There is something so wonderful about knowing a product is homemade. Knowing someone has put time and energy and effort into producing a high quality item and that they want to share that item with the world… well, that’s insanely cool in my book. Maybe that’s why I can’t help but smile every time I open my container of Meegs Tea from the Tea Dude. There’s a simple sticker on the back of the tin that proudly states that the herbal blend is home produced. Don’t be fooled though. This is a rich, flavorful blend that is as good or better than many of those from the Big Name tea companies out there.
The ingredients in Meegs Tea are simple: honeybush, cinnamon, clove, star anis, fennel seed. The mixture of these ingredients is what makes this blend so special. There’s a balance that keeps all of the flavors swirling together without any one ingredient dominating the others. I usually find teas with clove to often have an almost overpowering clove flavor, but that’s not the case with Meegs Tea. Instead, I get a spicy mixture of flavors with a woody note from the honeybush that I find delightful. This blend is wonderful for these late fall days heading into the holiday season. Since there’s no caffeine in this tea is a great way to wind down while still enjoying the flavors of the season.
I will say that the fennel seed in this blend made me a bit wary. I’m not a big fan of fennel in my food because it tends to dominate any other flavors. However, like the clove and other spices, the fennel in this tea has been added with a careful hand so that it doesn’t drown out the other flavors. I actually really like the addition of fennel. It adds an interesting and tasty twist, and it makes me think of drinking a nice chai tea at an upscale spa. That might just be me though.
I’d say give Meegs Tea a try If you’re looking for an herbal tea that’s a bit different from a lot of the other teas out there. It’s great for the end of fall, great for the holidays, and it’s a great any time of day pick-me-up. Plus, you’ll be getting a lovely, high quality, homemade tea. What’s not to love about that?
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Tea Dude
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
A Perfect Tea for the Holidays! Old Fashioned Spice Cake from The NecessiTeas
With the upcoming holiday season upon us, taking a moment to reflect, relax, and enjoy those moments around us become even more important. What better way to reflect,relax, and enjoy those moments than with a lovely cuppa!
Old Fashioned Spice Cake from The NecessiTeas was a tea I was a bit wary of. Mainly because I am not a huge spiced tea fan. But, I prepped my water and set to getting myself a cuppa. So far every tea I’ve had from The NecessiTeas has made my taste buds dance. (The hand blended offerings from The NecessiTeas are simply amazing and if you haven’t tried their tea yet, do yourself a favor and pick up a blend or two. You wont’ be disappointed!) If anyone was going to make me enjoy a spiced tea, it would be them.
Right off of the bat, this tea’s dry leaves have a wonderful holiday like aroma. Almost like when you go home for the holidays and walk into the kitchen and a family member has been baking desserts all day long. My tea couldn’t steep fast enough. And remember, this is from someone who doesn’t care for most of the ingredients in this tea.
First sip, my taste buds did a happy dance. Simply delicious. Almond and cinnamon notes are the most prominent and together they provide that baked cake flavor. The ginger is very subtle and the cocoa provides that smooth lush profile. The rest of the spices give that holiday feel that you really pick up as towards the end of the sip. So many flavors. Such a gorgeous and well balanced tea.
This tea is one that you need to brew up huge tea pots full, crack open the tea cups and saucers, and enjoy with family members all around. Creating memories with loved ones is what this tea is all about!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Flavored Black Tea
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
Warm and comforting, simple and timeless, this old-fashioned spice cake is a new autumn favorite! Get cozy with the warming spices of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, and sweet bakery notes of almond cream.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Spicy Caramel Apple Cinnamon Herbal from Plum Deluxe
Living in the Midwest has spoiled me, you guys. I recently left my full-swing-of-fall homestate for a business trip to Texas, and was shocked when I stepped off the plane and was greeted with a wall of thick humidity the likes of which we hadn’t seen near the Great Lakes for months. You see, the second the first cool breeze and slightly orange-tinged leaf make their first appearances here in September, I’ve busted out my entire (vast– trust me.) collection of scarves, colorful tights, and obviously– autumnal teas 🙂
This limited 
edition autumn blend from Plum Deluxe hit all the necessary checkpoints for a perfect seasonal blend– spicy? Check. Slightly sweet? Yessir. Caramel-y smooth? Done and done. Upon first blend, my cup is evocative of an afternoon in the orchards– the apple notes are present and delightfully smooth. I will say the second steeping loses the apple for me, but the cinnamon remains, and it certai
nly can carry this tea on its own. Whether autumn is in full swing where you are, or you’re sweating it out in the sunshine and greenery, this tea is a great one to carry you through the season!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
Nothing says fall flavor better than apples and cinnamon — and we’re taking it to the next level with the addition of fresh spices and a splash of caramel, to create the perfect tea paired for enjoying freshly harvested foods, carving pumpkins, going on a walk in the fresh autumnal air, or savoring your own special fall moments.
Even better, our spiced caramel apple cinnamon tea only has a pinch of organic rooibos tea as a base, making it caffeine-free, so you can enjoy it as an after dinner treat or a lovely bedtime companion.
This is a limited-edition tea available until Dec 31st, or while supplies last.
All Plum Deluxe teas are hand-blended and infused with love in Portland, Oregon. Each 1 oz tea packet makes 15-20 cups. All organic ingredients — no sulfites, no artificial chemicals, non-GMO.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lemon-Lime Meringue Kukicha Green Tea from 52Teas (plus an experiment!)
Our Sister’s Thoughts:
Lemon-Lime Meringue Kukicha Green Tea from 52Teas. Just thinking about this tea makes your mouth water. I loved the original blend from 52Teas and honestly still have some. So I thought it was time to revisit the re-blend that was created earlier in the year.
First impressions-this tea has crisp tangy citrus notes that are crying to be a shaken iced tea. So that is exactly what I did.
I actually experimented a bit with this blend and tried cold brewing the tea a different way. I have a Grosche Smart Tea Maker and I love it. (Actually I have two!) They work really well.
So, I threw a few scoops of this blend into the tea maker, added cold water, and a few ice cubes and let the tea do its thing. At home I have very little free fridge space with having 5 boys with ranging ages in the house. So if this works, this could be a great shortcut to making cold brew tea.
Allowed the tea to cold brew for a few moments and took my first sip. Of course the tea wasn’t 100% ready but I was curious what the flavor would be like.
At 10 minutes: Brew came across as a subtle limeade. What flavors I could note where soft and gentle.
At 30 minutes: Tea was coming around. Lime flavors were stronger and there was a hint of lemon. Green Tea notes are starting to become pronounced.
At 1 hour: Lemon-Lime Green Tea at its finest! Ice cold and refreshing! The lime notes are the most prominent with a lemon citrus tang following. I can’t really pick up the kukicha green tea like I could when the tea was brewed hot but I love the rich smoothness the base tea adds to the iced tea. Absolutely delicious and refreshing.
I did try this blend brewed hot and I didn’t like it as much as I did as a cold brew. This is the way this tea should be enjoyed!
All in all, I think this experiment was a great success. This is going to be a great way to make cold brew tea while I’m at work.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description:
I was very excited when this tea won the vote for this Retro Monday, mostly because it was my first opportunity to blend with Kukicha! And after this very positive experience, I think I’ll be working with it again in the future!
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a lemon-lime meringue pie. My gramma used to make lemon meringue pies quite often, though and when I first smelled this tea, it brought me back to one of her delicious pies. The citrus is bright and I find that as I continue to sip, I pick up on more of the meringue flavors and even just a hint of buttery pastry.
The original description went like this:
This is a Kukicha green tea blended with lemon myrtle and natural flavors.
We’ve managed to capture the essence of a slice of lemon-lime meringue pie, with a light touch of pastry-like crust, lemon and lime and of course, the meringue. Those of you who have the opportunity to try this are going to be blown away by it. Don’t delay, it’s not going to last long.
This was one of my favorites from Frank’s teas and it’s especially awesome iced. I realize that it’s not quite iced tea weather just yet – depending upon where you are in the world – but you really should try some of this iced before your pouch is empty!
Taster size is approximately 1/2 ounce.
ingredients: kukicha green tea, dried lemon & lime segments, lemon grass*, lemon balm*, lemon myrtle*, lemon peel*, lime leaves, vanilla bean* and natural flavors*. *denotes organic
Learn more about this tea here.
Signature Batch No 6 from Teakoe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Teakoe
Tea Description:
Satisfy your palate with this perfectly crafted blend of estate grown teas. Our 6th batch achieved its signature status by balancing bold flavor with a smooth finish. The result… superior tasting iced tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Ever made up a huge batch of tea only to be incredibly disappointed by the results? We’ve all been there. There are a few companies out there that make more of a gourmet style iced tea bag to share with others. In the past I’ve been so excited. I’ve prepped everything up per steeping instructions and poured myself a huge glass. Take one sip and I’m disappointed in the flavors either being fake tasting or just non existent. Even over dominating sometimes. This situation sound familiar at all?
Well, not to sound like a commercial for this particular tea or tea company, but seriously look no further!! Teakoe has some of the best iced teas I have ever tasted. They are now a family favorite and have been demanded by the fiance to be a staple in our house.
Teakoe creates their iced teas in small batches with love and care. You can tell. This one in particular may just be my favorite. I brewed this up to the steeping specifications, put ice in my cup, and poured myself a glass. Took a sip and I just sat there and enjoyed. This tea is a beautifully done and well crafted black tea. On the back of the package it reads Black Tea + Artistry + Brilliance. I whole hardheartedly agree. This tea is just simply a slightly flavored black tea that is smooth, rich, and well rounded. it says there is bergamot in the tea but I honestly can’t say I tasted that. I did pick up notes of a slight citrus kick but it was ever so slight and subtle, which I’m glad. I could see this tea getting off the tracks fast and being over thought or complicated. I think that is what I like the best about this tea, the simplicity of it.
I can’t recommend this tea enough and have literally made a note on the fridge to order more soon.