Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Amoda Tea
Tisane Description:
Ingredients: German chamomile, mint, orange peels and blossoms, malva and lemongrass.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is the third tea that I received in my December Amoda Box (Yeah, I am behind, I
know) The other two teas that came in December’s Amoda Box were Black Tea Merlot from Vintage TeaWorks, which I did not review after receiving this box because I had reviewed it previously, and Minty Winter Wonderland from Tiesta Tea.
This Orange Blossom Chamomile from Petali Teas is a surprising blend. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a big fan of herbal blends, preferring teas with the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, but, I must admit that I do find herbal tisanes to be a nice, caffeine free alternative for evenings. And this herbal from Petali Teas is really tasty.
When I opened the pouch, I was astonished at how good the dry leaf smelled. It smelled sweet and orange-y … reminding me a bit of orange slices (you know those jelly candies that are an orange gel that is covered in sugar? Yeah, those … that’s what this tisane smells like to me) and since I love orange slices, my mouth started watering when I first smelled this … and I started craving orange slices. Since I didn’t happen to have any in the house, I decided to brew a cup of this to see if it would help curb my craving.
Sadly, it did not curb the desire for candy, but, I will say that it is a tasty cuppa. Citrus notes are strong, and it’s not just orange that I taste. I taste hints of lemon and even a touch of lime. The orange is the strongest note, but, I like how this is almost like a citrus punch kind of flavor, rather than focusing just on the orange. I also taste a very light floral note to this.
The ingredients list peppermint, and while I don’t taste a distinct minty note that screams PEPPERMINT to me, there is a certain zesty … crisp, cool note to this that I attribute to the peppermint. That is to say … this doesn’t taste overwhelmingly minty … but there are qualities to this that are minty. Perhaps the strength of the citrus is such that it overpowers the peppermint … and for this particular tisane, that works for me, because it is … after all, called Orange Blossom Chamomile and not Peppermint Chamomile. It should be about the citrus. But I do like the minty characteristics in this blend.
Overall, I found this to be enjoyable … one I’d be happy to enjoy again.
Zulu Chai from Assam Tea Company
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
As Sold By: Amoda Tea
Also Available At: Assam Tea Company
Tisane Description:
This is a fantastic chai blend, a bit on the spicy side (black pepper!), but nice and full-flavoured. The spices are well-balanced though. There’s a cinnamon blast on the nose, enhanced by the natural cinnamon qualities of the rooibos. For us here at Amoda, a chai blend is taken to the next level when orange peels are thrown into the mix.
Learn more about the Monthly Tea Tasting Box from Amoda Tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is my third and final from “The Last Days of Autumn” tea tasting box from Amoda Tea. While I was excited to try a tea from this company (I don’t think I’ve tried one from them yet), I wasn’t overly excited about yet another rooibos chai blend (it seems like EVERYBODY’S got one!) But, I have to admit that after trying it, I can see why Amoda Tea decided to include this tea in this Autumn themed box. Chai blends tend to be rather autumnal, but something about this rooibos chai speaks of autumn in a very special way.
Dry, this is a beautifully fragrant chai. That shouldn’t be surprising, as most chai blends tend to be wonderfully aromatic. The spices that stood out to me most when I smelled the dry leaf was the anise and the cardamom, and given my love for anise (and cardamom!) it was a very rewarding scent, indeed!
Once brewed, my olfactory nerves are treated to the aroma of cinnamon and clove, with background notes of orange and ginger, and just a hint of anise in the distance.
This is a warm and tasty chai. It is not what I’d call a “spicy” (as in spicy-hot) chai, instead, I find the spices to be more soothing and mild. The spices are strong enough to be felt in the nasal cavity (this is one of those chai blends that is GREAT for when you’re feeling under the weather and need something to help clear that passage way!) and it gets to work to gently warm and soothe the throat and back of the palate.
The rooibos here can be tasted, but, it isn’t a strong flavor. Instead, I taste a hint of nutty flavor that sort of mingles with the notes of orange in the background. I expected the orange to actually be much stronger than it is here, as there are lots of little chunks of orange peel in the blend. Instead, the orange acts as an accent note, adding a touch of brightness to the cup and highlighting the spices in a very appealing way.
The anise is my favorite part of this chai, it gives an exotic sweetness to the cup and I love the way this spice melds with the others in the blend. They all seem to work together very harmoniously to create a delicious taste that is spicy without being hot, and very comforting. A perfect cup for these last days of autumn.
Cherry Fiesta Tea from Sands of Thyme
Tea Type: Rooibos
Where To Buy: Sands of Thyme
Product Description:
Ingredients: rooibos, cherries, flavor, cinnamon, orange peels, ginger bits, cinnamon sticks, candied pineapple bits (pineapple, sugar), candied papaya bits (papaya, sugar), candied mango bits (mango, sugar), cardamom, star-anise, cloves, vanilla bits, rose petals
Tasters Review:
You know when you go to Folk Art Fairs and you smell dried fruits and spices in potpourri…that’s what this smells like! This is very nice and very home-E.
The ingredients go well with the Rooibos here. I can first taste the cherries and cinnamon/stick as well as a hint of vanilla and sugar. I can also pick up on subtle hints of pineapple, mango, and anise. The after taste is sugary-fruity-sweet.
This is tasty! There is a lot going on here but it’s a fun and interesting cuppa!
Black Celebration Tea from TeaScapes
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: TeaScapes
Product Description:
This tea is a celebration of colors and mixed flavors. The blended tea is a beautiful melody of tea leaves, rose petals, almonds, cornflower petals, orange peels and more. This exquisite Black Celebration tea won an award at the 2008 World Tea Championship for having the best aroma and flavor. The brewed tea offers up a spicy taste for the palate. It infuses for just 3 minutes, allowing the flavors and aromas to intertwine to create a zesty golden liquor. The flavor is naturally sweet and uplifting.
Tasters Review:
My first reaction to this flavor was “OH” and not necessarily a good one! Mostly because I wasn’t prepared for that flavor…
now…DON’T Be alarmed this is a POSITIVE review! I ended up liking this tea just fine and dandy…keep reading!
You know when you take a big swig of something – what you think is – say – Cherry Coke and it ends up being lemonade or something completely different?? Well that is why I was so taken back by this…I was ASSUMING it was something completely different!
And you know what they say about ASS+U+ME…ing…
After that initial shock…I was blown away by the spiciness of this one!
By the 3rd sip everything started making sense and the taste and my taste-buds starting to finally become friends!
I could taste the spices, orange, and then the cinnamon – specifically – it reminds me of a fireball or Hot Ball type cinnamon, then comes the cranberry and peach. Toward the end of the sip I can taste the papaya. The apple is a bit more hidden than most of the other flavors but that’s ok with me. The end of the sip on to the aftertaste is a fruity-spicy one…more spice than fruit – at least on my tongue.
This cup is NOT lacking color, aroma, or taste – let me tell you that! This is a beautiful dry blend and the more I sip it the more I like it but it was quite shocking at first – especially because I wasn’t prepared for that flavor! It’s intense!
I’m not complaining…I do like this!
Just a heads-up on the cinnamon! If you like Fire Balls/Hot Balls you will probably like this. If you aren’t into spices or cinnamon or fireballs…just wanted to warn you!
This is sure to warm any tummy! It’s a Nice bright mix and toasty-warm cuppa! I really needed this THIS week as we are in the middle of snow storm after snow storm!
Premium Gourmet Tea Sachets Set from Talbott Teas
Type: Gift Set/Tea Product
Where To Buy: Talbott Teas
Product Description:
Our top 4 luxury blends are now available in sachets. Just drop one in your cup, and you’re good to go. Plus, Talbott Teas sachets are made of eco-friendly Soilon, which is 100% biodegradable.
Tasters Review:
One of the first things I tried from Talbott Teas was their Sachets. I received one of their Premium Gourmet Tea Sachets Sets – more specifically their Orange Creme Dreams Sachet Set. We should have an Orange Creme Dreams tea review coming up within the next few weeks so stay tuned for that! In the meantime, I would love to show you this set!
What’s neat about this set from Talbott Teas is that you can choose from their top sellers and they only cost $12! That AND they are eco-friendly! That’s always a PLUS!
Again, I really love how simple yet stylish these gift boxes are! And when you open it up it smells heavenly!
You close your eyes and let the heavenly aroma of real orange peel and vanilla carry you away. In this dream, you can be anyone. But you choose to be you.
And as a teaser for the Orange Creme Dreams, specifically – check out these ingredients: All natural premium ingredients: rooibos, orange peels, apple pieces, rosehips, hibiscus, calendula petals, safflowers, natural orange and vanilla flavors.
Just another look at why I think Talbott Teas made the Oprah’s Favorite Things list this past week! Quality, Style, Taste, Fun, and Great Customer Service…Talbott Teas!