Something happens to my tea cabinet in the spring. All of the hearty, heavier black teas get pushed to the back, and the light, fresh, vegetal greens and fruit herbals seem to float like cream to the top. I’ve just spent a winter sipping on the tea-equivalent of a warm blanket and wool socks– give me sandals and sunglasses in my cup instead, please and thanks!
And once the calendar flips to summer, its even unlikelier that I’ll be sipping on ANYTHING hot. In my A/C-less apartment with my German ancestry, not made for heat waves– iced tea reigns supreme. When I pulled this sample out of my stash, bright and bold, with big orange chunks and bright red bits of…something? I knew it would make a great iced choice for the start of the warmer season.
Cold-brewed overnight, this tea turns delightfully pink– I’m guessing, as a result of the beetroot pieces in the blend. I expected more orange-juice-orange flavors, but what I’m getting instead is a blend of juicy fruits, with just a hint of bitterness at the end. Maybe it’s the hibiscus? Maybe it’s the interesting addition of pumpkin and carrot in this dry mix? Either way, it’s not unpleasant, but it isn’t quiet what I was expecting either.
My recommendation? Go into this sip without the expectations of fresh oranges, but rather, a big ol’ party-o-fruits, and you’ll be super pleased with your iced cup. Unusual? Sure. But great as the temps start to rise and you’re looking for something refreshing to fill your cup?
Definitely.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Gypsy Soul Teas
Description
Fresh & Fruity! Exotic Passion fruit orange fruit tea. Caffeine free. Great hot or iced.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
August Peach Green Tea from Simpson and Vail. . . .
Apparently peaches in august are sweeter than other times of the year. I didn’t know this until now. Learn something new everyday, right? I really enjoy the mix of peach flavor and green tea. Theres something really crisp and refreshing about them together that reminds me of springtime air. This tea in particular tastes just like spring, to me.
There are two peach teas that are my favorite right now, both of them come from Anne’s brilliant blends over at 52 Teas- Peach Cardamom Green Tea and Peach Cheesecake Honeybush. Both of them are just sensational. Unfortunately all of 52 Teas’ are limited edition and you have to act fast before they are gone (re-blend! re-blend! re-blend!). So, I have been on the hunt for a good peach flavored replacement. This August Peach Green Tea sounded like it had potential. According to Simpson and Vail, in Vietnam peaches are an indicator of the coming of spring and symbolize peace and happiness. Apparently, peaches that are grown later in the season have a sweeter and more delicate flavor.
My first recognition when I examined the dry leaf was that it didn’t include chunks of peaches. While I realize that most flavor actually comes from flavoring opposed to dried fruits, I still like to see them in my blends. Anyways, I moved forward and brewed myself a cup. I wasn’t getting an overwhelming peach scent. I mostly could just smell the green tea with maybe a hint of peach if you’re looking for it. I’m not sure if I would say that the taste was overwhelmingly peachy either…but that’s not to say that this isn’t good. The first flavor I noticed was the green tea- buttery, grassy, and crisp. Next was the agave I added to the cup. Last was the peach. Even though peach was the last flavor I detected, it was so spot on! The aftertaste of this tea left me feeling as if I had just taken a bite out of a fresh peach! The flavor was so realistic and fresh, I really enjoyed it. This is a light tea and it would be fantastic iced in the middle of summer. I enjoyed the flavors of the green tea mingling with the fresh August peach flavor. Although I don’t think that this beat my other favorite peach teas, it definitely is at the top of my list! A total must try if you like peach and definitely if you like green tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Simpson and Vail
Description
Peaches are from a deciduous tree that is native to China. Cultivation spread throughout the world and today major supplies of peaches come from America, China, Italy and Greece. Peaches and peach trees have long histories of symbolism in Asia; in China, peaches are considered a symbol of long life, in Korea they are considered symbols for happiness, wealth and longevity and in Vietnam peaches herald Spring and symbolize peace and happiness.
Peaches have a delicate, intoxicating aroma and a heavenly taste. The peaches grown later in the season, in August and September, have a sweeter more delicate peach taste. This green tea blend has the underlying taste of a sweet, Chinese green with the refreshing taste of sweet peaches. Summer tastes all in one cup!
Ingredients: Green tea, marigold petals and sweet august peach flavoring.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Fresh and Fruity – Balcony Teas
If you are in need of a perky, good for you herbal cuppa this may be what you are looking for. The hibiscus is overpowering, like it generally is in most herbal teas, however, the other flavors meekly make their presence known. This was my first time hearing of Greek mountain tea. With the bit of research I did it would seem that it has a herbaceous flavor.
Which I can subtly detect along with the lemon peel on the initial sip along with the lime flower. Honestly, I wish that the hibiscus was the last ingredient as it seems to be masking too much from the others.
While we are on the topic of this tea’s ingredients take a moment to look up lime flower. This combined with the Greek Mountain tea really packs a healthy wallop.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Balcony Teas
Description
Feel energised and revitalised by this vibrant infusion. This very special blend is packed full of unique herbs and bursting with flavour. It will put a smile on your face at any time of day.
Ingredients:
Hibiscus – A colourful blossom with a delicious tangy taste. Lime Flower – Traditionally used to treat headaches and indigestion. Greek Mountain Tea – The best-kept Mediterranean secret. Lemon Peel – For its zesty flavour. Olive Leaves – A Mediterranean treasure used in traditional Mediterranean medicine.
Making a perfect cup:
Brew in freshly boiled water for 3 minutes and serve without milk.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
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!
White Tropical Tea from The Spice & Tea Exchange. . .. . .
The Spice and Tea Exchange in John’s Pass Florida claims that one sip of their White Tropical Tea will transport me to a tropical oasis. Sure…it’s more of a mental journey than physically being transported…but I’ll take what ever I can get!
Organic Chinese white tea is combined with luscious chunks of pineapple and organic peach pieces to create the fruity-sweet yet relaxing aroma and flavor of White Tropical Tea from The Spice and Tea Exchange.
The White Tea is light and slightly sweet. The pineapple and peach contribute to the overall sweet, too, but the pineapple packs a delightful powery puckery punch and the peach has a natural creamy-sweetness to it, too!
The paradise-reminiscent fruits linger at the end of the sip well on to the aftertaste. White Tropical Tea from The Spice and Tea Exchange is delightfully tasty!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White Tea
Where to Buy: The Spice & Tea Exchange
Description
One sip of this refreshing tea will transport you to a tropical oasis. Organic Chinese white tea combined with luscious chunks of pineapple and organic peach pieces will help you escape to a relaxing paradise!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!