Vanilla Bean from Storehouse Teas. . . . . .

I love vanilla in teas. I feel like if I was a tea-blender, i’d probably add a dash of vanilla to just about everything. I feel like it just gives this yummy warmth and sweetness to the blends and it also goes well with just about everything else! There is a difference between regular old “vanilla” and “vanilla bean”. Vanilla bean, in my experience, tends to be just a tad bit stronger and richer. When I saw this one in my little sample box I immediately scanned the ingredient list. I was wondering whether this would just be plain vanilla flavored tea or if maybe they added a little something-something to it. Well, I saw rose petals on there and I immediately thought to myself “okay, okay this is probably going to be good.”

And yes, it was good. I was right! Definite yum. I liked this blend so much that i transferred it from my tea-tasting cup to my good cup immediately! (it’s all about the mugs, people) I could smell the vanilla bean filling my kitchen and it smelled like cupcakes. The black tea was really mellow and smooth, not overpowering or astringent. The rose petals were not too floral or in-your-face, they were also very mellow and just added a little something on the aftertaste.

This blend was creamy, and I didn’t even add milk or cream to my cup. I did, however, add a spoonful of agave, and that just made it all the more better. I feel like this was cake in a mug. Vanilla cake speckled with rose and calendula petals. So, so, good. I will for sure be finishing my sample and buying some more. This is a perfect tea for mornings and afternoon tea time. I really suggest trying it if you like vanilla.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy:  Storehouse Teas
Description

Our exquisite blend of rich black tea and world class organic orchid grown vanilla bean is smooth, naturally sweet, aromatic and comforting. Wonderful at Breakfast or any time of day to satisfy your sweet tooth, best served hot or chilled as an iced tea latte. Black teas may be helpful in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Bourbon from Dammann Freres. . . . .

Growing up my stepfather would often have a nightcap. A hard drink on ice to relax just before bed. Sometimes it was Rye, sometimes it was Whiskey, sometimes it was Scotch, and on the odd occasion it was Bourbon. On one such occasion, he poured his drink and left it on his nightstand while he went to make a quick nighttime snack. That is when my 10-year-old me wandered into the bedroom where my mom sat on the bed. I went to my stepdad’s side and climbed in. Then, I looked at the drink then at my mom, back to the drink and back to my mom, and then back to the drink. My mom, knowing what I had in mind said one word: “okay”. Well, I jumped at the chance, brought the glass to my mouth and took one tiny sip. The liquor barely made it past my lips before I immediately spat it out and made the biggest “blech” face I could muster. My mom knew I would hate it but also knew I would be stubborn about wanting to try it so she figured it was best to let me learn the hard way. So why am I telling you this story? I decided to share because I wanted to make it clear that I have not had good experiences with Bourbon in the past and yet I still decided to purchase this tea.

For some reason, despite not enjoying the inspiration, certain flavors in tea just call to me. For instance, I am not one to drink coffee but when I see latte teas or mocha teas or even just coffee teas, I convince myself it will be awesome. Nine times out of ten that is not the case. Same goes for a variety of alcohol flavors such as this one. Luckily, this time my gamble paid off as this is one lovely tea, albeit an inaccurately named one in my opinion.

Simply named “Bourbon” and yet this tea has no alcohol flavor to it whatsoever. Instead it is more confectionery-themed with its full-bodied vanilla-caramel flavor. More natural than many caramel teas out there, this manages to have a thick mouthfeel without being overly sweet (a task not easily achieved when you consider the fact that caramel is basically just sugar). The base plays a key role here as it blends effortlessly with the flavor while still maintaining its presence. This results in the black tea imparting a caramel note, but one that is toned down and subtle by the smooth malt of the tea itself.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy:  Dammann Freres
Description

A blend of black teas scented with the aromas of vanilla and caramel. Ideal for lovers of warm, gourmet teas.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Vanilla Crème SereniTea from Cup of Love. . . . .

This is a lovely black tea with vanilla/cream flavoring. It’s beautiful, with real nuts and flower petals inside. It feels SO ENGLISH and DECADENT. Like you’re at your lovely aunt’s home in London drinking out of real teacups, not some geek mug at your desk. You want to flip your pinkie out and take up embroidery.

As I was sipping this, I thought “wait… haven’t I tried this?” So I did some research, and I had.

I tried a few samples from Vampyre Teas back in the day because — obviously — Vampyre Teas. Come on, guys. Vampyres. My friend Mitch had sent me some samples because I’m a huge Goth, deep down.

Cup of Love (this sample) is the company that owns Vampyre Teas. (Or Vampyre Teas owns Cup of Love. I’m not sure.)

Love/Vampyre blends can either come in their hippie (Love) packaging or their goth (Vampyre) packaging.

So “Vanilla Crème SereniTea” at Cup of Love is the same exact tea as “Moonlight And Serenade” at Vampyre Teas. “Cherry Mango VersatiliTea” at Cup of Love is “NosferaTea” at Vampyre Teas. Etc.

I obviously prefer the Gothy names, but either way, the blend is tasty.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black
Where to Buy:  Cup of Love
Description

A lush, romantic blend of creamy, delicious English Earl Grey Tea with just the right accent of luscious Vanilla and crisp Almonds.  A beautiful blend that infuses joy, calm, and relaxation in

the blessed union of song in a cup!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Vanilla from Adagio Teas. . . . .

This tea reminds me of how cookie dough tastes before the chocolate chips get added. Sort of a brown sugar and vanilla flavor. Very cozy and warm and soft.

If you’re going for a kick in the pants, this isn’t it. But if you want a nice morning cup that you could sip in between, say, crocheting booties for children, this would be just the thing.

I have a variety of scenarios this would be right for:

– Drinking while wearing toe socks on a glassed-in porch while it’s snowing

– Handing to someone who just came in from skiing

– Slurping during a This Old House marathon

– Imbibing while browsing a library (IN A SPILL-PROOF CONTAINER, GUYS; RESPECT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY)

– Quaffing (drinking)  while getting ready for a girls’ night — while playing Adele really loud, obviously

– Downing at the dog park from a thermos while you pray your dog does not get fresh with the other dogs

– Draining while you choose a Christmas tree and watch your partner cut it down (you couldn’t possibly help — you’re drinking tea)

– Partaking in bed, scrolling through friends’ Instagram party-pics, being grateful you are not wearing heels, makeup, or Spanx on this lovely night Comfort is, simply, the name of this tea’s game.

This is tea is the epitome of hygge.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description

According to the International Ice Cream Association, Vanilla is by far the most popular flavor, getting a full 23% of all ice cream consumption. Inspired by this love, Adagio created Vanilla Black Tea, combining the rich, warm, sugar aroma of vanilla with bright Ceylon black tea. Soothing, sweet and very ‘beany’ vanilla fragrance, like warm sugar cookies made with fresh vanilla beans.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Midnight Melange Black tea from Plum Deluxe

plumdeluxe_logo_strapteaTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black, Green, Roiboos, Etc.

Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe 

Tea Description:

A fresh cup of curious delight, great for calm mornings or evening gatherings.

All Organic:  Black Tea, Hibiscus, Lemon Peel, Rosehips, Rose Petals, Vanilla Essence.  Has Caffeine. 

Learn more about this tea here. Learn more about their monthly tea subscription plan here.

Taster’s Review:

If you haven’t tried or checked Plum Deluxe out, do yourself a favor and click on those links above. Plum Deluxe is one of those companies that just makes you happy from the start. I may not like every blend they create, but they always put 100% into each blend, truly care about their customers, and have even created an online community for their monthly tea subscribers that is extremely active. I don’t participate as often as I would like to but I always check out whats going on. They have swaps and lots of fun goings on in the group. So neat to see what Plum Deluxe has created.

I have been a customer of Plum Deluxe for some time. I enjoy getting my purple envelope each month full of loose leaf goodness. Like I said, I don’t enjoy every blend but I can always find someone to share the tea with.  Each blend is gorgeously hand blended giving you all the lovely tea feels you can want and more.

This month’s selection is a black tea, which I couldn’t be happier about. (I didn’t see this tea listed in the shop so I think this might be a subscriber only tea.)  My favorite blends that Plum Deluxe creates are black and green tea blends. Midnight Melange Black Tea is a lovely blend of lemon peel, black tea, hibiscus, vanilla, and rose petals. The pieces of lemon are huge and the smell of this tea blend is heavenly.

Prepped with boiling water, I scooped a few tsps into my infuser and steeped the tea for about 4 minutes.  I didn’t want to oversteep so I played it safe in the middle of the suggested parameters.  I allowed the tea to cool for a moment and took a sip.

This tea shines and is perfection! Lush lemon along with a sweet creamy vanilla finish.  There are hints of a tartness here and there from the hibiscus.  The hibiscus is subtle and completes the sweetness from the vanilla nicely. A simple yet complex tea all at the same time. Each flavor really shines and delivers a lovely and gorgeous finished product.

Can’t wait to try this tea as a cold brew. I’m hoping the lemon flavors pop even more.

Another well crafted tea from Plum Deluxe!