This particular tea seems like one that just comes standard in all tea collections. Right there nestled up next to a standard English Breakfast, Chamomile, and Constant Comment is a bag of this classic blend, just awaiting someone looking for the perfect quick cuppa.
I’ll admit– I’m one of those tea people. I picked this lone bag up from who knows where (a dental office, maybe? A yoga studio? The Narnia-esque back recesses of my tea cabinet?), and it’s been sitting in my office stash of loose tea bags for quick brewing for about a year now. Oops.
The packaging looks older, which, upon doing some internet research, makes me believe that this has likely been sitting in *someone’s* stash for a while even long before mine– I recognize the new packaging from my local supermarket and Target aisles, meaning it’s been changed for at least a few years, now. So while my cup may have not been the freshest it could’ve been, I’m pleasantly surprised for a tea that I’ve just kinda ignored for a few years.
It claims to be a black tea, with a whole plethora of interesting ingredients– including, but not limited to: rose, cinnamon, chamomile, lemongrass, papaya, peppermint, jasmine, a whole host of herbs and oils… the list goes on and on. Really, what I taste the most is cinnamon. The black tea is super light, almost golden in color. It has the hint of natural sweetness that usually comes with cinnamon and licorice flavors, requiring no added sweet to the cup. Overall, I’m a fan, ish. I’m not going to likely reach for this one above many of my favorites (especially my loose leaf), but it’s nice to have on hand in your office stash for a rainy Wednesday. I’d pick it up at the dentist. Or the yoga studio. I’m sure another one of these is going to show up in my cabinet via tea-Narnia again sometime, and I’ll drink it happily.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Good Earth
Description
With sweet bursts of orange that playfully mingle with spices, these signature teas are sure to satisfy and delight.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Indian Masala Chai from Storehouse Tea. . . .
Indian Masala Chai. I have had a number of them. But Indian Masala Chai from Storehouse Tea is something to put on your most beloved tea shelf! It’s not TOO spicy but the spice seems JUST RIGHT for my palate and perhaps for yours, too! There is a certain amount of SMOOTHNESS that comes along with this one, too! Mysterious but NOT unheard of. It’s ALMOST like it has a HINT of vanilla or cream in there but it doesn’t!
As a matter of fact the ingredients in this loose leaf chai include Fair Trade Organic black tea leaves, Organic green cardamom, and Organic cinnamon, Organic ginger, and Organic clove, Organic whole pod cardamom and Organic Black Pepper.
I’m not sure how they did it but they did! There is that bit of smoothness – or creaminess – that helps round everything out in this chai! It’s a glorious thing, really!
Storehouse Tea says their Indian Masala Chai is a robust and classic full flavored black tea blended with traditional whole Indian Masala spices, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and clove. They also say this tea is bold and stimulating. I would agree!
Finally they say that Masala Chai should be brewed strong and served sweet with milk when hot or pour it over ice as a chilled Chai tea latte. This is where I differ. But that is the beauty of tea. We have choices – differences – preferences – favorites – habits – and ways of doing things that make it our own. I, for one, had this chai straight-up with nothing added and loved it just as much as the next person! I raise my cup to you – Storehouse Teas! Another fantastic offering!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Storehouse Tea
Description
A robust and classic full flavored black tea blended with traditional whole Indian Masala spices, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and clove, this tea is bold and stimulating. Masala Chai should be brewed strong and served sweet with milk when hot or pour it over ice as a chilled Chai tea latte. Black teas have shown impressive cholesterol lowering abilities
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pumpkin Chipotle Cream Honeybush Tea from A Quarter To Tea. . . .
Talk about being SURPRISED and HAPPY! From what I can see THIS Pumpkin Chipotle Cream Honeybush Tea from A Quarter To Tea appears to be VEGAN! Woot! I have been eyeballing some of their teas but they seem to contain dairy (butter) in most of them. This one doesn’t! YAY!
According to their website this contains: honeybush tea, cocoa nibs, apple pieces, rose hips, red peppercorn, pumpkin mini sprinkles (icing sugar (vegan), modified corn starch, corn starch, fractionated palm kernel oil, cellulose gum, soya lecithin, vanillin, polysorbate 60), cinnamon bark, orange peel, cloves, safflower, natural flavors.
I will say that the TASTE is comparable to a flavored Chai. So if you like Chai – Pumpkin Chipotle Cream Honeybush Tea from A Quarter To Tea – will probably be right up your alley!
The spices are nicely done. They are of medium strength but linger for quite a while. The cocoa nibs are subtle but important to the overall flavor. The vegan candies make this a bit on the sweet side. The vanilla flavors – of course give it a curved creamy edge.
It’s hard to believe this is ‘just a honeybush’. There flavors are so lovely you almost forget about what is being used for the base. This was a neat surprise and nicely done flavored tisane!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Honebush
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Smoky and spicy with just a touch of lapsang, but ultimately sweet and pumpkin-y with plenty of custard notes. Definitely brings flavor to the tea party.
If you liked Smoky Sweet Potato Pie last year, you’ll definitely like this as well.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot – Hot Mama from Tea and Tins
Cinnamon comes in two common forms when it comes to tea. There’s the natural, cinnamon-stick flavor, which is warm and spicy, and slightly floral, evoking the smell of baked-goods and breakfast.
And then there’s the cinnamon candy flavor, which is hot, hot, hot like flaming Fireball candies or like red cinnamon chewing gum. I like both kinds of cinnamon, natural and artificial, but I always find it helpful to know which kind of cinnamon I’m getting into before I take a sip.
Expecting one and tasting the other is not always a pleasant experience.
Let it be known: Hot Mama from Tea and Tins tastes like blazing cinnamon candy! Even double-sealed behind zip bags, I can smell the cinnamon in this tea buzzing into my nose when I walk by my tea shelf.
In the dry leaf or brewed, this tea tastes like Hot Tamale candies, warm in temperature and in sensation. As a fan of Hot Tamale and Fireball candies, I enjoy the saturated, artificial cinnamon taste of this tea and it feels marvelous down my dry throat on a cold winter day.
This is a perfect tea when you need something fierce and fiery. The cinnamon in this blend goes beyond the usual kick of chai spices. It’s so hot, it might rival some of the teas out there seasoned with hot chili spices.
Ay caramba!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea & Tins
Description:
Loose leaf black tea, super hot and spicy! For cinnamon lovers!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Spiced Cucumber Melon from 52Teas . . . . .
If you were a teenage girl in the 90s-2000s (raises hand), there’s not a doubt in my mind that at some point, you owned a bottle of cucumber melon body splash. (Am I right, or am I right?) When I spotted this tea in my sample pile, my mind immediately jumped to that infamous, chemically-fresh scent of my adolescence.
Luckily, upon first sniff, I’m totally blown away– in the best way possible. There’s hints of the true cucumber-melon notes from the scent we’ve all come to know and love, but authentically, not chemically and fake at all. Underneath the bright freshness of the fruit and veg notes are hints of spice and vegetal green.
Brewed, the same notes come out– crisp, fresh and fruity, but a red pepper kick on the back end that is unexpected and delightful. I get a hint of bitterness from the green at the end of the sip when hot, but that bitterness all but disappears as a cold brew, which is a refreshing and unique treat.
All in all, this tea is such a fun, delicious throwback-with-a-twist to my tweenager days. Ow, to throw on my crushed velvet Blossom hat, blast some Ace of Base, and brew another cup!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for the teas that are.