Octavia Tea Chocolate Mint
Photo: The Octavia Tea Company Country of Origin: not listed Leaf Appearance: reddish brown, needle-like, lots of apple pieces Ingredients: rooibos, dried apple pieces, vanilla chips, chocolate, organic peppermint, natural vanilla flavor Steep time: 5 minutes Water Temperature: 212 degrees Preparation Method: ceramic teacup and mesh infuser Liquor: reddish brown I was expecting something in the realm of an Andes chocolate but the taste of this tea was rather understated. It was earthy, creamy and sweet with just a hint of chocolate. The mint came through as a cooling aftertaste. Too much mint can come off as medicinal so I was glad that they did not overdo it with the peppermint. Although they…
Brew Lab Tea Honey Bear
Country of Origin: not listed but presumably South Africa Leaf Appearance: small, reddish brown Ingredients: rooibos, vanilla, caramel Steep time: 5 minutes Water Temperature: 212 degrees Preparation Method: ceramic teacup and mesh infuser Liquor: deep reddish brown I’m not usually a fan of rooibos but every once in a while I come across a flavored one that I find really enjoyable. This blend was sweet, creamy and comforting. The base rooibos was earthy and unobtrusive, letting the other flavors really shine. Vanilla and caramel are a great pair and I love the way that they combined here. The flavoring wasn’t overdone or artificial tasting. It’s a perfect before bedtime sip because it does…
Art of Tea Tropical Mate 2QT Iced Tea Pouches
Country of Origin: not listed Leaf Appearance: mottled mix of browns and greens with bright pink hibiscus visable Ingredients: Organic Yerba Mate, Organic Green Rooibos, Organic Jasmine Green Tea, Organic Schizandra Berries, Organic Hibiscus, Organic Tulsi, Natural Flavors Steep time: 10 hours Water Temperature: room temperature Preparation Method: Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker Liquor: pinkish amber Since it’s quite hot in New Jersey these days, I’ve been cold steeping all of my iced tea and this one lent itself perfectly. +Art of Tea ‘s biodegradable infuser pouches make it super easy and hassle free. This is what I refer to as a kitchen sink tea because the ingredient list seems to have everything in…
Takeya Coconut Lime Rooibos Flash Chill Iced Tea
Country of Origin: South Africa Leaf Appearance: small, dark reddish brown Ingredients: Organic Green Rooibos, Coconut Pieces, Natural Coconut Flavor, Pineapple Cubes (Pineapple & Sugar), Lemon Myrtle, Mango Cubes (Mango & Sugar), Papaya Cubes (Papaya & Sugar), Lime Peel, Natural Lime Oil Flavor Steep time: 7 minutes Water Temperature: 200 degrees Preparation Method: Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker Liquor: dark amber The dry leaves smelled amazing and so did the steeped tea. Coconut and all of the yummy fruit flavors definitely brought the tropics to mind. The lime and lemon myrtle provided a nice bit of a citrus zing in the finish. I think that the papaya was definitely most dominant taste was I…
Art of Tea French Lemon Ginger
Country of Origin: South Africa Leaf Appearance: mottled green and red, twiggy Ingredients: Organic Lemongrass, Organic Fair Trade South African Rooibos, Organic South African Honeybush, Organic Ginger, Organic Lemon Verbena Steep time: 5 minutes Water Temperature: 205 degrees Preparation Method: ceramic teacup and mesh infuser Liquor: amber This herbal teasan was just the thing for unwinding before bed. Its citrus notes were balanced well by the earthy and woodsy tastes of rooibos and honeybush. The ginger came through as a mild spiciness in the finish. I’m not a very big fan of lemongrass or lemon verbena but they worked well here. The mouth-feel had a soft, almost creamy quality and there was not bitterness…
Drink Me Lemony Tea
Country of Origin: South Africa Leaf Appearance: small, reddish and woody Ingredients: rooibos, lemon grass, lemon flavor Steep time: 5 minutes Water Temperature: 212 degrees Preparation Method: ceramic teacup and mesh infuser Liquor: deep reddish brown Etsy seller Ashleigh Wilson recently connected with me on Twitter and offered me some samples to try. I’m not a big fan of rooibos or herbal teas but sometimes even I need something caffeine free for late night sipping. It was woodsy, earthy and sweet. The lemon flavor was strong but not overpowering. Sometimes rooibos blends make me nauseous because they are so cloyingly sweet but I’m happy that did not happen with this one. I can…
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