Robust Offering from BRUU Tea Club. . . . .

There are some teas from specific tea companies that have been on my own personal WISH LIST for EVER it seems. Teas from Bruu Tea Club are among those teas. Recently I was FINALLY able to sip on China Keemun from BRUU Tea Club and I have to say that it was worth the wait!

The flavor was on the stronger side of medium with notes of smoke and roasted nuts, even. It was even a bit floral at times – fading in and out – gently but elegantly, too! The aftertaste was a bit more smoky that the sip was but it lingered nicely. I’m not saying that it was a smoky tea like an Lapsang Souchong but there were nods of smoke that made it pretty unique.

The aroma, the taste, the darkness in the cup post-infusion all have the glorious trio of traits I look for in a stright-up, stand-up, and stand-alone black tea. I can’t wait to try other teas from BRUU.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy:  BRUU Tea Club
Description

Whilst sitting dry in its container waiting to become your BRUU;
Smokey and very much a black Camelia Sinensis.  Reminiscent of a roasted monkey nut.

As the drink is BRUUing;
The aroma is almost flowery.

The taste journey;
A light black tea with a hint of smokiness in the aftertaste.

Best enjoyed;
1tsp //  100°C  // 2-4 mins

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Myteabox.ca March Teas. . . . .

My birthday is in March and this year it felt like gifts were showered upon me. And I guess a lot of people are picking up on my tea obsession because 90% of those gifts were tea-related, with a fair amount of them being sent or organized by the wonderful CuppaGeek. In fact, the day before my birthday, four tea packages arrived, among them a flat box with a colorful label and my name largely displayed in the center – the March myteabox.ca monthly subcription box had arrived. It was a gift I didn’t even know I wanted but I was very pleased to get to try a new tea company and incredibly grateful to CuppaGeek and the Sororitea Sisters for making it happen!

I opened the box to a lovely handwritten note where I learned that “Every ‘first’ box includes a couple ‘extras’ – some disposable steeping bags, and a teaspoon.” As I tore back the tissue to discover what I was sent, I found three teas, a tea description card, a roll of teabags, and a cute spoon with a teapot on one end and a little note, tied on with a bow, that said “For You”. The presentation was adorable and made me all the more excited to try the teas.

I started with Sugar Shack Smokey Maple, a black tea – brewed hot as per the recommended steeping instructions – because I loves me a sugar shack (at least I think I do. I have never actually been to one. The concept really appeals to my foodie side though) and smoke and maple are one awesome pairing. In fact, a tea friend once told me that if you are drinking a smokey tea, a dash of maple syrup takes it to a whole new level. Unfortunately, I always added just a little too much maple syrup to my smokey teas so it is nice that the flavors were combined for me in this blend. Made up of black tea, safflower petals, natural flavors, and maple syrup, the tea is simple but quite nice. I noticed the smoke in the scent of the dry leaf was strong but I am happy to report for those who fear smoke that it is tame once brewed – distinct but not in-your-face. The maple is also noticeable but for my sweet tooth, I wish there was just a bit more. For me, this is a smokey and slightly brisk black tea with maple, which with a name like Sugar Shack Smokey Maple, I expected the maple to have been the shining star and not a supporting character.

Next was a Peppermint Matcha Pick-Me-Up latte. All of my flavored matcha experiences have either been with Red Leaf Tea (now the Matcha Outlet) matchas or DAVIDsTEA matchas and I believe both those companies add sugar to their offerings. The ingredients listed here are simply “Luxury green tea and peppermint leaves”, so you may sweeten (or not sweeten) to your tastes. Mixed in with milk, this makes for one smooth and creamy treat, with a refreshing peppermint finish. The matcha is mostly hidden, a fact that I prefer as I don’t typically love the grassy flavor associated with this type of tea. Personally, I am happy to reap the caffeine benefits of a matcha latte while enjoying just the creamy, minty deliciousness that is this tea.

Lastly is the caffeine-free fruit tea, Strawberry Sunshine, which I decided to ice. Comprised of apple pieces, rosehip pieces, orange pieces, hibiscus petals, calendula petals, and natural flavors, this mix is pretty standard in terms of fruit tea composition. No actual strawberry is listed here which is an interesting choice for a tea called “Strawberry Sunshine” though I suppose that is where the “natural flavoring” can come into play. Nonetheless, I can taste strawberry here, a flavor more true-to-the-fruit than strawberry candy, which floats above the apple-y base so commonly found in fruit blends and below a hint of citrus brightness from the orange. However, that all gives way to the familiar rosehip and hibiscus tartness that finishes the sip. It is good and I can see this being nice in the summertime but I also can’t help but feel like I have had this before.
All in all, I really enjoyed my experience with the March box for myteabox.ca. At $25/month, the price may be a bit steep for some, but the offerings are well-crafted and deliver on flavor without loading up the blends with sweeteners and chemicals. Plus, it provides a great variety among its three teas given that I got a black tea, some matcha, and a caffeine-free option to enjoy. Not to mention it all comes in one fun and exciting package.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Monthly Tea Box
Where to Buy:  Myteabox.ca
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here! And for more info, check out their blog!

Winter Almond Rooibos from Tea Sparrow. . . . .

Well…it’s Winter. It took a while to get here in the snow belt…but I’m NOT complaining! I found it fitting to review Winter Almond Rooibos from Tea Sparrow to get into the wintery spirit.

Winter Almond Rooibos is an herbal tisane that is full of aroma and flavor! I didn’t see any dairy in the list of ingredients so I thought I would try it. Ingredients listed were Redbush Tea, Almond Pieces, Chocolate Pieces (that were made up of sugar, cocoa powder/mass, almond flavor, and sunflower blossoms.

I was expecting this to be an almond and chocolate flavored red rooibos but it ended up being more than that. It was much like a Chocolate Almond Cookie in a cup! It was delicious! The Red Rooibos wasn’t as stereotypical as you think it would be which leads me to believe the amount of almond and chocolate flavoring was pretty top notch!

This was part of the December Tea Sparrow teas that were shipped. I’m VERY excited and grateful I was able to try it. If you are into non-dairy dessert teas and tisanes this is one I would keep an eye out for next time it’s available! It’s sure to please!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Rooibos
Where to Buy:  Tea Sparrrow
Description

Find out more about all Tea Sparrow has to offer below!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Krampus Brew from Handmade Tea. . . . .

An awesome friend signed me up for a few monthly subscription packages from Handmade Tea. This is a company I had not heard of before so I was very excited to see what they had to offer. This past week the first month’s package arrived and it was bigger than the monthly subscription packages I have received from other companies such as Amoda and TeaTaxi. So, when I opened the package to find just one tea, I was certainly surprised.

Before me was 3 oz of Krampus Brew along with a beautifully wax-sealed envelope containing a note from the tea maker, brewing instructions and tasting notes. The tasting notes were an interesting touch because it seemed as if it were a guide telling me what I should be tasting.

I am told by the tasting notes that the base is similar to a light oolong, smooth but with a hint of smokiness. In fairness, that is pretty accurate. I am also told that the cherries sweeten the brew with a bright honey-like flavor and add a tart finish. I suppose that there is a sweetness here but I don’t know if I would describe it quite as a “bright honey-like flavor” and I certainly am not detecting a tart finish. Finally, the tasting note suggests that the cloves and cinnamon provide the classic spice taste and adds boldness to the mouthfeel. Like the description of the base, that is also pretty accurate.

All in all, it seems the tasting note I was provided is fairly spot-on. However, I am left wondering if I am detecting these things because I feel I should or if I am tasting them because they are actually there. Next month I will drink the tea first and then compare notes. As it is, this tea is mostly a sweet and spiced gunpowder tea. Pleasant enough albeit just a little boring. I expected more cherry from the big pieces in the mix but it seems they are mostly just contributing the fruity/sweet component that is hiding just beneath the base.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Green Tea
Where to Buy:  Handmade Tea
Description

This tea is no longer on the site but check below for what teas are and to learn about Handmade Tea’s monthly subscription plan.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Ginger Bread Man by Bruu Tea

Hello tea friends!

With Christmas almost here and the cold weather set in I’m drawn to the festive teas. This one was from my late November tea club box and I’m only just getting around to trying it.

Ingredients: Rooibos, Almond Pieces, Pistachios, Orange Peel, Coriander, Flavouring, Pink Peppercorn.

Opening the packet I am drawn in by the scent of ginger biscuits. It’s the most ginger biscuity thing I have ever smelt that was not actually ginger biscuits. It’s incredible! Ginger with baked bread and sugar but also a touch of spice.

Steeping instructions: 1tsp //  100°C  // 3-5 mins

Once steeped the tea is golden red in colour and bares a sweet yet spicy ginger biscuit and Rooibos scent. Very similar to that of the raw scent.

The first few sips reveal a very sweet and gingery note that lingers in the after taste. When I say ginger it’s more like a ginger candy than raw ginger, sometimes blends are too much on the ginger front but this is such a sweet ginger and it’s very nice. Very biscuit like! Also a touch of dryness in the after taste.

After those initial first few sips it remains sweet and with a touch of actual Rooibos flavour with a creamy orange and  ginger and peppercorn spice. The whole blend was well done,  it doesn’t taste too much like Rooibos at all which is favourable with me.

I can’t say much other than it tastes like sweet and creamy ginger biscuits with a dry after taste. It truly does.

Bruu Tea have done some good blends but this may be my favourite so far. It’s very delightful and festive.

Until next time, Happy Steeping!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Rooibos blend
Where to Buy: Bruu Tea
Description:

The rich, naturally woody taste of rooibos is already a perfect treat for cold days, but the added tastes of gingerbread and orange in this blend allow you to truly spoil yourself. Caffeine-free and incredibly festive, this decorative infusion makes a wonderful gift – for others or yourself!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!