Tea friends, I am BEYOND pumped to review this tea for you today. Why, do you ask? Well, our sweet and wonderful SororiTea-Sister, CuppaGeek, has officially launched her OWN line of amazing teas, and this is the first one I’ve had the opportunity to sip! Nichole is far too humble and sweet to ever brag on her own teas, so let me be the first (and certainly not the last) to do so: THIS WAS AWESOME. As soon as I saw Nichole’s teas go up for sale, I ordered a few goodies, and Nichole generously sent me a few extras to try. Seeing as her teas arrived on one of our many unseasonably warm days lately, I picked the one that sounded the most delicious for cold-brewing, and immediately popped a few teaspoons into a glass mason jar with some water overnight.
The next morning, I had a bright and beautifully pink brew awaiting me. Upon first sip, I knew this is exactly what my dehydrated summer self was craving– tart and a bit sweet, fruity and lemonade-esque while still maintaining the integrity of the green rooibos (my fave) and green tea. I loved that the lemonade in this tea didn’t just come from lemon flavor, but from one of my favorite herbs (lemon verbena), and a host of other delicious fruit and citrus combinations. As delightful as this tea was on its own, with a tiny splash of lemonade, it’s absolutely elevated to the next level. The slightly tart raspberry flavor (bolstered by just a hint of hibiscus) really shines, giving me that summer-fruit deliciousness that I crave from May-September.
Overall, I was BLOWN AWAY by Nichole’s first go at blending her own flavors (seriously, if girl is this good right out of the gate, what’s next to come?). I’m dying to try more in her repertoire– a Doctor Who inspired green earl grey and herbal Cotton Candy fruity blend top my list right now– and am so excited to see what’s next for this new tea company. Help me offer a big and happy congrats to our Sororitea-Sister, CuppaGeek!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green/Green Rooibos
Where to Buy: CuppaGeek Teas
Description
This tea is available by request. Contact CuppaGeek Teas for more info!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Green Mojito from The Love Tea Company. . . .
I’ve never had a mojito. I didn’t even know what was IN a mojito. But when I opened the pouch, I could tell you right away that a mojito must have lime and mint. The base of this tea is Japanese sencha. I decided to try it hot sans additions, hot with sugar, and iced sweetened. Then…drum roll, please….I found a person who has had an ACTUAL mojito to give judgment on whether the taste is accurate.
I thought this tea might not be too great as a plain hot tea since it was designed to mimic a cocktail, and the powerful smell of limes made me close my eyes and brace myself when I took my first sip. To the contrary, it was quite good sans any additions at all! The lime is natural yet doesn’t pucker your lips and dry your mouth. The mint is refreshing. The sencha is smooth.
I added sugar and had another small cup and also passed some along to my daughter. It was good this way, too.
The hot, sweet tea was poured into a carafe and left to chill in the fridge and to await the verdict of a true mojito drinker. I enjoyed the sweet iced tea with my supper, and poured a small glass to be tested with a wee splash of rum. My test subject declared that, aside from the lack of bubbles from club soda, the taste was to a “T” in the mojito tea!
Check out The Love Tea Company and their mission of awareness and compassion for those struggling with mental illness. Check out their Tea It Forward tea gift – so bright, so special! It is a great way to cheer someone’s day with a colorful gift box of tea, filter bags, and tea measuring spoon. It is a great way to send a message of love or a “thinking of you” for someone who needs it. And did I mention that it is incredibly economical? I have both received and sent these, and they really bring a smile – just like tea should!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: The Love Tea Company
Description
This mojito concoction explodes with flavor. It starts with Japanese style Sencha, has lime and mint pieces, and all-natural mint flavoring. Enjoy it with a splash or milk and sugar, over ice, or blended as a mixer for rum and tequila. If you ask Uncle Google, he’ll give you the famous Hemingway recipe for a Mojito Martini. This tea will take you across the river and into the woods and down to the deep south where Hemingway certainly enjoyed a similar concoction one sunny sumer day in Key West.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Green Lemonade from Love Tea Co. . . .
I pulled out this sample in optimistic anticipation of warmer weather.
Steeped up hot, it tastes like green tea with lemon, but not lemonade. It’s lacking the sweetness of lemonade; the mild smokiness of the gunpowder green further undermines the promise of the name. But it is delicious! This blend is equal parts juicy lemon and gently smoky green tea. As it cools, the lemon flavor becomes more dominant and some sweetness does come out, which made me want to try a cold brew.
On the second steep, the lemon flavor takes on more of a candy note. That doesn’t necessarily sound like it would work but it does.
I also tried this as a cold brew. My first impression is that this turned out tart! Lemon juice tart! I can’t make out much sweetness except for a smidgen that lingers on the tongue. The lemon flavor overwhelms the tea but that’s ok. This tastes like lemon water. I’m actually fine with that. There is a place in my tea heart for refreshing caffeinated lemon water. I can see this being a great cold steep for summer. If I had more, I would experiment with doing a half-and-half cold steep of these leaves with some moderately roasted oolong. Basically a loose-leaf cold-steeped unsweetened Arnold Palmer.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Love Tea Co.
Description
This Brilliant Blend is a fan favorite. It combines the best of green tea with the best of a lemon, with lemon bits and wedges you’ll get the full “lemon-y” affect. Low in caffeine and easy on the pallet, it goes down like a smooth summer day (without the humidity). Brew a pot of this fine blend and serve hot or cold year ’round. It never hurts to add a fresh lemon slice to anything! Be sure to #sharethelove on this one.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Watermelon Lemonade Organic Green Tea from Fraser Tea. . .
I am a green tea kinda gal. Always have been. I enjoy black teas but sometimes they just hit me as being heavy. I love the fresh crisp flavors that only green teas an sometimes white teas can provide.
Speaking of crisp flavors, the other day I tried a unique blend that I haven’t seen anywhere else yet. Watermelon Lemonade Organic Green Tea from Fraser Tea. This blend is a lovely combination of green tea, peppermint, organic flavors, pineapples, and a few other ingredients.
Never would I have ever thought that I would dig watermelon in tea blends but recently 52Teas brought out a few watermelon teas that I greedily gobbled up tea pot after tea pot. This tea blend had my name all over it. I was happy to see it in my green tea sampler that I picked up from Fraser Tea a week ago. My tea kettle couldn’t prep the water fast enough for me.
For brewing parameters for this tea sachet, I prepped the water at 190F, steeped the tea sachet for a little over 3 minutes, and then allowed the tea to cool for another couple minutes-letting the flavors settle. This tea blend brews up to this lovely green limeade like flavor. I took my first sip and I knew I was done for.
Bright pops of a green vegetal background swirled happily and danced lovingly alongside notes of lemon and a subtle melon like flavor. There is a tartness through out each sip that is really lovely and the peppermint adds in a needed contrasting freshness to end each sip. I wouldn’t exactly call this a lemonade but in the same token, I wouldn’t simply call this a Watermelon Lemon tea. Like I said there is that noticeable tartness and I think that is where the lemonade comes into play.
Regardless, this tea is refreshing and marvelous. I can only imagine how dynamite this tea would be iced. This tea may not be a solid everyday drinking tea for me, but this tea is one that I would gladly drink every now and again. A lovely little ditty to keep in my tea stash when I need a change of pace.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Fraser Tea
Description
Delicate watermelon and mint flavor with a gentle finish.
Green Tea*, Peppermint*, Eleuthero Root*, Organic Flavors, Pineapples*, Lemongrass*, Hibiscus*, Safflower*, Cornflower*, Calendula* (*) = Organic Certified.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Raspberry Lemonade from Because UR Priceless
This is the second tea I’ve tried from Because UR Priceless and I have to say I’m impressed. I loved their take on an earl grey and vanilla blend so I was quite excited to steep up some of this Raspberry Lemonade.
Raspberry Lemonade is a blend of organic ingredients: green tea, huge chunks of raspberries, hibiscus, lemon peel, spearmint, and licorice root. The idea of a raspberry lemonade green tea blend just makes me happy. First note impression of this tea was that the blend lends itself to a cheery note. Bright pops of red on a bed of green and peach toned ingredients. Quite striking actually.
I set about steeping the tea and loved watching the brew turn to a gorgeous pink color. Allowed the tea to steep for about 3 minutes and then cool for another minute or two. Took my first sip and was greeted with sunshine!
Bright vibrant and slightly tart notes of raspberries with a hint of lemon and mint followed up with a smooth buttery green tea love. This is one of those teas that you just want to indulge in all afternoon! I love the combination of fresh raspberries and green tea. This smooth slightly tart duo really works well with the mint allowing a refreshing tone.
Very well done and all of the flavors are balanced perfectly. Couldn’t really ask for more from a flavored green tea blend! This one shines happiness!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Because UR Priceless
Description:
RASPBERRY LEMONADE brings together the wonderful antioxidant properties* of green tea with the tart sweetness of raspberries. Add in a touch of sour lemon and the unmistakable sweetness of licorice, and you have the perfect amount of tang without making your mouth get stuck in a pucker.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!