Product Review: Muse Monthly Subscription Box

MuseMonthlyTea Information:

Where to find the tea: Mt. Hood Vanilla from Townsend’s Tea

Where to Subscribe: Muse Monthly

Description:

As the only subscription box of its kind, Muse Monthly delivers a unique experience for lovers of literature and tea. Every month, you will get a new novel and a full box or tin of tea on your doorstep! So go ahead and curl up, let go of all your stresses, and enjoy. 

Taster’s Review:

When I heard of Muse Monthly’s Kickstarter from a thread on Steepster, I nearly fell over in my chair. Muse Monthly has somehow managed to combine my three loves – Books, Tea, and Kickstarters. I was so happy to see them succeed, even more happy to receive my first box. I couldn’t wait to dig in. The kickstarter tier I got included the stretch goal goodies, as well as a three month subscription. This month is a great beginning; the tea is Mt. Hood Vanilla from Townsend’s tea and the novel is Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller.

The tea that comes in the subscription is a full sized tin (2.25 oz!) of Townsends tea’s Mt. Hood Vanilla. Which sounds absolutely delicious. I love vanilla black teas and I am always searching for the right one. I have only had Townsend’s Kombuchas and diving into their loose leaf teas is pretty exciting. (My man’s all time favorite kombucha is their Spiced Apple Kava,)  Upon opening the tin, I get a heady whiff of vanilla beans and robust Indian tea. It reminded me of the vanilla bean scones offered at Starbucks that I used to be obsessed with. Brewing up the tea I discovered the creamy vanilla in the forefront, slightly sweet, pairing excellently with the bold and rich Ceylon tea. Although I would not recommend it iced, the vanilla turns a bit sour and candy sweet, harshly contrasting the bold black base. Mt. Hood Vanilla is an excellent tea to drink hot while reading about Peggy and her father in Our Endless Numbered Days, and a perfect breakfast cuppa.

The book is highly recommended from me as well. Our Endless Numbered days was the first book Ina long time that I have not been able to put down. As much as I wish I could tell you truthfully, I regret to say that I don’t read as much as I used to. I would devour a book a week if I could. Not so much anymore. I think before getting Muse Monthly’s box in the mail, I had 1 book on my kindle that I have been intermittently reading for about three months. I think that Claire Fuller’s story is a great jumping off point for me to get the ball rolling and begin reading in earnest. I easily finished the story in two days and began to wonder, ‘what else?’ I thought it was well written and an excellent choice for this ‘book club.’

In all, I would highly recommend checking out Muse, mostly if you are one of those ‘bookish types’. (As my father used to say to me) At first I balked at the size of the tea, I can really see it piling up after a while.  Although, the price is right for the amount of tear and the book bundled together. The feel of carefully hand selected combinations is invaluable touch. I loved doing this, and cannot wait for the next two moths. This is an easy, and great way to curl up with a good book and an even better cup of tea!

Green Tea Kombucha from Yogi

GreenTeaKombuchaTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy: Yogi

Tea Description:

Our Green Tea Kombucha was inspired by a remedy that dates back to ancient Russia. Updated for today’s lifestyle, Yogi’s special formula of Organic Green Tea with Kombucha is designed to support your immune system and provide antioxidants. Spearmint naturally supports digestion, and Lemongrass and Plum flavor combine to create a smooth, fragrant blend with a light, fruity flavor. Once the steeping process is complete, you are ready to enjoy a delicious, delightful and soothing cup of green tea.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Sometimes at work, making loose leaf tea just doesn’t happen.  It is so much easier just to throw some water in a cup and a tea bag.  That is how my week has been this week.  I don’t know what is going on but it has been crazier than the usual crazy it is day in and day out.

Looked in my drawer and this one was in my tea bag stash.  Brewed it up per the instructions on the bag and dumped in ice.

For a tea bag style tea, this is decent.  This tastes very sweet and there is a very very slight hint of green tea.  The plum flavors are what comes thru the most.  This isn’t like a sugary kind of sweet but a sweet you would get from fruit. I wish the lemongrass flavors would poke their head out more.  I am completely missing that flavor.  As to the Kombucha, I don’t really know much about it and not sure what it adds to the flavor.  I need to do more research and see what I can come up with there.

This tea is simple and easy.  No a whole lot of mess or fuss.  I wish the spearmint and lemongrass flavors were stronger but overall I really enjoy it and would pick it up again.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Green Tea & Lemon Sparkling Fermented Tea from Kombucha Wonder Drink

KombuchaProduct Information:

A refreshing hint of organic natural lemon in harmony with green tea.

Learn more about this product here.

Taster’s Review:

I am probably the last person to ever try Kombucha.  Yeah … imagine that … a tea reviewer has been hesitant to try a tea product.  About as inconceivable as the thought that I would be hesitant to try something new (especially when it pertains to tea.)  But there it is … I love my tea, but, the idea of fermented tea … and what little I have read about Kombucha, the making of it sounds a little bit like how they make vinegar.

Now, I like vinegar when I drizzle it on my salad or my green beans, but, it’s not something that I will chill in the refrigerator and then pour myself a glass to drink.  You know what I mean?  Yeah, I know that they make sipping vinegars, but I haven’t tried those either.  And to be perfectly honest, if I hadn’t received this can of Green Tea & Lemon Sparkling Fermented Tea from Kombucha Wonder Drink in my April Knoshbox, I probably wouldn’t be about to try it now, because, I doubt I would have actually paid for a drink that has filled me so much unease.

So, I sit here, with this innocent enough looking can of chilled tea drink, still sealed … wondering if I will actually open it and drink it.  And after looking at it for some time … I finally popped the top and took a sip.

First impression:  weird.

Second impression:  tart and lemony.

Third impression:  I’m not getting a whole lot of tea flavor here.

I get the lemony tingle on my tongue … and I don’t know how much of that is actually lemon and how much is the fermentation.  It’s very bubbly like a soda pop would be.  I’m not big on soda.  This is also quite sweet despite the tarty taste of it … which I guess I’m glad for the sweetness otherwise it might end up being too sour.

It’s different.  It’s not bad.  It reminds me a bit of a sparkling lemonade with a little bit of something else to it.  I find myself wishing I could taste more green tea, and as I continue to sip, that wish is granted – but only barely! – because the green tea notes do develop as I sip.  It’s never a strong green tea taste.  I don’t get a lot of grassy or vegetative notes or anything else that strongly resembles a green tea.  Just a hint of it.

And I do taste a slight ‘vinegary’ note to this as well, and this taste develops by about “mid-can” … it’s like someone added maybe a teaspoon of vinegar to my sparkling lemonade, along with a teaspoon of green tea.  I taste more lemon than green tea here though, and I feel that is important to mention since the description suggests that there is a “hint” of lemon, and to these taste buds, it is more lemon than anything else with the exception of sugar.

Overall, I’d say that my first impression is the best one:  it’s weird.  Very unusual, but I don’t dislike it.  But, I like other things better, and because of that, I doubt I’ll be buying another can of this in the near future.  That said, I do find myself sort of intrigued by the Asian Pear and Ginger flavor, so I might … MIGHT try this flavor at some point.

Organic Better Morning Blend from Two Leaves And A Bud

Tea Type: Herbal

Where To Buy: Two Leaves And A Bud

Product Description:

Better Morning Blend features a zing of lemon, a refreshing touch of citrus, peppermint, kombucha, and aromatherapy to stimulate your senses. A balanced, sweet flavor that’s reason enough to get out of bed. If you suddenly decide you’re a morning person, it’ll be our little secret!

Tasters Review:

This was surprisingly good!  By that I mean…many herbals don’t catch my interest often and this one did!

It was lighter on the herbally-medicine-E taste and the lemon was perfectly done.  The mint was subtle in the end of the sip on to the aftertaste.

Throughout the sip the gentle citrus was a nice touch.  I really think what made this work is that everything was present but it wasn’t over done.  It was tasty as well as good for you and a nice way to start the day.

I’m very happy with this herbal!