Organic Keemun Congou from Two Leaves and a Bud

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Two Leaves and a Bud

Product Description:

Keemun Congou tea is a crisp black tea with a slight smoky character it is often used as one of the main base teas for English breakfast tea. Our organic Keemun Congou has a thick reddish brew and clean finish with a smooth sweetness.

Taster’s Review:

How about a cup of pure deliciousness?

There is something that is just so rewarding about a cup of Keemun tea.  It is so rich and flavorful.  And this Organic Keemun from Two Leaves and a Bud is top notch!

The cup possesses a delicious malty note that rivals some of the best Assam teas I’ve tasted.  There is also an intriguing note of smoke – not a strong one – but enough to give it a certain depth and character.

The tea tastes biscuit-y and smooth – a very well-rounded cup with an irresistible “chewiness” to it that keeps me sipping.  There are notes of savory cocoa in there too, as well as a delightful undertone of sweetness to this cup that tastes a bit like molasses to me!

The aroma of the brewed tea is worth experiencing too, so I do recommend inhaling the fragrance of the tea before you take a sip.  It has such a rich, inviting scent!

This is a tea that I could drink every day, and at just $8.75 per 3 ounces, it is certainly an affordable luxury!  This tea has the gusto to get me going even on one of those sluggish days when I’d rather stay in bed, curled up under the covers.  This tea warms me up and gets me ready to face the day!

I love it!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Black Tea

Organic Darjeeling from Two Leaves and a Bud

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Two Leaves & a Bud

Product Description:

Strong but sensitive – we like that in a tea. These organic, golden orange pekoe tea leaves are grown on the rolling hills of Darjeeling, India. This rich drink evokes the quality tea from India, and we think its subtle astringency pairs perfectly with dessert.

Taster’s Review:

I’ve said it before:  I love Darjeeling tea.  It has such a lovely elegance to it that is reflected in its color, its aroma, and its flavor.

This Organic Darjeeling from Two Leaves and a Bud is a delightful Darjeeling – with a clean, almost crystal-like flavor that seems to sparkle on the tongue.  Is it any wonder why Darjeeling is often called the “Champagne” of tea?

The flavor has a lovely floral background and a somewhat woodsy tone to it.  It is slightly musky and has a clean fruit note that offers a slight sweetness to it.  The astringency is not overwhelming, but does leave the palate feeling slightly dry and clean … and ready for another sip!  This is a tea that I could probably drink all day long!

Having previously reviewed this tea, I can’t say that my opinion has changed much since that first tasting.  This is one of the finest Darjeeling teas I’ve encountered and it is offered in the convenience of Two Leaves and a Bud’s beautiful, silky tea sachets.

And, yes, I have many times stated that loose leaf is better than tea sachets.  That being said, I have never been disappointed by a tea from Two Leaves and a Bud!  They seem to be the exception to the rule!  The teas from this company are always top-notch – regardless of the sachet!

I really like this Darjeeling from Two Leaves & a Bud, and in a way, it sort of epitomizes what Two Leaves and a Bud is about for me.   High quality, delicious tea.

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Black Tea, Darjeeling

Better Morning Blend from Two Leaves and a Bud

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy:  Two Leaves and a Bud

Company Description:

It’s time to pry your eyelids open again – try doing it with an energizing combination of lemongrass and peppermint, while a citrus aroma perks up your nose. Stinging nettle and rose hips give this herbal tea a great taste. If you decide you’re a morning person, it’ll be our little secret.

Taster’s Review:

As I mentioned on Steepster, I had my doubts about this tea before brewing it.  I couldn’t imagine that an herbal tea would make a good “morning” blend.  Night-time, sure!  Even late afternoon.  But morning?  Yeah, I had my doubts.

But, I am doubting this one no more!  While it is caffeine-free, it is very invigorating!  The lemongrass is light and citrusy – offering hints of lemon and lime.  The peppermint tastes crisp and clean, but is not overwhelming.

Overall, the blend is very well-balanced.  No one ingredient overpowers the others, each seems to work in synergy with each other to provide an excellent, naturally caffeine free way to start the day.

This would make an excellent morning tisane for those who need to reduce their caffeine intake – or really, anyone who is just looking for a lighter tasting morning tea.  It has a very bright and vibrant quality that may just make you forget that you need caffeine to start the day.

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Fruit/Herbal Tisane

Organic Better Rest Blend from Two Leaves and a Bud

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy:  Two Leaves and a Bud

Company Description:

If the sandman has passed you by, try this relaxing blend of chamomile, peppermint, hops and valerian. Lemon balm and rose hips make this herbal tea a soothing and healthy part of your bedtime ritual. Sip, sip, saw logs!

  • Finish: Slightly Sweet
  • Caffeine: NONE   Light   Moderate
  • Top note: Honey
  • Middle Note: Smooth

    • Taster’s Review:

    As I reviewed the ingredients for this tea (Lemongrass, peppermint, chamomile, orange peel, lemon balm, fennel, ginger, rose hips, anise, valerian, and hops), a couple of things stood out to me.

    First of all, this blend contains hops, and this is the first time that I’ve noticed hops being part of a tea blend – other than my own Meadow Nocturne blend (which is no longer available).   Hops is an herb that can be used to help one relax, and it is also useful in aiding digestion.  There are probably other teas out there that use hops, I just am not familiar with them.

    The second thing I noticed is that this is not only a blend that is useful in encouraging a good night’s rest, but can also be quite useful in helping soothe an upset stomach.  Not only are hops useful in this area, but peppermint and ginger are also good for digestive issues.  This would make an excellent bedtime tea for someone who might have acid reflux!

    Finally, I noticed that the blend contains fennel and anise – two of my favorite herbs.  I love the licorice-y taste of these herbs, and I like how the licorice flavor comes out in this blend.  It isn’t a strong, dominate presence, but, it is just enough to give this tea a deliciously different taste from the other “bedtime” herbal teas.

    And this IS a deliciously different bedtime herbal blend.  There is no one flavor or herb that seems to stand out above the others.  All seem to work in delightful synergy to create a very smooth, lightly sweet tasting cup that offers a sense of tranquility for not only the mind but also the body.

    I can taste gentle notes of peppermint, ginger, citrus, and licorice.  All of these flavors are tied together with a sweet, honey essence.  It is not an overly sweet flavor – it is itself rather calm and gentle, but because of the honey note, it doesn’t need sweetener – a nice bonus!  This is truly an EXCELLENT bedtime blend.

    Be sure to stop by the all-new website for Two Leaves and a Bud.  Just like this blend – it’s positively lovely!

    liberteas

    Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

    This post was posted in Fruit/Herbal Tisane

    Organic Tamayokucha from Two Leaves and a Bud

    by liberteas

    Tea Information:

    Leaf Type:  Green

    Where to Buy:  Two Leaves and a Bud

    Company Description:

    There’s a reason this is our best selling green tea – it has a sweet, light flavor you want in a cuppa’ green tea, without being bitter. How do we do it? These whole tea leaves are gently steamed as they dry. Tamayokucha has a beautiful green hue you’ll enjoy seeing in your cup as much as savoring on your tongue.

    • Caffeine: None   LIGHT   Moderate
    • Top note: Smooth
    • Middle Note: Rich but light
    • Finish: Complex texture

    Taster’s Review:

    I recently received a newsletter from Two Leaves and a Bud, and this tea was named their “Steep of the Month.”  So, in honor of that, I decided to steep myself a cup of this beautiful tea!

    I love the color of the brewed liquor.  It is the palest hue of chartreuse!  The aroma wafting up from my teacup is very light, and smells a little bit like earth and grass after the rain.

    Having reviewed this tea previously, I don’t know that there is much more I can say about how good this tea really is.  And it is!  It is remarkably light, but yet has a full, well-rounded flavor.  There is no bitterness to the taste, just a sweet, slightly nutty flavor, with an agreeable vegetative quality to the cup.  A very pleasing buttery characteristic washes over the palate as I sip.

    I just love revisiting teas like this one.  Truly a pleasure!

    liberteas

    Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

    This post was posted in Green Tea