Six Herb Tea from MarketSpice

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Herbal Tisane

Where to Buy:  MarketSpice

Tea Description:

A tangy yet fruity blend of herbs. This old time favorite tea contains Lemon Grass, Rosehips, Hibiscus, Peppermint, Orange Peel and Wild Cherry Bark. Caffeine free.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Yet another tea that I held on to because the herbal content scared me a bit.  Hibiscus!  Yikes!  Run for the hills!

But now that I’m finally tasting it, the hibiscus really isn’t a very strong flavor.  It does offer a slight tangy note to the overall cup, as well as some texture and a pretty pinkish hue.  However, the other herbs in this blend manage to keep the hibiscus in check, and keep it from getting too tart or syrupy.  Of course, being diligent on the steep time is important too, I steeped this for six minutes using water at 195°F, and I really wouldn’t recommend steeping it any longer than that.

Really, despite all my trepidation, this really is quite a tasty tisane.  Tangy, yes, but not overly so.  It also has some sweet citrus-y notes that meld nicely with the tangy notes to give it a light sweet-tart kind of flavor that I find rather enjoyable as well as soothing.   And the peppermint – which is another sometimes aggressive herb – manages to stay in check too.  I like how the minty note really freshens up the cup, providing a crisp, cool note to contrast with the sweet and tangy flavors.

A nice herbal that both kids and adults can enjoy any time of day.

Lemolicious Ecuadorian Guayusa from 52Teas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Product Description:

I was debating what sort of blend we should create with this new ingredient [Guayusa], and Sheri kept insisting it needed to be a lemon blend. I thought lemon was kind of plain, but it did sound good. The problem I saw was that as bold as the guayusa is, it would take some serious doing to convince it to take on any other flavors. But that’s just what we did: I pulled out all the stops to give this bold guayusa a nice gentle (but noticeable) lemon nudge. We added lemon myrtle, lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon peel and some sun-dried lemon slices along with natural lemon flavors.

Taster’s Review:

I’ve had this blend for quite a while now (and unfortunately it has long since sold out and is no longer available from 52Teas), it managed to get itself hidden in my stash and as I was sorting through my collection of teas the other day I came across it and decided I must start drinking it!

And I’m glad I did rediscover this Guayusa blend because it really is tasty.  As Guayusa is a rather bold tasting tisane anyway, it is not surprising that it is the strongest flavor of this cup.  The citrus-y lemon notes are there, but they are subtle … until you get to the aftertaste and it is in the aftertaste when the lemon really seems to grab me.  It never becomes a pucker-y type of lemon taste – it isn’t sour – but it is tart and that is what I experience in the aftertaste.  A tickle-y, tingly lemon-y taste coming to life on my palate.

But throughout the sip, the lemon is subdued and sweet, adding just a little lemon-y twist to the unique flavor of the Guayusa, which is somewhat similar to Yerba Maté but without the bitterness of Maté.  It is slightly vegetative, and a little earthy.  It is incredibly smooth.  There is no astringency to it.

Guayusa is a stimulating drink and I find that it has the same effects on me as coffee … with one notable difference:  I don’t get sick a couple of hours later when I drink Guayusa.  I get the boost of alertness without the sick effects afterward.  That’s a win-win in my book!

Sunset in Seattle Tea from Market Spice

Tea Type: Herba;

Where To Buy: Market Spice

Product Description:

One of our sweetest and most popular herbal teas, Sunset in Seattle is a blend utilizing a myriad of herbs that are soothing and mellow. Ingredients: Rosehips, Vanilla, Chamomile, Spearmint, Raspberry, Lemon Grass, Hyssop and herbs. Contains no sugar and is caffeine free.

Tasters Review:

Sunset in Seattle Tea from Market Spice looked much like the picture above  thru the see-thru bag it came in but there was white powder heavily throughout the blend.  For me not knowing too much about this tisane before trying it I was confused by the powder ingredient but quickly released it was the vanilla within the mix.
The vanilla ‘powder’ is powerful and very nice smelling.  The overall aroma consists of Chamomile, Mint, and Vanilla.  The color post-infusion is a cloudy gray-orange-yellow type color.  The taste is minty but floral…Herbally yet smooth…lemony yet vanilla….this is odd but lovely.  It’s interesting and surprising!  I ended up REALLY liking this one!  The aftertaste is minty yet sweet! Opposites completely attract in this case…and it makes me grin from ear to ear!

I especially liked the vanilla and minty notes!

Gen Mai Lemongrass Chai from Yogic Chai

Tea Type: Green Tea/Chai

Where To Buy: Yogic Chai

Product Description:

Herbal Properties:
– Genmaicha Tea: Is a flavorful Japanese classic which includes a stunning combination of whole, fresh Green Sencha leaves combined with roasted organic brown rice. The almost sweet, toasted flavor of the rice adds a lovely contribution to the whole bodied green tea leaves

– Cardamom: A household spice that is commonly used to support digestion without increasing Heat.* It has expectorant and diaphoretic actions.* The mucus forming properties of milk are neutralized when cardamom is added to it.*

– Cinnamon: This warming spice is traditionally used in cold formulas as an expectorant and diaphoretic (sweat inducing).* Due to its warming property, cinnamon is known to promote digestion.*

– Cloves: An energizing herb,* cloves are an effective stimulant and aromatic for the lungs and stomach.* Cloves are used extensively in Ayurvedic herbology.

– Ginger: In Ayurvedic and Chinese herbology, Ginger is known to have heating, cleansing, toning and stimulating properties.* Ginger promotes digestion, relieves abdominal discomfort, dispels chills and it is also useful for relieving respiratory complaints due to phlegm and arthritic conditions due to coldness.*

– Lemon Grass: As a medicinal herb, lemon grass is mildly diuretic and a stimulant tonic. * The herb promotes digestion of fats, and in Ayurvedic medicine a preparation of lemon grass with pepper has been used for relief of menstrual troubles and nausea.* The herb stimulates perspiration, cooling the body in summer and lowering fevers any time of year.*

  • This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

Tasters Review:

Gen Mai?  Lemongrass?  Chai?  I can’t say as I would have thought about putting all of this together but I am sure glad that Yogic Chai did because it’s pretty darned awesome!

The Genmaicha is the perfect ‘strength’ for me and of really good quality.  The Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger are all quite subtle and I’m completely fine with that.  There are little popped rice that are included in this blend of flavors and I think that is very nice!  It makes me smile, actually!  The Lemongrass is a wonderful touch!

This is another good, unique chai/blend from Yogic Chai!  And I am grateful that I was able to try it.  If you have the opportunity to sample it – do it!  You won’t regret it!

Lemonade Tea from Jar of Tea

Tea Type: Green Rooibos

Buy From: Jar of Tea

Product Description:

That perfect caffeine free lemonade tea with organic green rooibos, organic lemon grass, organic lemon peel, organic lemon myrtle, organic calendula, and organic flavoring. Perfect over ice!

Ingredients: organic green rooibos, organic lemon grass, organic lemon peel, organic lemon myrtle, organic calendula, and organic flavoring.

Jar is 5 inches tall by 3 inches in diameter.

There is approx 3.4 ounces of tea in the jar which makes over 68 cups of tea.

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BREWING INSTRUCTIONS
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Use 1 teaspoon per cup.

There are many ways to use loose leaf tea.

1. In a teaball
2. In a french press
3. In a pot and use a hand strainer when pouring into cup
4. In a loose leaf tea bag
5. Pour over a coffee filter. The only mission is to strain the leaf from the water before serving. It’s that simple!

Rooibos is a hardy leaf and is usually brewed in a full boil, however, due to the herbs in this blend, it is best brewed about 190-200 degrees. Depending on strength desired, you can steep anywhere from a few seconds to a couple mins. Rooibos is naturally sweet and usually does not need sweetener. However, Rooibos is excellent with milk, cream and a little honey!

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Each Jar of Tea is blended and packaged in a real store, not a home kitchen! If your ever in the area, stop by Park Hill Pantry which is located at 3718 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116. If you have any questions, call us at 866-950-AURA between 11am-7pm central time Tues-Fri and 11am-5pm on Saturday.

Tasters Review:

Yesterday I tried LEMONADE from Jar of Tea and LOVED it.

I know I am getting straight to the point with this review and not building up to my conclusion like I usually try to do but this Flavored Green Rooibos gets straight to the point as well – so it’s only fitting.

If you like LEMON you will like this tisane.  If you like LEMONADE please TRY this flavored green rooibos!

The green rooibos background seems to fit the bill with the other lemony flavors here and it makes for an awesomely sweet lemonade taste.  I’m sure this would be wonderful iced but let’s just say it didn’t make it that far.  It was so yummy it didn’t stay in the cup long.

I will say I LOVE the way the way the jars and labels are decorated from Jar of Tea (even if some tea lovers argue glass isn’t their preferred way of storing or the safest long term storage method).  But if you are a fan of different label and packaging or giving as a gift or have a cool/dry/dark place to display this jar – or if you are like me and don’t think it will last very long on your shelf because it’s so darned yummy you can’t resist it – you are going to want to check this one out!

Jar of Tea’s website is lovely and their customer service is top-notch!  They have a creative selection of tea and tisanes and for that I am truly thankful.