Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green & White
Where to Buy: Sands of Thyme on Artfire ~0r~ Sands of Thyme on Etsy
Product Description:
Ingredients: white tea China Pai Mu Tan, green tea Darjeeling, green tea China -Fog Tea, -Lung Ching, -Jasmine, -Jasmine Jade Pearls, orange peels, flavor, lemongrass, yogurt bits, lemon bits
Taster’s Review:
This tea has a lot going on, but, it works!
The base of green and white teas alone is rather interesting, consisting of a white tea (Pai Mu Tan) and several different green teas. In the sample I received, I didn’t find any jasmine pearls, but I can definitely taste the presence of jasmine in this cup. It is a soft note of jasmine, but I like that its there.
The white tea is not very distinguishable in this cup, although, I don’t think that this tea would taste the same without the white tea. While it isn’t easy to discern specific “white tea” qualities, it is obvious that there is more than just green tea notes. The base tastes lively and smooth. There is some vegetative taste to the tea as well. There is no bitterness to this tea. A moderate amount of pucker-y astringency at the tail that works very well with the lemony flavor.
Although I didn’t notice any of the yogurt bits in the blend when I measured out the tea, I must have gotten some in there because I can taste the tangy taste of yogurt. The yogurt along with the combination of teas (and this is where I suspect the white tea plays a role) create the creamy note of this tea which is not overwhelmingly creamy, but just enough to tie in with the name of the tea. I’m not left asking “where’s the cream?” with this tea.
Overall, this is a very interesting and delightful cup of tea. It isn’t too pungent or over-the-top, nor is it too subtle with its approach. A very nice tea makes me think of spring on this cold winter’s eve!
Jingle Bells from Lupicia
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Lupicia
Product Description:
A winter holiday black tea blend with yogurt and citrus fruit flavors.
Taster’s Review:
Lupicia is one of my favorite tea companies. Why? Well, put simply, they have great teas at reasonable prices, the packages arrive astonishingly fast, and I receive a free monthly “Fresh Tea Magazine” which includes a sample of their tea of the month. (For the record, you too can receive a 1-year subscription to their Fresh Tea Magazine when you place an order of $30. or more)
Another thing that I like about Lupicia – they march to the beat of their own drummer. When other tea companies are rolling out their holiday teas comprised of spices, cranberries and pumpkin, Lupicia has their own idea of what holiday teas should be. The “Carol” tea is strawberry, vanilla and coconut. The “Joyeux Noel” is chocolate and apricot. You get the idea, right?
And this… their “Jingle Bells” tea, which is also part of their holiday collection, is black tea blended with the flavors of citrus and yogurt, giving me a creamy, delicious dessert in my teacup!
The black tea base is fairly mellow and very delicious. It has a rich, smooth character but it doesn’t attempt to protrude onto the flavors of the citrus and yogurt.
The citrus tastes mostly like orange to me. It is sweet with just enough tartness to keep it interesting without making me pucker. The yogurt gives it a creamy flavor and texture. What this tastes like to me is a creamsicle that’s been melted in a cup of Ceylon tea! Not a bad taste at all!
I like this hot, and perhaps that’s just the cold weather talking (because this time of year, I prefer just about every tea hot), but I find it to be very comforting and relaxing – which is somewhat remarkable to me since this is a black tea. A really nice tea to sip inside (roaring fire in the fireplace is optional) while it’s cold and wet (or snowy!) outside.