Intensely Liquorice and Mint/Twinings -Ashmanra

Photo Credit: Twinings

The tea I am drinking came in a sampler pack and has a slightly different name from the one in the link provided. However, the ingredients listed and their proportions are identical, so I am convinced they are exactly the same.

I read a lot of tea reviews, and what I glean from said reviews is that I am one of the few people who really likes liquorice root. I love the sweetness liquorice root gives and I love the weird, almost indescribable throat feel and the lingering taste.

There is more mint in this tisane than liquorice, but the liquorice nevertheless makes itself known immediately. The mint is hot on its heels, however, and the cooling effect lasts and lasts.

I was pretty excited by the mention of this having blackcurrant flavor, but a little disappointed that I couldn’t taste it as much as I had hoped. There is also fennel, but I am not too familiar with the taste of fennel in an infusion so I am not sure what it adds to this mix.

Bottom line – this is liquorice upfront with lingering fresh mint taste and hint of fruitiness. It wasn’t stellar and unforgettable, but it was a decent evening cuppa.

Readers be aware: most teas or tisanes containing liquorice carry a warning that people with hypertension should not consume large amounts, as liquorice root can cause blood pressure to rise.

 


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy: Twinings 

Description

Liquorice and Peppermint Infusion with Blackcurrant Flavour.

Let’s take a nostalgic wander through the flavours of your past, transporting you back to your favourite sweet shop.‚  We infuse sweet liquorice and fennel with cooling peppermint to create a delectable, sweet and refreshing taste.

This infusion is made with all-natural ingredients and is naturally caffeine free so you can enjoy it any time of the day.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Mint Medley/Brooke Birch Tea Shoppe -skysamurai

Photo Credit: BrookeBirchTeaShoppe

You’ve eaten a ton of pizza and now you’re dragging. Grab some peppermint tea to put some pep back into your step. Granted this varies depending on the pizza you consume.

While I generally do not pick a peppermint tea I thought tonight was a good night to give it a go. This is a lovely one as far as peppermint goes. Though I still find the spearmint to be just a bit too much.

I love mint but I prefer regular mint to spearmint. The dry and wet aromas are pleasant. My lungs feel a bit cleansed. My tongue definitely does as well.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy:  Brooke Birch Tea Shoppe

Description

A after dinner mint tea at its finest. Great for the digestion system but lovely anytime. Makes a great dessert tea.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Cucumber Mint Limeade/52Teas

I have been holding on to this sample for a while because I was sure it was going to be good and I wanted to make an event of it. The name promises all the flavors that I associate with cooling and refreshing, and since it is a warm sunny day with storm clouds moving in and high humidity, now is the time!

First – the leaves. My eyes feast on the lovely, long, silvery-white leaves. Beautiful! I fill the basket and it is full of these fluffy, soft beauties. Now steep! Then pour.

The liquor is a medium gold color. I let it cool for a few minutes before tasting so I can experience all the flavors.

The first impression of the sip is mint on the tongue, then quickly afterward my tastebuds say LIME! Not sharp, puckery lime. Rays of sunshine lime! Lime can be too harsh when it isn’t done right, but used skillfully it is a ray of sunshine to a recipe or drink. What a bright and delightful lime! This is perfect lime in my book and now the mint is adding sweetness and a cooling sensation.

My sample is older and had already been opened, and I wonder if that is why I don’t taste much cucumber. Perhaps it is a delicate oil that dissipates easily. But I don’t feel anything is lacking in this tea. It is just as good as I thought it would be. As is my habit of late, I will drink half of this hot and unsweetened in the morning, and chill the rest to go with supper! I can tell it will be awesome cold.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  White

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Description

This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Minty Fennec/Totem Tea. . .

Howdy!

Today I will be drinking the wonderfully named Minty Fennec, a Moroccan mint and green tea blend.

Mint is a wonderful herb and it happens to be one of my favourites. I guarantee if I have a stomach ache or feel generally run down a mint tea is what I run to first. My second preference would be a green tea as it can help with energy levels. A combination of the two sounds right up my street!

Opening the pouch with a fennec cute face on the front I am met with a fresh, strong and absolutely beautiful spearmint scent. It was so defined I could easily pick the type of mint, and as luck would have it spearmint is my favourite. It’s very sweet and fresh, it’s so refreshing. Even my nose tingles to the minty power of this blend.

In appearance the leaves are rolled up in traditional gunpowder green style and they form a good sized ball. It looks good, size and colour is pleasing to show a decent quality. Low quality tends to be tiny pieces ie broken leaf and the colour is very dark green. These however are a medium/large size and contain a dark green and a lighter grassy green which contrasts and bares a shine.

Steeping parameters: 1 tsp. 75c water. 3 minutes.

Once steeped the resulting tea is yellow and bares a sweet and very refreshing, pure spearmint scent. I use tons of spearmint essential oil and it reminds me exactly of that in terms of strength and purity. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that’s how the tea is scented for this blend.

The first few sips revealed a sweet and mildly refreshing spearmint flavour that coats my mouth and lightens into a dry, grassy but creamy after taste. The spearmint is not as strong as the scent but you can taste it easily, a nice balance actually as too much spearmint can be bitter.

My only complaint is that after I gulped the rest of my tea (it was gone before you could blink as I couldn’t stop myself) it did leave a dryness in my mouth. Not powdery but still rather dominant, probably from the tea. And that’s a personal issue, dryness doesn’t bother some people. Either way of the three Totem Tea blends I have tried (Very Berry Bear and Cinnamon Squirrel) the Minty Fennec is by far my favourite.

In terms of a mint tea it’s delightful. Minty flavour and creamy/buttery tones with little astringency or bitterness. It actually does appear to be the best of both worlds in the balance of green tea and mint.

I’ve dithered on enough, needless to say it’s definitely worth a try if your a fellow mint tea lover.

Thank you very much Totem Tea. It was an absolute pleasure reviewing your teas.

Happy steeping friends!


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Totem Tea

Description

Start your own Morrocan ritual with this refreshing organic green tea. Savour the moment when water meets the fragant spearmint and releases the magic into the air. This is your special time in the shade of the palm tree; don’t rush it.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Please Not Tonight from Oh You Tease

I have a soft spot for a nice cup of peppermint tea so I was more than happy to try Please Not Tonight from Oh You Tease. Mint tea is said to provide all kinds of health benefits like help with digestion and mental focus. I reach for a cup of mint tea when I want something crisp and refreshing and decaf.

Please Not Tonight is a perfectly named minty brew. Anytime you’re not up to whatever the night throws at you, brew a cup of this tea to soothe what ails you. Feel a migraine coming on? Let the creamy peppermint cool your head. Have an unsettled stomach? Drink a mug of crisp freshness. And this blend has chamomile to boot, to help encourage relaxation and sleep.

The real treat is the Oh You Tease shop itself. Their teas come in cheery, patterned envelopes with sweet or cheeky names. You also get the satisfaction of supporting a small business, a small business that brings more tea into the world. If that doesn’t make you feel better, maybe you need to brew another cup!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Oh You Tease
Description:

Naturally caffeine-free tea blend of peppermint leaves and chamomile flowers – natural stomach soothers

A fascinating and refreshing herbal infusion with an amazing minty peppermint and uplifting aroma of chamomile extracts. The whole aromatherapy in a teapot. Naturally caffeine free

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!