Roselle x Ginger aka Morning Booster/Immerse Tea -Skysamurai-

Do not give this bag of herbals a big smell. A small one, at an appropriate distance maybe but do not put it straight to your nose.

If you do tiny little ginger ninjas will assault your nostrils. You will go back in again for a second whiff because you know that scent but you can’t quite put your finger on it. Luckily the Roselle is there to a assist with sweetening the smell.

Tiny little ginger ninjas dancing with fan blades and pouches of hibiscus. Oh but that isn’t all. Wait till you drink it. Any ginger loving human knows the potency of this herbaceous perennial.

It creates a good kick.

Pretty sure if I had a cold I no longer do now.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy:  Immerse Tea

Description

Roselle and Ginger Tea – Roselle will wake your nerve, while ginger will boosts up your energy, activate your brain and metabolism without a touch of caffeine

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

**teas were provided in exchange for a review**

Lemon Ginger from Voce Fruit Tea. . . .

Even though I am a 10-15 daily cuppa tea drinker kinda gal, sometimes I just want something else.  Something a bit different and that is normally when I find myself drawn to herbals or fruit tisanes.  That is where Voce Fruit Tea comes into play.

I was looking for some kind of dried fruit or inclusions that I could easily throw into my water bottle to help me drink more water.  I’m not a fan of the powdered kool aid style drinks or the liquid equivalent.  I wanted something a bit healthier that would last at least a day without having a huge impact in the terms of waste and without me having to cut up a ton of fruit every morning.  I had seen a few other types of single serving dried fruit packs where you can toss a few pieces into water, but I didn’t like all of the waste that accompanied them.  So when Voce Fruit Tea popped up in my search, I was super excited to see what they had to offer.

Voce Fruit Tea was founded in the hopes of finding a way to create a healthy hot fruit beverage that adults and children alike would enjoy (along with a few other reasons) that didn’t require a ton of sugar or honey added to the beverage.  Instead of using tea leaves, Voce Tea uses huge pieces of dried fruit to create their flavor combos. So instead of having a bag full of tea leaves, you have a bag full of organic fruit and spices.    The tea bags they use are environmentally friendly to boot.   Exactly what I was looking for.

So finally the time came to try the first flavor that caught my eye, Lemon Ginger.  With all of the sick ick going around my house lately, Lemon Ginger blends have been my go to.  This tea bag contained huge pieces of ginger and a lemon slice. What I love was seeing regular ginger pieces instead of crystallized ginger.

Brewed with freshly boiled water and allowed to steep for 7 minutes, fresh notes of lemon were quickly filling the air.

I allowed the tea to cool for a few moments and took my first sip- and I AM IN LOVE.  For all of my lemon ginger fans, check this fruit tea out.  You will not be disappointed.  What to know why? Because this fruit tea tastes exactly like what it is supposed to. Lemon and Ginger. Gorgeous fresh lemon citrus notes play off of the spiced ginger so beautifully. What you see is literally what you get. No added sugar or added preservatives.

I eagerly sipped this tea down and begun to prep another cuppa.  And then another, and then another.  I think I had at least five or six steepings of the tea last night and wanted to see how far I could draw out the flavor so I tossed the tea bag into a glass of ice water and still am getting that wonderful lemon ginger flavor, though less in strength of course- and I’ve refilled my glass at least four times today.

After having just one of their offerings, I know I’m going to be a daily Voce Fruit Tea drinker.  Such an easy way to incorporate more water into my life.  I’m so excited to try out the other flavors. . . .Goldenberry Banana Cinnamon and Cherry Lemon Apple. . . I’m looking at you!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Fruit/Tisane
Where to Buy:  Voce Fruit Teas
Description

After we started Voće, we had a close friend, Quentin, who told us that he really liked lemon ginger teas. Not wanting to disappoint, we started this flavor just for him. We have designated it Brew #17 because Q is the 17th letter of the alphabet.

And we’re so glad we did because few flavors go together as well as lemon and ginger. In our blend, we don’t skimp on either. Voće lemon and ginger tea features whole slices of lemon and big chunks of ginger, for a refreshing taste that is out of this world! Like many of our teas, one bag of lemon ginger can be used to brew several cups of Voće.

Ingredients: Organic dried lemon slices, organic dried ginger.  Packaged in the same facility as peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and milk products.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Organic Athena’s Lemon Olive Leaf Blend from Simpson and Vail’s Monthly Subscription Box. . .

Who doesn’t love a subscription box? I know I love them – especially tea subscription boxes.   For a while I was getting 52Teas, BlendBee, and Plum Deluxe subscription boxes (which I loved) but I wanted to try out a few different companies this go around. So last week I decided I would give our friends at Simpson and Vail’s subscription box a go.  Simpson and Vail have a lot of different offerings when it comes to teas so I was hoping by signing up, I would be able to experience some of their teas that I haven’t gotten around to picking up.  Athena’s Lemon Olive Leaf Blend was one of those blends and I was so excited to see it in my first box.

Athena’s Lemon Olive Leaf Blend is a blend of olive leaf, lemongrass, and ginger root.  So think of your traditional lemon ginger tea with a slight twist.  Brewed with water at boiling and allowed to steep for 5 minutes plus (I actually got a phone call and couldn’t get to the tea right away), this tea hits the spot on this cold midwestern blustery day.  Solid lemon notes, that sweet and spicy hint of ginger, along with this almost herbaceous olive oil finish delivers a solid soothing and comforting cuppa.  (Yep.  There is a slight hint of an olive oil flavor in my cuppa.  And you know what I love it.  )

Smooth crisp spiced lemony goodness . One of those blends where the ginger and lemon are balanced out perfectly and gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling.

This tea is giving me all the loving I need while still battling this awful cold I’ve had for the last few days. One of the better herbal blends I’ve had in a while.  Really digging it and am on my fourth cup as I write this review up.  Can’t wait to enjoy this as a cold brew!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Herbal
Where to Buy:  Simpson and Vail
Description

The aroma of fresh lemon greets your nose as you sip this delightful blend. The golden cup explodes with a lemony goodness that lingers on the palate refreshingly. This all organic brew is great hot or iced.

Ingredients: Organic olive leaf, organic ginger root, organic lemon mytle, organic lemon peel, organic lemongrass

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Spotlight on Fraser Tea Bags

Sustainable business models are so hot right now. Seriously, Zoolander aside, I’m all about capitalists that care about future generations. Fraser Tea sells organic tea blends in corn-based, sustainably produced pyramids. I think it’s a great option to consider bringing in to your cubicle or on vacations. I received several of their pyramids in my tea mail this month, so their spotlight is a little from Column A and a little from Column B…

Spicy Chocolate Chai – flavored puerh

First things first, a girls gotta have her chocolate. There were oils on top of brew, which always equate to having been carefully handled and thus retain more of the goodness we expect from full leaf teas. A sneaky Chai taste followed by a  mellow chocolate aftertaste. The tiniest bit of sweetener rounded out these flavors. I want to point out for later on, those of you hardcore readers, that this tea has 60 mg caffeine.

Chamomile Dream – herbal

To me, Sleepy-time teas are the most swoon-worthy. There’s always something about them that is so restorative and comforting.  This pyramid has sweet smelling dry leaves. As soon as that scent connects in my brain, there’s that instant calming response. I know i’m not the only one!

The blend of wet leaves smell just as sweet, and I notice an enticing hint of a berry red in them now. This tastes like soft, pillowy, dreamy meadows… full of sheep, so many sheep, mmm and it feels like time to say goodnight.

Turmeric Ginger Green – flavored green

Ok, preface, turmeric and I got off on the wrong foot when it stained my gravity strainer for no good reason. I have been suspicious of its health claims ever since… but that’s a personal bias which does not discount dozens of peer-reviewed scientific studies…  I also need to state that my toddler helped me brew this and ripped the bag 😬 kay, so still waiting for the great feelings. Moving on, I found I prefer this ingredient in bag form because it eliminates my first problem with staining. So my palate has started to open up to tea for health reasons, as opposed to familiar tastes. There is an acquired taste to this tea, but it is not in your face. It certainly would be a perfect finish to a savory lunch.

Yerba Mint – alternative tea

Until now I never realized how powerful other plants could be in the caffeine department! I guess I should have known that from coffee beans, but I never put it all together until I saw there was 70+ mg caffeine in this non-camellia sinensis plant!!! Yikes! That probably explains a few restless nights after “just some herbal” tea… The juxtaposition between earthy and gentle is juuuuuuust right here. I can imagine putting this over ice would be a delightful way to ignore a humid summer.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Variety
Where to Buy: Fraser Tea

https://frasertea.com/products/organic-spicy-chocolate-chai

Spicy Chocolate Chai Organic Pu-erh Tea is a fusion of cocoa nibs, spicy chili peppers, and delicate, sweet oranges combined to craft a flavor sensation with maximum health benefits. Striking a delicate balance between heat and sweetness, spicy chocolate chai is a smooth and flavorful tea that supports weight management and wellness.  Enjoy any time. Try it as-is or add milk and sugar.

https://frasertea.com/products/chamomile-dream-organic-herbal-tea.

Chamomile Dream Organic Herbal Tea soothes the mind and body.  Supporting health and digestion, this relaxing organic tea blends gentle, floral notes of chamomile, cleansing and bright lemongrass, tart hibiscus and refreshing peppermint. Try it anytime throughout the day, with a book before bedtime, or following a restorative meditation practice. Chamomile Dream offers gentle, soothing relaxation for mind, body and spirit.


https://frasertea.com/products/organic-turmeric-ginger

Turmeric Ginger Organic Green Tea delivers a multitude of health benefits in a delicious and flavorful way.  Green tea is blended with cinnamon, ginger, pink peppercorn, lemongrass, and turmeric offering a sweet and unexpected fresh taste. Known as a “superfood”, turmeric’s list of health benefits include boosting your body’s immunity, anti-inflammatory properties, improved brain function and heart health.

https://frasertea.com/products/organic-yerba-mate-mint

This Yerba Mate Mint Organic Herbal Tea is an energizing blend. At Fraser Tea we formulated this vibrant tea to maximize focus or help make the most of your daily workout. We combine the South American yerba mate plant with invigorating peppermint, a sophisticated green tea and an array of floral’s to amplify the natural benefits. Yerba mate is considered the healthy wonder drink grown in South America thanks to its energizing effects. Traditionally yerba mate is consumed with a gourd and a straw, however you can use your favorite teacup. Our Yerba Mate Mint tea is delicious iced or warm.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

52Teas’ the 12 Teas of Christmas – Day 12

Day 12!

Wow!  It’s finally here, Christmas morning!  And the final tea of the 12 Teas of Christmas is Gingerbread Brûlée Black tea.  It is a perfect choice for the grand finale: after all, what is more showy and celebratory than creme brûlée?

This black tea features fragrant and delicious pieces of candied ginger accompanied by festive gingerbread spices.  The dry leaf smells like putting your nose in a tin of gingerbread cookies, dark, spicy, a little peppery, and plenty sweet.

Brewed, this tea is robust and flavorful, don’t let the dessert theme lull you into thinking this is a mild blend.  The black tea base has plenty oomph to wake you up no matter how early your family is opening Christmas presents.

I personally love kick-your-tastebuds strong chai flavors, but this tea made me realize that there is more than one way to have a tasty ginger tea.  I really appreciate the caramelized black tea tones and I’m glad the ginger isn’t so hot that it drowns out the other flavors.

The molasses tones from the gingerbread are a perfect match for the crispy, burnt sugar flavors of the brûlée.  There is just a perfect hint of heat from the candied ginger root, and the comforting warmth of other cookie spices.  If you can’t bake a tray of gingerbread cookies, brew a pot of this tea instead and make your kitchen smell like the holidays.

Merry Chistmas!

 


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description:

This is a tea that I had planned out way back when I was still in the planning stages of taking over 52Teas – but kept putting off again and again. Why? I don’t know. But I sure am glad I finally blended this because WOW! It’s ah-ma-ZING!

I started out with a blend of black teas (Yunnan, Assam & Ceylon) and added ginger & candied ginger, a bit of cinnamon & cloves, some freshly shaved nutmeg as well as some creme brulee essence to complete the tea. 

The cuppa starts out with strong gingerbread notes with mere hints of the creamy brulee. The ginger is definitely present in at the start, so there’s no mistaking that this is, indeed, a GINGERBREAD brulee. As I continue to sip, the custard-y notes of the creme brulee start to emerge and the flavors seem to come together and become more smooth with each sip. By the end of the cup, I find a very lovely balance of both creme brulee (and I even some of that bittersweet burnt sugar in there!) and gingerbread. 

And of course, this is organic, VEGAN, gluten-free & allergen free!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!