These are incredibly busy days for me and my family. Besides a family situations we have going on, my 9-5 job is in the political arena so I’m pretty much working from the minute I wake up until the minute I’m heading to bed with emails still coming in. I do very much love my job but because of the craziness. . . .my tea drinking has fallen to the way side a bit and I’m missing my tea time so very much.
So after lunch the other day, I made it a priority to enjoy tea time (with snacks even) and grabbed a tea we recently relieved from Joseph’s Tea- Peach & Apricot Green Tea. This particular tea was in a tea bag so I knew that even if I had to quickly start working again, I would be able to easily keep drinking this delight.
Brewed with water at 170F and allowed to steep right around 3 minutes, this tea was a delightful surprise. Really sweet peachy notes with a subtle smoky flavor. I don’t get the apricot notes as much as I get the peachy notes, but I’ll be honest, I’m ok with that because of how lovely the peach flavor was.
This tea was really simple yet really lovely tea to enjoy and enjoy I did. This tea was my companion all afternoon. I found myself really digging the contrast of the sweet peach notes with the gunpowder green tea.
I did try for a few more resteeps and I was again pleasantly surprised. I can see this tea being a dynamite iced tea and something I will be trying in the future.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Joseph’s Tea
Description
Temple of heaven Gunpowder green tea with peach and Apricot flavoring. One of our best sellers!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
**gifted for review**
Chestnut/Adagio Teas -Ashmanra-
I have recently been introduced to LOTS of tea by Adagio, and honestly I had no idea that they had such a huge selection.
I decided to share this pot of tea with someone who has actually had chestnuts since I never have so I would be able to tell you how authentic the taste is!
My impression of the tea is that it tastes exactly like the company description – black tea with a pleasant dryness. It is nutty, but the company says their teas are safe for people with nut allergies. The facility is also gluten free.
I took it plain but it definitely could take milk and sugar if you prefer. It had that raspy dry feel on the tongue that many Keemun teas give, a cocoa powder vibe without chocolate. It reminded of the feeling when a wee bit of the “bitter” from inside a pecan or walnut shell gets in your mouth. That may sound bad but as they said – it is a pleasant bitterness.
So what about the person who has had actual chestnuts? She said it was so authentic that she was transported back to Eastern Europe at Christmastime, buying roasted chestnuts from vendors in the street. She was quite nostalgic and I am pretty sure she would be pleased to find a box of this tea in her stocking this year!
This also gave a decent resteep. Many thanks to the Sisters for sharing this one with me!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Melonade/DAVIDs Tea
The weather is warmer which means more and more reaching for summery blends. That means a lot of fruity blends become more appealing and I start picking up lemonade for a super refreshing beverage, tea lemonades.
Tea lemonades are actually how I got my sister to drink tea. Technically, I suppose it was the staff at DAVIDsTEA who got her to drink tea by giving her a sample of their Frozen Raspberry blend, iced and mixed with some lemonade. She liked it so much, she actually purchased the tea and it is one of two blends she keeps stocked. Personally, I am not the biggest fan of that tea so instead I reached for this one, Melonade, to go with my lemonade craving.
I was not sure what to expect from this green tea with apple, melon , carrot, roasted chicory root, sweet blackberry leaves, apple pomace, lemon peel, beetroot, passion fruit granules , marigold blossoms, citric acid, and natural and artificial flavouring. I was a little hesitant mostly because I usually don’t like chicory or blackberry leaves. With that said, I am happy to report that as a tea lemonade, this is really quite nice.
This tea lemonade can only be described as juicy. It is like sweet, fresh melon just overflowing with juice. I have actually had a lemon drop melon before which is a melon version of lemon drop candies and this tea lemonade reminds me so much of that – sweet melon, kept from being too sweet by slightly tart lemon. It really is refreshing and just Summer in a cup. Yum!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: DAVIDs Tea
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cherry Almond Black Tea/Stash Tea- Ashmanra-
Cherry and almond are almost inseparable flavors, and immediately bring sweet, decadent desserts to mind for me. I knew I would like this tea before I ever opened the pouch.
The smell of the leaves confirms it. This is going to be delicious! There is so much sweet cherry aroma here! And the almond is just as strong.
Steeped up and served with biscuits – the Southern US kind – made for a delightful tea time.
The black tea base is pretty brisk, and as usual I don’t notice this much while eating but the final cup sipped by itself has a building drying effect on the tongue.
It occurred to me that this would probably be fabulous as a refreshing sweet tea for summer! Off to the kitchen to fill the kettle again.
Iced tea tastes best after it has mellowed in the refrigerator for a bit. My mother insisted on overnight, but sometimes we can’t wait that long! I have done cold steeped tea (really great for unsweet tea) and I have done flash chill, and they work but it isn’t the same. I want to do this tea justice, so I am patient and put it in the fridge without tasting it yet.
One day later: the tea has had plenty of time for the flavors to meld. Time to try it!
This is delicious. I am loving the cherry. To be honest, I could do without the almond part as it lends a cozy warmth that throws me off in iced tea. But…I still love it. I will definitely ice this again.
And now that I have visited their website and seen PEACH black tea, guess what I am ordering to ice next?
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Stash Tea
Description
For our delicious Cherry Almond dessert tea, we combine the sweet flavor of plump red cherries and rich natural almond oil with select black teas. The result is a smooth, cordial-like tea that is rich in flavor and aroma. This tea may be enjoyed any time of the day, but it is especially pleasant in the evening with a touch of sugar.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lumbini Tipsy Eve Ceylon FBOPF SP/Lumbini Tea Valley
Twigs or perhaps larger dried out branches.
Go bite one and that is what this dry leaf smells like.
The wet aroma turns to wet twig, big surprise, compost, and wet forest floor. Silky mouthfeel.
So far no astringency, just wonderful earthy hints of wet wood and slight citrus hints. For a CTC, cut, tear, crush tea this is very satisfying but at the same time soothing.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Lumbini Tea Valley
Description
Make your evenings more stimulating with Lumbini Tipsy Eve, a robust – full-bodied tea, richly aromatic of the many compounds infused into it. Finely crafted from the rare tiny apical tea buds fresh from the valley, the unique tip and broken leaf combination contains plenty of zest. The flowery tones accompanying the main notes of a touch of caramelised butterscotch are infused by the tender apical buds, along with the lingering hint of citrus. The ‘slow-release’ nature reveal different elements across multiple infusions; from flavor, aroma and health-boosting antioxidants to the essential minerals. Made in extremely limited quantities by the ‘Dalu’ Master Tea Makers, Tipsy Eve is a ‘strong’ testament to the diverse craftsmanship abilities of Lumbini Tea Valley.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
