Since I have gotten my iced tea press it has been strictly used for fruit teas. Personally, I think those make the best iced teas and the lack of caffeine means I can have iced tea after iced tea without getting the jitters from caffeine overload. However, as I browsed my tea cupboard for the perfect tea, this caught my eye. A tea called Plum Berry is just begging to be iced and since the sample I had was the perfect serving size for the press, it felt right.
Alas, sipping on this now, it doesn’t taste right. My concern brewing a white tea in this manner is that, in theory, the french press nature of the iced tea press would squeeze out bitterness from the leaf and that also the bit of leaf left in the liquid would oversteep and add to the bitterness. In practice, this is more astringent than it is bitter. It starts off as a slight berry flavor but that devolves into an almost fermented flavor atop the astringent base. It is sweet but off.
The sample that came to me was stored in a ziploc bag and it may have been crushed a little. Hopefully that is the cause of the flavor profile this tea had, since this really did not work for me. I could taste potential but that was quickly covered up by all the nope that is present in this blend.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White Tea
Where to Buy: Sencha Tea Bar
Description
A blend of white teas combined with succulent plum and wild forest berries, Plum Berry is juicy with a deep ruby infusion that is tart, fruity, and naturally refreshing. In this complex cup, you’ll find notes of rosehips, blueberries, raspberries, schizandra, strawberries, lychee, plum, hibiscus, and jasmine.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Eggnog Poundcake from A Quarter to Tea. . . . .
This was the third tea I tried from A Quarter to Tea. I got a small sample because I wasn’t sure if I would like it. I do like a glass of eggnog during the holidays, but when it comes to the tea I was concerned it may be over spiced. I have had really good experiences with other flavored blends from A Quarter to Tea, though. However, I don’t usually go for white tea so this is different for me. I am more so into green, black, and occasionally oolong. I was really excited to try this one.
It was a little hard for me to smell this dry blend because I stored it with a bunch of other samples and to be honest, it smelled like a medley of spices and teas. I can comment on how it smelled once steeped though. The steeped liquid is light, and gives off a custard/cinnamon/nutmeg smell- which is clearly eggnog! It smelled light and tasted light. The floral white tea was a perfect backdrop for eggnog and custard flavors. This tea was smooth and custardy with a perfect balance of floral and cinnamon. The custard taste came out more when the tea cooled significantly. The spices were very light and airy and just really accented the floral white tea. I’d say this was an accurate eggnog representation and very well put together. I think samples of this are still available on their website!
Overall I have been really impressed with A Quarter to Tea, and I just placed another order with them so more review to come. Stay tuned!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
White peony with a delicious eggy vanilla custard flavor and pastry notes and classical eggnog spices.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Perfectly Pear from Sloane Tea. . . . .
Pear flavored white tea? I’m in! Today I would love to tell you about my tea time with Perfectly Pear from Sloane Tea.
Sloane stresses the white tea they use in this white loose leaf is plucked only during a few short weeks in spring and that it is a Bai Mu Dan white from the Fujian province of China, also known as “white peony”.
It pairs perfectly with the sweet Asian pear and I would agree! Their product description says it’s a mouth-watering masterpiece that is both delicate and inspiring. I, too, found Perfectly Pear from Sloane Tea to be smooth, sweet, and mouth-watering. The pear flavor is pleasant. It’s not overdone nor underdone.
This is also fantastic ICED and is a real thirst-quencher, that is for sure!
All of this is GOOD NEWS, right? Well, what is the BAD NEWS? Well, the bad news is that Perfectly Pear from Sloane Tea is currently sold out. But if you can ever get your hands on it – I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who likes pears and/or likes flavored white teas!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Sloane Fine Tea Merchants
Description
Plucked only during a few short weeks in spring, this Bai Mu Dan white from the Fujian province of China, also known as “white peony”, pairs perfectly with the sweet succulence of Asian pear. A mouth-watering masterpiece that is both delicate and inspiring.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
I’m CooCoo for White Coco Choco Chai from Nelson’s Tea
When I’m trying to cut caffeine, but still want some chai spice, I often drink nutty rooibos chais or lemony herbal chais. Depending on the blend and my mood, these alternatives can be tasty, but sometimes I find myself wanting more. White Coco Choco Chai from Nelson’s Tea is the perfect solution.
This tea has a white tea base along with the usual suspects of chai spice: cinnamon, ginger, cardamom. But it also has the addition of allspice, black pepper, coconut and chocolate chips. There’s the same heat I know and love from black tea chais, the kick of ginger and pepper, but there’s also a creaminess from the coconut and chocolate that gives decadence and body where the black tea is absent. The white tea base is light on the caffeine and astringency, making for a spice-driven cup that’s okay to drink just about any time of day.
This tea is like an x-ray, just the white bones of a chai; spice, distilled. Even in the bag, it’s lovely to look at with big cardamom clusters, allspice pods, cinnamon bark, and the white curls of coconut shavings. The tea leaves seem so few in proportion! The smell of this blend in the bag and while brewing is strong and cozy, filling my kitchen with its spicy scent. This tea has all the comfort of a delicious baked good, livened up with the zing of allspice and pepper.
I got to taste just a few cups from a small tea sample, but I will definitely be stocking up on White Coco Choco Chai from Nelson’s Tea as soon as I can!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Nelson’s Tea
Description:
Spicy chai blend in a warm and sweet white tea base with succulent chocolate and coconut. It’s dessert in a cup.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Strawberry Guava Tropical White Tea from Simpson & Vail
Strawberry Guava Tropical White Tea from Simpson & Vail. This is delightful in every way! I’m always excited to try Guava flavored things! Pair that with strawberry and you have the best of two worlds! Use that flavor duo with a delicate white tea base and you have something incredibly special.
Simpson & Vail have done it again! They have come up with a delicious white flavored tea! Ingredients include White tea, organic hibiscus, cornflower petals, marigold flowers and Guava and Natural Strawberry flavors. The white tea is delicate – like you would expect it would be. There is just a touch of hibiscus which is nicely done due to it NOT being overdone and draws the flavor all together. The guava and strawberry flavors were MADE for each other! They are sweet, juicy, and slightly puckery-tangy.
The tea base is a quality Pai Mu Tan white tea. This is fabulous hot or cold. It’s sweet enough as-is but I’m sure there are fans of this tea out there that infuse it with additional rock sugar, too! I wouldn’t change a thing about this flavored white tea. It takes me to another place…a Tropical Place…at that!
Strawberry Guava Tropical White Tea from Simpson & Vail is more than A O K in my book!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White Tea
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Description: This delicate pink cup is truly scrumptious! Our Pai Mu Tan white tea is the perfect base for the delicious guava and strawberry flavors, with their complex, fruity aroma and full flavor. Delicious hot or cold!
Ingredients: White tea, organic hibiscus, cornflower petals, marigold flowers and Guava and Natural Strawberry flavors.
Brew: 2 tsp tea in 8 oz. water (at 175°), steep for 4 minutes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!