Up in the Midwest, we’ve recently swapped from unseasonably warm days to the kind of bone-chilling, rainy autumn weather that makes me want to take up residence under my coziest blanket for the next five months and not move a muscle.
One particular grey and soggy Sunday, I was forced out of my blanket fort and into the world– and let’s be real, I wasn’t too happy about it. Digging through my teas to choose one to take with me (if I had to face the real, soggy world, of course I was going to do it with tea in hand), this cozy, herbal blend from Balcony Tea looked like just what I was searching for.
Warming is a perfectly-spiced herbal with notes of ginger, lemon verbena, lemon balm, orange blossom & peel, and aromatic cinnamon. Right out of the gate, the leaves in the pyramid bag jumped out to me– this may be a pre-bagged tea, but full leaves are visible, along with slices of orange peel and what I suspect might even be little nubs of ginger. The verdict?
It was the perfect blend to warm me up on a chilly day! No sweetener needed, the ginger and lemon is bright and upfront, with a nice herbal balance on the finish to round it out. I truly felt the warmth in my bones as I ventured into the cold. The encroaching winter might not be quite so intolerable with this tea in your mug!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Balcony Teas
Description
Escape long rainy days on our “Warming Balcony” with sun-kissed citrus flavour and a hint of spice.
Ingredients:
Ginger – Spicy and warming; traditionally used to help circulation and ease stomach issues. Lemon Balm – To help you feel relaxed and refreshed. Lemon Verbena – Bursting with lemon flavour. Cinnamon – Naturally sweet and comforting. Orange peel – Beautifully aromatic with a true Mediterranean feel. Orange blossom – Deliciously fragrant with delicate floral honeyed notes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Vanilla Nut Herbal Coffee Tea Bags from Teeccino
I’ve been wanting to try Teeccino for quite awhile, but I could never find it at any groceries, even health food stores. Teeccino is a caffeine free coffee alternative made with chicory root and other herbs and flavors. Some blends have carob and dandelion root as well. It’s something a lot of coffee drinkers switch to when they’re trying to lower their coffee intake. A box of Teeccino practically hopped off the shelf at Natural Grocers, and I just had to try it. I chose vanilla nut. The vanilla nut has carob, chicory, and also dates and almonds!
As the weather cools, I crave black teas more, and I try to watch my caffeine intake, so this is perfect. I made myself a cup as soon as I got home. First of all, it looks just like coffee. And while it doesn’t smell exactly like coffee, it definitely has a tempting, rich and deep smell. And I could smell the vanilla right away. I let the bag steep for around five or six minutes, and added a little raw sugar, and a little coconut milk. It tastes so vanilla-y with a little nutty taste in the background. I love it, and this will be a staple in my life in these upcoming cooler months
As someone who was a serious coffee addict, I would recommend this to anyone who might be trying to cut back. It hits that sweet spot that comes from a coffee craving. I can’t wait to try their other flavors!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Teeccino
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Morning Pick-Me-Up from Tocha Teas
Good morning, Sisters and Friends! Today I’m trying a tea called “Morning Pick-Me-Up,” which is a thing I very sorely need. I had a 
misadventure this morning involving getting a bag of dog poop on my house’s roof, plus it’s pouring cats, canines, elephants, giraffes, and squirrels. I was good until the squirrels. My jacket isn’t rainproof. I also slept through my morning workout. To sum it up: you have NO IDEA how a Pick-Me-Up is required. ONE CANNOT FATHOM THIS DAY. And it’s only 11 a.m.
This tea is super-interesting, combining a deep, smoky tea with floral elements. The ingredients for this tea just say “black tea;” I suspect the tea is Lapsang souchong.
It’s like a see-saw of emotion. When Pick-Me-Up is on the tongue, you get the smoke, but there’s a floral finish toward the end. There’s something here for everybody. Smoke/leather isn’t usually my thing at all, but the floral touch at the end somehow ties it together. This works.
I kind of see this tea as a rough cowboy sort who likes his Parliaments and meat, but then comes home to his wife in the garden and sits with her while she’s working. He occasionally does the tough stuff with the edger and the trimmer. He prunes the trees, and she makes him a pie. His Harley is parked next to her Prius at the end of their gravel driveway in the country. They’ve got an opposites-attract thing that works for them. All of their friends at Bluegrass Open Mic Night are jealous of how independent they are of each other but how beautifully they mesh.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Tocha Teas
Description
The fragrance of purifying Osmanthus flowers is the perfect complement to the subtle sweetness of whole leaf black tea. Quench your thirst and revitalize your spirit with this smooth, full-bodied blend; ideal for kick-starting your morning or uplifting your afternoon.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Secret Garden from Pinch of Geek
Being one that always shies away from lavender in teas, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this tea. Secret Garden has a mix of lavender, jasmine green tea, dried roses, and rosehips. I loved all of the other components so I went ahead and gave the brew a try.
Rich gorgeous floral notes comforted me as I sipped this tea down, cup after cup. Subtle romantic tones really give this tea that soothing comforting feel. The lavender is present but not overwhelming. You more or less get that familiar lavender after taste. As you drink the tea, you are enveloped with the jasmine green tea perfection with the sweetness of the dried roses.
All in all, a well balanced floral tea that I will want more of soon. The perfect tea to grab a blanket, a book, and snuggle up for a cozy afternoon!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Pinch of Geek
Description
The Secret Garden tea is named after the classic English children’s book about a young girl in a magical English garden. This tea is a strong floral bouquet meant to inspire dreams of walking in the English countryside. It is a jasmine green tea with rose and lavender. This tea does have medium caffeine levels. This tea blend has no artificial flavorings or added oils. There are no added sugars or flavorings.
Because this tea requires some preciseness to balance the flavors, I only offer this tea in sachets. You can order the bagged tea in 10 or 20 sachets. Steeping time is a little different: steep until the jasmine pearls open into leaves. You will be able to see through the sachet to remove promptly when leaf unfurl (3-4 mins). The jasmine tea tends to get bitter and “perfumey” tasting if over steeped.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Soothing Rose Hibiscus Skin Detox from Yogi Tea
I have been a fan of Yogi teas for quite awhile. I discovered this skin detox tea a few years ago, and I love it so much. It tastes a little sweet, a little floral-y, and very refreshing. The rose seems to balance out the hibiscus, so there is none of the hibiscus tartness. It tastes delicious hot or iced.
As far as the benefits to the skin, I really do notice that my skin has an extra glow after drinking this. The results are almost immediate. I enjoy the taste and the benefits of this tea. I like to have a cup in the winter, especially if I’ve been out and about on a cold, blustery day and my skin feels damaged and dry from the cold.
If you enjoy Jasmine green tea, you’ll probably really love this delicious blend from Yogi Tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green/Herbal
Where to Buy: Yogi
Description
Our skin reflects our diet and lifestyle choices: cleansing from the inside can help promote healthier skin. Soothing Rose Hibiscus Skin DeTox tea combines Rose Petal and Hibiscus – used in Ayurveda to soothe the skin – with Green Tea for a deliciously floral tea to support your healthy glow.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.