I’ve had this little packet of savory, broth-esque tea sitting on my desk at work for MONTHS, friends. Months, just waiting, with the knowledge that someday, I’d be feeling under the weather, and someday, this is exactly what I’d want.
Well– it came. I’m coughing and sneezy and feeling generally woozy, but good enough (and not-contagious enough) to be at work. As soon as I sat down at my desk, I knew I’d be brewing up a cuppa this beauty for a little mid-morning pick-me-up. I’ve tried a few Millie’s savory teas before, and have always been impressed by the amount of flavor in those tiny tea bags. This play on pho was no exception!
My tea brewed up dark and deliciously, with tons of incredible umami flavor, almost like I was slurping down a delicious cup of pho at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant. And those sniffles? Maybe they’re not completely eradicated, but the hot water was soothing on my throat, and I swear my sinuses opened up some. When it’s not feasible to drink a cup of soup during your morning meeting on a sick-y day, THIS is where it’s at.
My desk stash is now sadly depleted of any Millie’s flavors, but I’ll absolutely be stocking up for future icky-sicky days. Delight-pho, indeed!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Millie’s Savory Teas
Description
This Delight Pho is a hearty blend of onions, basil, spicy red peppers, spices & decaf green tea. Steep one broth bag in 6 to 8 ounces of hot water for two minutes. Winner Fancy Food Show Outstanding Hot Beverage of the Year.
INGREDIENTS VEGETABLE BLEND (CARROTS, CELERY, ONION, TOMATO, SPINACH, BELL PEPPER), YEAST EXTRACT, SEA SALT, RICE HULL FIBER, BASIL, GARLIC, LIME, DECAF GREEN TEA, VINEGAR
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Anhui Maojian from Tea Runners. . . . .
This is a green with a bite. It has a pleasant, slightly sweet vegetal tartness that’s surprising and unexpected. The description on the tea’s site describes this exciting sensation as “a lively and vibrant piquancy,” a phrase that I am bitter about not having created myself. The person who wrote it is a scholar.
This isn’t a neutral, pleasant green that fades into the background. It has a distinct personality. It won’t take no for an answer. It’s in charge of your attention. Every time I sip it here at my desk, I glance over at my mug in surprise. Aha! Yes! THIS GUY! STILL DELIGHTING THE SENSES.
When Jewel Staite (Space Cases/Firefly actress) started up Tea Runners, I wanted to be hype about it. I loved this actress — but did I love her taste in tea? Obviously, she probably has advisors and experts that help her with the company. But still. I wasn’t sure. My brother got me a month to be nice (his personality is a good one), and I’ve loved both of the teas I’ve tried so far. (There are 4 in each subscription). GOOD ON HER. So I’m happy to endorse what I’ve tried of Tea Runners.
I’m ALSO happy to endorse Space Cases and Firefly. They are late 90s/early 2000s science fiction. If you get nothing else from this post, just know: television in the pre-HBO era was a SIMPLER TIME. A delightful, innocent time. Pure, like this tea. Get on board.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Tea Runners
Description
This lovely green tea from the Anhui province in China is not only pleasant to look at– its young leaves are touched with mao jian or “downy tips”– but it also brews to a lively and vibrant piquancy. We love the fresh green grass scent and the slightly sweet umami finish in its taste, a welcome combination that makes this green one to savour.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Thai Lemongrass from Millie’s Savory Teas . . . .
Fun fact: I drink a lot of broth. (Not as much as tea, of course, but it’s up there.)
I find it helps ease the symptoms of some less-than-savory health stuff, but it also just makes me feel all good and nourished health-supported and… WELL. You know?
Which is one of the reasons I was so pumped to see this Thai Lemongrass sipping broth from Millie’s Savory Teas in my sample stash. I’ve been hearing about some of the other sisters sipping Millie’s for a while now, and I’ve been dying to give it a shot. This one was right up my alley!
Now, a quick note: I’m not saying that these are a replacement for my actual, made-from-bones broth. There’s no collagen or beneficial fats or any of the other things I get from actual broth, however– it tastes DELIGHTFUL, is a wonderful substitute for tea when I’m looking for something savory, and has been an awesome addition to my office snack-drawer. Mid-morning hungries usually get me real good, and I’ve been finding that a cup of this is the perfect replacement for my usual nuts or dried fruit, sans calories. Mmm.
As for taste? It tastes, well, like broth! Specifically, like the onion-y, celery-y chicken stock my mom used to simmer on the stove all day. I’m not necessarily getting Thai flavors from this one (the celery-saltiness is what’s most prominent for me), but I adore it nonetheless, and have been finding myself craving a cup of this unusual brew in the mornings. I’ll definitely be ordering a stock for myself to have on hand!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Millie’s Savory Teas
Description
This Thai Lemongrass Sipping Broth is a citrusy blend of lemongrass, spices & green tea.. This first-of-its-kind savory single serve hot beverage delivers an amazing taste using the highest quality vegan, natural, wild harvest, organic and gluten-free ingredients – No added MSG. It really is Comfort Food in a Broth™.
Comes in a air-tight flexible foil package. The packet is a great to keep in your drawer at the office. If you travel, then it is really easy to pack in your baggage, purse or backpack. Or, you can have the packet at home in your tea drawer, or next to your other hot drinks in the cupboard.
INGREDIENTS: ORGANIC VEGETABLE BLEND (CARROTS, CELERY, ONION), SEA SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, GARLIC, LEMONGRASS, LIME,GREEN TEA, HERBS & SPICES
Nutrition Facts Serv. Size: 1 packet Amount Per Serving: Calories 15, Fat Cal 0 Total Fat 0g (0% DV), Sat Fat .0g (0%DV), Trans Fat 0g ,Cholest. 0mg (0%DV), Sodium 260mg (11%DV)Total Carb. 0g (0%DV), Fiber 0g (0%DV), Sugars 0g (0%DV), Protein 0g (0%V), Vitamin A (0%DV), Vitamin C (0%DV) Calcium (0%DV), Iron (0%DV) Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Whole Leaf Green from Chai Safari. . .
I’ve been sampling some really ‘out there’ flavored teas lately. While I am a HUGE fan of that on most days – it’s always nice to have a tea that is ‘stand alone’ GOOD. That’s where Whole Leaf Green from Chai Safari comes in.
According to the company’s website their Whole Leaf Green hails from the Himalayan Hill Estates and uses the entire leaf that has been delicately rolled.
The aroma is gentle, the briskness is on the more mellow to mellow-medium strength, and it’s even a little drier on the tongue that most greens are but not in a bitter or grassy way. Maybe a more bittersweet with a small boost of robustness to it, too, while still being a SMOOTH cuppa! Maybe even on the verge of slightly savory – come to think of it.
Overall – the flavor isn’t overly intense but still extremely valid and satisfying. This is a Green Tea I would gladly SHARE and SUGGEST to the masses!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Chai Safari
Description
Especially chosen from the Himalayan hill estates, this tea is made out of very tender WHOLE-LEAF as evident in the infusion; delicately rolled and completely unoxidised to give you a very light pale greenish-yellow Liquor with a smooth taste you are sure to fall in love with. Bid adieu to the bitterness in taste widely associated with Green tea. We bet you will fall in love with this Tea more as a savory then a health drink. Needless to say, this is extremely rich in antioxidants.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Mountain Bliss from Balcony Teas. . . .
Sometimes flavored green teas and I don’t get along. I don’t know if a sharper base is usually used or if my stomach – and tastebuds – sometimes object to the flavorings themselves. I looked up the ingredients on this one to see if I needed to brace myself before sipping, but I am hopeful since this isn’t technically a flavored tea but rather a blend of lots of ingredients.
And this tea is a blend of wonderful things that I need! The base is Chinese green, and the herb sideritis from which Greek Mountain tea or shepherd’s tea is made is in there as well. This herb has long been used as a folk remedy for soothing stomach ailments as well as for treating colds. Thyme and juniper berry are savory smooth ingredients, and olive leaves are also in the mix, giving a richer body to the tea, all also touted for health benefits. There are also apple pieces and calendula petals.
The tea itself is warm and embracing as I sip. I can taste the thyme, not strong but easy to pick up since I usually put French thyme in my omelette. (Today I used oregano instead.) Perhaps it is the juniper berry adding the warm hug. It could be the sideritis, but I have never tasted it on its own so I don’t know exactly what it contributes to the flavor profile. I have no worries about post-breakfast heartburn today.
Bottom line – this is a warm and savory cuppa that did very well as a breakfast tea, holding its own when served with an oniony omelette, and did NOT eat up my poor gastritis prone tummy! Hooray!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Balcony Tea
Description
This blend is inspired by flavours and aromas that bring back childhood memories of walks through Mediterranean valleys. An invigorating blend of green tea, sweet apple and mountain herbs.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
