Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Design A Tea
Company Description:
One might ask…”Ice Wine Tea?” We sure did! We were asked to see what we could come up with- so we did a little research and found a great base recipe and added to it. This tastes just like iced wine. It’s a black tea base with ice wine flavoring (iced white grapes from Ontario) and organic pear flavoring. Together they leave a subtle sweet after taste of white grape wine. You won’t need to add sugar to this one, it’s sweet enough on it’s own
Taster’s Review:
I really like this tea!
Having tried one or two “Ice Wine” tea offerings from other tea companies, I kind of formed an opinion of this tea before tasting it, thinking it would taste very much like some of the others that I’ve tried.
Now, that’s not to say that I didn’t like those other Ice Wine teas, I did. But I like this Ice Wine tea SO MUCH better!
I really believe that what makes this Ice Wine tea so exceptional is the addition of the pear flavor. It adds a certain smoothness to the sweet-tart flavor of the ice wine grape which can be sometimes rather overwhelming. While I cannot pick out the pear flavor distinctly in this cup, I can taste the rich, nectar-like sweetness that it imparts, and I can taste how the ice wine grape flavor is affected by this addition.
The black tea base is smooth. It is not what I would call exceptionally brisk or strong. Mellow is the word I would use to describe it. But this mild quality is needed for the flavors in this cup, and a stronger tea would overpower the flavor of the pear and grape.
If you’ve been contemplating trying an ice wine tea THIS is the one you should try. This is a tea I’d recommend to all those out there who love a good, flavored tea.
And as good as it is hot – it’s even better iced. Quenches the thirst as it relaxes you – this is really a delightful tea.
Pirate Tea from Design a Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black with Yerba Maté
Where to Buy: Design a Tea
Company Description:
All that’s missing is that pain in the butt parrot and a buried treasure; like we said, you will remember after 1 cup of Pirate Tea where the treasure is… or at least where you lost your car keys! This is a hardy chai with a very pleasant sweet pineapple aroma and after taste. GREAT COLD
Taster’s Review:
I am not generally a huge fan of Yerba Maté. For the most part, I can take it or leave it, although sometimes, I come across something pretty spectacular. I even blended a pretty spectacular Yerba Maté blend… if I do say so myself.
But, Yerba Maté isn’t necessarily my favorite … know what I mean? It’s kind of like rooibos. I don’t dislike rooibos… but, it’s not something that I crave usually either.
BUT… this blend… I can actually see myself actually craving! It is so good.
It is a blend of black teas and Roasted Yerba Maté (generally my preference when it comes to Yerba Maté). The Yerba Maté is not an overwhelming presence in the cup (perhaps that is why I like it so much?) but the deep earthy flavor is there, as well as the roasted quality from the Maté.
The black tea is also not an overwhelming presence. I can taste it, but, it seems to be providing more of a smooth presence to help curb the edge that can sometimes be part of the flavor of the Yerba Maté. Together, the Maté and black tea create a very smooth, yet rich, deep, earthy flavor.
The pineapple is the strongest flavor in this cup, but it is not an overly aggressive flavor. Rather, it is pleasantly sweet and juicy, and provides a beautiful contrast to the earthy character of the Yerba Maté and the warmth of the masala chai spices, creating a perfectly harmonized balance of flavors.
There is also vanilla flavoring added to this blend, which is soft and smooth, and gives the whole blend a hint of creamy, sweet goodness without being too obvious.
This is an amazing blend – definitely one of my favorite Yerba Maté blends, and perhaps the best I’ve tried from Design a Tea. That’s saying quite a lot, because I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve tried from them! This one is a real winner!
Butterfly Tea from Design a Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal & Rooibos
Where to Buy: Design a Tea
Company Description:
A great bed time or “relaxing time” blend of herbal tea. Filled with the benefits of Chamomile and Lavender as well as that great tea Rooibos. Which we added for its antioxidant spin, not to mention the added red color it adds to the brew. Enjoy – but be prepared to be VERY relaxed and have a strong desire to cuddle after drinking it. 🙂
Taster’s Review:
This is a very nice, relaxing blend that is perfect to enjoy later in the evening – when you want something warm and comforting to drink but don’t want something with caffeine that might over-stimulate.
The combination of lavender and chamomile is fast becoming a favorite of mine. I like how these two really complement each other. The sweet, somewhat fruity flavor of the chamomile softens the sometimes perfume-y lavender and brings out the lavender’s gentler side. The result is a sweet, lightly floral, subtle fruit-like taste – I can taste a hint of juicy cherry as well as the natural apple-like flavor from the chamomile – that encourages a sense of tranquility.
I was a bit hesitant with how the rooibos would behave in this blend. Would its sometimes funky sweet flavor overwhelm the natural sweet taste from the lavender and chamomile? Would the woodsy tone of the rooibos interfere with the lovely, peaceful flavor of the chamomile/lavender combination?
Well, there was no need for hesitation, because the rooibos seems to be a natural companion to these two flowers. The woodsy note of the rooibos is there, but, it doesn’t interfere, instead, what it does is add a pleasing depth of flavor to the cup.
This is a blend that is sweet, but not too sweet. Comforting and cozy. Delightful!
Passion Fruit Black Tea from Design A Tea
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Design A Tea
Product Description:
Koslanda – Dimbulla blend from Sri Lanka with all natural flavoring
Tasters Review:
I’ve had so much fun sampling the teas I have had the opportunity to try from Design A Tea! Of course it doesn’t hurt that I am originally from Western New York and Design A Tea is based in Darien Center, NY.
Anyhow… I decided to post a review on their Passion Fruit Flavored Black Tea today.
Passion Fruit flavored products are gaining more and more popularity and TEA that is flavored with Passion Fruit is near the top of that list! I think this is GREAT NEWS!!! I have tried several Passion Fruit Flavored Teas and I must say this is probably one of my favorites!
This smells lovely…surely it’s Passion Fruit but you can still smell the Black Tea. It infuses fairly dark brown. The taste is juicy with hints of floral undertones to it. This is a VERY enjoyable cup and a nice flavored black.
Another great Design A Tea Experience!
Island Blend from Design a Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Design a Tea
Company Description:
A Green tea blend called SENCHA FINE from Japan with all natural Vanilla & Mango flavoring. Think of swinging ever so gently on a canvas hammock, one leg draped off the side. A warm breeze blowing across the lagoon of an exotic island with the smell of mango in the air, as you sip away your worries…
Taster’s Review:
This is a very unusual tea – and I mean that in a very good way. Mango and vanilla are two flavors that I wouldn’t ordinarily think about putting together, but this combination of mango, vanilla and Japanese Sencha tea creates an almost seamless flavor that is not exactly vanilla or mango or green tea. It’s like a new flavor that I’ve not really encountered before today.
It’s really delicious!
The green tea offers a fresh and somewhat vegetative nature to the blend. I can also note a slight buttery essence to the tea, which I would attribute to the Sencha as well. The mango is sweet and fragrant – as is the vanilla. The vanilla also offers a creamy taste and texture to the cup, while the mango offers its distinctive fruit flavor to it.
These qualities mesh together so well that it’s difficult to distinguish one flavor from another. The result is a smooth, rich flavor that glides over the palate like a beautiful, elegant dance executed so well that it appears effortless.
This tea is really, truly YUM and I want more.