spice taste and the earthy undertones.
Ingredients: black teas, orange peel, beet root, spiced mulled wine flavoring and malva blossoms.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Edith Wharton’s Black Tea Blend from Simpson and Vail. . . .
I have a confession to make. Edith Wharton isn’t an author I ever followed. That may come as a shock to many of you and for that I am sorry. After reading her biography I was intrigued, however.
Edith Wharton’s Black Tea Blend is one of the newest additions to Simpson & Vail’s Literary Tea Line. Ingredients include Darjeeling black tea, organic ginger pieces, mallow blossoms, marigold petals and flavoring.
So eventho I cannot speak/write about my personal love for Edith herself – I can tell you about my love for this tea. Of course I’m interested in just about ANY tea but Black Teas are the teas I always grab first and I start every day with at least one black tea (and then move on to the other types of tea as my day progresses).
The focus of this flavored black tea was true to its black tea base and the flavors accompanied it well. The ginger and mallow blossoms acted as a subtle yin and yang contribution in the flavor profile. The marigold petals gave it a more floral aroma and flavor, too.
I was worried that the floral and spicy notes would be a little loud but they were VERY NICELY done here and not shouting. For that I’m grateful and proud to add this to my favorites list of teas & literature.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simpson and Vail
Description
For our Edith Wharton blend we pay homage to her descriptions of the undercurrents rippling through fashionable society. We have combined a refined, high-grown Darjeeling black tea with a little passionfruit and citrus flavor, a dash of spice and lovely flower petals to create a taste that is smooth and elegant. Perfect for an afternoon tête-à-tête.
Ingredients: Darjeeling black tea, organic ginger pieces, mallow blossoms, marigold petals and flavoring.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Moroccan Mint Teabags from Simpson and Vail. . .
Simpson and Vail is one of those hidden gems on the internet when it comes to tea. One of my favorite tea companies online, Simpson and Vail offer amazing customer service, a fabulous line of teas, and the satisfying thought that you are supporting a mom and pop family tea shop.
What Simpson and Vail do best is offer their customers a vast array of teas and their new line of iced tea bags is no exception. Being a huge fan of mint teas, their new Moroccan Mint Iced Tea bag had my name written all over it.
Cold brewed over night, this iced tea was absolute perfection. Fresh minty goodness combined with that familiar crisp green tea flavor greeted my taste buds. And not just any mint, but spearmint. I eagerly gulped this iced tea down today.
You really can’t go wrong with a mint green tea, at least for this green tea loving gal you can’t. And add in the added convenience factor of this tea being ready to go in a convenient iced tea bag that I can add into my pitcher at night, fill with water, and in the morning I am greeted with this amazing iced green tea to keep me going through out my day. . . I am just sold and in love!
Moroccan Mint Iced Tea is just one of the new flavors Simpson and Vail has added to their awesome lineup. I’m excited to check out more of these great iced teas flavors. I wish there was a variety pack of all the different iced tea flavors but I’ll just have to try them one at a time. . .
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Simpson and Vail
Description
Transport yourself to a land of desert sands, caravans and palm tree filled oasis, with this delicious blend of organic spearmint and organic green tea. Traditionally, Moroccan Mint tea is served sweetened with sugar, although you can always substitute honey, agave, syrup or whatever sweetener you prefer. This tea brews to a golden cup with a smooth mint flavor.
Ingredients: Organic green tea and organic spearmint.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Anything but Basic – Louisa May Alcott from Simpson and Vail
There is nothing better than sharing a hot cuppa with hot ladies. Wait, did that came out wrong? I mean strong, independent, educated ladies. Yeah, that’s who I’d have tea parties with! So, I invited two amazing students from my “Women’s Contributions to Science” class for a tea party. And, what better tea to drink than one inspired by the author of Little Women, Louisa May Alcott.
Simpson and Vail created fandom teas for several authors, and this green blend has a soft spice scent with the dried apple bits – is it nutmeg that it reminds us of? Pine? As we brew up this pumpkin pie colored treat, we bring up recent TED talks, STEM, swiping right… Hey, just because we love Autumn doesn’t make us totally basic! And neither is this literary tea – it’s good for multiple infusions and it builds flavor as you drink it. There is a midweight mouthfeel, and a certain sweetness from the Rose that lingers into the aftertaste.
It’s a heartwarming blend, and we have high spirits for the coming equinox, including brainstorming for Halloween costumes. If our Louisa May tea was alive today, we picture her costumed as T.Swift in a flannel, and this tea is the perfect embodiment of that. Now if you’ll pardon me, I’ve been inspired to go crochet a scarf for some eligible but aloof bachelor.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Description:
Early in Little Women, while visiting a sick Laurie, Jo says that her sister Meg’s blancmange is made “very nicely.” Later, her own attempt turns out “lumpy” and accompanied by strawberries that were “not as ripe as they looked.” Our blend follows Meg’s example and is almost, as Laurie says, “too pretty to [drink].” Combining almond and strawberry flavors, this blend brews to a delicious tea that is fruity and aromatic. It manages to be both sweet and light thanks to the Chunmee green tea base and the gentle floral notes added by the rose petals.
Ingredients: Green tea, apple pieces, flavoring, strawberry pieces and rose petals.
Certified Kosher
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
