YUM! I literally said that out loud the first time I sipped on Winter Spice Tea from Sunshine Cottage. My second reaction was the same as the first…YUM!
Upon opening the package I was assuming this would be comparable to a chai but it was much more thought out than that.
Orange, cranberry, cinnamon and cloves all add flavor to this finger warming, nose thawing winter spice blend are Joan’s words – from Sunshine Cottage – not mine but I would totally claim them as my own if I could because I totally agree with them!
Sunshine Cottage states on their Etsy Shop that Winter Spice Tea is full of all the delights of the season, hold a steaming cup of this tea, breath in deeply and relax, you’ll be filled with the spirit of the season – of course, adding a big splash of brandy or rum to your cup will lift your spirits even quicker!
I’ll have to ask Sororitea Sister-CuppaGeek- if she has tried this yet! I know she went thru a phase of mixing tea with ‘adult beverages’ for an extra special tea steeping experience!
Regardless I am totally LOVING this straight-up…as-is…I wouldn’t change a thing!
Sure – you can taste the Cinnamon up against the medium strength black tea base and it’s scrumptious and warming. But the real gems of this blend of flavors are the cranberry and orange duo! Both are FAB!
Even tho this is a Winter Spice Tea – I wouldn’t mind it any time of the year! The flavor and aroma are wonderful! I’m a fan, indeedy!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Sunshine Cottage
Description
Orange, cranberry, cinnamon and cloves all add flavor to this finger warming, nose thawing winter spice blend. Full of all the delights of the season, hold a steaming cup of this tea, breath in deeply and relax, you’ll be filled with the spirit of the season – of course, adding a big splash of brandy or rum to your cup will lift your spirits even quicker!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Night Time Tea from Harlow Tea Co. . . . Getting Your ZZZ’s in 2017!
What do Red Rooibos, Orange Peel, Lemongrass, Suma Root, Peppermint, Anise, and Hawthorn Berries have in common? They are all IN Night Time Tea from Harlow Tea Co. that’s what!
And before we get to the aroma and flavor of this Rooibos based tisane perhaps you are wondering what Suma Root is? In case you are interested in different roots, herbs, seeds, etc like I am you might be surprised that Suma Root has many things to offer us!
After doing some research I found that the natives of South America would consume Suma Root daily to increase their physical strength, energy, and stamina. Suma Root promotes balance of the hormones and strengthens the adrenal glands and is a powerful immune system booster. Many people use Suma Root today to treat skin problems, diabetes, tumors, and the symptoms of menopause. Of course I have to state that I am not making any claims for this product but I am just telling you I found this information interesting about this powerful root.
Now on to the aroma and flavor of Night Time Tea from Harlow Tea Co. It is certainly minty-fresh which I LOVE and ADORE but it also has a subtle spice that I am chalking up to the Anise Seed. The sweetness comes from the Red Rooibos and the Lemongrass is always a nice touch. The Hawthorn Berries don’t overly contribute to the overall flavor of this Night Time Tea from Harlow Tea Co much but the ingredient still makes sense and follows suit to the detoxifying theme this herbal seems to stand for. The orange peel is identifiable upfront but mellows out quickly because of the lingering mint and I’m ok with that.
It’s rare if I choose an herbal tisane to be my favorite from a tea company that also sells straight-up teas but I have to say this is among my favorites that I have tried from Harlow Tea Co. so far. Night Time Tea from Harlow Tea Co. might just become a staple in my unwinding process.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Harlow Tea Co.
Description
Red rooibos tea, anise seed, peppermint leaf, orange peel, suma root, lemongrass, and hawthorn berries.
Does not contain caffeine. This night time tea is amazing to relax with, and while doing so allowing your body to recover.
Suma root has been used for centuries for its heath benefits, most notably being its effects on boosting the immune system. Suma root is similar in properties to ginseng. Roughly 14 servings per 1 ounce package. This tea is an amazing “detox” tea. Combine this tea in the p.m. with “The Cleanse” in the a.m. for a complete “detox”.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
COME BACK, PIN TEA!
My heart weeps for my inability to purchase more Pin Tea. Their Etsy site has little available at this time, so I hesitate to tell you how much I adore this tea. It might sound like rubbing it in. “Nyah, nyah, I have this wonderful tea and you will be thirsty for it until you die.”
Their fruity tea is juicy and delicious, guys. And the pinup artwork to go with it is so very saucy.
I first tried The Flirt, which is, to the best of my knowledge, some sort of apricot/fruit infused black tea. If it were a lady, it would be a 1950s winky-face kinda gal with magenta lipstick. The kind of woman whom one might call a “dame” or a “skirt.” It’s a flavor-pow, a sock-it-to-ya wham-bam kind of flavor.
I followed it up this morning with “Something Blue,” a gentler green-and-blueberry infusion. This is the wedding day of the Flirt. She’s still very flavorful and cool, but she’s mellowed somewhat. She found the greaser-boy of her dreams and they’re going to settle in to a pre-fab house with a pink kitchen and a poodle dyed blue. She’s going to run a custom-sewn fancy-dress shop. Every dress will have a fluffy tulle under-skirt. Every one of their vacations will be a road trip to somewhere schlocky, and they will fill their fridge with Polaroids of themselves in front of roadside attractions.
We need to petition Pin Tea to come back. . . .
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Pin Tea Shop
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for the teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Callisto Chai from Moongleam Tea Shoppe
I woke up to a light dusting of snow. It feels like a cozy holiday morning, so of course I’m craving Chai!
I decided to try this Callisto chai and first of all, I have to comment on the beauty of the tea itself. It has so many beautiful cardamom pods. I always know the tea will be amazing when I see cardamom! And it smells out of this world! It smells like a cozy winter morning. I smell nutmeg and cloves, not just the usual cinnamon. It smells much spicier than it tastes.
I’m having mine with a teaspoon of brown sugar and a splash of coconut milk. It’s smooth and delicious. The spice is there, but it’s subtle and sweet, not at all sharp.
I know I keep saying each new chai I try is a new favorite, but I can’t help it, they’ve all been so amazing! This is a chai I would serve to people who are not huge spice fans and might be a little leery of chai or other more “exotic” teas!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type:
Where to Buy: Moongleam Tea Shoppe
Description
This tea is no longer on the site but please click on the link below for what is available.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
London Fog from Harlow Tea Co
I’ve been on a big afternoon tea kick lately. (Not like I’m not always on an “every time, every place” tea kick, but still.) My rules for a great afternoon tea? Refreshing, comforting, caffeinated but not buzzy, something that wakes me up as much as it helps me find peace and relaxation during the craziness of the day. Harlow’s London Fog seemed to fit the bill of just what I was looking for, with lavender and lemon to balance the caffeination of the black tea.
Following suit from the name, I brewed this one strong in about half the amount of water I’d normally use, swirled in some honey and filled the rest of my cup with steamed coconut milk for a delicious London Fog latte.
As for flavor, this one delivers on the lavender big time. It’s a delightful and slightly unexpected play on Earl Grey, and it hit the perfect balance of caffeine + calm for me once the afternoon doldrums hit. I’m not getting a ton of lemon in my cup, but I suspect that has more to do with my addition of milk than the tea itself.
It takes a lot for an earl grey to blow me out of the water, but this one hits all the notes I’d hope for plus a twist of the unusual with the addition of lavender. A great blend to grab when you need a little afternoon pick-me-up, for sure!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Flavored Black Tea
Where to Buy: Harlow Tea Co.
Description
Ingredients: Earl gray tea, lemon peel, and lavender flower.
Contains caffeine
Ever had a London fog latte? Well I wanted to make my own version. This black tea, with a hint of citrus and lavender, is perfect on its own or in a latte.
Want to try the latte? Steep the tea in 4 oz. of water, strain and add to 4 oz. of steamed milk for the perfect tealatte.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
