Red Hot Hibiscus from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Co. . . . via Sipsby Box

Happy Monday morning tea friends! Hope your weekend was a great one. Mine was mainly because my Sipsby Box arrived for February.  I’ve been a subscriber to Sipsby for sometime and I have to say, their selections just keep getting better. This month I only received one tea that I know I won’t be able to drink and that is mainly due to medical reasons.  I was super happy to see one of my favorite tea companies in my box, The Jasmine Pearl Tea Co.

If you haven’t had tea from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Co, I encourage you to check them out. Flavored and Straight Tea drinkers alike can find delicious offerings.  This particular blend, Red Hot Hibiscus, was the perfect way to enjoy some subtle Valentine vibes before the big day later this week.  Consisting of organic cinnamon, hibiscus, and orange peel, this blend had my name written all over it.

I brewed up with water prep at boiling and allowed to steep for about 5 minutes and cooled for an additional 4.  I was slightly nervous this tea would deliver a super tart punch first sip in, but that wasn’t the case at all. The main flavor that really comes across is the cinnamon and this cinnamon isn’t overly spiced.  Just a delicious solid flavor. The tartness from the hibiscus and citrus notes from the orange peel really pull together and mingle gorgeously with the cinnamon, providing you almost with this sweetly spiced orange punch tone.   A delicious evening treat and a nice change of pace from the traditional chamomile evening blends I usually enjoy.

Overall, an incredibly delicious herbal that is simple and to the point.   I ended up drinking my entire pouch of this tea in one night and sadly wish I had saved some to try as a cold brew.  Nevertheless, this blend reminds me just how much I do enjoy The Jasmine Pearl Tea Co and appreciate my Sipsby Box.

Can’t wait to dig into the other goodies I received later today!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Herbal
Where to Buy:  The Jasmine Pearl Tea Co.
Description

Sweet cinnamon and tart hibiscus are blended to a perfect balance. Orange zest provides a fruity background. This tea is fantastic hot or iced and actually deserves extra steep time for its full flavor to shine!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Aria blend from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Co.

Immediately evident in the dry leaves are whole cloves and some seed pods that I thought at first were anise but, after looking at the ingredients, I decided must be fennel. The attractive-looking combination also includes bits of licorice and marshmallow root as well as orange peel and peppermint plus cinnamon and ginger.

I used a heaping teaspoon of the tea leaves in a cup of water at approximately boiling temperature and then watched it steep for about the next four minutes. It smelled all nice and licorice-y while steeping and became a nice light yellow color, which reminded me a bit of a medium-strong green tea.
When I sipped it, I noticed right away the very present flavor of anise (licorice). It reminds me of the “throat coat” tea I grew up drinking whenever I had a cold, except that it’s a bit more delicate and refined in how it presents the licorice flavor. The licorice still manages to overpower the other flavors in the cup, though. I tried really hard and detected a hint of tingly spiciness from the cloves (I think. Or was I just making that up? I may have been just making that up), but I didn’t detect a noticeable presence from any of the other components. This was a little surprising as I’d seen citrus peel in the cup and that’s generally pretty strongly flavored. Fortunately, the licorice flavor itself was quite pleasing.
The effect of the tea is definitely soothing and relaxing to the throat. It’s a bit viscous as if it had lots of honey in it (likely because of the marshmallow root), which makes it even more soothing. It’s also caffeine free, which means it’s non-stimulating. This can be important when your throat is irritated and you’re trying to relax-soothe it, and it’s also good for singers in general especially near a performance because, according to some experts, caffeine can have a detrimental effect on the voice (the vocal cords, that is).

 

I’d say this tea would probably great for reducing throat irritation/scratchiness/etc, whether you have a cold or allergies or have just overused or abused your voice recently. (Which I haven’t. But I’ll be sure to use this tea next time my throat is feeling under the weather!) It probably can’t work miracles, like if you have laryngitis and are hoping to still go on stage or something, but it does have a markedly soothing effect. Also, this tea can be re-steeped! So you can use it over and over again, although I personally didn’t test to see how many cups of tea it will make so I can’t give a figure. I’d recommend this tea for not only singers but anyone who might sometimes overuse their voice or who might have to use their voice while sick, like teachers (can’t stop teaching just cause you have a cold!).


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company
Description

A singer’s best friend! This herbal blend was originally designed for Portland’s very own Hampton Opera Center. Licorice, marshmallow root, cinnamon and mint are some of the ingredients used in this blend to provide relief and aid to the throat. Aria satisfies, soothes and warms.

Caffeine-Free.

Licorice Root*, Fennel*, Clove*, Cinnamon*, Orange Peel*, Ginger*, Peppermint*, and Marshmallow Root.

*Organically Grown.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Bombay Breakfast Black Tea from The Jasmine Pearl Co.

I love black teas. I love breakfast teas. I love Chai. Therefore I am not surprised that I was eager to try Bombay Breakfast from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company.

bombaybreakfastIt is said that Bombay Breakfast is ‘surprisingly popular’ among their customers. With flavor and quality like this I don’t think it’s such a surprise, really. I think it deserves the praise. It’s gently malty, a little spicy, and a tad floral. I don’t think it’s as spicy or as intense as some chais I have had but its flavor is just dandy. .

The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company says this is an excellent morning tea and I completely agree. I start each and every day with at least 1 (or 5) black based teas so I am always looking for more to put into rotation. They also suggest Bombay Breakfast to accompany almost any dessert. I have yet to put that to the test but I just might have to soon!

The aroma and the taste of Bombay Breakfast from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company is rich, full, satisfying, tasty, and hardy. It infuses to a golden-orange-brown. A follow-up infusion with a longer steep time reveals a heavier cardamom and ginger flavor and subtle rose.

Bombay Breakfast from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company is a great way to start the day – and if you are pairing it with dessert – a great way to end your day, too!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Jasmine Pearl Co.

logoDescription

Our surprisingly popular Bombay Breakfast is an ideal milk and sugar tea. Malty Assam, spicy ginger, aromatic cardamom, and sensual roses brew up a very rich, tasty, full-nosed brew. Bold and satisfying, Bombay Breakfast is excellent as a morning tea or as a complement to almost any dessert.

INGREDIENTS:

Indian Black Tea*, Ginger*, Cardamom*, Roses.

*Organically Grown.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Haiku from The Jasmine Pearl

4006-2TTea Information:

Leaf Type:  White

Where to Buy: The Jasmine Pearl

Tea Description:

A beautifully balanced blend of white tea, peach, vanilla and a hint of rose hips. Whether you prefer to drink it with or without the addition of a sweetener, Haiku has a natural light sweetness and smooth finish. Pairs well with pastries.

INGREDIENTS:

Chinese White Tea*, Vanilla Extract, Rose Hips, Orange Peel*, Vanilla Beans, and Natural Peach Flavor.

*Organically Grown.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

It has been a rough day so I wanted something soothing. Something warm, something soothing, something that made you just want to cozy up with a book and escape for a while. So I brewed up this tea. Everything about it screamed good for the soul.

If you aren’t familiar with The Jasmine Pearl, take a moment and check them out. I have liked just about every tea I’ve tried from them and these teas are memorable.

The dry leaf mix of this tea had such a lovely subtle smooth sweet yet slightly floral note to them.  I was hoping this flavor would translate into the flavor.

And wow! Did it ever! This tea is simply amazing! A light refreshing soul soothing tea with distinct white tea notes, a sweet vanilla pillow enveloping a citrus note that is reminiscent of a stone fruit. I would say either peach but I get apricot notes as well.  This tea is soft and loving. Really really really good! I bet this tea would make a dynamite iced tea or a cold brew. Something I hope to be able to try in the future.

Another highly recommended tea from The Jasmine Pearl. I have a feeling I will need 2 oz of this tea fast! I’m off to snuggle up with my book and enjoy the rest of the evening!

 

Dark Forest from The Jasmine Pearl Tea

DarkForestTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Herbal

Where to Buy: The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company

Tea Description:

A great coffee alternative! Smooth dark and rich this blend of chicory, cacao, cinnamon and many other delicious herbs create a satisfying brew for morning or afternoon. Due to the presence of cacao nibs, which contain caffeine, don’t drink Dark Forest near bedtime.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I have loved every tea that I have tried from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company.  Their teas are delicious and just knock your socks off sort of fantastic. This particular blend I am trying is their Dark Forest Herbal Tea. Now the description from what the tea consists of online and what I have in hand is different so I think they may have changed up the formula. The blend I have consists of chamomile, ginger, eucalyptus, lemon myrtle, and peppermint.

To begin with, I am not a huge ginger fan. I do like it on occasion but it isn’t my favorite. I know ginger is great for the body so I will drink ginger teas and even enjoy it in food every once in a while, but I do not go searching for it.

So let’s talk about the journey it was to actually drink this tea. First off, I dropped the bag and half of the contents fell out. Ugh.  I boiled the water and forgot about it. Boo. And I measured way too water for my new Doctor Who mug and I had tea all over my desk (I used a gravitea steeper).  Yep.  It seemed like this tea was doomed from the start. By the time I was able to take a drink of this tea I was ready!

The dry leaf reminded me of a sweet pumpkin spice bar.  The mixture just smelled heavenly. I prepped my water and allowed the tea to steep for about 5 minutes.  And I would recommend that being the time you allow the tea to steep if aren’t a fan of ginger like me. I have a feeling any long than that and the ginger would overtake the tea.

My first sip of this tea and I was surprised and how lovely it was.  I was afraid the ginger would overpower and leave the rest of the flavors behind but that wasn’t the case at all.  Each flavor was noticeable at different times and mingled together so nicely.  The ginger was light but there to spice the tea up, the lemon myrtle provided a bit of that citrus undertone, the chamomile was giving the tea a familiar herbal feel to it and the peppermint gave the tea a fresh flavor.  Really well done. Who would have thought those ingredients would make such a lovely herbal?

As delicious as this was, the new upgraded blend sounds just as good! I’m going  to have to try that one soon!

Another impressive tea from The Jasmine Pearl!