If you like a mildly spicy sheng flavor, and would like to drop a few pounds, I have just the thing for you: “The Skinny” by David’s Tea.
Actually, I can’t promise the weight loss thing. That’s a combination of diet, exercise, metabolism, and genetics.
But this tea is literally called “The Skinny,” so it’s more or less a claim they’re making. The description for this tea says: “Looking for the next big beauty secret or weight loss trend? Let us give you a hint: try water.”
I know the water thing is sound. It’s basically the first thing every weight loss article ever written says. However, you can pry the Diet Coke from my cold, dead hands.
In between Diet Cokes, I will, however, partake in water or tea (which is basically water with some stuff mixed in). This afternoon was this tea. It’s recommended to take this tea “after a heavy meal” to “block fat absorption.”
So I took it post-lunch, which was a giant shawarma pita from the nice people at Pita Cabana, which is running a Ramadan Special. (The key to Ramadan, for those not in the know, is not eating during sunlight hours. Running a food special during Ramadan must be brutal for the Muslim people who are serving a lunch they can’t eat.)
Speaking of shawarma… did you know?
I needed to pair the tea with this lunch because there was a LOT OF CHEESE on that pita. I wonder if the tea will really block fat absorption. We’ll have to see what my weekly weigh-in says next Wednesday morning.
In the meantime, though, regardless of whether this makes me “skinny,” it was a pretty good sip. Give it a whirl!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong/Puerh
Where to Buy: DAVIDs Tea
Description
With pu’erh, ginger, eleuthero and oolong, it’s the ultimate digestive aid.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Travel the World with #SirStuartBlackAndGreen from #Kent&Sussex Tea Co.
Sometimes I try out unflavored teas with one kind of leaf, and a flavor that all about the purity of the process. And sometimes I try out teas that are exactly the opposite– just like today’s blend, Sir Stuart Black and Green.
This tea has both black and green tea leaves, three types of flower petals, and rich spices like cardamom, fennel and ginger. Visually, this blend is full of diverse colors and shapes, and the smell of the dry leaf is luscious and complex. It smells like someone lit floral incense in a kitchen, where other smells like fennel or orange peel are being mixed together as someone starts cooking.
The flowers are most prominent in the scent of the tea, with bergamot and sweet orange dominating the taste. The flavors of the tea leaves themselves are minimal: no grassy greens and no bitter blacks. Instead, the varied ingredients list really dominates the flavor spotlight.
As I drank the tea, more of the unexpected herbs like fennel or cardamom popped up in the taste and smell, though the ginger was slow in arriving. I finally got some of my favorite buzzy, spicy mouthful from the ginger after I let the teabag steep beyond the recommending steep time. Overall the blend is sweet without being cloying, and the bright citrus lingers on the tongue without being to tart.
According to Tea & Coffee, this blend is named after the well-travel Sir Stuart Cleary of Cranbrookshire. With all the varied treasures and eye-catching beauties hidden within this tea blend, it feels like a bounty gathered from exploring the reaches of the world.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Green
Where to Buy: Kent & Sussex Tea Co.
Description:
Sir Stuart a fine Black Tea and Green Tea. A flavoured Tea with hints of Bergamot and Orange. Named after the explorer Sir Stuart Cleary of Cranbrookshire following a trip to the Orient. A beautiful looking loose leaf tea with magical flavours when brewed. A Fruity aroma combined with Spicy Ginger and Fennel create something special and fresh tasting. Ingredients Black Tea, Green Tea, Ginger pieces, Fennel, Cardamom seeds, Natural flavouring, Rose petals and Cornflower blossoms.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Warming from Balcony Tea. . . .
This herbal blend is a comforting taste of familiarity. The predominant flavor is the lemon verbena with the orange blossom chasing it.
One has to concentration to taste the cinnamon and ginger flavors, although there is a gentle cinnamon aroma to the cup. In fact, the “hint of spice” is hidden well enough that a cup of Warming is better suited for quiet contemplation or a bedtime habit, than an energizing pick me-up.
This would be an excellent tea to have on hand for those days when you aren’t feeling well, emotionally or physically. Not having been in the Mediterranean, I cannot vouch for the claim of a Mediterranean feel, but I can say it would fit in well in a solitary cabin setting! I feel like this would not be the tea I’d reach for to offer a friend in need of comfort, because it is mild enough that it requires your focus to truly appreciate.
I’m going to project here, and say this is an introverted tea, best enjoyed in the quiet aloneness that allows thought and concentrated appreciation.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Balcony Tea
Description
Escape long rainy days on our “Warming Balcony” with sun-kissed citrus flavour and a hint of spice.
Ingredients:
Ginger – Spicy and warming; traditionally used to help circulation and ease stomach issues. Lemon Balm – To help you feel relaxed and refreshed. Lemon Verbena – Bursting with lemon flavour. Cinnamon – Naturally sweet and comforting. Orange peel – Beautifully aromatic with a true Mediterranean feel. Orange blossom – Deliciously fragrant with delicate floral honeyed notes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Ginger Snap from Pluck Teas. . . .
When I see ginger teas, I think lattes. Don’t know why but probably something with the spice and the creaminess that just speaks to me. I mean, people make chai in milk more times than not so following that mindset, I brewed this up as a latte.
There is a strong ginger flavor here. Not much of a kick but the flavor is present as is the cinnamon which sits on the tip of the tongue. The spices are strong and take over the creaminess of the steamed milk. They also work together to create a dark baked good flavor reminiscent of the cookie for which this is named.
This is a flavorful tea, strong spice and accurately named. Personally, I enjoy a ginger snap but only every now and then. I think I would say the same for this tea. It would be nice on a cold, rainy day since it is a warm treat but this isn’t a tea I would reach for each day. Not to mention, I am not sure how this would do without the milk component as I think the spices may just be a bit much for the plain tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Pluck Teas
Description
Sun dried ginger, cinnamon and notes of caramel feature in this low-caffeine blend of black tea and rooibos.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pineapple Ginger Green Team from Republic of Tea. . . .
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I am a huge fan of The Republic of Tea. I love every flavor I’ve tried, and I love the tins that it comes in.
Although I have been cutting caffeine out of my life, this morning is a grey, rainy dreary morning and I needed a little kick. I usually like my fruity teas cold, but this was the only caffeinated tea I had, so I brewed myself a warm cup.
This tea is amazing! It tastes really good warm, I’m enjoying it which is a surprise to be honest!
The ginger kind of balances out the sweetness of the pineapple. It’s really well balanced, the pineapple isn’t too sweet, and the ginger isn’t too spicy. It’s a perfect cup of tea. It’s tropical without being too tropical if that makes sense. I don’t feel like I’m drinking a pina colada!
This is a tea that is delicious warm, and I’m sure would be very refreshing iced. I will be making a batch of iced pineapple ginger tea very, very soon. It’s reminding me of something I’ve had in the past and I just can’t put my finger on it. It’s smooth and flavorful, and since it’s green tea it has just a small amount of caffeine. I feel peppier and cheerful on this grey, rainy day which I needed. I’m imagining a sunny, tropical island and not a raindrop in sight!
If you haven’t tried Republic of Tea yet, I can’t recommend them enough. They make really stellar teas in a range of flavors. They have black teas and green teas and herbal teas. Anything you could imagine they have.
They’re on of my favorite tea companies!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Republic of Tea
Description
Exotically fruity, sweet pineapple and spicy ginger are infused into fresh green tea. This soothing tea provides a break in the day with an escape to a far away tropical place. Enjoy hot or over ice. Formerly Tiger Heart Tea and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
