I’ve always had an affinity for matcha, but in recent months, I’ve become a bit obsessed. Like many of my tea-loving sisters, I stash the hot brews away for the summer as soon as it starts to warm up, but there’s still a part of me that longs for a tasty, un-iced cuppa from time to time. Black teas seem too heavy for this distinction in the summer, but fresh and vegetal matcha hits the perfect notes.
I’m not enough of a matcha expert to really be able to tell the finest distinctions between brands, but I can vouch that this one is right up there with some of my favorites: finely milled, fresh, bright and vegetal taste, and blends beautifully into my drink of choice (either straight in water, as a latte, or if I’m feeling really fun– iced!). A bonus– it’s organic! If this is something that’s important to you like it is to me, this is a great choice. If you’re looking for a matcha powder that hits all the right notes and won’t let you (erm– or your cup) down, this is a solid choice.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: Kiss Me Organics
Description
Our Japanese-grown, 100% certified organic, Culinary Grade Matcha powder contains 137x the antioxidants of brewed green tea. Matcha is a potent antioxidant and consuming it can increase thermogenesis (the rate at which our body burns calories) by 30 to 50%. Our green tea powder contains a potent amino acid, L-Theanine, that helps reduce stress while providing a steady energy boost (for up to 6 hours), without the caffeine crash. KissMeOrganics Culinary grade matcha is made from 100% certified organic ingredients and comes in a BPA-FREE Packaging with resealable zipper pouch. Ideal for blending, baking and cooking.
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!
Maui Mango from Tiesta Tea. . . .
Friends, grab your grass skirts and sunscreen– we’re going to Hawaii.
JUST KIDDING. I wish I weren’t, of course– but a few sips of this delightful fruit infusion and we may as well be on a tropical island. Filled with chunks of dried and sweetened fruit, bits of electric-yellow and orange safflower, you don’t even have to smell this tea to feel its summery vibes. I’ll admit– I’ve only ever made this one cold-brew-style– while I’m certain that it would be delightful hot, if I’m going to be channeling my inner vacation vibes, I want a cold beverage.
If you’re worried that these flavors won’t translate without hot water to wake them up, fear not. This cold brew is full of bright, tropical, sweet and fruit flavors. Mango, of course, is prominent, but a delightful array of varied citrus notes backs it up pretty prominently. This one is abundantly sweet on its own, which can sometimes be a little overwhelming– but served half and half with some plain sparkling water, you’ve got yourself a mocktail worthy of any island vacation.
Now, if someone could just point me to the beach…
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Tisane
Where to Buy: Tiesta Tea
Description
This incredible citrus fusion of mangos, pineapple and oranges brings a mouthwatering tropical vacation right to your lips.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
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Orange Dreamsicle from Wise Ape Tea Co. . .
A few weeks ago, my husband and I were hit by the literal plague (okay, fine– influenza. But there was a moment there that I was certain it was the end for me. #dramaqueen). After the first week or so of having no taste for tea (who am I?!), I finally started to feel well enough again to crave my favorite, comforting hot treat. A fresh stash of tea samples arrived at my front door, with this one sitting tantalizingly right on top. My husband loves chamomile when he’s sick, and I love a tea with a fun twist, so I knew this one would be perfect to cure our sick day blues.
Wise Ape’s teas hit the sweet spot of what I love in a good herbal (or traditional tea) blend– interesting, health-supportive herbs, but not at the expense of great flavor. Too often, herbal teas can fall into the all-the-same category– this one certainly did not. Packed with great, sleep-supportive herbs like valerian root, chamomile and skullcap, this blend still boasted deliciously creamy, dreamy orange flavors that felt like heaven on my sick-y throat. The perfect cup to wind down with (and clear those lingering flu-y sinuses) while still feeling like a little treat, this one was a total hit for both my coffee-loving hubs and myself.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Wise Ape Tea Co.
Description
A dreamy blend of chamomile flowers with subtle hints of orange and cream, combined with adaptogenic super-herbs to support your nightly zen. This relaxing elixir is designed to calm the mind, ease the body, and help you sink into a restorative night’s sleep.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Fireside Spice from Tiesta Tea. . . . ,
The holiday season means– okay, well, a lot of things. But one of them is definitely INDULGENCE. And frankly, friends– it gets a little exhausting after a while. My body needs a break from all the sugar and carbs and alcohol and parties and and and– well, you get the picture.
Enter this tea. A delightful hibiscus (don’t run away, hibiscus-haters– it works here!) based with loads of fruit and spice, it’s a perfect ringer for actual mulled wine, but without that liver-taxing alcohol. Even just the dry leaf is impressive on this one: loads of spices, huge bits of cinnamon sticks and fruit all suspended in a beautiful, bright red hibiscus base. Rather than the off-putting and overwhelming tartness that make so many dislike hibiscus, the strong flavors of the spice are actually the perfect balance, and can totally stand up to that infamous pink flower. The tart actual mimicks wine here, giving you that same mouthfeel so ubiquitous with a plummy red.
All the indulgence of the holiday season with none of the negative consequences– sign me up!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Tiesta Tea
Description
This tea is no longer available but could come back for the holiday season.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!