Before I get started on this tea, I have to make a quick note: Fava Tea has REALLY GREAT customer service. I ordered a bunch of samples, and later received a SEPARATE HANDWRITTEN NOTE thanking me for my order and asking me if I had any questions.
I cannot recall that EVER happening to me in my LIFE.
So already: soft spot in the heart.
This blend, called Dasher’s Delight, doesn’t really have any Christmas-related inclusions, so I’m not sure why it’s branded in such a way. They could easily market this one as “nutty sugar cookie” year-round. In addition to green tea, this blend includes caramel, hazelnut brittle, almonds, and walnuts.
I like this one as an afternoon mellow-out tea. I don’t think it has the punch for a morning brew, but it’s perfect for that 3pm slump when you’re cranky and you want five candy bars and a soda the side of your head. This gives you some sweet and some caffeine without all the catastrophic health drawbacks of my lesser vices. I wish there was a little MORE to it, even in the afternoon, but it’s still a sweet brew that’s worth a try!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Fava Tea Company
Description
This seasonal tea is a delightful artisan blend of caramel, hazelnut brittle, almonds, and walnuts! Delicious warm-up for the cold winter months!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lavender Sunrise/Fava Tea Company via Sips By Box. . . .
Green teas are some of my favorite warm-weather teas. Here in Texas, we’re sort of bouncing between 20°F and 80°F and the weather can’t make up its mind. (We actually hit low 90s in late February, followed by a week of rainy 40s, then freezing weather.) Despite the fact that it’s already starting to feel like summer on some days, I still like my tea scorching hot. (But I’ve included a recipe for those that enjoy sitting out on the porch with a refreshing glass of iced tea!)
Lavender Sunrise is a nice break from your typical green tea. It’s still vegetal, a little grassy, but the hint of floral lavender and strong lemony flavor brighten it up. (I’m not usually a huge lemon-and-lavender fan, but this one’s a hit!) I think the lemongrass really does it for me—I love a lightly grassy green.
The leaves in this one are on the small side, even after they’ve had a chance to unfurl and expand, making it great for brewing in tea bags and smaller infusers. The flavor is also strong enough that it’s good for a couple of brews.
I had to let this sit in the pot for quite a while to get it as strong as I like (about 6 minutes). It lacks the astringency typical of darker teas and really brings out the lemon when you steep it longer. (Steep too long and the lemon covers up the lavender, though.) It doesn’t need much in the way of sugar—I like this one unsweet—but Fava also has a strawberry rock sugar that goes well with it .
I also tried this one iced and it does not disappoint. Brew at 180°F for about 5-6 minutes (7-8 minutes if you like your tea pretty strong). Mix in a tablespoon of honey while it’s still hot. Grab a shaker and pour over ice with a splash of lemon juice. Add some strawberry slices at the end. Great for the approaching warm-weather days!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Fava Tea Company
Description
This green tea is relaxing without putting you to sleep! It’s a smooth green tea blended with lavender blossoms and lemon.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Fresa Guayusa from Fava Tea Company. . . .
Guayusa is a non-traditional type of tea, like mate. Both guayusa and mate come from a type of holly bush and not the traditional tea plant. While technically herbal teas, guayusa and mate both pack a big punch of caffeine so brew this tea when you’re looking to get hyped.
Fresa Guayusa from Fava Tea Company adds sweet strawberries to the guayusa base. I think this is a great combination for tea. I find mate and guayusa to be a bit too plain on their own. They have a pleasant dry grass scent and flavor, like standing in a field at the end of the summer with everything feeling fresh but a bit dry and toasty. But after a whole cup of this flavor, I find myself wanting a little something else.
Adding strawberries makes this bright and happy, with natural pink fruitiness it livens up the blend. Besides, if you’re reaching for a blend with as much caffeine as this guayusa has, you could probably use a little perky sweetness in your cup too.
This would be a great iced tea to kick off hot summer days, or a nice alternative to black tea on an afternoon where you need something sweet and highly caffeinated to get you going.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Guayusa
Where to Buy: Fava Tea
Description:
This tea has been shown to reduce physical and mental stress allowing for stronger mental strength and courage.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Roasted Almond Chai from Fava Tea Company. . . . . . . .
I was lucky to discover Roasted Almond Chai from Fava Tea Company thanks to a tea trade with fellow Sororitea Sisters, and now this is one if my favorite chai teas.
This is a decaf blend, so I find it most satisfying as a sweet treat to ease me through a rough afternoon or evening. This tea is perfectly both sweet and spicy. The dry leaf in the bag smells exceptionally creamy and a touch fruity, like marzipan candies. In the loose leaf, there are cloves, cinnamon, and huge cardamom pods, promising more spice in the brew.
Brewed, this blend is surprisingly pink, and I had a moment of worry: pink?! Is there hibiscus in here? I read the label again and saw beetroot as an ingredient but no hibiscus. Taking a sip, I was relieved. The pink color was clearly from the beetroot which added a wonderful natural sweetness that did not get in the way of the other flavors.
The one change I would make is to rename this blend Marzipan Chai, instead of Roasted Almond Chai. There is not much in the way of tasted flavors or pure nut-like flavors. The beetroot and almond make for a blend that is sweet like a cake with creamy frosting. This tea is driven by its candied almond taste, coupled with the warming spices of cinnamon and cardamom. Even without milk, this tea is so smooth and creamy, a perfect dessert. I will be stocking up on this chai the next chance I get!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Fava Tea
Description:
This is the sweet taste of almond magically blended with rooibos and chai spices. Smooth, delightful and a perfect compliment with dessert. Or in place of dessert! Either way, enjoy!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sparkling Pineapple from Fava Tea. . . . . .
Later last year, my husband and I took an INCREDIBLE honeymoon to Costa Rica. We saw sloths. We hiked through the cloud forest. We slept on a hammock in a rainforest canopy. It. Was. Awesome. But one thing that will stick out in my mind forever and ever til the end of time? THE PINEAPPLE. It was fresh and sweet and abundant every morning, and better than any pineapple I’ve ever had.
So you can imagine since returning, I’ve been on the hunt for any pineapple even remotely as good as our honeymoon treat. I haven’t totally succeeded yet, but it’s been a delicious pursuit. This sweet and fresh herbal tea from Fava makes a great, pineapple-y iced tea. It leans more generically-fruity than specifically pineapple to me, but it has depth of flavor that almost mimics a sweet wine– perfect for a non-alcoholic summery treat. I don’t pick up on anything sparkling, but their name suggestion has got me thinking that this would make an incredible mixer for some plain sparkling water.
Now, sipping this at home? Awesome. Sipping this on a hammock overlooking a beach in Central America? Get me on a plane, stat!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Fava Tea
Description
Our Sparkling Pineapple Herbal is like nothing you have ever tasted before! This light, fruity and elegant herbal tea is a delicious pineapple overload! We blend white cornflower blossoms and yellow marigold blossoms which undertone the sweet pineapple with a floral compliment. Delicious hot or iced this is one you’ll want on hand all year long!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
