When I first discovered tea I had no idea what I was doing. I went to DAVIDsTEA and Teavana and bought at least 50 grams of everything that seemed remotely interesting. Though, in light of Teavana’s business practices at the time, the 50 grams I asked for of a bunch of different teas ended up weighing closer to 100 grams due to sneaky overpouring. So, I ended up with a bunch of large quantities of teas I never tried before and since I didn’t know any other methods of brewing, if I did not like them hot, I was just sort of stuck with them. Luckily, I found Steepster and swapping and was able to take those large quantities and trade them for new things, which expanded my tea knowledge extensively.
Fruit teas were especially problematic for me because almost all of them include hibiscus or rosehip which tends to drown out everything else. So while the teas smell sweet and juicy, they are essentially just tart, especially when brewed hot. My answer to this? Cold brewing. It has a tendency to tame the tart which gives the other flavors a fighting chance. Alas, this was only discovered after I had given up on so many fruit blends, this one included. That is why when I saw this in the Great Canadian Traveling Tea Box I decided to give it another try, though this time as a cold brew.
Even cold brewed though, it seems this just isn’t for me. Between the fruits and the florals, this is a rather cloying tea. The top note is orange and apple with hibby in the middle creating a divide and settling on the sweet rose base. It also has a waxy quality that sometimes comes with fruit teas which makes this whole tea seem over processed and artificial. I know Teavana tends to blend this with another tea and perhaps that helps to balance out the flavors and hide some elements that are less desirable here. As it is though, I am just not a fan.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Fruit Tea
Where to Buy: Teavana
Description
A tribute to the plentiful citrus groves along the Indian River, this bright favorite blends orange slices and pretty rose petals.
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Maharaja Chai and Samurai Chai Blend from Teavana. . . . .
If you’re anything like me, your friends and family know you love your tea– and have been gifting accordingly this Christmas. In a recent office secret santa swap, I hit the total tea jackpot– a brand new gravity (gravi-tea– heee :)) steeper for my desk at work, and a GIGANTIC tin of this chai blend from Teavana. Score!
Now, early on in my tea-drinking years, Teavana was an initial fave, but in the last few years as I’ve discovered amazing small-batch companies and other small businesses that I love to patronize, I don’t really shop at this iconic mall tea shop anymore. That being said, I know they’re a beloved staple for so many tea drinkers, so I was pumped to get to try one of their more popular blends this holiday season through the generosity of a work friend.
First things first: does this dry leaf ever have the SCENT! It is perhaps the strongest spice from dry leaf that I’ve ever had. Super present are the scents of anise and cardamom, which jump right out to me in the brewed cup as well. This is lovely with some cream, no sweetener needed (unless you like your chai syrupy). My only complaint is that this blend is SO heavy on the spice that I can’t taste any of the tea leaf in my cup– which is supposedly a blend of mate, oolong, and green rooibos. I’d love for this to taste more distinctly tea-ified rather than just being so strong on the spices, but if you’re a fan of spiced chai like I am, this one will hit all the notes of a good chai for you. And deliciously warming for the wintertime, to boot!
Nicely done on this blend, Teavana.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong/Mate blend
Where to Buy: Teavana
Description
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Vanilla Creme from Teavana. . . . A Honeybush Blend
Every August in my childhood, my family would spend a week or two at my grandparents’ cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin. My sisters and I would spend days catching sand toads, splashing in the river, hiking through pine forests, gorging ourselves on cheese curds & ice cream, and staying up way too late to stargaze and– even more importantly (to 6-year-old Mary), make s’mores.
I was obsessed with roasting the perfect marshmallow– brown and toasty on the outside, nice and gooey on the inside. Never burnt (yuck)– those got immediately relegated to my dad’s plate, undiscerning-marshmallow-eater that he was. I think I torched my marshmallows more than I got them that perfect, brown-and-toasted consistency, but it was always a celebration when I nailed it.
And this tea, simple and unassuming thought it may be, perfectly captures that roasty brown, toasted marshmallow flavor of my youth. Slightly sweet vanilla, creamy and understated with hust a touch of woodiness, it’s balanced and tasty without being overdone. With just a little milk and a touch of honey, it’s a decadent (and caffeine-free) treat worthy of any campfire.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal/Honeybush
Where to Buy: Teavana
Description
Indulge in dessert-inspired sweetness that brings out the wild honeybush and tames it into a creamy confection. The South African honeybush is grown in the wild and carries soft, clear honey tones when it’s blended with sweet vanilla beans. The result is a smooth, warm and friendly, creamy dessert tisane.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!