Ginkgo biloba touts an amazing comeback story. Had it not been for one monastery keeping it as a sacred plant, it would have disappeared from our planet entirely! A group of these trees in Hiroshima even survived an atomic bomb (soooooo yeah, bulletproof coffee needs to step it up a bit, eh?)
And had you all not heard that amazing story from a biology class, you’d still be in luck, because fortunately the Virginia Tea co has done all the herbal medicine research and responsible sourcing for you, Thank you Kickstarter supporters! This tea is entirely to credit (blame??) for any extra wild anecdotes I happen to remember from Fall Quarter
This offering has beautiful, large leafy components and all sorts of flavor packed little herbal goodies just perfectly balanced. There is a distinctly sweet, innocent floral scent going on here that is super relaxing, a good “stop and smell the roses” kinda moment. Very youthful and uplifting.
I love drinking these “mind-boosting” teas on exam days. As usual I personally prefer a bit of sweetener in these teas. Whether they truly help me remember how to do a crazy math skill or not, I’m at peace even with just the placebo effect.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Virginia Tea Company
Your brain is a very powerful organ and needs to be nourished. This blend of gingko, gotu kola, spearmint, and sage are exactly what your mind needs to increase awareness and retain memory.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Turmeric with Meadowsweet & Ginger from Traditional Medicinals. . . . .
My latest Sipsby box arrived and in it was several packages of this Organic Turmeric with Meadowsweet & Ginger tea by Traditional Medicinals. This isn’t something I would have ever picked for myself but I guess something in my profile suggested I would enjoy it. I guess that in and of itself warrants giving this a try.
Well it is not bad but it is also not a tea I would be all that interested in having again. I don’t often reach for herbals and this is a herbal through and through. When hot, there is a ginger burn, though just slightly and even that touch of burn is drowned out by a sweetness that I want to attribute to the Meadowsweet (but that is because of the name as I haven’t had this herb previously and when I tried researching what it is supposed to taste like, it just said “pleasant”). Before that burn and sweetness sets in though, there is a savory bitterness and that I think is contributed by the turmeric.
Each ingredient brings something different and for those that like these flavors, this could be a nice combination of the bunch. However, for me tea is about desserts and indulgence. This tastes like medicine to me which isn’t the indulgence I am looking for, though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised when drinking a tea from a company called Traditional Medicinals.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Traditional Medicinals
Description
Inflammation might get a bad rap, but it really can be a useful signal after exercise. Our formula honors this indication with turmeric, a root praised by healers around the world. Reinforced by the power of meadowsweet— historically used much like turmeric—and ginger’s warming properties, our tea represents an herbal trifecta of ancient wisdom and soothing relief.*
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Citrus Oolong from Tea Taxi. . .
This tea came to me as a sample in one of the monthly subscription packages I got over the past year. It is not one I would have ever picked for myself because I am often hesitant of both oolong and citrus flavors, so I usually avoid a tea boasting both. Yet, for some reason I never brought myself to tossing this into my swap box.
Well today I figured if I wasn’t going to try and get rid of it, it is probably because I actually want to try it so I got to brewing. This steeped for 3 minutes in 190F water, as per the recommended steeping parameters.
The dry leaf smelled like lemony baked goods though the steeped tea is more harshly lemon than that. It leans towards that lemon pledge vibe at first but the ginger and oolong base really pull that back and keep it from being offensive. Instead, it makes for a bright lemon tea with a ginger zing at the end of each sip. The oolong base is heavy enough to support these strong flavors while still holding its own, yet light enough that it doesn’t draw focus away.
This is no longer available on its own on TeaTaxi’s website but it does come as part of the “Remedies” collection and I can see why. This would be a nice cold tea because the flavors are quite warm and comforting. It would also be soothing for other ailments as its got enough flavor to be interesting without being over-the-top and hard to digest. This isn’t a tea I would be drinking everyday but for those who enjoy this flavor profile, this could be something worth looking into.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Tea Taxi
Description
Let us help you bounce right back with this collection of teas and infusions. Recommended for colds, sore throats and life’s other little discomforts.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Antivirus from TeaTaxi. . . . .
One thing I never realized until I started drinking tea is that when I get sick, my tastebuds stop working. Sometimes when I’m sick, my food still tastes the same but with tea there is almost a void in my tastebuds. It is like some of my tastebuds work and some are muted so everything is just off and it is all too clear that something is missing. It’s at these times I either try to drink teas I didn’t really love to being with or sick teas such as this Antivirus tea by TeaTaxi.
Made with peppermint, spearmint, rosehips, almonds, apples, ginger, rose, sunflower, calendula, osmanthus, hibiscus, and natural flavors, this is not something I would ever care to drink under normal circumstances. However, the collection of ingredients is tolerable and even nice when sick.
I brewed this both hot and iced, steeping both for 7 minutes in 200F degree water. Then I got suckered into going grocery shopping with my mother so both teas were left on the counter in their respective thermoses for a couple hours.
Starting with the iced tea, I am getting mint…mint and maybe ginger. That void is still present so the flavors are all lost for the most part but the tea feels good on my throat as I sip. Hot (well…warm), this tea has a lot more mint flavor. While the iced tea was more smooth and peppermint-like, hot it is more medicinal/spearmint tasting. Ginger is also more noticeable in the hot tea but as a soothing ginger tingle at the back of my throat. Other than that, everything else is M.I.A.
I don’t mind the lack of flavor because the tea is doing what I want and that’s soothing my sore throat and cough and hydrating me when I am not feeling 100%, especially the hot tea. If I am being honest, my preferred cold tea is probably Cold 911 by DAVIDsTEA but this is not a bad alternative.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Tea Taxi
Description
An infusion of peppermint, spearmint, apples and ginger to help you make it through the winter. It’ll warm you from the inside out.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Chocolate Hustle from Wise Ape Tea Company. . . . . .
Chocolate Hustle from Wise Ape wants to be your replacement for coffee or that afternoon energy drink, or any high caffeine beverage that you reach for when the going gets tough. The yerba mate in this blend certainly gives you some much-needed energy to fuel your day-to-day hustle.
Beyond the yerba mate, this tea has chocolate flavors to indulge your sweet tooth. The cacao notes also help edge the tea into a more coffee-inspired robustness. There is also mint included for some crispness, a perfectly brisk accent to help make this brew feel more uplifting. The mint offers cooling and calming sensations to help you with mental clarity and focus.
The dry grass or earthy-hay flavors of the yerba mate are still very much present in the brew, so it may not taste exactly like a coffee replacement. This is probably a great caffeine-replacer for someone who already likes mate teas.
This tea is flavorful on its own or the perfect partner for a latte or even a butter-filled bulletproof brew. Don’t let low-energy get you down, listen to the Wise Ape and brew up a cup of Chocolate Hustle to keep you going.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Mate
Where to Buy: Wise Ape Tea Co.
Description: A powerful blend of roasted yerba mate tea with hints of chocolate and mint, combined with adaptogenic super-herbs to support your brain naturally. This unique elixir is designed to heighten your focus, energy, and clarity.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
