Spring Clean herbal

Herbal blend
Amoda Tea and BlendBee

All organic ingredients: Rose hips, licorice root, ginger, dandelion leaf, nettle, strawberry leaf, chamomile.



It's New Years Day and I'm opening my slim tea sampler again. There is frost on the little blades of wild brush outside, and a thin coat of ice on the pond. Luckily, that should be about the level of winter I'll have to see in my new place.

I'll start 2016 by trying a new tea for fresh starts: Spring Clean herbal from Amoda Tea and BlendBee. Spring Clean will be a true test, since I rarely drink these herbal heavy hitters usually: licorice and chamomile. I'm interested to see how the dandelion leaf weaves its flavor. I know dandelion is edible, but I've never taken that natural plunge. And I can't say I've tasted nettle before either. I'm hoping that the rose hips and strawberry leaf bring some sweet flavor to the earthy ingredients. Come to think of it, I have some untended rose bushes out my window. Maybe I should make a rose hip tea?



To the nose, the dry tea is ginger-forward. Chamomile and nettle follow.

Directions call for freshly boiled water at 5-10 minutes and 1 teaspoon/8 ounces. I'll go for 10 minutes and 2 teaspoons, since I participate in extreme tea drinking.



The pour is a thick lemon-like yellow. Licorice leads the taste, with a finish that is very warming with the swallow. Excuse me while I creep up on the couch with this and open my Kindle.

Since I doubled the portion, I'm going to add hot water to it now, to see if it cuts the licorice and allows the other flavors to show. Sure enough, I now taste the chamomile better. This is not a thin tisane, so a little bit will go a long way. I would now classify it as a chamomile-forward tea, with the other ingredients as supporting notes to separate it from other blends.



Spring Clean is a bright and calming tea. Hopefully I will get better sleep tonight without fireworks!

Oolong Gone

Oolong and herbal blend
Amoda Tea

All organic ingredients: Oolong, hibiscus, lemon peel, ashwagandha root, strawberry leaf, rose buds, licorice root, sweet orange extract.



Oolong Gone serves as my second review of Amoda Tea's November monthly tasting box.



The colors in Oolong Gone are so rich, I could simply put it on display. It looks like a wedding tea. The oolong leaves are a beautiful burgundy. Again, I'm impressed with Amoda Tea's (combined with BlendBee.com) choice of ingredients.

Specifically, the hibiscus. Hibiscus is tart and has a lot of personality, so I'm curious to see if it dwarfs or enhances the oolong, which is usually delicate in flavor. There's also the ashwagandha root, which looks like ginger. Ashwagandha will be a first for me. I notice citrus and hibiscus in a first smell of the tea, so I'm expecting that to lead the flavor.



I would normally never make an herbal tea in my gaiwan, but I'll make an exception for the oolong base. It calls for 4-8 minutes, which seems like a wide range to me, so I'll pick 8 minutes for the full effect. I expect a longer steep to enhance the hibiscus, though.



I'm surprised! I smell the oolong first, in a dusty sweet tone. That sweetness could be enhanced by the rose buds, but it's definitely still oolong. It's a ruby-red color that hints at pink.



The taste is strong with the red hibiscus, but it's much more sweet than tart. The directions suggest a cold brew, and I agree that would be the best way to serve this tea. It's not the straightforward oolong flavor you would expect from your gaiwan, but a fun treat I'd love to have at a garden party.

This tea was provided by Amoda Tea.

Vata (air balancing) Ayurvedic herbal tea

Herbal blend
Margaret's Fine Imports

Ingredients: Chamomile, saffron, licorice, ginger root, fennel seeds, rosebuds, spearmint, rosehips, lemongrass, tulsi (holy basil), natural orange flavor.

I can't say that I drink this tisane, but I was immediately convinced to buy it for my husband after I smelled it in the store. It smells like fresh sweet air, despite the chamomile.

I'm washing my hands of reviewing this tea since I don't like chamomile. But! I just had to show you the beautiful rosebuds.

Herbal Cold ReLeaf (#54)

Herbal tea
Prestogeorge

Ingredients: Hibiscus, rosehip, elderberry, echinacea, wintergreen.

This tea is a staple! It helps me perk up to get through the day while working off germs. It's a natural throat soother and settling on the stomach, too. The echinacea feels healing.

I won't drink it when I'm healthy because it's pretty intense! But I'll be sure to always have it on hand.

Next I'll review my favorite earl grey ever.

Dobra Tea: Matcha, Oolong bubble tea, Moroccan Mint

My ideal Super Bowl Sunday: TEA at Dobra Tea!

Let's go to Dobra Tea!

To obtain tea, one must ring a bell.

Did they hear?

Shoes have been removed.

Our neighbors have vacated.

Yes, I would like one lamp for my home please.

Matcha Kyoto! It is grassy and surreally uplifting.

A sweet mochi-type treat must be had with it to balance the flavor. Drink it after a meal. Not good for an empty stomach. Luckily, we had just gone to Ramen Bar.

*upbeat music as matcha is swirled*

The BEST bubble tea I've ever had! Oolong with rice milk! Perfectly refreshing. The tapioca pearls had the best sweetness level and texture.

For dessert: Moroccan Mint.

It seems to taste more like spearmint than peppermint. It has a thick, sweet texture. It is poured out of the teapot from a height to get the pour right. Delight.

Mint leaves.

Goodbye!

Cozy Hibiscus (#38)

Black/herbal
Gryphon's Tea

Ingredients: Organic single estate Ceylon tea (decaf), hibiscus, cassia, orange peel, clove, rose hips, star anise, mint, lavender.

Cozy, indeed! A special combination of decaf black tea, hibiscus, and lavender. Very good with honey and fresh lemon juice.

I had it with a chocolate-drizzled caramel. Christmas was a while back, but the office still has treats.

Gryphon's Tea is organic with no flavoring. See the Food Babe's explanation about the perils of flavoring here.

Remember that lavender can become bitter easily, so don't oversteep this one.

My coworker is just coming around to tea in general, and this Cozy Hibiscus won his heart today.

 
Cozy Hibiscus has the warmth of hibiscus with the familiarity of black tea. The clove makes it great for winter or any night you want to stay warm.

 

A rich red cup even though it has black tea.


I had this wonderful conversation with a Gryphon's Tea member (Gryphon's mom!) about the blend:

"The Cozy Hibiscus is one of Gryphon's blends. He tends to make complex chemistry. This is a single estate Ceylon tea with lots of hibiscus. To make it warm and tart he balances cassia, orange peel, cloves, rose hips and star anise. For the aromatics there is mint and a touch of lavender. We are glad you like it! - and it is all organic also - no flavoring."

Next time I'll show you an organic chai from California.

Lemon Zinger (#37)

Herbal tea 
www.prestogeorge.com 
$5.50/4 oz

Ingredients: Lemongrass, lemon myrtle, lemon peel, orange peel, hibiscus, rose hip, lemon balm, rose petal. 

The dry tea smells similar to an old favorite, Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger, but with the benefit of whole fruit pieces! Lemongrass leads the tea, making it zing with the hibiscus. 

I drank it while I had a cold and the hibiscus made my throat feel better by stripping away the, well, gross throat feeling.

Great for warmth at any time, sick or healthy.

Full hibiscus flowers.

I'll have a painted kitchen soon... really.

Rich color. 

Next time I'll review a different reincarnation of hibiscus.

Apple Walnut Cream Cake tea review (#27)

Herbal tea

Margaret's Fine Imports

www.pittsburghcuppa.com

$3.99/2 oz

Ingredients: Apple pieces, marshmallows (glucose/fructose syrup, sugar, water, gelatin, corn starch, natural vanilla flavoring), apple slices, walnuts, flavoring.

Happy Thanksgiving days! This tea is SO good! It's perfect for the colder end of fall.

I thought I was tired of apple tea, but this one has the word "cake"! It looks like trail mix and smells like perfume--like a surprisingly good-smelling nail polish? The huge pieces of dried apple and marshmallows are so fun! The tea is a beautiful rich yellow.

The steeped tea looks cloudy yet thin, but the flavor is sweet and full. I don't know if this is a term applied to tea, but I'm going for it: it has a really nice mouthfeel. A full-bodied mouthfeel. It's delicious!

Double the time and use really hot water for steeping, because it takes a little longer for the dried fruit to open up. 

And look! The kitchen under construction now has a windowsill.

So. Much. Fun.

The marshmallow melts away while steeping.

Don't forget to use really hot water!

Next, I'll review chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

San Luis Sunset tea review (#19)

Herbal tea
The Secret Garden Organic Herb Shop
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Secret-Garden-Organic-Herb-Shop/151202713870

Ingredients: Rosehips, hibiscus, marigold petals, dried apple, chamomile, orange, lemon myrtle, stevia leaves.

It's The 23 Teas of October! (#19)

What a darling tea! The hibiscus and orange give it a nice sweetness and the chamomile smooths it out. I don't usually like chamomile, and the chamomile is even more noticeable iced, but drinking it hot is like sitting with cats in a sunny cottage.

For all the herbs in it, it's sweeter than you'd expect. Keep it hot, though, because the flavor can become tart as it cools. Unless you like it both ways!
 

So pretty!! Huge pieces of flowers.

Health benefits!

Rich color.

Look at this! Raw Food Betsy found the outdoor/indoor Secret Garden Organic Herb Shop: http://rawfoodbetsy.com/post/23086990104/i-found-it-the-secret-garden-organic-herb-shop.

Come back tomorrow for a tea that gets better the more times it's steeped.


(Win tea! Rules here http://allteanocrumpets.blogspot.com/2014/09/tea-giveaway.html)

Do you like chamomile in tea?

Lady Hannah tea review (#18)

Herbal whole fruit tea
Margaret's Fine Imports
www.pittsburghcuppa.com
$6.99/4 oz

Ingredients: Luxury natural dried apple pieces, hibiscus, rosehip, pineapple pieces, papaya pieces, brambleberries, strawberry pieces, blackberries, raspberries, natural flavors.

It's Fruit Week during The 23 Teas of October! (#18)

According to a coworker: "I think this tea has just changed my day."

Hot, it's very bold with a nice sweetness. Definitely a statement tea. It has hibiscus which reminds me of an old favorite, Tazo Passion tea.

Iced, it isn't as enjoyable. It is too tart cold, so I mixed it with other flavors, and I wasn't completely saddened when I used it up. But, I may be revisiting it come February if I need some warm heartiness without caffeine.

Deep red pieces. Bought alongside the smooth and fruity special blend Garden of Eden, which I'll tell you about another day!

Come back Monday for an organic tea blend from California.


(Win tea! Rules here http://allteanocrumpets.blogspot.com/2014/09/tea-giveaway.html)

What do you think of hibiscus?

Last Mango in Paris tea review (#16)

Herbal fruit tea
Margaret's Fine Imports
www.pittsburghcuppa.com
$3.50/2oz

Ingredients: Mango, orange, apple, pineapple, and rosehip pieces; hibiscus petals; elderberries; natural flavors.

It's Fruit Week during The 23 Teas of October! (Tea #16)

Wow! If this tea were in an oxygen bar (do those still exist?), I'd pay to smell it. The smell itself is invigorating, bright, delicious. Huge pieces of fruit and the blend is just delightful.

It's a tea I buy multiple times because it's great iced in the afternoon, or even mixed with other fruit teas. Interestingly, it makes a pink cup. It's also very nice hot in the afternoon in the office, if for some reason you've already had too much caffeine today.

 

So many pieces!

Come back tomorrow for a prickly, red, Asian fruit.


(Win tea! Rules here http://allteanocrumpets.blogspot.com/2014/09/tea-giveaway.html) 

What's your favorite fruit tea?

Bingo Blueberry tea review

Herbal fruit tea
Margaret's Fine Imports
www.pittsburghcuppa.com
$5.99/4 oz

Ingredients: Luxury natural dried currants, blueberries, apples, raisins, hibiscus, cornflower petals, rosehip pieces, natural flavors.

It's Fruit Week during The 23 Teas of October!

The smell of this tea before steeping is incredibly potent! I rolled my windows down while driving it home because the smell was intoxicating and distracting. I took it inside, and the next morning, the car still smelled of blueberry.

The taste is great, not as in-your-face as the smell, much smoother. I don't usually like blueberry--it can be too dark or tart--but this Bingo Blueberry has other fruits that even it out. I only drank it iced because I bought it for a nice refreshing taste.

Huge pieces of florescent color!

Come back tomorrow for... French tropics?

(Win tea! Rules here http://allteanocrumpets.blogspot.com/2014/09/tea-giveaway.html)


Is blueberry too strong for tea?

Feng Shui tea review

Herbal tea
Margaret's Fine Imports
www.pittsburghcuppa.com
$3.99/2 oz
 
Ingredients: Apple pieces, dragonfruit pieces (dragonfruit, sugar), goji berries, blackberry leaves, stinging nettle leaves, carrot flakes, orange peel, wild strawberry leaves, lemon grass, eucalyptus leaves, beetroot pieces, natural bergamot flavour with other natural flavouring, natural flavouring, cornflower blossoms, marigold blossoms, pink pepper. 

It's Fruit Week during The 23 Teas of October!

You are really going to love the aroma of this tea. It is fresh, bright, and fruity. I particularly like lightness of the blackberry leaves. The colors in the dry tea itself are absolutely gorgeous! Looks like a birthday party.

Surprisingly, as it steeps, the tea starts off as a beautiful light pink color and deepens into a tropical pink. After steeping, though, a light pepperiness comes through in the taste. A good tea, but maybe too much pepper taste (and stinging nettle roughness) for me--since I wasn't expecting it. The more I drink it, thought, the more I taste the fruit.

It's also really nice to add other teas to it to soften the taste, if you like that idea. I don't usually use sugar, but this could also work with a little crystallized sugar. Maybe I'll try that next time to combat the pepperiness.

Beautiful!!

 

Bright pink!

 

Tuxedo cat does not approve.

Come back tomorrow for a very rarely used fruit in tea.

(Win tea! Rules here http://allteanocrumpets.blogspot.com/2014/09/tea-giveaway.html)


Pepperiness: worth a try, or too gross?