I’ve had this little packet of savory, broth-esque tea sitting on my desk at work for MONTHS, friends. Months, just waiting, with the knowledge that someday, I’d be feeling under the weather, and someday, this is exactly what I’d want.
Well– it came. I’m coughing and sneezy and feeling generally woozy, but good enough (and not-contagious enough) to be at work. As soon as I sat down at my desk, I knew I’d be brewing up a cuppa this beauty for a little mid-morning pick-me-up. I’ve tried a few Millie’s savory teas before, and have always been impressed by the amount of flavor in those tiny tea bags. This play on pho was no exception!
My tea brewed up dark and deliciously, with tons of incredible umami flavor, almost like I was slurping down a delicious cup of pho at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant. And those sniffles? Maybe they’re not completely eradicated, but the hot water was soothing on my throat, and I swear my sinuses opened up some. When it’s not feasible to drink a cup of soup during your morning meeting on a sick-y day, THIS is where it’s at.
My desk stash is now sadly depleted of any Millie’s flavors, but I’ll absolutely be stocking up for future icky-sicky days. Delight-pho, indeed!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Millie’s Savory Teas
Description
This Delight Pho is a hearty blend of onions, basil, spicy red peppers, spices & decaf green tea. Steep one broth bag in 6 to 8 ounces of hot water for two minutes. Winner Fancy Food Show Outstanding Hot Beverage of the Year.
INGREDIENTS VEGETABLE BLEND (CARROTS, CELERY, ONION, TOMATO, SPINACH, BELL PEPPER), YEAST EXTRACT, SEA SALT, RICE HULL FIBER, BASIL, GARLIC, LIME, DECAF GREEN TEA, VINEGAR
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Cucumber Melon/Culinary Teas. . . . .
Fellow sisters of the 90s, two words: cucumber. melon. Now, if you’re anything like me, you were just insta-transported to your bathroom cabinet stocked with matching body lotions, shower gels, and body sprays all smelling identically of summery melon cucumber goodness. And gosh darn it if this tea isn’t a dead ringer for that super-nostalgic scent. Full green tea leaves are perfectly paired with big slices of dehydrated cucumber pieces of this dry leaf, brewing up to a light and fresh, golden-y green. If you like your teas a little more savory, as-is leaves a perfectly fresh and delightful drink that is reminiscent of spa water, with more of an emphasis on the cucumber than the melon. With just a splash of lemonade, the melon is beautifully highlighted– and friends, this is like Bath & Body Works in a cup. It’s fresh and fruity and cucumber-y, with perfectly light and sweet honeydew melon undertones.
Who would I recommend this tea for? Frankly, if at any point you’ve had: a Lisa Frank binder, kept all your nail polish in a caboodle, or have squealed your way through a Bath & Body Works 75% off sale at least once in your life, add this one to your cart for summertime sipping. You won’t be disappointed!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Culinary Teas
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Grapefruit Ginger Granita from A Quarter To Tea. . . .
It’s confession time again, tea-friends. I love iced tea. I ADORE it. It’s pretty much 95% of what I brew as soon as temps creep past the 60s all the way through the first frost in the fall. But while I’ll happily sip my oolongs, greens and herbals (even white teas!) plain and pure, I usually need a little something extra in my black iced tea to jazz it up. And *usually* this is either a squeeze of citrus fruit, or a dash of lemonade.
Now, don’t get me wrong– there is nothing negative about a delicious Arnold-Palmer-style tea. But I’d like to be able to sip a black tea straight from time to time, as I hold some silly tea-purist-standard up in my mind. Not many teas make that possible, but oh, this one makes up for them all. This bright Ceylon black is fresh and vibrant, and the ginger and grapefruit notes literally sing– this blend is fresh, fruity, with a hint of warm and spice from the ginger that translates surprisingly well to the iced cup. There’s something almost fizzy (I think it’s that ginger again) in this brew that is so incredibly refreshing.
For those of you whose iced tea habits have lent themselves more towards the kiddie-cocktail-side (ahem, moi) in the past, give this one a shot with no added goodies. It’ll made an un-sullied iced tea convert out of you yet!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
This blend is sold out but click below for more information about this and other A Quarter To Tea Blends
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
French Breakfast from Fava Tea. . .
Picture this: you’re sitting on the banks of the Seine, sipping a hot beverage and eating a buttery, flaky croissant. Gentle French music is playing in the background (from where? who knows!) and cute dudes in berets are slowly strolling past. Oh, and the world is also lightly sepia-toned and everything is in bloom, 24/7, 365.
This is what I picture breakfast in France to be like, friends. SO REALISTIC, I know.
Now, though my delusions are certainly of grandeur, this tea certainly isn’t very far off. Gently maple-y with subtle pastry notes and a beautiful sprinkling of cornflowers, this tea is hearty and bold while still being the tiniest bit floral and unassuming. Kind of like what I picture the French to be, in my most stereotype-y imagination. This brew is a nice counterbalance to its heartier European friends, English and Irish Breakfast respectively. And while I generally find teas from Fava to be a bit on the weaker side (unfortunately– I want to love this local-to-me company, but much of their offerings leave something to be desired), this brew is a bit stronger than others of theirs I’ve tried, and thus, it made it an easy choice to reach for in my morning-sip-down.
Now, if anyone wants to fund my ACTUAL, hypothetical trip to Paris, I’ll be over here in my daydreaming, sipping away.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Fava Tea
Description
A superior blend of vanilla, and sweet, smooth black tea. This blend is accompanied by tiny bits of pineapple and cherry to add a distinct flavorful sweetness and burst of character! An excellent choice anytime of the day that takes cream and sweetener well. French Breakfast Superior has been described as a cup of relaxation in a world of chaos. We hope you enjoy as much as we all do.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Peach Oolong from Adagio Teas. . . .
Back in the depths of winter, this cute perfectly-sized giant iced tea bag found its way into my samples box. I opened it up, gave it a sniff, sighed longingly for warmer temps.
This fun, quart-sized sachet is perfect for brewing up a big ol’ mason jar filled with tea. I deployed my favorite cold-brew method and let this one do its thing in the fridge overnight (or more realistically, a few nights, since I usually forget what I have brewin’) and it was the perfect, golden liquor after about a day. The brew is mildly peachy and fairly hearty for an oolong– it’s almost reminiscent of an iced black tea in that regard, but a little bit less robust. This would be the perfect base for a slightly unconventional Arnold Palmer-style bev, and is absolutely made for sunny sipping.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Full-leaf tea in pouches that make iced tea easy and delicious. Simply place overnight in a pitcher of water. Awake to find a tea rich in flavor and aroma, at a price that’s a fraction of the supermarket-bought teas. For quicker preparation, steep in hot water for five minutes and add ice. Contains oolong tea from Taiwan with the summer flavor of perfectly ripened fruit. Be a peach and try this tea. Makes 40 ounces.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!