Namaste/Simpson and Vail -TeaEqualsBliss

Photo Credit: Simpson and Vail

I have made a vow to drink more caffeine free teas and herbal tisane offerings in the past year. I’d like to boast and brag and say that is the main reason for me sampling and reviewing Namaste from Simpson and Vail but I wouldn’t be telling you the whole truth. I have been battling some skin irritations – as well as – some aches and pains so I thought I would buff up my herbals more for that reason, too!

I won’t blab anymore about my aging and ailments. Instead, I will proceed with describing this herbal tisane. Namaste from Simpson and Vail is an offering in their Yoga or Yogi or Yogic Tea line.

Ingredients include Birch Bark, Chamomile Flowers, Jasmine Blossoms, Wild Cherry Bark, Vanilla Beans, Organic Damiana Leaf, Organic Oatstraw, Rose Petals, Honeysuckle & Lavender Blossoms.

The flavor of this tisane was pretty tasty. I was pre-judging it and shame on me. I was afraid the Jasmine and Chamomile were going to be the flavors that overpowered the others and they were not. Everything in the loose mix worked well with each other. It was calming and comforting. I’m glad I finally tried this tisane. One of these days I will learn to not wait so long to try an herbal (or at least not have to have a reason to try it).

I think I will pour myself another cup! Cheers!


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy:  Simpson and Vail

Description

Namaste is a greeting or parting phrase as well as a gesture.

In Sanskrit, Namaste means, “the light in me bows to the light in you” or “I bow to light that exists in me and you and to all that is sacred in life”. When spoken to another person, it is usually accompanied by the gesture of the hands at the heart center in prayer position and a slight bow of the head and shoulders. This can also be performed wordlessly and still carry the same beautiful intention.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Chamomile Blend Organic Fair Trade Tea/Storehouse Tea. . . .

I love to reach for a straight chamomile tisane or chamomile blend when I need to relax, so I was happy to try out this sample. The dry leaf smells like floral chamomile and mint.

The brewed tea smells of apple-like chamomile (losing some of that floral quality but gaining sweetness) and a touch of mint. The flavor itself is a solid chamomile tea that’s on the naturally sweeter side, though I’m not getting much of the “blend” part of it except for some gentle mint in the aftertaste.

Looking at the ingredients, there’s also lemon myrtle, lemongrass, and lavender in here, but I’d be lying if I said that I tasted any of that. I’m not missing it either, though. This hits the spot as a relaxing chamomile-forward tisane, which is exactly what I wanted it to be.

Score!


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy:  Storehouse Tea

Description

Organic Chamomile with lemon myrtle, spearmint and lavender is a sweet, tranquil, 100% Organic, caffeine-free tea. Perfect for countering PMS, easing stress, relieving headaches or enhancing a peaceful night’s sleep.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Tulsi Orange Cranberry Ginger Organic Tea from Simpson and Vail

tulsiorgcrangingerTea Information:

Leaf Type: Herbal

Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail

Tea Description:

This Tulsi tea blend is caffeine-free and combines herbs that have vitamins and anti-oxidants. This organic herbal blend of Tulsi, orange peel, hibiscus, rosehips and ginger root brews to a reddish amber cup with a mellow minty, fruity taste and light, sweet ginger notes. A well rounded brew that’s great for afternoon or evening enjoyment.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I have been on a herbal kick as of late and loving it.  Herbals are something that I think you either love or hate depending on the ingredients.  I know chamomile and hibiscus blends are sometimes referred to as vile, but I love them.  About the only tea I don’t care for is red rooibos blends, but beyond that I’ll try anything.

Work has been nuts lately and I wanted something to be refreshing yet soothing so I grabbed my sample of this Tulsi blend from Simpson & Vail.  I was crazy impressed with their Cozy Comfort blend that I tried the other day (tasted like monkey bread!) I had high expectations but once I took in the fragrance from the dry leaf mix, I had my hesitations. The ginger smelled like it was going to be strong.

Brewed this up in my Sei Sei Tumbler and allowed it to steep for about 5 minutes in boiling water.  Poured the brew into my cuppa and sat down to go over what I needed to to for the day.  As I took my first sip, I literally thought, nope, I will not be reviewing what I need to do today.  I am going to sit right here with my feet propped up on my desk and enjoy my tea. And that is exactly what I did!

This tea hit the spot in so many ways.  I wanted a soothing blend that touched the soul, so to speak.  Once that would refresh and calm me but also be vibrant enough to deliver that kick I would need to keep going.  This tea did all of that. No, I’m not going to say it will cure what will ail you, but in that moment of time, this tea delivered everything I needed.

What I loved the most was the citrus flavor that had a tart twist at the end of the sip with the ginger floating in and out.  The ginger wasn’t overwhelming like I was worried about and actually became the flavor I was seeking each sip I took.  Which is very surprising to me.  I am not a huge ginger fan.  This tea had such a cozy charming feel to it with the tart and sweet contrast that I found myself wanting more of this tea right after the cuppa was gone.  I ended up drinking this tea for the remainder of the day, letting the flavors really give me that cozy feeling I was wanting with that kick I desperately needed.

Tea #2 that I have tried from Simpson & Vail and another tea I am adoring!