“The cake is a lie” is a video game reference, specifically Portal. If you aren’t a gamer, do yourself a favor and watch someone play through and enjoy. It is a fun little game. Tell Wheatley I said hi.
There are sprinkles in the blend, which makes the morning start with a little smile, because who can resist smiling at sprinkles?
The tea is a nod to cake, and the aroma captures it pretty well. I don’t fall all over myself in astonishment shouting, “Wow, this is just like cake!” But the aromas of the vanilla and cream flavors call it to mind if you already know what they were aiming for. There is caramel flavor, which I don’t immediately associate with cake but definitely with dessert so it has that going for it, which is nice.
While eating breakfast, this was a good companion. When the food was all gone, the tea became a tad more astringent than I care for, because the black tea base has a little fruitiness on the tart side, like the way lemon tingles your tongue.
I don’t usually add milk and sugar, but for the remaining sips of this mug I added the tiniest splash of milk, which brought it back into my comfort zone. Having tried it that way, I wondered if a sprinkle of sugar would increase the cake element of the tea, but since I don’t care for sugar in my tea, it really didn’t float my Borealis.
If I had this again by itself, separate from a meal or snack, I would definitely go with a splash of milk right up front. No sugar needed for me. With food, it is sufficiently companionable as is and I expect the briskness means it is a good breakfast tea and would please those who like milk and sugar in the morning or just like brisk tea.
Of the two Geek Teas I have tried, I prefer Bad Wolf. But if you like brisk breakfast tea, this one is worth a try for you.
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Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Geeky Teas
Description
Black tea, natural vanilla flavor, candy sprinkles, natural creme and caramel flavor.
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Eggnog Europa / Dollar Tea Club
Eggnog is the last thing I think of when I look for tea flavors.
Used to hate eggnog but the dairy free versions of it have grown on me in the past few years. The dry leaf aroma is pleasantly surprising. It really does smell like eggnog.
Creamy, spicy, with a hint of earthiness. Same with the flavor.
A creamy mouth feel. It hits you with the same flavors as depth as eggnog with only slightly less creaminess than the real thing. The spices are perfect.
Too much more and you would have a chai, too little and it would be weak. This is a perfectly blended tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Tea Club
Description
Click below for more information regarding this monthly subscription.
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Empress Rajini/Simple Loose Leaf
“When you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground,” Cersei famously said in the first season of Game of Thrones.
If you think fighting for dominance isn’t for you, try Empress Rajini. She seems to have her tea game on point. Think of all the tea you could have if you were in charge. Delicious, delicious tea.
I steeped this cup to go along with a donut I procured from the break room. (Why are there never, say, apples in there?)
The blend looked flowery and rich and dark, a perfect compliment to my chocolate-frosted confection.
And BOOM, I was right. This rose-lavender-fruit confection was the perfect counterpoint to the black tea in the blend and the chocolate from the donut. The whole thing was an IMMACULATE pick-me-up. Delicious. Wonderfully balanced, sweet, and ladylike.
I suspect Rajini is a fair and beloved empress.
If you don’t want to risk your life to rule, you could just buy the tea from Real Simple Loose Leaf, I guess.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simple Loose Leaf
Description
Black tea, lavender, and rose petals with mango and peach flavor
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Earl Grey Cupcake/52Teas
I am picky when it comes to my Earl Grey teas. I like them to be balanced. So often the bergamot is too strong, the cream flavors too artificial tasting or the black tea base is too weak.
Almost every tea manufacturer puts out their version of an Earl Grey and sadly I have a box full of Earl Grey teas that just didn’t make the cut. What is the point of drinking something that you don’t love?
When I saw that 52 Teas was again offering their Earl Grey Cupcake tea I really was interested. The tea itself is very pretty, full of star-shaped sprinkles. The smell of the dry leaf is very heavy on the bergamot so I was at first worried that the bergamot would be too overwhelming.
I steeped the tea for 3 minutes. The instructions on the packet indicate that the tea flavor develops as the tea cools, about 10 minutes. I am happy to report that this tea is lovely. The black tea base is solid, it is malty with very little astringency. The bergamot is perfect, not too strong at all, and the back end of the taste is a delightful vanilla flavor. The vanilla is not artificial tasting, it is a nice, natural flavor.
I did try the tea at the 10 minute mark and I do agree that the vanilla becomes much more prominent as the tea cools. I have been so pleased with all of the teas I have tired thus far from 52 teas and this tea is no exception. I highly recommend this tea if you love Earl Grey.
This probably would rank in my top 5 Earl Grey teas of all time and that is saying a lot as I have tried many!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
This tea is currently not available but click below for teas that are.
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Malty Biscuit Brew/Yorkshire Tea
Hello, my dear tea lovers. I will admit that I spend way too much time online looking for new teas to try. I almost have a mountain of teas but somehow I obtain more. And this time on my search I have found a very interesting blend, a blend that mimics the indulgent practice of biscuits and tea by Yorkshire Tea.
Now I want to say that this brew has no actual biscuit in it for the biscuit flavor comes from the natural vanilla that they use in combination with a blend of black teas. The vanilla that they use is of the nutty variety and it does actually taste like I have eaten it with a biscuit! It is nice and comforting without having too much of the vanilla flavoring (it only makes up 3% of this blend) to the point where it is just a hint of “biscuit” flavor.
Now sadly, this brew isn’t sold in American markets all that often so the easiest way is to get this brew from Amazon and I got a 40 count box for about $7. Now keep in mind, this seems to be a UK exclusive so if you do decide to order, you will have to wait a bit because of overseas shipping. But mine (I ordered from the Amazon seller Spellbound from England) came nicely packed and the box is brand new and has a best by date of 08/2020 though I doubt it will last till then.
If you want the tea and biscuit experience on the go I say this is a great option! It is warm and cozy and even if you are not the biggest fan of vanilla, like myself, I am sure you will enjoy it. It is also versatile as well for you can have it with milk for more of a biscuit-like flavor or without. So if you are after a cup of cozy but don’t have the biscuit or you are on the go I fully recommend this tea!
See you for the next cuppa!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Yorkshire Tea via Amazon
Description
A proper satisfying brew Meet our Biscuit Brew – all the happiness of tea and biscuits, without the biscuit! It’s the comforting taste of Yorkshire Tea with a smattering of malty sweetness, for a satisfying treat that doesn’t get crumbs on your jumper. Especially lovely with milk. By Appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales Suppliers of Beverages, Taylors of Harrogate North Yorkshire
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
