My sister has never been a lover of tea. For a long time she could not understand my love of the beverage and it was only recently that she has started actually trying teas. It started with afternoon teas, at those she found a couple she liked and started to build a small stash, then I learned that she was actually drinking her teas nightly, and now she’s starting to get it. That is awesome in one respect but now she’s moving in on my teas, which I guess is fine but occasionally it means I am losing my very own mug.
For example, CuppaGeek sent me a 1-2 cup sample of this to try, however before that arrived, I ended up ordering myself a taster packet from 52 Teas. Thank goodness I did because when I brewed the sample from CuppaGeek, my sister decided to give it a try and then she decided we were “sharing” except the mug just kept moving closer and closer to her and soon this was gone and I had barely a sip. I guess you could say she was a fan.
Today she is not at our home so I knew I could actually get to drink my own cup and it is perfection. This is actually quite accurate to its namesake which is surprising since an eclair seems like a pretty complex food to capture in liquid form. Nonetheless, this is silky milk chocolate icing and creamy vanilla. The black base gives this a sturdy foundation but also imparts a breadiness that plays out as the choux pastry. The components of an eclair are all represented and they work together to create one awesome tea.
Honestly, now that I have had it a few times, I think I should have just committed to the large pack because this really is GOOD.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
North from Metolius Artisan Tea
If you would have told me a few weeks ago that North from Metolius Artisan Tea would be an herbal tisane that I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about I would have called you CRAZY.
I mean…I’m pretty finicky when it comes to herbal tisanes. Let’s face it…they’re NOT really tea. I’m not saying that as a slam it’s the technicality of it, folks! North from Metolius Artisan Tea is a REALLY AMAZING Herbal Tisane. One that blew me away and I will not be able to say enough about.
North from Metolius Artisan Tea is Fresh, organic, vibrant, and hand-blended. It’s a sweet and spicy blend of coconut, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, licorice, and pink peppercorns.
I have a confession to make. I was terrified of the licorice in this. I know – I need to get over that. I have now sipped on many wonderful licorice flavored teas and tisanes since a few I tried years ago and couldn’t stand. But I have to say that North from Metolius Artisan Tea is in a class of its own!
The coconut and licorice pairing is something of an enlightening outer body experience of sorts. Call me dramatic if you will but I’m trying to express my surprise and delight with this blend of flavors! Its licorice and cinnamon ‘stave off sugar cravings and tone down energy-bonking’ according to Metolius so it’s perfect for evenings or after dinner when you don’t have anything for dessert or later on in the night when you have that sweet tooth going. The spices are present at the ideal ratio, too!
I wouldn’t change one thing about this herbal. It’s truly amazing! I LOVE it! I find myself revisiting it time and time again!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal/Tisane
Where to Buy: Metolius Artisan Tea
Description
A sweet and spicy blend of coconut, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, licorice and pink peppercorns.
Beyond North tea’s warmth and flavor, its licorice and cinnamon stave off sugar cravings and tone down energy-bonking.
Fresh, organic, vibrant, and hand-blended.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
London Fog from Harlow Tea Co
I’ve been on a big afternoon tea kick lately. (Not like I’m not always on an “every time, every place” tea kick, but still.) My rules for a great afternoon tea? Refreshing, comforting, caffeinated but not buzzy, something that wakes me up as much as it helps me find peace and relaxation during the craziness of the day. Harlow’s London Fog seemed to fit the bill of just what I was looking for, with lavender and lemon to balance the caffeination of the black tea.
Following suit from the name, I brewed this one strong in about half the amount of water I’d normally use, swirled in some honey and filled the rest of my cup with steamed coconut milk for a delicious London Fog latte.
As for flavor, this one delivers on the lavender big time. It’s a delightful and slightly unexpected play on Earl Grey, and it hit the perfect balance of caffeine + calm for me once the afternoon doldrums hit. I’m not getting a ton of lemon in my cup, but I suspect that has more to do with my addition of milk than the tea itself.
It takes a lot for an earl grey to blow me out of the water, but this one hits all the notes I’d hope for plus a twist of the unusual with the addition of lavender. A great blend to grab when you need a little afternoon pick-me-up, for sure!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Flavored Black Tea
Where to Buy: Harlow Tea Co.
Description
Ingredients: Earl gray tea, lemon peel, and lavender flower.
Contains caffeine
Ever had a London fog latte? Well I wanted to make my own version. This black tea, with a hint of citrus and lavender, is perfect on its own or in a latte.
Want to try the latte? Steep the tea in 4 oz. of water, strain and add to 4 oz. of steamed milk for the perfect tealatte.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Rani Collection Organic Earl Grey from Hope and Glory
The more tea friends I meet online the more I realize that Earl Grey is hit and miss for some people. Lucky for me – I’m generally a fan of Earl Grey – so today I would like to share with you Rani Collection Organic Earl Grey from Hope & Glory!
The dry leaf aroma is stereo-typically Earl Grey potent but once the hot water is added and the loose leaf infused it tones down a bit in terms of potency-aroma-wise. Rani Collection Organic Earl Grey from Hope & Glory still smells pretty terrific in the cup just before sipping! And then once I took a sip…there is that Earl Grey flavor I was looking for! It’s not an overbearing EG flavor, tho, I must point out.
Rani Collection Organic Earl Grey from Hope & Glory doesn’t have an overbearing EG Flavor but it’s not a plain or weak flavor either. It has a nice level of Earl Grey and makes for satisfying sipping!
I appreciate the aftertaste being a bit on the weaker side – I have to say! Some EG’s give you that bitter and over-the-top bergamot oil linger – but NOT this aftertaste! Rani Collection Organic Earl Grey from Hope & Glory ends softer than some Earls and leaves behind a more pleasant citrus linger that makes me want another cup! Rani Collection Organic Earl Grey from Hope & Glory just might be a tea to tempt those who are uneasy about other Earls! Dare I say – give it a whirl? I did and I enjoyed it!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Straight Black Tea
Where to Buy: Hope and Glory
Description
A scented black tea which may be taken with or without milk.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!