I am a grapefruit nut so whenever I see teas that I have grapefruit flavorings I have to try them out. This one had a lovely mix of oolong and green teas with a citrus twist. It was an instant, I have to try this reaction!
Since this is a green/oolong/mate blend, I went ahead and used normal oolong steeping parameters and was careful to only allow the tea to steep for about 3 minutes. I loved looking at this tea. Gorgeous pops of color on a base of greens and darker leaves. Just lovely.
Once I started drinking this tea I couldn’t stop. I thought this tea would be a soft gentle mix of citrus and lush buttery smooth notes but instead I was greeted with a somewhat smokey base with a citrus tang. Completely different and unique. I can’t say that I’ve had a smoky citrus tea like this before. The grapefruit fit the blend perfectly. I loved that flavor mixed with the base. A nice change of pace to be honest. I haven’t had a smoky tea in a long time!
After spending more time with this tea, every now and again I would get a sweetness from the floral notes. I almost wish those were a bit stronger, but I’m still enjoying what I have. I can’t say this tea is one I would grab for all the time but I love the change of pace this tea has going for it. Definitely one to keep around for a bit and play around with. You have to love a unique base of green/oolong/mate tea with grapefruit loving!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type:
Where to Buy: Dave and Solomons Tea
Description
This beautiful blend of green and black tea is infused with delicate hints of grapefruit. A true delight for the eyes as well as the palate. Try iced!
Organic Green, Oolong & Mate Tea, Orange & Lemon Peel, Marigold & Cornflower Petals, Rose Petals & Grapefruit Essence
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Tea Steeper from Dave and Solomons Tea
One of the ever going battles with loose leaf tea drinkers is how to drink their tea on the go. There are so many options out there now that it is sometimes hard to pick just one. I have a few in my collection and I love them all for different reasons.
This particular tea steeper from Dave and Solomons Tea is unique. Here is why. Most of the steepers that are portable that I own are glass. This particular one is plastic. I’m not going to lie, I really like that. I know. I know. Glass is how tea should technically be drank but there is something comforting to the fact that one slight move won’t break my steeper and I’m left with a mess on my hands.
So this tea steeper works similar to a lot of the different options. Scoop your tea into the bottle, fill with water, screw on the lid and you are good to go. This steeper works great for both cold brewed and hot brewed tea. The bottle does get a bit hot so if you have a cozy for the bottle, I’d recommend it. I have a few I picked up on Etsy and I’ve even made myself a few (with my mom’s guidance of course!)
I have found that even though this tea steeper has a lovely fine mesh strainer at the top that you screw on, fine pieces of tea and inclusions do find there way out. Not a huge deal. Something that is totally normal for most steepers. I have yet to find one that strains every single stray tea out. Nothing that I would say would detour me from continuing to use this steeper at all.
All in all, a great alternative to the steepers out there. I do find that I love this one for cold brewing more than hot brewing but I’ve used the tea ware for both. Easy to clean, easy to use, just an all around easy option. I find myself reaching for this one and another steeper more than the others I’ve had in my collection for years. But really, you can never have too many pieces of tea ware in your collection!
Here’s the scoop!
Tea Ware: Tea Steeper
Where to Buy: Dave and Solomons Tea
Description:
100% BPA Free Tea Traveler 13 oz
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Blackberry Love from Dave and Solomons Tea
Green Rooibos and I have a completely different relationship than red rooibos and I. Green Rooibos is bursting with sweet honey tones where as (to me) red rooibos has a distinct unique flavor that has a medicinal quality to it. So when Blackberry Love arrived at my door, I was crazy excited. This blend had my beloved green rooibos in it along with gorgeous chunks of berries, orange peel, what looks like different kinds of flower blossoms. Unfortunately this blend is no longer on the site, but one that I hope comes back on the site.
First whiff of this freshly steeped gorgeous orange brew makes me happy. You instantly are greeted with a lovely blueberry/blackberry aroma with a sweet honey kick. I couldn’t stop smelling my cuppa.
Blackberry Love from Solomons Tea is appropriately named! This tea steeps up to become a gorgeous cuppa of sunshine. Bright bursting berry notes with a honey and slightly floral touch. I love the combination of the berries and green rooibos. The tea is light and yet very refreshing! Perfect for a sweet tooth craving during the day or to finish the day off with a relaxing cuppa.
I think with the reaming mix I have left, I’m going to have to try as a cold brew. I bet those blackberries and honey notes really soar and pop with a good solid cold brewed overnight. Can’t wait to experiment more with this blend!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal/Green Rooibos
Where to Buy: Dave and Solomons Tea
Description:
This blend is no longer available on the site but check out what they do have to offer below.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Jamaica from DaveandSolomonsTea (An Etsy Store)
CuppaGeek’s Review:
Hibiscus blends are ones that tea enthusiasts either love or hate. The hibiscus can make the most wonderful tea tart and overwhelm or it can heighten the flavors of the tea and take the blend to the next level.
And that is exactly what hibiscus does in this amazing herbal blend from DaveandSolomonsTea, an Etsy store. Packed full of gorgeous jasmine flowers and rose petals, the picture really doesn’t do this blend justice. And yes, those gorgeous floral components are on a bed of hibiscus but stick with me on this one.
Since these are our last days of summer, I wanted to cold brew this tea to really develop the flavors. So I grabbed my travel tumbler, scooped a bit of the blend into the steeper and added ice and cold water. Allowed the tea to steep for a bit (30 minutes or so), and poured the tea over fresh ice. The color of the brew was a gorgeous pink-purple color with hints of peach. Really gorgeous to look at. But again, the color says “Hibiscus Alert!”. . . .keep sticking me with my friends. . .
First sip in and you are greeted with a lovely sweet floral profile with a tang of citrus. Notice I didn’t mention tartness yet? That is because this tea isn’t tart! With the amount of gorgeous flower buds and petals in this tea, the sweet floral notes control the tartness and bring it to what I would consider is a tang. I don’t pick up any resounding notes of hibiscus. Maybe subtle reminders here and there.
The star of this tea is the amazing sweet floral flavor that you get. I can’t stop drinking this tea-well balanced and full of flavor! My tea tumbler has a continuous supply of cold water poured into it so I can keep enjoying this tea. Fresh, crisp, sweet, refreshing and good for the soul, you can’t get a better cold brew experience.
Eventually I’ll have to try some of this blend brewed hot, but I’m crazy with what I’ve having now.
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: DaveandSolomonsTea
Tea Description:
Absolutely Delish!!! A Blend of Lemongrass, Hibiscus, Rose Petals and natural flavors…. Not only is this loose tea beautiful & fragrant…it’s delicious!
Enjoy Hot or Iced!!!
Learn even more about this tea here.