Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
This is a fun tea! I’m really surprised I haven’t done this yet, given the popularity of our Strawberry Zabaglione black teas, but I guess I’m doing it now. Here’s some delicious chun mee Chinese green tea blended with freeze-dried strawberries and organic flavors. If you enjoy our Strawberry Zabaglione black tea, you’re not going to want to miss the green tea version.
Learn more about this blend here.
Taster’s Review:
I really enjoyed 52Teas’ Strawberry Zabaglione Black Tea so I was fairly certain that I’d enjoy the green tea version as well. In fact, I thought I might like it even better, because the buttery notes of the green tea would add more creaminess to the custard-like notes of the zabaglione flavor, and the lighter flavor of the green tea base would allow for more of the strawberry and custard notes to shine through.
And that certainly IS the case! This is so good. The subtler profile of the green tea permits more of the juicy flavor the strawberry to come forward. The black tea version had a black tea base that was just a wee bit temperamental, and the green tea – so long as it’s brewed at a proper brewing temperature and time for a flavored green tea – is not quite as temperamental.
The strawberry tastes sweet and a little bit tart, and I feel that tingly berry note at the finish. The custard notes are smooth and creamy, and the softer flavor of the green tea not only makes the custard taste more evident, but the sweet, buttery notes of the green tea add a little something extra to those custard-y notes.
And while I do remember tasting the flavors of strawberry and custard with the black tea version, I taste MORE strawberry and custard now, but even though the flavoring tastes more intense with this adaptation, the flavors do not overpower the crisp, invigorating flavor of the green tea. It’s a more harmonious blend!
This is really good served hot, but I like it even better iced!
On The Eleventh Day of Christmas, Southern Boy Teas Edition!
My Christmas Tea countdowns are about to come to an end! Tomorrow is the last day. I’ve enjoyed trying all these new iced teas from Southern Boy Teas. Some teas I enjoyed more than others, of course, but, I had fun with this countdown!
Strawberry Zabaglione Iced Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Learn more about Southern Boy Teas here.
Taster’s Review:
Yum! At the start of this countdown, I was hoping that one of the teas featured would be this new iced tea flavor. The original Strawberry Zabaglione black tea from 52Teas is one of the very best that I’ve tried from 52Teas, so, just like with the Coconut Cream Pie Iced Tea, I had high hopes!
And this is good … although I don’t know if I can say that I like it as well as I liked the aforementioned coconut cream pie iced tea. I think that the original 52Teas version of this tea was better. Then again, it’s been a while since I’ve had that tea so I’m basing that opinion solely on my memory. It was a very memorable tea, though!
This does have a nice strawberry taste that is particularly noteworthy in the aftertaste. In the aftertaste, there is a flavor that is very much like the taste I’d experience after I’ve eaten a fresh, ripe strawberry. And this tea does have a nice creamy, custard-like flavor, although I think that this is where this iced tea pales in comparison to the original, because it had a very decadent, sweet, custard-y flavor that was so delightful. And while this tea does have a certain creaminess to it, it isn’t quite as memorable as the original version.
That said, this is still quite tasty. The black tea is brisk and invigorating. The strawberry flavor tastes delicious and true to the fruit. The custard-like notes are creamy and sweet. And it’s a very refreshing iced tea … one that I wouldn’t mind having chilling in my refrigerator on a regular basis.
Strawberry Zabaglione from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
This was a suggestion from one of our customers, and I spent an hour digging through my email folders and searching our facebook page, but I couldn’t find the original suggestion anywhere, so I couldn’t put his or her name on the blend.
Anyway, when I first got the suggestion, I realized I was going to have to MAKE some Zabaglione to try, because not only had I not tried it before, but I had never HEARD of it before. Well after trying it (for those of you who never have, I would say it is something like a custardy (flavor, not texture) whipped cream with a hint of wine. After trying it, I was not at all sure that we would be able to make a tea that hinted of the complexity of Zabaglione, but after some trial and error, we now have…
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Anyone who knows me knows of my love for Strawberry Zabaglione tea, specifically from 52Teas. The sounds that emanate from me when I sip on this succulent delight would spur interest from curious bystanders if I were in public, or at least would garner me a few odd looks. I just can’t help it. This is my secret comfort tea. I suppose its not such a secret though. Everyone knows I adore this blend. Thank goodness Frank at 52Teas has made it a part of his permanent collection and I can always count on being able to buy more!
I have never had Zabaglione before but trust me, if and when I come across a place that serves it I will order it on the spot! What I can tell you is this tea has such excellent natural ripe juicy strawberry flavor, a silky mouthfeel, flavors of creamy vanilla custard, and a slight hint at a flavor like port wine. The port wine element however is by no means pungent or cloyingly sweet.
Actually this tea allows for you to add whatever you may want because as a straight tea it is very true to its ingredients and does not try to overwhelm you with sweetness yet has just the right touch of sweetness without tasting or seeming artificial whosoever. The ingredients also do not fight with one another for the spotlight! If you like to add sugar to your tea then Strawberry Zabaglione accommodates your desires by absorbing your sweetener and boosting the already existing flavors. If you like to add cream to your teas I have found that I can add milk, soy milk, almond milk, and non-dairy creamer, my favorite being sweet cream creamer, and it adds a sinfully good thickness to the tea that will make you swoon!
With that said, one really need not add anything and this tea is sure to delight!
I also find as this tea cools more and more of the port wine flavor evolves. Still it is not trying to be a port wine, so it is not over done. I love how Frank captures so many amazing flavors in his blends without going over board!
I am so lucky that this tea is in 52Teas permanent collection!
If you love strawberry, you will love this. If you love dessert teas that make you squee with delight, this is your tea. If you love creamy flavored teas, again, try this. If you are a wine lover, especially one who enjoys a heady port, once again, this is the tea for you.
I think that is one of the things I adore so much about this tea is that it strikes so many of my own personal loves. I am sure you will find something in it to love as well.
Maple Zabaglione from Design a Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Design a Tea
About Design a Tea:
Design a Tea brings choice to the marketplace. The simple concept of offering choices is the number one difference between Design a Tea and other artisan tea blending companies. Who doesn’t like choices in life? The feeling of creating and personalizing a product you order. We want consumers that deal with us to know they are dealing with a caring company. Caring, in that we hand package each order, and we pride ourselves on customer service.
Learn more about designing your own tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Design a Tea has a free sample offer, which allows you to design your own tea flavor and try it out … free! All you pay is $1 postage. I figured I’d give it a shot. The two flavors that I created were My Pacific Northwest Blend (Apple Hazelnut Green Tea) and this one. When I tasted the Apple Hazelnut Tea, I felt that the flavors were a little more subtle than I would have liked. Something that I learned as a tea artist is that the flavors need time to “cure,” and I think that the subtle flavor had a little something to do with the fact that I tried it as soon as I received it!
With this tea, I decided to hold off on it and try it at least three weeks after I received it. Now, it’s actually closer to two months later, so I think I’m safe!
And I’m really glad I waited! This is really a tasty combination. The black tea is delicious. It has a certain boldness to it without being overpowering. It is rich and pleasant tasting.
And the flavors are good and strong this time around! I taste the maple (yum) and the zabaglione. It tastes creamy and sweet.
It was fun designing my own tea with Design a Tea, and I’m really thrilled with how this one turned out. I like it so much that I may just end up getting a full-sized package of this tea.
On the 10th Day of Christmas … from 52Teas
Wow… just 3 more sample packages left. I am going to miss this!
It’s been a lot of fun – these mystery samples, even though I’ve already tried all but one of them previously. It’s a bit like visiting an old friend.
And when I think about it, I don’t know that I could have had enjoyed this experience with any other company. Having tried so many offerings from 52Teas and having not yet found one that disappointed me, I knew that I would enjoy this package of 12 mystery teas.
So, thank you, 52Teas for being what you are! A great company dedicated to creating the most interesting tea blends possible. I wouldn’t want it any other way!
On the 10th Day of Christmas, 52Teas gave to me…
STRAWBERRY ZABAGLIONE
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Description:
This was a suggestion from one of our customers, and I spent an hour digging through my email folders and searching our facebook page, but I couldn’t find the original suggestion anywhere, so I couldn’t put his or her name on the blend.
Anyway, when I first got the suggestion, I realized I was going to have to MAKE some Zabaglione to try, because not only had I not tried it before, but I had never HEARD of it before. Well after trying it (for those of you who never have, I would say it is something like a custardy (flavor, not texture) whipped cream with a hint of wine. After trying it, I was not at all sure that we would be able to make a tea that hinted of the complexity of Zabaglione, but after some trial and error, we now have… [Strawberry Zabaglione]
Taster’s Review:
Well, today, I’m going to try to keep this short and sweet, mostly because I have an appointment this morning and time is ticking away!
I have previously reviewed this tea, and you can read that review here. This is another favorite from 52Teas. The flavor is amazing! The strawberry tastes authentic – just like a fresh, juicy strawberry! The creamy “zabaglione” tastes very custard-like (which is what I understand a zabaglione is supposed to taste like).
The black tea base is strong and supports these flavors well. Together, it is a delicious treat! Drink it in the morning to enjoy dessert at the breakfast table! Drink it in the afternoon for a delightful pick-me-up. A splash of milk will bring out the creamy tones of the custard!
Yum! I’m glad this tea was a part of this package because it definitely is one of the shining stars from 52Teas accomplishments this past year!