Fig Formosa Oolong from TeaLeafs #VeganMoFo2016

Here is today’s contributing post for Vegan MoFo.  Today’s prompt is “Close To Home”  This means we are to make a food from our own country, state, or hometown.  Because SororiTea Sisters is featuring vegan teas for Vegan MoFo I thought I would feature Fig Formosa Oolong from TeaLeafs for a few different reasons.

TeaLeafs is a wonderful tea shop in Williamsville, NY, which is near Buffalo, NY, all of which are my old stomping grounds.  I was born and raised in and around Western New York and will visit whenever possible.  Years ago I stop in at TeaLeafs and have been HOOKED ever since!  They have over 200 loose leaf teas in stock and LOTS of teaware and collectibles!

As for this specific tea – Fig Formosa Oolong from TeaLeafs – I can’t say enough GOOD things about it!  It’s an intensely fig flavored oolong tea.  When we bought it the first time we had it iced and since my husband was with me we HAD to put natural rock sugar in it since he likes it sweet.  Since I don’t usually put sweeteners in my teas I will say that I have had it BOTH ways and it’s EXCELLENT straight-up and stand alone – as well as – with natural rock sugar in it if you choose!  Fig Formosa Oolong from TeaLeafs is also tremendous BOTH hot AND Cold.  They sure don’t skimp on the fig flavoring and it’s SUPER TASTY!  Fig Formosa Oolong from TeaLeafs is really AWESOME!

 


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: TeaLeafs
Description:

Origin: Taiwan
Ingredients: Oolong tea, Cornflower, Poppy Flower, Natural flavor

A full, whole leaf base with a rich taste of Smyrna figs.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Roasted Chestnut Rooibos from Simpson & Vail #VeganMoFo2016

Today for the Vegan MoFo prompt it’s “Comfort Food” and since here at Sororitea Sisters we post about teas and tisanes I have chosen Roasted Chestnut Rooibos from Simpson & Vail to be featured today.  This Rooibos offering surprised me on so many levels that I just HAD to share my experiences with you!

Not only is Roasted Chestnut Rooibos from Simpson & Vail one of their holiday blends that I could totally see myself sipping on while under a blanket and/or near a fire but it’s super tasty and comforting on the flavor level, too!  Right off the bat I can tell you that the color of Roasted Chestnut Rooibos from Simpson & Vail infuses to an exciting and vibrant orange-golden-light-brown color that really draws me in!

It’s smells wonderful with the sweet yet creamy notes, the orange pokes, and the nuttiness!  There is a butteriness that I haven’t tasted in other rooibos offerings that I am super stoked about in this S&V creation.  This just might be one of my favorite flavored rooibos tastes of this year!  Roasted Chestnut Rooibos from Simpson & Vail is a terrific comfort cuppa.  I think the reason I am overly excited about this one is because I am not a Chestnut Guru or a Rooibos Rabid Fan!  Which makes this even better, I think!


roastedchestnuttin
Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Description: Usher in the holiday season with this joyous brew. If you like chestnuts roasted on an open fire you’ll love this caffeine free tisane! The dry leaf has the aroma of nutty, heavenly goodness and the brewed cup explodes with this flavor followed by a light buttery taste. So curl up by a fire with this delicious cup while you read your favorite book and listen to holiday songs. We dare you to try not to sing “that” song!

Ingredients: Red Rooibos, orange blossoms and flavoring.

Brew tea at 212º – steep for 5 minutes.

Caffeine free. Certified Kosher

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Coconut Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea #VeganMoFo2016

I figured Coconut Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea was not only due for a review here at Sororitea Sisters but it would make a great tie-in for today’s Vegan MoFo Prompt which is “Late Night Snack”.  I maybe a little different than most but I really LOVE a good, flavored matcha in the evening or even late at night.  Although – I never think it’s a BAD time for a good matcha!

For a late night snack one evening I had some of this matcha and it was glorious!  Coconut Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea is SO very creamy, SO very sweet, and SO very tasty!  It’s the closest I have tasted to natural, shredded coconut in liquid form.  I’m pretty sure I haven’t tasted a coconut matcha that I like better than this one from 3 Leaf Tea.

Below you can see some drink ideas using Coconut Matcha from 3 Leaf Tea but I enjoy it straight-up with hot water.  Eventho I think this is great anytime of day I think this makes a great late night snack since it’s creamy, comforting, sweet, and dessert-like.

 


3leaf
Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Matcha (Green Tea Base)
Where to Buy: 3 Leaf Tea
Description:
Get a taste of the tropics with our all natural coconut flavored matcha. One sip and you’ll see why this is our number one seller. Smooth and creamy with a well balanced coconut taste.
Preparation & Recipes: 
Hot Latte: Whisk 1 tsp of matcha with 1 tsp of sugar in 2 oz of hot (170°F) water. Add 6 oz of hot milk and stir.
Iced Latte: Whisk 1 tsp of matcha with 1 tsp of sugar in 2 oz of hot (170°F) water. Add 6 oz of cold milk and stir. Pour over ice.
Traditional: Whisk 1/4-1/2 tsp of matcha in 6 oz of (170°F) water.
Smoothie: Add 1 tsp matcha, 1 banana, 1 cup milk, handful of ice, and 1 tsp sugar or honey into blender. Blend until smooth.
Orange Juice: Add 1/2 tsp of sifted matcha to 1 cup of orange juice in a shaker bottle. Shake well until matcha is fully blended.
Food: Sprinkle matcha on top of yogurt, cottage cheese, granola or add it into a recipe (check out our recipe page for ideas!)
Tips:  
  1. Traditionally, a bamboo whisk, also called a chasen, is the preferred tool to whisk matcha. A chawan, or matcha bowl is also used. If those items are not available, a small metal whisk and a wide bowl or mug to accommodate room for whisking can be used.
  2. Water temperature is important for the matcha to maintain it’s sweet flavor and avoid turning bitter. Water temperatures below 170° F are recommended.
  3. Matcha is stored best in an airtight, light proof container. To maintain maximum freshness, store in refrigerator.
  4. Sifting matcha through a fine mesh strainer before use helps remove clumps and creates a smoother consistency.

Ingredients: Matcha, natural flavor

Vegan, Gluten Free

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Hot & Cold Teas at Tim Hortons #VeganMoFo2016

This is a different sort of a post here at Sororitea Sisters.  Not only is this a chain location review of sorts it’s also to mention both the Hot & Cold Teas at Tim Hortons.  Keep in mind that Tim Hortons locations vary state by state and throughout Canada.  Not only are various Hot & Cold Teas available at Tim Hortons some locations have bagged tea, loose leaf teas, and other specialty offerings.

Hot & Cold Teas at Tim Hortons are not my only reason for posting about this topic here today.  For today’s Vegan MoFo prompt “Where do you eat when you want someone else to cook for you” I decided to use Hot & Cold Teas at Tim Hortons as a tie-in.  Not only does Tim Hortons have VARIOUS Tea Options they have a decent amount of VEGAN Options for quick food, too!  If you CLICK HERE you will see which of their foods are VEGAN.  I, personally, have a weakness for their bagels with a slice of tomato and Hot & Cold Teas at Tim Hortons depending on the season.  Their HOT teas are peppy and strong for bagged and their UnSWEETENED Iced Tea is usually a winner when on the go!

 


Hot & Cold Teas from Tim Hortons

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Various Tea Bases
Where to Buy: Tim Hortons
Description: With so many Tim Hortons specialty teas to choose from, there’s one for all your tea-savoring moments. Whether you like to relax with a soothing cup of caffeine-free herbal tea, or prefer the distinctive flavor of Earl Grey or Green Tea, Tim Hortons makes tea time, your time.

Available in a variety of flavors throughout the year and in seasonal favorites.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Spicy Tortilla Vegetable Sipping Broth from Millie’s Savory Teas

Today I NEED to share with you – Spicy Tortilla Vegetable Sipping Broth from Millie’s Savory Teas!  I’m doing a tie-in with VeganMofo on this one because it works PERFECTLY for the “Easy Cook Meal”… ‘something I make when I can’t be bothered to cook much’!  Millie’s Savory Teas – also known as – Millie’s Sipping Broth – was INVENTED by a school teacher who needed a better way to snack in between classes!

VeganMoFo2016
After double checking the ingredients AND confirming with the company I was able to verify that Spicy Tortilla Vegetable Sipping Broth from Millie’s Savory Teas was VEGAN – therefore – the PERFECT PRODUCT to feature for today!  WHY am I so darn excited about Spicy Tortilla Vegetable Sipping Broth from Millie’s Savory Teas?  Because MOST Tortilla Soups that are commercial popular have chicken broth or other chicken ingredients in them!  NOT Spicy Tortilla Vegetable Sipping Broth from Millie’s Savory Teas!  The ingredients include: Green Tea, an organic vegetable blend that contains carrots, onion, and celery, tomato, sea salt, yeast extract, garlic, chipotle, herbs, and spices.

I made a cup of Spicy Tortilla Vegetable Sipping Broth from Millie’s Savory Teas while at work and VERY busy one day not too long ago and I will tell you the more I drank it the more I was addicted to the flavor!  I drank it on an empty stomach (well the only thing my stomach had in it was other teas) but I will say I was HUNGRY going into this sipping experience and by the time I was done I was completely satisfied.  I’m not making any claims here – just telling you what my stomach experienced!

The flavor of Spicy Tortilla Vegetable Sipping Broth from Millie’s Savory Teas was out of this world!  It WAS spicy, savory, tomato-y, garlic-y, and peppery.  I LOVED each of those tastes!  I can see myself drinking this often!  Is it a SOUP?  Is it a TEA?  YES.  And it is FABULOUS!


spicy-display
Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Green Tea

Where to Buy: Millie’s Savory Teas
Description: This Spicy Tortilla Sipping Broth is a zesty blend of chipotle pepper, spicies & 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 MSG. It really is Comfort Food in a Broth™.

Millie’s Sipping Broth – The first soup/broth in a tea bag – invented by a school teacher who needed a better snack between classes to cure the crave of unhealthy salty snack foods.

– Steepable tea/Broth Bag – excellent at work, for travel or home
– 75% less sodium than a bouillon cube
– Gluten free and real all vegetable/herb ingredients

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!