I think that of all the new teas I have in my “to review” box, I was most excited about this one. I am not a coffee drinker but I was so excited about the white tea, the raspberry, and the almond, that I was willing to compromise on that last flavor note of its title!
I need not have have worried, though. There is really no coffee flavor in this. The roasty flavor is coming from houjicha, a Japanese green tea that is roasted in ceramic vessels until the leaves change from green to brown or reddish brown, taking out any grassy or sour taste and replacing it with a dark, roasty goodness that is lower in caffeine than the starting product.
The first aroma when I sniff the dry leaves is ALMOND, and it is such a boozy scent that I felt it was full-on amaretto. Next is the fruit, then finally the very lightest hint of roasted leaves that makes up the coffee-like component here.
In the cup, again almond dominates, which is okay by me because I love the stuff. It is mixed with the sweet and summery raspberry flavor, and at first I think there is no coffee flavor or even roasted flavor at all. The more I drink and the longer I drink, the houjicha flavor builds and lingers, mixing beautifully with the sweet and boozy almond flavor.
I even tried this one cold and unsweetened, and guess what? It is still awesome, and I think if you are after the coffee (or houjicha) flavor, you will love it as an iced tea because I feel that the houjicha comes forward just a bit more than when it is served hot.
Another winner in my book from A Quarter To Tea!
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Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
This tea is sold out but click below to learn more about this blend and others!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Co-Coconut Almond/A Quarter To Tea. . . .
Co-Coconut Almond is a tea by A Quarter to Tea that was featured in the monthly subscription box. It is comprised of black tea, coconut flakes, raw almonds, cocoa nibs/shells, and mini sprinkles.
Steeping the tea using the recommended steeping parameters, I brewed it up as a latte and topped it with coconut whipped cream. Since the whipped cream was being rather uncooperative, I ended up with a fair bit more whipped cream than I wanted, though thankfully it complimented the tea quite nicely contributing a deliciously sweet and creamy coconut.
As for the tea itself, the main flavor for me is the almond which is smooth throughout the sip and then really pops at the end. I don’t usually love almond in tea as it tends to come off like marzipan as opposed to the actual nut. This tea does get a bit of a marzipan quality to it at the end of this sip when there is a pop of flavor but until that point, it is much more true to the nut itself and it blends nicely with the creamy coconut of the tea, another strong flavor. What I don’t get at all is the chocolate.
This tea did make for a nice latte and I think those who enjoy marzipan would love this, especially if they are coconut fans as well. As someone who doesn’t love marzipan, this was not my favorite but it was still quite nice.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
This blend was part of the monthly tea subscription box. Click below to learn more!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Raspberry Almond Coffee from A Quarter To Tea. . . .
Tart berries combine with sweetness, nuts, and a bit of Slytherin darkness to form this really well-balanced tea. It’s like a date with a mysterious, complex woman.
I’m surprised it’s white tea, actually, because there’s so much flavor flying out of it. White tea is the new Hip Thing To Drink. It’s usually pretty delicate, which makes the punch of this surprising.
What makes white tea white tea? LET ME TELL YOU, KIDS. GATHER ROUND. BRING YOUR BLANKET.
White tea is called white tea because of its color. It is tea leaves plucked very early in the tea’s life, before it unfurls and turns a rich green (green tea). The tea is also not oxidized, which is a process that darkens the leaf (black tea). The leaf, aside from its natural paleness, also still has its white fuzz. These factors combine for a really light, delicate flavor.
Usually. Not here.
This tea is basically the romantic interest in a film noir. She’s pale, dramatic, and has a few tricks up her sleeve.
This tea isn’t currently available, but if you contact A Quarter To Tea, they will often make custom orders of 4oz or more.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Roasty and warming with sweet almonds and a bright fruity finish.
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!
Lychee Daisy/A Quarter To Tea. . . . Sip Down!
Sip Downs. . . They always make me feel like I’m being productive with my tea stash. It seems like all of a sudden I turn around and my tea has doubled in size. For some time now I’ve been on a buying hiatus but it seems like my stash just doesn’t seem to be dwindling. I have a lot of really great teas in my stash but I just haven’t been paying much attention to them unfortunately. Something I’m about to change.
So today, I said goodbye to one of my all time favorite A Quarter To Tea blends. . .Lychee Daisy!
Lychee Daisy is a vibrant green tea blend that gives you all the candied floral feels you could ask for. . . and then a bit more. This green tea blend is sweet with a romantic floral tone that really doesn’t steer you wrong. Brewed up as a hot tea or a cold brew, the flavor always stays on point and never lets you down.
The tea starts off with this touch of astringency from the green tea and the sweet kick from the sprinkles. Then as the sip develops, you get more of the floral flavors taking over (from the jasmine buds and rosebuds) which translates marvelously into a candied floral finish.
What really elevated the tea was taking a touch of a sparkling flavored peach water and topping my cold brew off. Really delicious, refreshing, and the perfect way to welcome in the spring like weather we currently have coming in.
For me being a green tea and floral fan, this tea is where its all about. Simple yet oh so lovely and tasty. I’m sad that I’m savoring the last little bits of this tea. I will be sad to see it go but A Quarter To Tea always has fun and unique blends to try. Once I’ve drank down more of my stash, I’ll be placing a good size order to see what new blends A Quarter To Tea has made lately.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below to learn more about A Quarter To Tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!