One of my absolute, all-time, favorite summer desserts is strawberry shortcake. I have really, really fond memories of strawberry shortcake from when I was a kid. My nana and papa would always have BBQ get-together at their house and my nana would buy biscuits from the grocery store and we would pile them with cool whip and fresh strawberries. It was so good, so cool, and fresh, and summery. When I think of a strawberry shortcake tea, I want it to be crisp and fresh tasting…and of course, strawberry!
Upon opening my pre-packaged tin of Strawberry Shortcake by The NecessiTEA’s I smelled something really sweet, almost like cherry. I was really hoping for more of a fresh strawberry smell so this was a little different. I steeped it for three minutes and added a touch of agave. I’m still smelling cherry instead of strawberry which is slightly disappointing, but now I’m wondering if its maybe the vanilla mingling with the strawberry.
The white tea is very light and a perfect base for the sweet flavors of strawberry shortcake. I think that I would have enjoyed this more if I wasn’t smelling that artificial cherry scent…but that’s not to say that it isn’t a good blend. I’m actually wondering if I would enjoy this better iced. The aftertaste is definitely vanilla with a hint of cake, so I do think this was half true to it’s name, but I wish there was more fresh strawberry flavor opposed to “cherry”. Either way, it is definitely worth trying and next time I brew it I will brew it over ice!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
Angel food cake perfectly combines with a light layer of sweet cream and juicy strawberries to create this guilt-free dessert. Enjoy hot or poured over ice.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Fairy Dust from Tealish. . . . .
I really love this tea. It is one of my favorite rooibos offerings and I was heartbroken when I ran out, especially because I accidentally forgot to boil the water and wasted the remainder of the leaf by steeping it in cold water. Granted this tea is sold by a Toronto company with a website and a storefront so I had access but I never made it to the store and didn’t have interest in enough teas to hit free shipping. I lucked out though because I came across the Tealish booth at the One of a Kind show which meant I got to replenish my stash of this blend.
At the booth, I noticed this was being marketed as an iced tea. I have only had it as a hot tea, which has a crisp strawberry flavored that is tamed by smooth kiwi flavor. The green rooibos is so mellow that the fruity flavors just shine. It is a great caffeine free option for all seasons when hot but if Tealish recommends icing it, who am I to say no? Plus, it is a summery tea that I imagine would be nice for icing when the weather heats up.
Drinking it now, I would say the iced cup is still refreshing and fruity, but I think I still prefer this tea hot. The flavors are flatter iced, with the strawberry not being as sharp and the kiwi fading into the background. The base is more present which isn’t necessarily bad but the true stars here are the fruit flavors and the overpowering presence of the base is dampening their fruity contribution.
Ultimately I still love this tea and I might ice it if I really want something to cool down with in the summertime but at the end of the day, this excels as a hot cup and I will probably continue to prep it that way in the future.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Tealish
Description
Drink this tea and you’ll feel like you’ve just been sprinkled with fairy dust, it’s so good. With notes of strawberry and kiwi, this blend of green rooibos, apple, strawberry, kiwi, orange blossoms, elderflower, and mistletoe, is our favourite way to escape to never never land once (or twice) a day.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Strawberry Flavored Genmaicha from 52Teas. . . . Sounds Delish!
I am a sucker for flavored genmaichas. I absolutely love them. Once I tried flavored genmaicha, plain genmaicha never tasted the same! So, of course, when I saw that 52 Teas had come out with a new flavor I definitely had to try it. I am not opposed to fruit blends but they’re also not my favorite. Strawberry is yummy, though, so I was excited for this.
Upon opening my taster packet I could just smell the strawberry and toasted rice! Yummy. There were also chunks of freeze dried strawberries throughout the whole blend which made me happy. I did notice there’s also flavoring that was added, which made me happy as well. For the most part, tea’s flavor usually comes from added flavoring. The pieces of dried fruit are mostly for show and dont give off much flavor when steeped, but I still like to see them in there.
I steeped this one for about 3 minutes with hot water and upon taking my first sip I knew I loved it. It had a subtle-but-there strawberry flavor and it mixed well with the green tea and toasted rice. The only thing I would say was that I wish there had been one more component and what came to mind for me in that respect was maybe vanilla. Like, a strawberries and cream genmaicha. Or maybe a strawberry shortcake gemaicha. Maybe Anne had wanted to just make this one simple, straightforward, and yummy- and she totally achieved that. But, for me, I feel like I was left wanting just a little bit more of “something”. Either way, this was still delicious and if you like strawberry, you’ll definitely like this!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This blend is no longer available but click below for blends that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Juicy Strawberry from Dave & Soloman’s Tea. . . .
With a name like juicy strawberry, I just knew I had to make this tea into iced tea. The tea itself is a beautiful loose leaf, and it looks like petals and dried strawberry. The smell alone is totally delicious. It smells like fresh berries. You know when you walk by strawberries in the grocery, that’s the smell.
I brewed some up in my iced tea pitcher, and added no sweetener. This morning I poured myself a glass to have with breakfast, and all I can say is WOW. It tastes like strawberry punch. It absolutely needs no sweetener, it has a natural organic sweetness and it tastes just like strawberries! Like real strawberries, not a manufactured strawberry flavor. No Red #40 in this tea.
Hands down this is the most delicious fruity tea I’ve tried. It’s a lovely light pink color, and it’s just so refreshing. This would be great for anyone trying to kick a sugary soda habit. I feel like kids would probably love it too, especially if they like fruit punch.
This will be a delicious iced tea to have on a warm summer day, sitting in the shade and just sipping tea and enjoying life.
I’ve tried quite a few Dave & Soloman’s teas, and hands down this is my all time favorite. If you like naturally sweet, fruity teas, do yourself the biggest favor and try this. I feel like I’m not even doing it justice. Absolutely divine is the best way to describe it!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Tisane
Where to Buy: This tea company is no longer operating.
Sweet Slo-Sippin’ SimpliciTEA Raspberry Rhubarb from Cup of Love. . . .
Sweet Slo-Sippin’ SimpliciTEA Raspberry Rhubarb is a blended Green Tea and Black Tea Duo! The funny thing is I was thinking it was Strawberry Rhubarb but that’s because that used to be my favorite type of pie and I must be hungry for it. Raspberry Rhubarb is just as good and plus I have been gobbling up raspberries like they are going out of style lately!
Enough blabbing and on to the tea, eh? Sweet Slo-Sippin’ SimpliciTEA Raspberry Rhubarb is from Cup of Love. And I’m truly LOVING it!
The Sencha Green Tea is of medium strength and delicious! The Black Tea is second in line and knows how to play well with others. It’s more mellow and quite marvelous in its own right. The dried raspberry pieces are tasty-tart and yummy! The blackberry leaves give it a little extra something – a subtle herb taste. The trio of flowers: Sunflower, Safflower, and Jasmine round it out with a welcomed floral taste. It isn’t a bitter floral flavor but seems to tie everything together.
I have really enjoyed the Sweet Slo-Sippin Series Cup of Love is offering and looking forward to any new flavors they come up with!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green/Black Tea Blend
Where to Buy: Cup of Love
Description
Down-homespun-goodness! Imagine picking raspberries and rhubarb, and baking them into a delicious pie, and then pouring it into a tall glass of front porch, sun-brewed iced tea. It‘ll knock your socks off! That is…iffin’ you wearin’ any.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
