Black Thai Tropical/Tiesta Tea- Ashmanra-

Black Thai Tropical was very different from what I expected! Since it comes from the Energizer line I was expecting a cup of deeply colored, strong black tea with some fruit flavors, but when I opened the pouch I saw mostly dried fruit pieces – big ones! – with bits of black tea clinging to them. It was extremely aromatic and I could have sworn I smelled lime but it isn’t listed in the ingredients.

This steeped up to a medium golden color, looking more like a fruit infusion than a black tea. I tried it both hot and plain, and iced with sugar, so let’s start with hot.

I felt no need for sugar in this. It is quite “citrus fruity” with the papaya and mango giving a very different vibe than most fruit teas that seem to rely heavily on apple and hibiscus with spices like cinnamon and clove. This is a bright, refreshing change from that. I don’t feel like I am drinking a cup of black tea. The fruit is center stage. With as little black tea as I see in the pouch, I wonder how much caffeine is actually in this. I don’t mind, as I don’t seek out caffeine and if I have too much of it in the afternoon I will be up all night!

I tried it as iced sweet tea because it is ridiculously hot and humid where I live and we guzzle
tons of iced tea here. I grew up on super sweet Southern iced black tea, and I am loving icing all different kinds now. I have pulled back the amount of sugar considerably from what we made when I was growing up.

I think I liked this best as an iced tea. The aroma is amazing! The fruit flavor is really citrusy and bright, and the papaya and mango make it more unique than most of the fruit blends I run into. It was fantastically refreshing and also went very well with a meal.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy: Tiesta Tea

Description

This tropical trio combines the power of black tea with the bursting flavors of pineapple and mango to create a force strong enough to take down any to-do list. You’ve got exotic places to go, people to see, and the world at your fingertips; this Energizer blend is the one to get you there.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Strawberry Rhubarb Parfait/Davids Tea. . .

My vegan friend gave this to me because it has traces of yogurt in it. SUCKER. IT’S MINE NOW.

I made this today and spent a chunk of the day wandering around the office showing people what a beautiful pink it was iced.

Three of us drank from the same mug, and thought the same thing: delicious. There’s a lot of hibiscus here, and a bit of strawberry, and some cream on the end notes. Yum. The sweet and the tart and the cream all balance each other out like a gymnast on a pommel horse.

I love this and I’m sad my friend drank most of it before going vegan.

If Canada were in the World Cup, this blend from America’s Hat would inspire me to root for them. Alas, they are not, so I will have to root for England instead. Tea people love England, right?


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy:  Davids Tea

Description

Love rhubarb and strawberries? Try this sweet and tart caffeine-free infusion. It blends all the bright and juicy flavour of fresh-picked berries with a tart rhubarb punch and a hint of yogurt creaminess. Refreshingly fruity, it steeps up a satisfying deep red and is equally amazing hot or iced. Now that’s a beautiful thing.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Watermelon from Fox Tea Club. . . .

I’m going to let you all in on a little secret: I don’t really like watermelon.

GASP. Don’t tell summer. But for real– I am a fruit fiend, but something about melon (cantaloupe and honeydew included) just doesn’t really do it for me. In fact, I’ve even been known to scoff at a bowl of “filler fruit” alongside my omelet at breakfast. Bring me berries, or nothing at all!

That said– a little sub-quirk of this particular quirk is that I really love watermelon-flavored things. (I know, I don’t get it either.) Something about the concentrated, bright tanginess is spectacular to my palate– especially when it’s in iced tea form! Which, of course, is exactly how I brewed up this tea sample. Immediately, it turned a gorgeous, bright berry red. After a night in the fridge, this one was fully steeped. Fascinatingly enough, this brew boasts ZERO watermelon or watermelon flavoring, and yet, this blend totally hits all those familiar watermelon flavors.

My only tiny gripe is that the hibiscus in this blend is… overpowering. It is SUPER tart, and almost distractingly hibiscus-y. I want more of that yummy, watermelon-y goodness, but all my brain can process of the end notes of each sip is “hibiscus! hibiscus!”– kind of a bummer. That said, I can totally forsee this blend making for perfect, summery sun tea. In fact, you melon-lovers unlike myself could totally throw a few slices of your melon of choice inside a cold glass for a refreshing summery treat. Mmm– summer in a glass.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Tisane
Where to Buy:  Fox Tea Club
Description

The remarkable blend of red hibiscus, tart cherries, red bilberry, aromatic rose petals, and rose hips combine sweetly in this remarkable “watermelony” summer tea. It is especially refreshing as served iced on a summer afternoon. Add a touch of sugar or honey to bring out the fruitiness of the brew.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Presidential Peach from Impeach Teas

Presidential Peach from Impeach Teas is a classic ceylon black tea with peach flavor and flower petals.  The bright ceylon tea is well-suited for sunny fruit flavors, and adds a touch of starchy baked goods beneath all the juicy peach taste.

This tea seems well-suited for classic presidents of history who have beautiful estates in areas like Virginia.  The peach and black tea are the essential summer sweet tea flavor combination. While it is comforting as a warm brew, it will be perfect as a cold brew for sipping on a wide verandah and taking in the summer weather.

With a name like Impeach Teas it is clear that this tea company isn’t afraid of being a involved in social matters.  Their website describes them as preaching social responsibility, and says that a portion of each sale goes towards a worthy cause.

So brew your Impeach Tea in peace knowing that you’re doing good in your cup and in the world.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Impeach Teas
Description:

Our Presidential Peach blend features an incredible Ceylon Black Tea base, finely complimented with juicy-sweet all-natural peachy goodness. A perfect companion to your summer vibes when served over ice or serve it hot as a delicious and relaxing treat.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Peach and Apricot Green Tea from Long Dog Tea Co. . . .

Peaches and apricots just scream all things happy and bright so when I was having a particularly low day the other day, this was the tea I grabbed for. And I’m so happy I did.

Peach and Apricot Green Tea is a lovely tea blend of gunpowder green tea, peach, and apricot flavorings.  First of all, this tea had me at gunpowder but with the promise of peaches and apricots, this tea was giving me those tea tingles. You know. Those tingles you get when you try a tea for the first time and you know its going to be love.

Brewed up with green tea parameters and allowed to steep for 3 minutes and cooled for another two.  Fresh fruity notes were already in the air and I couldn’t wait to see if what I was smelling would translate into the same flavor.

First sip in, you are greeted with this gorgeous lovely peach and subtle apricot flavor followed up with a sturdy familiar gunpowder green tea flavor.  Not so much the smoky tones of gunpowder tea but more or less just a there is a green tea flavor here and not in the vegetal way.  Quite simply, this tea is delicious and provides a perfect contrast without being overpower by fruity notes or the natural green tea flavor. I’m quite in love and enamored over this tea.

With the little sample I had, I was able to pull out a few infusions and was delighted.

This tea would be a perfect companion for any season and I can’t wait to gobble up more so I can enjoy a lighter tea with the onset of fall chais coming our way.  If you aren’t familiar with Long Dog Tea Co., check them out! Their logo alone makes me smile.

 


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Long Dog Tea Co.
Description

Sweet flavor of ripe summer peaches and apricots with the smooth refreshing taste of green tea.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!