Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
For this week’s tea, he created a natural oatmeal flavoring, which I had been dreaming about for a while, so I could introduce you to this week’s tea of the week: Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Black Tea, with rolled oats, plump raisins and natural flavors including oatmeal and touches of brown sugar, raisin, and butter (and yes, it’s all vegan, for our vegan friends).
I don’t want to toot my own horn too much here, but I think this is going to knock your socks off. It is truly stunning. Get yours while they last.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I was a little worried about trying this tea after reading all of the feedback on Steepster regarding this tea. I noticed one reoccurring theme amongst those tasting notes: this tea tastes like grape.
For the most part, I do not care for grape flavored things. Stuff like grape flavored candies or ice pops or soft drinks, as I rule I generally avoid them. That being said, I do like the actual fruit. And I do, on occasion enjoy grape juice or even a very rare glass of wine. And I love Darjeeling teas that possess that all-important muscatel grape note. I think I’ve even encountered a grape flavored tea or two that I’ve enjoyed.
But I worried that this may end up tasting like that artificial grape taste that goes into the ice pops and candy, and not end up tasting like the true fruit… or even tasting like raisin, which is what it should taste like.
The verdict: Well, this does taste like grape, especially with the first few sips. But it doesn’t taste like that grape flavor that I tend to avoid. It tastes more like a wine-y grape. With the first few sips, I didn’t notice much of anything that tasted like oatmeal, raisin, or cookie. Sure, there were hints here and there that suggested those flavors, but, nothing that really screamed out: OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE.
Right now, I’m imagining the Cookie Monster taking a drink of this and saying “where’s the cookie?” … think Wendy’s commercial from the 80’s.
Now that I’m more than half-way through my cup, I am noticing the flavors are developing. It still tastes more like grape than Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, but, I am noticing the flavors build. I taste more raisin. I can taste a hint of brown sugar and butter, and even a little bit of caramelized sugar taste that you’d find on the bottom of a cookie. And the Oatmeal taste is beginning to emerge.
This is a really tasty tea, so I don’t want you to read this and think that I dislike it. I’m enjoying it. I’m just wishing for a little more of an obvious Oatmeal Raisin Cookie taste, and a little less of a grape-y taste. I think that the overall flavor could be improved with a tad more of that butter flavor that 52Teas does so amazingly well, as well as a touch of cinnamon and maybe even some nutmeg. A bit of walnut would be nice too.
An enjoyable tea, but I don’t think that the Cookie Monster would give his stamp of approval on it.
White Raisin Tea from Shanti Tea
Tea Type: White Tea
Where To Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Coming Soon to Site…brand new offering…
Tasters Review:
This smells unlike any white tea or ANY tea I have ever sniffed for that matter…it’s VERY different and I like different!
This smells savory and food-like…gourmet, even! YES! You can pick up on the raisin, of course, as well as a gentle floral and white tea aroma and taste! There is a beautiful wine-like aroma that I picked up on, too!
The taste is soothing and has a calming hint of juicy-goodness! It does linger a subtle raisin flavor.
This is pretty creative! I’m glad Shanti took a chance with it! It’s a goody!
Rum Raisin from Lupicia
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Lupicia
Product Description:
Black tea with rum-soaked raisins. Sweet rum flavor perfectly goes well with milk.
Taster’s Review:
OK, so you’re probably wondering about the featured photo, right? Well, Lupicia only had a tiny thumbnail of this photo available on their website, so I chose to improvise a little bit … and since the name of this tea made me think of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow (“Why is the rum gone?”) I decided that I should post a photo of him in character. I suppose I could have taken a photo of the tea itself, but, personally, I’d rather look at Captain Jack Sparrow (I mean, really, is there a better pirate?)
This is a remarkably smooth and well-balanced black tea. The base is robust and bright flavored without being overly assertive. The flavors of rum and raisin lend a pleasing sweet flavor to the cup without being overwhelming.
I like how this tea plays upon the palate. It is full-bodied and has a delightful flavor. It reminds me a lot of bread pudding – sans the custard and cake-y bread flavor. To heighten the flavors, I suggest adding a small amount of sweetener. It brings out some of the sweeter qualities of both the rum and the raisin, as well as highlight some of the caramel-y undertones of the black tea.
A splash of milk or cream will give this tea a creaminess that is similar to the custard-creamy taste of bread pudding. Pair the tea latte with a shortbread cookie, and you’ll have a yummy, deconstructed bread pudding!
On the 9th Day of Christmas … from 52Teas
This isn’t the only “12 Days” type of thing that I’ve chosen to become involved with this holiday season. I am also in a 12 Days of Christmas art swap through a Yahoo! art group that I’m in. You can learn more about that swap here and see some of the art pieces that I’ve received in that swap, as well as the art piece that I made for the swap.
Both of these 12 Days “thingies” have been a lot of fun for me … and there is a part of me that is just a little sad that they are both almost over.
But rather than think about when it will end… I think it is much better to focus on the here and now. And right here and now, it is time to unveil the tea of the day for today!
BUTTERED CINNAMON RAISIN TOAST
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Description:
So, a raisin flavored tea is pretty unique in and of itself; cinnamon-raisin tea: a bit cooler, but at 52teas, we don’t just push the envelope, we shove. So, I’m happy to present our tea of the week for the week of January 4, 2010: Buttered Cinnamon Raisin Toast flavored black tea.
We started with our premium Indian black teas base, added just a touch of smoked Assam teas for a tiny bit of toastiness, then we added real golden raisins, cinnamon stick bits and natural raisin and cinnamon flavors. We topped it all off with just a hint of natural butter flavoring. The result: Well, you will have to try it to believe it.
Taster’s Review:
I was a little surprised to find this tea in this 12 Teas of Christmas box. Pleasantly surprised, but surprised nonetheless; mostly because this tea is not one of 52Teas permanent collection teas.
However, I think it SHOULD be in their permanent collection, because it is so good. I tried this tea when it was first introduced (and you can read my first review of this tea here), I mean, how could I resist? It just sounded too unusual and interesting to pass up.
One thing that I really like about this tea is that it is a little different each time I brew it. When I first reviewed it, the cinnamon flavor was a little subtle, this time, as I sip it, the cinnamon is front and center. The butter is a little lighter this time around, but still present. The raisin flavor is a little stronger, and I am getting a little more of a smoked/toasty taste too. The overall cup is still sweet, but it is a little more spiced with a stronger cinnamon note.
One thing that I did say in the previous review that remains true today – this is definitely one of 52Teas most interesting blends! I am so happy that I got to revisit it!
Super Fruit Tea from TeaPigs
Tea Type: Herbal
Where To Buy: TeaPigs
Product Description:
We can’t get enough of our blueberries and cranberries since we were told they’re packed full of super powers. To get more of your daily antioxidants, try this blend of real berry pieces, which deliver a punchy, fruity taste unlike any fruit tea you’ve tasted before. Again, we’ve looked after the berries, not crushed them.
Compare our whole berries in our tea temples to the crushed up bits in your regular tea bag; whole is best.
Taste:
Super fruity, this cheeky drink is a little tart.Try it:
With honey, if you like your fruit sweeter. Or cream.Good if you’re feeling:
Slow and lifeless. The antioxidants in our super fruits will help stave off “Squashed Hedgehog Syndrome” (i.e. “feeling run down” – get it? Sorry).To buy our super fruit herbal tea packed with berries online, select the quantity of loose leaf tea, temple teas or sample tins you would like and then add to basket.
Ingredients:
Hibiscus, elderberry, blackcurrant, raisin, flavouring, lingonberry, blueberry.Brewing Instructions:
One tea temple per person, infused in boiling water for at least 3 minutes. Don’t rush – just relax and watch the berries swirl.Average Customer Reviews
based on 34 reviews
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Tasters Review:
Well, Colored Me Surprised!
I’m not sure what made me think of that phrase…maybe it was me reminiscing of a friends cat the other day…her name was COLOR ME RAINBOW…anyhow…on to the tea review, eh!?
I really thought this was going to be pure hibiscus! I’m glad I was wrong!
I could taste mostly elderberries and currants and then the blueberries sneaked their way in! THEN there was the slightest hint of cranberries towards the end of the sip! VERY interesting!
The website said this has raisins in it but the wrapping doesn’t mention it…just for the record I cannot taste raisins. The Hibiscus is accompanying the berries but really isn’t much of a tangy and/or tart factor in the taste. It’s more fruity and berry like than hibiscus…thankfully!
This was very good! And it totally surprised me! Nicely done TeaPigs!