Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot Be sure to check out the savings on this tea! Coupon code below!
Tea Description:
Our best selling green tea! This blend of fine Japanese Sencha and high grade Chinese Dragonwell combine to create a rich yet refreshing base, while wild strawberries and rhubarb flavors add a subtle twist. This tea yields a bright liquor with a luxurious aroma and brisk, vivid flavor. The ideal accompaniment to dark chocolate.
Learn more about this green tea blend here.
Taster’s Review:
This isn’t the first time I’ve tasted and reviewed this tea, I have reviewed it previously, but, this is a tea that is so tasty that I am happy to revisit it. Plus, since receiving a sampling of it along with my Steep & Go, I wanted to mention just how good it is cold-brewed using – you guessed it! – the Steep & Go!
I brewed a cup of it hot, though, just to remind my taste buds of the flavors of this tea. It still has a wonderful, well-rounded taste because of the blend of teas: a Japanese Sencha and a Chinese Dragonwell. The combination of these two delicious teas makes for a lovely base flavor that is sweet, a little creamy and vegetative, but also possessing a lightness that is very refreshing. The strawberry notes are matched well with the rhubarb, offering a sweet yet tantalizingly tart flavor that is very enjoyable.
While I sipped it hot, I had it cold-brewing in my water bottle, and I could hardly wait to see just how great this tea is cold-brewed. I let it brew for about a half an hour (yes, I know that the instructions say it only needs 10 minutes, but, I wanted to see how much flavor would come from a longer infusion), and I am very pleased with the result.
The color of the liquid is lighter than the hot brewed tea, but not by much. Even with the extended brew time, I taste no bitterness. There is virtually no astringency with the cold infusion either. (There was some astringency with the hot brewed cuppa) There is a very nice balance between tart and sweet, with tart just narrowly edging out the sweet. The sweetness of the strawberry acts to buffer the tartness of the rhubarb, but doesn’t mute it – and while I am not normally a big fan of tartness, with this cold-brewed tea, it works. It is light and refreshing and the tartness invigorates the palate!
As much as I enjoy the Boulder Blues tea as a hot tea, I think it’s even more delightful cold-brewed with the Steep & Go!
The Tea Spot is offering 15% off on this tea until September 29th! To take advantage of this offer, use the coupon code boulderbsister in the coupon field at checkout! Your discount will be calculated at final checkout! Tea + Savings … does it get any better than that?
Chocolate Cherry Bomb! from The Tea Spot
Savings Alert! Don’t miss out! Please read the note at the bottom of the review for additional savings when you purchase this tea from The Tea Spot!
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Tea Description:
This chocolate covered cherry will having you feeling like a kid in a candy store! Think hand-dipped chocolate cherry truffle… sweet, plump, juicy, decadent – without the calories. Its cherry scent and velvety smooth chocolate notes work to enchant, but not overwhelm. Handcrafted from two black teas this gourmet cherry delight is a dessert tea that you can enjoy even for breakfast. The base of black leaf teas from India and China is balanced, deep, and strong enough for milk and sugar, if that’s your cuppa.
Learn more about this chocolate cherry tea here.
Taster’s Review:
There was a time when chocolate covered cherries were the pinnacle of chocolate decadence for me, it was my absolute favorite confection! My taste buds have matured since then and I’ve come to appreciate other foods and enjoy other sweets more than chocolate covered cherries, but, there is still a special spot in my heart for chocolate covered cherries (so long as they’re the good ones!) So, I was pretty sure I’d enjoy this tea … especially since I so enjoyed the Chocolate “O” from The Tea Spot. I figured the addition of cherry flavor to this amazing chocolate tea would make it even more amazing.
Mmm! It is good. I don’t know that I enjoy this more than I enjoy the Chocolate “O” but, I really like it. The chocolate flavors are rich and taste of deep, dark chocolate. YUM! And the cherry notes start out subtle, and develop as I continue to sip. They never become overwhelming, and I like that. The cherry serves more as an accent to the rich, creamy taste of the chocolate rather than a stand alone flavor. And I really like that it doesn’t taste like cough syrup, which I’ve noticed sometimes happens with cherry flavored teas.
The black tea is a bolder taste than I expected for a flavored tea – it almost took me by surprise. It is not content with sitting off in the background offering support for the flavors of this blend, it wants some of the attention for itself! The black tea blend is strong and invigorating – strong enough to even serve as a breakfast tea if you’re so inclined to have a Chocolate Cherry Bomb! for breakfast. There is a fair amount of dry astringency to this cup as well, an aspect I find rather enjoyable as it gives the chocolate tones a bit of a powdery cocoa kind of taste.
I do recommend allowing this to cool a bit before sipping it. The flavor becomes so much smoother after it’s had time to cool to a drinkable temperature. I also recommend not over-doing it when you measure the tea leaves – this tea is plenty strong without the extra leaf, and I found that the extra leaf just leads to a slightly harsh tasting tea. It’s better to measure carefully with this tea … the proper measurement will lead to a very satisfying cuppa with no harshness! This is delicious hot (after it’s cooled for about five minutes, of course!) and would make a very flavorful iced tea as well. It would also make a very delightful latte!
SAVINGS ALERT! Now through September 15th, you can save an additional 15% on the Chocolate Cherry Bomb! tea from The Tea Spot. Just enter the code chocolove in the coupon field at checkout to enjoy your savings!
PRODUCT REVIEW: Steep & Go from The Tea Spot
Product Information:
Where To Buy: The Tea Spot
*And to save 15% on this product now through August 19th, read the review, and then use the coupon code which is featured at the end of the review!
Product Description:
Steep & Go is designed for the health conscious person on-the-go. It pairs with disposable water bottles and loose leaf teas to make cold-brewed tea on-the-go. With no heat added, in just 10 minutes you’ll brew fresh iced tea packed with antioxidants and great flavor. And with no added sugar or preservatives, you can feel confident knowing exactly what you’re drinking – fresh tea! Simply add more water for multiple infusions, and make this reusable infuser even more economical and eco-friendly. And when cold brewing, tea doesn’t oversteep or get bitter. Steep & Go will transform the way you stay hydrated!
Learn more about this teaware here.
What an awesome little invention, this Steep & Go! It’s a great way to bring a good, healthy drink with you, so that you’ll avoid those temptations of sweet, not-so-healthy beverages when you’re on the go.
I’ve got a confession to make. The first time I used this product, I did it wrong. I did not read the instructions. I just used it the way I thought it was supposed to work… and FAIL!
You see, this device has a nifty little tube that extends into the water bottle, and it has very tiny holes in it, and I thought that this was the infuser, when actually it is the strainer. So I put the tea leaves into the little tube, and let it infuse for about an hour, and then started drinking. It tasted wonderful … except that I was getting tea leaves in every sip. And, I don’t want to drink tea leaves. Unless I’m drinking Matcha … and that’s something different entirely, now isn’t it?
But, the tube that extends into the water bottle IS NOT an infuser, it is a strainer. You put the tea leaves directly into the water bottle, screw on the Steep & Go … and well, go. Let the tea leaves steep for 10 minutes (I do recommend allowing them to steep a little longer for more flavor: flavor was there, but only barely at 5 minutes, more flavor at 10 minutes, but wonderfully delicious after about 15 minutes) and you have your favorite iced tea so that you won’t be tempted by sugary drinks.
I was lucky enough to have a Dasani 16.9 oz. bottle here at home, and so I haven’t tried anything else. However, I do know that TeaEqualsBliss – my SororiTea Sister! – has tried other bottles and they did not work as well, so I do recommend getting your hands on a Dasani bottle, and then just keep re-using it! It’s a great way to reuse the bottle – saving you money and saving the planet at the same time – and offers you a delicious, flavorful alternative to bottled water, and a healthy alternative to soda or other sugar-laden drinks.
The Tea Spot has a nice variety of teas that would work nicely with the Steep & Go. Right now, I’m using it with the Bolder Blues tea (which I’ll be reviewing a little later on!) and it is delicious! Of course, you can use it with any your favorite loose leaf teas that you’d normally enjoy as cold-brewed tea.
When used properly – yeah, don’t add the leaves to the tube like I did! – this is a very economical and EASY way to enjoy fresh and delicious iced tea any time, any where! And now through August 19, 2012, you can save 15% on this cool little device! Just enter the coupon code gosistergo in the coupon field at checkout to take advantage of this discount.
Shagadelic English Breakfast from The Tea Spot
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Tea Description:
Our Shagadelic English Breakfast tea combines four gorgeous, full leaf, black teas from three different countries, resulting in a deep, rich, well-balanced liquor. This British tea favorite is fit for the Queen, but lighthearted enough for Austin Powers. And its black tea caffeine kick will help jump-start your morning mojo!
Learn more about this English breakfast tea here.
Taster’s Review:
There are many different teas that I enjoy as that all-important “first thing in the morning” tea, from Argentinian Yerba Maté to Guayusa from the rainforests in Ecuador to a good, strong Assam from India. But I think there is always something a little special about a good breakfast blend. It’s that artistry that goes into the blending of several different types of teas to create a delicious taste that welcomes you to the start of a new day that makes me excited to try a new breakfast blend.
Well, that … and the “Austin Powers” fan in me couldn’t resist the name of this tea!
And I think that The Tea Spot has done Austin Powers proud with this blend. It is rich and hearty. Malty and I detect hints of chocolate-y notes. Subtle spiced notes. Earthy with a hint of oak in the background. Energizing and delicious!
The Tea Spot does not mention which teas go into this blend, but if I were to offer a guess based upon my experience with tea, I’d guess that I’m tasting Nilgiri (and/or possibly Assam) and Yunnan, perhaps a Ceylon, and maybe a Keemun. I’m pretty sure of the Yunnan and am fairly sure of the Nilgiri. This definitely has the rich, malty notes from the Nilgiri and the deep, smooth flavor of the Yunnan.
It’s a very rewarding cup – one that is delicious served hot and straight with no additions, but would also take the additions of milk and honey (or sugar) well if that’s how you like to take your morning tea.
This tea lives up to its name – it is definitely Shagadelic!
Special Savings: Now through August 6th, you can save 15% on Shagadelic English Breakfast Tea from The Tea Spot! Use the code shagibtea in the coupon field at checkout for your special savings!
Climber’s High from The Tea Spot
Please Note: Check below for special savings on this tea!
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Yerba Maté, Black Tea, Green Tea, White Tea, Pu-erh & Tulsi PLUS Spice Melangé
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Tea Description:
A super-charged blend of teas, spices and herbs formulated to provide a refreshing daily lift for people with active, high-energy lifestyles. Climber’s High is a high-powered way to increase your intake of beneficial antioxidants such as flavonoids and catechins, as well as a host of healthy vitamins, trace minerals, beneficial phyto-constituents, and caffeine. It was originally conceived to assist people in adjusting to higher altitudes. This spiced yerba mate chai tea is both good for you and a pleasure to drink.
Learn more about this Yerba Mate Chai here.
Taster’s Review:
This blend has got a WHOLE lot going on!
When I first opened the package, I noticed a pleasant smell that was sweet and a little spicy, smelling a bit like a gently spiced chai. And one quick glance at the ingredient list suggests that this could easily be categorized as a chai (well, yeah, all tea is technically chai, but, I’m talking about what we here in North America think of when we think “chai”) so, I categorized it as chai.
The brewed tea smells a little earthy, slightly vegetative, but still possesses a certain spicy tone – a bit different than that of the dry leaf, but, it still smells warm, sweet, and a little spicy.
Wow! OK, so yeah, this DOES have a lot going on, but, somehow, it all comes together to offer a pleasant tasting blend. I don’t really taste each of the specific tea types here, I just taste a medley of different flavors that I’d associate with the different leaf types.
For example, I taste the earthy, vegetative taste of Yerba Maté, and I would attribute some of that earthiness to the Pu-erh as well. It tastes rich and smooth like a black tea, but it has a light, almost creamy/airy texture and flavor that I’d attribute to the white and green teas. I taste hints of mint and basil that I attribute to the peppermint and Tulsi. And yes, I taste the warmth of the spices, and the sweet, creamy finish that I attribute to the vanilla.
I wouldn’t say that I taste specifically any one of these ingredients, instead, I taste the combination of them all. I taste hints of sweet licorice, I taste the sweet warmth of the cinnamon and little peppery kick from the ginger and pepper. I don’t know that I taste any one ingredient more than the others, they all seem to come together in such a way to provide a very solid taste without one overpowering the others. Some might seem a little lost along the way but at the same time I can’t say that this blend would be the same without any one of these ingredients.
And while there are a lot of flavors to explore here, I am really enjoying the challenge and the journey this tea offers. It is warm and energizing, just the kind of cup I want on those mornings when I need a little motivation.
I like it!
Special Savings: Now through July 22, you can save 15% off of Climber’s High Tea from The Tea Spot. Use the code climbsister in the coupon field at checkout to receive your special discount!