Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Premium Organic black tea with organic flavors. Each 14g teabag will make one 2-quart pitcher of DELICIOUS iced tea. Re-steep the teabag and you can get a full gallon out of each one.
Ingredients: Premium Organic Black Teas, Organic Flavors.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oh, this Southern Boy Teas Lime Cola Flavored Black Iced Tea from 52Teas is a wonderful, refreshing drink that has captured the essence of lime and cola very well, while still not detracting from the delicious natural flavors of the black tea.
Of the six new flavors for Southern Boys Teas that 52Teas has introduced for this summer (five black teas, one herbal tisane), I think that this is my favorite of those that I’ve tried thus far! The flavors are so spot on.
I don’t think I’ve ever actually tried a “lime cola.” I’ve had lemon-lime soda, and I know that there is a lime diet cola out there, but, since I can’t consume aspartame, I haven’t tried this soft drink. And really, I don’t drink a whole lot of colas and/or sodas … I’ll stick to my tea, thanks! However, this Lime Cola flavored tea from Southern Boy Teas is what I would expect a lime cola to taste like.
From the moment I tore into the package, I could smell the cola and the lime. I could smell that sweet, caramel-y cola note essence, and the lovely citrus tone from the lime. I cold-brewed the tea (And again, let me say that I’m loving these extra large tea bags that 52Teas uses to make the iced tea pouches … there is more than enough room for the leaves to expand – with room to spare even! I like that … and while I usually prefer loose leaf when I’m brewing hot tea, when I’m cold-brewing iced tea, I really appreciate the convenience of a sachet/pouch/teabag. It makes the whole thing so much easier.
The flavors of cola and lime are so distinct in this glass of frosty iced tea. I can almost “feel” the bubbles from the soda! The black tea is not overpowered, either, it comes through in the background: smooth, rich and robust. It’s a very refreshing beverage. It is a little on the sweet side, then again, isn’t cola supposed to be sweet? I like the way the tart, zesty flavor of the lime cuts through some of the sweeter notes, providing some balance for the palate.
A really delicious iced tea!
Darjeeling Blend from Harney & Sons
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Harney & Sons
Tea Description:
High in the mountains, deep in the mists that surround the Himalayas is Darjeeling: “Queen of Teas”. Our Darjeeling tea is a blend of First Flush and Autumnal teas from the best gardens. This mixture yields a light color in the cup – a fragrant “nose”. A great value.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I received a sample sachet of this Darjeeling Blend from Harney & Sons with my most recent order from them – I was very happy to receive not just one but two samples with my order – especially since the last time I placed an order with them, I didn’t get any samples! I’m glad to see that they’ve resumed their practice of including samples with every order.
And this is a really enjoyable blend of Darjeeling teas. According to the description (above) this is a combination of first flush and autumnal harvests. The aroma of the dry leaf was slightly woody with fruity overtures, notes of earth and hints of flower. All those notes translate in the brewed tea flavor.
The fruity tones are what I notice first, notes that are vaguely reminiscent of grapes and currants. Sweet and a little tangy. This is not quite as astringent as some Darjeeling teas that I’ve tasted, this has a much smoother, rounder finish. Once the sweetness of the fruit subsides on the palate, the notes of earth and wood peek through, and there is just a whisper of floral notes in the distance.
A pleasant, complex cup. While I generally prefer a second flush Darjeeling, I am enjoying this blend, it is certainly tasty, and is priced right! A nice, well-rounded cuppa.
Herbal Immune Booster from Teas & Botanicals
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Functional Tea/Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Teas and Botanicals
Tisane Description:
A great herbal tea blend boosting the body’s immune system. Its natural antibiotic and virucidal properties eases symptoms and discomforts associated with colds and mild fever. A good detox for the entire body, a great herbal drink for people with diabetes, ulcers, bronchitis, and various sickness and disease. Rich in vitamin C and has the ability to reduce high blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels.
Learn more about this functional tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
OK, I’m not a huge fan of functional teas … I mean, flavor wise, they leave a little to be desired, you know what I’m saying? But as far as the function they serve, I’m all for turning to herbal remedies in the form of tea if it helps promote health. So it is with this Herbal Immune Booster from Teas & Botanicals – it isn’t the tastiest thing I’ve had recently, but, it isn’t horrible either. And if it boosts the immune system, well, I’m all for that.
The ingredient list is short: just three ingredients:
Ingredients: Pau D’Arco, Astralagus, Hibiscus.
Pau D’Arco is a bark, and it looks like bark. It actually looks a bit like lapacho and so I did a quick check and found out that Pau D’Arco actually IS lapacho. You learn something new everyday. Although I doubt that my intake of lapacho will ever be such that I would ever need to know this again, but, hey … who am I to knock knowledge? Lapacho is supposed to help infections, fever, and stomach issues. Astragalus is supposed to help the immune system, and hibiscus is a diuretic and is rich in vitamin C as well and some minerals.
As far as taste … what I taste primarily is the hibiscus. I’m glad that the hibiscus does not have a syrupy or thick consistency, and it doesn’t taste too tart here. Perhaps the other ingredients thin the hibiscus enough to allow it to just give off an agreeable berry-tarty kind of taste without coming off as TOO hibiscus-y.
This tastes medicinal … as many functional teas do. I’m not about to sit here and try to convince you that this is the best tasting herbal tea I’ve ever tried because it isn’t. However, as far as functional teas that help promote health and boost the immune system … this ain’t bad. I think this does taste better as it cools, so if you’re going to drink it … I’d recommend trying it iced.
Raspberry Sunburst Green Tea from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Tea Description:
A simple everyday tea that simply satisfies. We start with a lovely floral china green tea base and sprinkle in hibiscus petals, just enough to perk it up. The tangy raspberry and brisk lemon give it character and is perfectly balanced.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
I was really surprised by this Raspberry Sunburst Green Tea from Fusion Teas. I took a sip of it before I read the ingredient list. And then I read that there is hibiscus in this blend! I didn’t really notice much from the hibiscus. No strong tart-y flavor. No heavy, syrupy texture. The only thing that is indicative of hibiscus’s presence is a slight pink-ish tint to the color of the brewed tea.
I suppose that the hibiscus does help to accentuate the tart berry notes of the raspberry, but, the flavor doesn’t hit me over the head with hibiscus. I taste more raspberry than I taste hibiscus. I also taste more lemon than hibiscus. This is a blend with hibiscus that I can handle! This is hibiscus done right!
The green tea is a sweet, creamy and slightly earthy tasting tea. The tea is not the main event of this blend … but I do like that I can taste the tea here and that it’s not overly camouflaged by the flavoring. The tea also lends a certain sweetness to the cup which is nice because the raspberry and lemon tend to be tart, so the sweetness of the tea is a nice contrast.
The raspberry is nice, it tastes sweet-tart and juicy, but what I really like about this blend is the LEMON! It really brightens the cup. This blend is really true to its name, it really tastes like a Raspberry Sunburst! (No not the chewy, waxy candy, but, more like sunburst as in lemony-bright taste combined with delightful raspberry flavor.)
A really nice blend from Fusion Teas!
Frances Bissell’s Special Blend from Upton Tea Imports
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Upton Tea Imports
Tea Description:
The Times Cook (The Times, London) has suggested this insightful blend of Ceylon teas from the Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Dimbula regions. An exemplary Ceylon experience.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When I opened this pouch, I was surprised at how floral it smelled! I generally expect a black tea to have a somewhat earthy aroma, and sometimes a hint of flower will be tucked in there amongst the other scents. But the floral aroma of this Frances Bissell’s Special Blend from Upton Tea Imports is so distinct! It’s quite delightful!
The flavor is also pleasantly floral. But don’t take that the wrong way … this is not an overly flowery tasting tea like, perhaps a jasmine scented green tea might be. But there are some sharp floral notes to this cup. I taste hints of honeysuckle! I also taste a sweet and sour note that reminds me of a just under-ripe plum … or perhaps … now that I continue to sip, it reminds me of a juicy citrus. It is more sweet than sour, and it is quite a delightful contrast to the aforementioned floral notes.
There are also hints of earth, wood and a crisp briskness that is invigorating. It has a very bright flavor – it’s very refreshing. This would make an excellent iced tea, and would be really nice served with a thin slice of citrus to accentuate the natural fruit notes of the tea. I found it quite delightful served hot too. A really nice afternoon pick-me-up.