Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Lupicia
Tea Description:
Tea flavored with white chocolate and apricot, conjuring up images of baked Christmas sweets.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I received a bagged sample of this with my Lupicia Magazine this month. You get the “magazine” which is more of a leaflet when you place an order of thirty dollars or more with Lupicia. Once you qualify for the magazine you receive it for one year. In each issue is one free bagged tea sample. I have found several new Lupicia tea favorites this way. More information on the magazine and samples here.
This tea has an okay aroma. I have to note here that I am not too fond on anything apricot flavored. I am not sure why but the flavor and aroma just turns me off. I don’t mind fresh apricots, but as a rule I have only found maybe one or two apricot flavored teas I enjoy. With that said, this tea does have that “off putting” apricot aroma. Yet there is also something else here I find pleasing. The chocolate perhaps as Lupicia does have many well flavored chocolate teas.
Upon the initial sip this tea is quite pleasing. There is a nice robust black tea base which is detectable in flavor even with the apricot and chocolate flavors. The apricot flavor in this tea does not come across as off putting as the aroma for me. That is a plus. I would also note that the white chocolate does taste like white chocolate and not that of milk or dark chocolate which gets points from me as well.
I am noticing as the tea sits a little the apricot aroma I was not enjoying has settled down and blended nicely with the chocolate aroma and that of the tea itself, no longer off putting. That is interesting.
I walked away from my tea for a few moments to let the flavors mingle on my palate and I was surprised to notice how long the flavors lingered. No bad aftertaste was detected – rather a quite pleasing one!
The mouthfeel is somewhat thick, and creamy. Close to a hot chocolate mouthfeel but not quite. I could however see younger people enjoying this tea during the holiday season because of the feel and flavor.
It is definitely a sweeter tea but does not have unnecessary sweetness and is not cloying.
Overall a nice cup. I don’t think that I am in love with this tea, and if I were not a hound for Lupicia’s collectable tins I probably would not rush to grab this one, but it is nice, and I think many of the younger people, and non tea drinkers in my family will enjoy this over the holidays. I can also see this tea being tweaked for other holiday drinks, with or without alcohol. I think this would be a good purchase regardless.
Root Beer Float from David’s Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: David’s Tea
Tea Description:
As far as we’re concerned, the root beer float is king of the soda shop. The crackle and fizz of root beer, the cool richness of vanilla ice cream – what could be better? Well, what if we brought the malt shop right to your tea shelf? With black tea, vanilla, cinnamon and white chocolate, this sweet, lightly creamy black tea blend tastes just like the classic treat. For the full experience, try it as an iced latte with lots of foam.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Steeped this tea certainly smells of Root Beer, however I am not detecting the creamy aspect of the “Float” portion of this tea. I remain hopeful that it comes across in the flavor.
Surprisingly it does!
I will confess, I am not a huge fan of David’s Tea. My Steepster friends are aware of this. For me their teas are a bit too hit and miss to purchase outside of having a sample before hand. Since there are no David’s Tea locations near me – most of my samples come from fellow Steepster’s in Trades. Thankfully I was able to get a sample of this one!
I do have a few teas from David’s Tea that I happen to love but only a few thus far. This one may be making it to that list but I will continue to sip here to find out.
You are on this discovery of decision with me as I have this cup still cooling a bit beside me. I would also have to confess that Root Beer is not necessarily a flavor that I would hunt down in a tea but it is nice to have different offerings, especially those of the more unusual or bizarre. Keeps things interesting. Regardless the aroma of this tea did not really have me all that excited.
There is something slightly off putting in the aroma itself. The flavor is alright. I absolutely get the root beer flavor, and a sweetness that tastes artificial which is not a plus in my book. I prefer unsweetened or naturally sweetened teas. Regardless the sweetener used in this tea, I could live without.
I do pick up the cinnamon which I have to say is done quite well! Its not over the top and allows the vanilla flavor to be presented. The white chocolate is subtle but does its job to add to the Root Beer flavor over all.
Its not as creamy as I would have liked it to be. Perhaps if this were simply named Root Beer it would be more pleasing, as Root Beer does have a creaminess of its own. Having “Float” in the name makes me think of ice cream obviously and I am not getting that much creaminess here to suggest that ice cream element.
Upon allowing the tea to cool more in hopes that more flavors would jump out at me I am still getting the same as before. The Root Beer flavors play a bit on the tongue for a sparse moment or two then dissipate leaving little to no after effect.
I would have to say that this is close, but not spot on for a Root Beer, let alone a Root Beer Float.
However, if you are a die hard Root Beer fanatic, I see no reason not to give this a try. That is if you desire to try all things Root Beer. I am very glad I had the chance to experience this tea.
In short: Its not awful, but its not making it to my purchase list either.
White Chocolate from sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White Tea
Where to Buy: sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Description:
Delicate White tea leaves with Raw Organic Cocoa Nibs, Organic Vanilla Bean and Rose hips make a delightful cup of tea.
This tea will make you Remember the first time you tasted white chocolate. Rich and creamy from the cocoa butter with the forward unmistakable flavor of Vanilla encasing your tongue. White tea’s delicate embrace allows the cocoa and vanilla flavors to shine by giving them a solid platform to perform on that brings them together like the perfect play.
White Chocolate loose leaf white tea is subtle yet Decadent on the palate with a taste that will keep you coming back for more. Loose leaf white tea has a much more delicate floral flavor than the more oxidized version which makes the cocoa flavor stand out. With the addition or organic vanilla to further enrich the cocoa flavor this tea is a wonderful delight.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Such a delight! I love white chocolate, my grandmother prefers white chocolate. I plan to have this tea with her! sTEAp Shoppe is one of those companies that really listens to their customers to perfect their blends, not just to their liking but to the liking of the consumer! I respect the company and the owner Janet is a true sweetheart!
I received this sample from Janet recently as she is doing her second virtual tea tasting on steepster.
She is always reaching out to us, the consumer for our opinions which is excellent! In my opinion nothing about this tea needs tweaked or changed! It is blissful, decedent, and creamy.
The tea has a full mouthfeel and is sweet but not at all cloying! The white chocolate absolutely stands out and is distinguishable as a white chocolate. All her ingredients are naturally flavored and she takes great care and time in learning about each and every ingredient she puts into her blends.
As the tea cools even more of the white chocolate flavor comes out and I imagine it would be wonderful iced! While it is excellent as a dessert tea this would also be a great tea for the younger folk in your life, a tea party, or an afternoon tea.
The rose hips provide just a slight floral note without making it come over as a floral tea.
Now this is not the most complex tea in the world but it is what it says it is – and tastes as one would expect and hope it to taste! Sometimes that is all I am wanting in a tea – a straight forward “it is what it is” flavor without the guesswork!
I needed this today! In one word: YUMMY!!
White Chocolate Spice Chai Tea from Culinary Teas
Tea Type: Chai (Black Tea Base)
Where To Buy: Culinary Teas
Product Description:
This Spiced Chai has seasonal Malabar Coast spices, the sweet caramel comes to the fore front with a sensuous Belgian White Chocolate finish. Spices include Ginger, Cardamom, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cloves and Black Pepper.
Tasters Review:
I often have word association with many teas. This is one of them. White Chocolate. I remember my mother making Regular Chocolate, White Chocolate, and Orange Chocolate around the holidays. Many of you have read about my ramblings on Orange Chocolate before and didn’t realize until a few years ago that it wasn’t very popular outside of the Buffalo area. It’s a shame because Orange Chocolate is awesome. Anyhow…back to white chocolate. White Chocolate DOES have a different taste to milk chocolate. It’s more milky, creamy, not really like a pure chocolate but certainly creamy.
I can taste the white chocolate in this tea but it’s not over the top and I can taste most if not all of the spices! It’s milky smooth but with spice! So, as I really sat down and thought about this tea it did make sense and it did fit the description…milky-smooth fit the White Chocolate to a T and the spices were in line with what you would expect from a chai! All-together this was right-up there with the delightful flavored chais I have tried! NICE!
