One of my coworkers slipped me a baggie with 3 servings of this as I walked in this morning, so I obviously had no choice in the matter but to try it. It’s just me, the new Florence and the Machine album, and tea. Obviously the key ingredients for a great morning for this graphic designer.
The first thing I noticed about the tea was how strong it smelled. I could suss out that creamy maple through a Ziplock bag held at arm’s length. MAMA LIKEY.
Second, I noticed how ogle-worthy the tea looks. It has pieces in it (likely the apple) and red leaves (safflower) to give off that Canadian feel. Bless those Canadians and their charming accents and dreamy prime minster. What a great bunch of folks.
But what about the taste? Delicious, guys.
When it’s on the tongue, you get spices. It’s like a cider-chai. But then, when you swallow, ahhhhhhhh, syrup. Apples, spices, and maple for DAYS.
BOOM. Suddenly you’re Justin Trudeau’s best friend. He calls you with hot gossip. He invites you on hikes that are exactly at your exercise level. You’re going horseback riding with his mountie friends next week. Also: there’s a sale on flannel at your favorite store, and you will never be cold again.
Thanks, Canada!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Vanilla Spiced Pear from Urban Earth Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Urban Earth Teas
Tea Description:
This delicately flavored oolong tea blend combines the sweet flavors of pear and vanilla, with warming clove and cardamom.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When I saw this on Etsy, I just had to try it. An oolong flavored Vanilla Spiced Pear. EEK! This one just had to be mine. So I picked this one up and a few other samples. I was very excited when this package showed up yesterday.
As soon as I hit the office this morning, I brewed this delight up. This smells fantastic. Think Vanilla Pear Candle with hints of Cloves and Cardamom. The cardamom is what I pick up the most.
So did the smell translate into the flavor? Oh momma. . did it. This is like a guilty pleasure. This is too good. All of the flavors are there. Vanilla, Pear, Cloves, Cardamom. . .and the best part. . you can completely pick up the oolong flavor so there is a bit of a vegetal finish to this. Sounds odd, but this tea really works. The flavor that does stand front and center is the cardamom but that could be just because I didn’t shake up the bag enough. All I have to add to the flavor of this tea is this tea is absolutely exquisite!
As wonderful as this tea is to drink, this tea is beautiful. There are huge chunks of pear, whole cloves, and whole cardamoms in the blend. You can tell this tea has been blended with care. I can’t wait to take this one home and try it as a latte.
The only bad part of this tea, is that the shipping is more than the tea itself. For a 10 cup mini the price is $5.59 but the shipping is almost $9. I know shipping is a big cost for companies and completely understand. Urban Earth Teas is located in Canada (I am located in the states).
So before taking the dive and ordering the 10 cup minis, I would suggest gandering thru the site and picking up a few samples first. I don’t think you’ll regret it!
(Edit: Second infusion was just smooth Vanilla Pear with very slight hints of the spices. Yum!)
Peach Spice from Design A Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Design A Tea
Tea Description:
It’s time to order the best tea you’ve ever tasted. Why? Because you choose the flavors! The concept is simple, choose a base and one or two flavors to blend your own unique tasting tea. Top it off with a personalized name and brag to your friends about your gourmet style or give it away as a gift.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Designing your own tea can be so much fun. Peach Spice from Design a Tea is one of my favorites. It has a lovely flavor, a good oolong base, and reminds me a of a peach beer. In a way there is also a slight banana ester which is interesting since banana ester is something used in beer brewing.
As many of you may know, I love peach lambic. I had Stacy with Design a Tea make me my perfect peach lambic tea blend. However, if you want to give blending a try, and spare the expense while testing out a few concepts, design a tea is an excellent place to begin! Their prices are more than fair and they have a lot of flavors and bases to select from.
I have designed many teas with Design a Tea and Brian, the owner, is a really nice guy. The process is quite simple. If you click the link above you will be taken to a page where you can design your very own tea. Not all of my creations have been perfection, but more often than not I come up with a really great idea. Brian does his part in making your tea the best it can be by adding other items when necessary even if not on the list.
I am sipping my last cup of Peach Spice right now and I will probably get this one mixed for me again. I may ask for a little more spice this time, but that is the beauty of your own creation! You can always tweak it and make it better. At 4.75 USD for 30 grams, its a great deal and a wonderful way to explore those creative notions you have.
Brian has always included coupons with my orders which is a nice touch, I just have to dig one out for a reorder!
