My introduction to Wise Ape’s Chocolate Hustle tea was a sister suggesting we brew it cold, in coconut milk… all of which I had no idea was even possible but wow, such a great idea for lazy mornings!!! This has since overturned my ugh totally “basic” hot water regimen. I was tempted this morning to liven up my bland, healthy cereal by putting it in here, but the scientist in me needed to have a control group first before I went too far down the rabbit hole testing the bounds of FLAVOR! (Cue that stoned cook from Blake Lively’s movie, Acceptance.)
Overnight the creamy liquid turned cocoa colored, though I saw no obvious powders in the sachet, a la the matcha plus tea leaves trend. It also definitely smells like chocolate but tastes more earthy with a hint of true mint. Oh, it’s a maté blend, that explains it. I bet hot brewed in milk would perk up more flavor. The sweet coconut taste seems to overpower some of the other flavors, let’s see what else is in here. Oh chicory goodness! Hmmm ashwagandha… but I didn’t dislike it like other mind boosting teas. Stevia?! That normally tastes “off” with chocolate recipes but I don’t notice that in this concoction.
I can’t say I necessarily felt Planet of the Apes wiser, but it did boost my alertness during my carb-coma 3 hour block of post-lunch Biology slide shows! I’m learning our bodies can be unpredictable, but fortunately advances in science can help us live full, worthwhile lives. Another great note: A portion of their profits is donated to the brain tumor society. I HIGHLY recommend trying this tea, and that’s not the cook from Acceptance talking again.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Yerba Maté
Where to Buy: Wise Ape
Roasted yerba mate tea with hints of chocolate and mint, blended together with natural brain boosting herbs. Designed to heighten your focus, energy, and clarity.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Chocolate Covered Banana from DAVIDs Tea. . .
One of my coworkers ordered Caramel Corn from David’s Tea and accidentally received this instead. (WHOOPS! Seems like somebody over there had a case of the Mondays.) Caffeine of any sort makes her face explode in treacherous boils of acne (she alleges; she’s perfect, so I doubt it). She got a refund. I got the tea.
The ingredients for this tea include “Banana, Blackberry Leaves, Chocolate Chip, Cocoa Bean Shells, Coconut, Currant, Green Yerba Mate, Natural Coconut Flavor, Pineapple.”
Though the tea isn’t currently available, there is a nice blog post about preparing a latté it here.
I didn’t prepare it that way. I can’t even begin to even. That sounds nice, though. If you have a tea on hand that has a similar flavor profile, please try that and report back.
The primary thing I taste in this blend is the cocoa shells, which is like slightly watery hot chocolate from a packet. There’s also a slight inkling of the freeze-dried banana/pineapple, which adds a little bit of a tartness/sassiness to the blend.
Would Elvis approve of this? I’m not sure.
This tea reminds me of one of those tropical-themed parties that happens in the winter. “We’re going to have a boardwalk treat!” the party-owner says, wearing a parrot-head hat and pretending to lean on a plastic, inflatable palm tree. The crowd is wearing leis over their sweaters. They are not sure they can handle the Jimmy Buffett/hula/reggae playlist forever. The basement they are in is not fully heated.
I’m not sure I love this mix, but if anyone ever wants to engage me in a Tea Trade, I will happily send it along!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: DAVIDs Tea
Description
This tea is not currently available but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Kiwi Strawberry Energy from Urbal Tea. . . .
This tea was deliciously sweet-tart!
Far more sweet than tart, but the little extra zip that kiwi provides was certainly present. The hibiscus can be detected in the tang as well. It was also full of lots of other herbs I didn’t taste. And some I’ve never heard of before. If you like to know what you consume, this may be a good educational opportunity for you!
The tea is advertised as an “invigorating alternative to…. caffeine”. Not being at all susceptible to caffeine, I can’t say I felt susceptible to this tea’s energy claims either. However, it certainly wasn’t a sleepy time tea, as the tartness alone is stimulating. Which brings me to another observation. The instructions are to brew the tea and serve hot. It was pleasant warm. But it was stellar as an iced tea!
I would get this tea to have on hand to make bottles of iced tea, ready to go on a hot summer day. It would be perfectly refreshing and thirst quenching on the beach or for a sunny summer picnic. I loved that the tea has a blend of actual fruit pieces, instead of relying on flavorings, and the added herbs are minimally detectable, and probably beneficial. I’ll definitely stock up on this tea for the upcoming summer!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Urbal Tea
Description
Enjoy this invigorating alternative to coffee, soda or energy drinks without any caffeine. A burst of strawberry and kiwi combined with the vitality and stimulating properties of mate, gynostemma, eleuthero and more.
Contains: Nettle leaf, Yerba Mate, Green Mate, Eleuthero, Rosemary, Ginkgo leaf, Alfalfa leaf, Gotu Kola, Gynostemma, Oatstraw, Apple pieces, Dried Strawberry and Kiwi pieces, Hibiscus, Rosehip, Natural flavors
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Hustling with Wise Ape Tea Co #performancetea
In the late mornings, Wise Ape Tea Co’s Performance Tea-Chocolate Hustle has been my jam. I always seem to get a snack craving around 9am-10am every morning. Instead of reaching for a sugary snack or chips to keep me going until lunch, I’ve been brewing up this tea and having a healthier snack like a trail mix or fresh fruit. I have to say, I’ve seen a huge increase in my energy level and I don’t feel like I’ve hit a wall.
Brewed with freshly prepped boiled water and allowed to steep for 4-5 minutes (and cooled for 2), this tea gives you all the love. Rich earthy tones mingle gorgeously with a subtle hint of minty cooling freshness. The cocoa nibs really adds another level of lush earthy richness in every sip. A wonderful perk me up style of flavor. All of the flavors play well together and are very well balanced.
Wise Ape Tea Co is one I’ve had my eye on for a while. I was incredibly intrigued by their logo and am currently eyeing their tea shirts. . . especially the shirt with their mascot doing yoga. Besides their amazing Performance Tea and their tea merch, Wise Ape Tea Co is another wonderful example of a tea company spreading the word on finding balance in your life.
“WISE APE IS MORE THAN JUST A TEA, IT’S A TRIBE OF LIKE MINDED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FOCUSED ON SELF-EVOLUTION WITH AN ALTRUISTIC ATTITUDE.”
I’m excited to see what Wise Ape Tea Co. has in store for them in the future. I would love to see more blends in their performance line. Even though this is a bagged tea, this tea is perfect for those on the go moments. I’ll be a customer for sure. Personally, I’m hoping in the future they will have loose leaf versions of their performance tea for those loose leaf fiends like myself to enjoy.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: Wise Ape Tea Co.
Description
A powerful blend of ancient adaptogenic herbs, rich cacao nibs, and pure roasted yerba mate join forces to heighten your focus, energy, and clarity. Fill your cup with a delicious elixir primed to fuel your daily hustle, without the crash.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Focus from BlendBee
Blendbee has some of the most amazing smelling teas! Focus from BlendBee is one of those teas! Upon opening the package I could smell lemon-orange-chocolate! The second sniff is when I noticed the gently roasted, savory, and floral notes. Usually I would think all of these conflicting aromas would be weird together but they seemed to fit here. I could get over the amazing aroma!
The original reason I reached for this tea today was because I was having a hard time focusing. I’m not going to make any claims or anything here BUT once I smelled this tea I know I couldn’t FOCUS on anything other that how awesome it smelled! I knew I had to take the next step, tho! I added the water and waited 3 or 4 minutes before sipping. Once the tea was infused it was harder to identify each of those ingredients with a single sniff but it still smelled YUMMY.
Focus from BlendBee ‘brewed’ dark brown and I could taste a combo of Yerba Mate, Black Tea, Lemon, and Orange, mostly. In follow up sips I could taste the chicory and it was done perfectly! It was hanging out in the background and wasn’t over powering! The rose and chocolaty notes were more on the end sip and aftertaste and were lovely, too! This is a Yerba Mate/Black Tea blend I could see myself drinking often! YUM!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Description
Sharpen your mind & stay focused.
This invigorating black tea & yerba mate blend was specifically designed for a tea lover whose favorite tea was discontinued. We recreated it for her, and to our delight, we loved this blend and decided to whole world should have it. It definitely helps you to stay focused and has a great energy. Enjoy!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
