Blueberry Jam

So you guys know that blueberry tea I reviewed earlier? The one my brother got me? Blueberry Jam tastes basically just like that.
Like...no jokes it's basically the loose leaf version twin. And the blueberry tea is cheaper I do believe. Just some food for thought. Or...tea for thought I guess.

I steeped it as if it was a black tea, just for giggles.

Overall, it's a good tea I can't complain about it. But for sake of ease, I'll still with the stuff my brother got me - I can always order more of it online.

-L

Liebster Award

So, we were nominated for this award by one of our longtime readers, John B. He writes Tea in the Ancient World, go read it. I know this took along time but I, Laura, forgot all about it. I even forgot to tell Kayla because I DID AN OOPS.

This award is for new blogs with less than 200 followers. Mainly, it looks like a team building, blog sharing, tool for world domination through tea drinkers.

So, we'll both answer the questions  (some of our answers may be the same)and then make some for others! And because John wrote out the background, check his blog for the links to that!

Questions for Nominees: 

1. What is it about your blog subject that is so compelling?
   Laura: Us, by far, our stunning personalities make everything better.
   Kayla: I would have to agree with Laura. We aren't very technical and we just let our thoughts flow.
2. Favourite tea?
   Laura: Oolongs or Rooibos. Oolongs mainly on their second steep, and rooibos because they are yummy and such.
   Kayla: I love oolongs. Milk oolong is probably my favourite. Oh, and black jasmine pearls are my other go-to.
3. What's the furthest from 'home' you've ever travelled? 
   Laura: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
   Kayla: Hawaii and the Dominican Republic
4. What's one thing Thailand is famous for, other than food?
   Kayla: I don't know much about Thailand... but my guess is... tea? haha
   Laura: Thai massage?
5. Guess your bench press
   Kayla: I have a bad rotator cuff and intercostal muscle issues and carpal tunnel (I'm a hot mess)... I DO NOT bench press.
   Laura: Well, considering my left rotator cuff is buggered, I'm going to say "not much".
6. Do you believe in ghosts?
   Kayla: Yes... but not the kind of crap where those asshats on tv claim to be hunting ghosts.
   Laura: Basically what Kayla said. Ghosts, yes. Paranormal activities/ghost hunting shit? Uh no.
7. Are people still evolving?
   Laura: Science says yes. I'm going with science.
   Kayla: The biology of all life is ever-changing.
8. Why can't astrologers detect dark matter?
   Kayla: I'm not Neil deGrasse Tyson! Or a scientist of any kind, for that matter... go ask a scientist!
   Laura: Dammit Jim! I'm a massage therapist/tea blogger not a astrophysicist!
9. What historical person would you visit?
   Kayla: This is too hard... Oscar Wilde would be fun to have tea with, I suppose... Probably Jane Austen, though.
   Laura: Charlotte Bronte to discuss Jane Eyre with. 
10. What is one thing you do that almost no one else can do?
    Kayla: There is nothing that I can do that someone else somewhere in the world can not do better than I; that's life, not cynicism. Of people I know personally...? I'm good at writing fiction? Or, if we are being philosophical or some shit... BEING ME!! ;D
    Laura: My friends think I'm hilarious, everyone else (including family) does not see my comical merit. Except, I only manage to be funny when not trying to be. Humor on purpose doesn't suit me.
11. What did Buddha teach?
    Kayla: I am not familiar with Buddhism. Religion of any kind just isn't my bag...of tea HAHA- okay I'm done.
    Laura: Sorry bro, I have only a vague and probably stereotypical idea.

Now for OUR AMAZING QUESTIONS!

1. NONE
2. BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN HERE FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS
3. HAHA
4. #LauraIsLazyAsShitBro

Bear Valley Feature Horse: Beth

*WARNING. PICTURES OF AN EMACIATED HORSE BELOW*

Picture 1: Beth July 

Bethie's life story has not been an easy one. Even when she came to the rescue on July 9th, 2014, she was in horrible shape and her prognosis was pretty grim. When she came to the shelter, she had a body conditioning score of about one.
She had had a halter left on her, probably from when she was a weanling, and it grew into her face, leaving a big dent in her nose and turning the hair on her head white in a halter pattern on her face.  

Picture 2: October 22nd

She had also had some sort of injury, perhaps from being hit by a car, to her hips, causing either a fracture or muscle tear.  She was emaciated and had sores, most likely from struggling to stand. A horse who cannot stand is often a horse that doesn't survive. This was the first clue to how much of a survivor she would end up becoming.
She has grown stronger every day, and always maintained a sweet and gentle temperament. She is currently now able to be outside with the senior horses, can get up on her own! It will be a long road before she is recovered, but we believe, I believe, she can and will do it. 

Here is her progress photo album!

Jan 23rd

Contact information for Bear Valley:

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Donation (cheque, money order, paypal, and ATB cares  payment methods all available!)
You can also sponsor a horse monthly or through one time donations!
Charity Focus

Kanpe

Kanpe! A tea by DavidsTea that was a limited edition, and is no longer out on their website at least. 

And, is one of the reasons why I am not buying any Sweet Apple Cider! Kanpe basically tastes like apple cider, and is this beautiful, blood orange color! The other reason is this.

It's a gross, wet, dreary day. Perfect for hot apple cider Kanpe! 

I used two scoops, because I like it fairly strong. I wish there was more cinnamon in it, but that is an easy remedy if I put my mind to it. I steeped it for about 5 minutes.

It's a little light, but sweet, kinda creamy, apple-y, and yummy.

I pity those who never got to try it's apple cider-y flavor, and it makes me understand why people are getting the apple cider tea (although the apple cider I put in the clicky up top is amazing and I say go with that)

-Much love

L

Organic Peppermint Amour

I honestly am pessimistic about this tea. Not because I think it will be bad, but because it is peppermint tea. And, I mean Peppermint Amour, really? Let's see if this peppermint tea makes me say "Oh mon cher, Je t'aime!"
Much wow. Very excite.

There really isn't anything that needs perfecting about peppermint tea.



I used half of the little sample container, which is about one full Perfect Spoonful. Keep in mind, that's about double that is in one regular tea bag. And still a little more than would be in two regular tea bags. So it better be fucking strong. I steeped it for like 5-7 minutes, because I like my peppermint to be strong like Xena. I was so obsessed with her as a kid I still don't know how I got away with watching her at like 8. Please come take me away on your horse I love you

AND NOW TO START DRINKING.

Well, it smells like run of the mill organic bagged peppermint tea. Aaaaaaand it's nothing special. It is basic peppermint tea. No love here, because it's almost 6 dollars for a 50g bag. And you can get easily pre-packaged bagged peppermint tea at the grocery store for cheaper.



The flavor is good, but it's just peppermint tea. No better than Tetley or Tazo. Save your money and time and space and get the bagged stuff.

 Much love mon cher!

-L

Huckleberry Tea

My mom got this tea for me when she was in Coeur d'Alene on a mini-vacation.

I loved Coeur d'Alene before, but now that I know you can get this tea from there. I love it even more!

They literally used natural huckleberry oils for flavor, and just black tea. Like it's amazingly simple, but it's also amazingly amazing. You can taste the black tea, but it is a very yummy, very laid back flavor. It allows the berry to shine, and they very much so compliment each other. I've definitely had some other flavored black teas where you drink and the tea and other flavor(s) and just there together, instead of actively working together to make your mouth happy.

I don't really have any pictures because I'm a tool and forgot to take pictures until I was done. And I only have 18 bags left so I'm not wasting any!

I can't wait to make this as an ICED TEA though. I'm making it for this upcoming weekend. I'm going to a cabin and horse riding and woooo.

But seriously. Drink it. You won't regret it. I'd buy it just to SMELL it!

-L

I've been slacking with my reviews I promise I'll try to do better

Iced Tea Fun/ Just Peachy

Because it's summer and I want to do what I want and will get to specific reviews in a bit. I JUST WANT TO MAKE FANTASTIC ICED TEAS.

So this one has a tiny bit of Pink Lemonade, a sample packet of Mango Fruit Punch, a spoonful of Honeydew Mate (which I cannot find on the site right now...so it may have been discontinued?), and like 5-7 spoonfuls of Just Peachy.

I steeped it for like...5 minutes? Then poured it into my amazing plastic jug (I actually put a large DT filter in the top while pouring it, to make sure I got any particles), with some ice, and stuck it in the fridge to fully cool.

Now. Now I drink it.

And it tastes good, very peachy. Next time I make it I'm adding a lot more Just Peachy and Pink Lemonade though! This time it literally tasted of just Just Peachy, which is still very awesome, but also not as strong as I wanted (I added too much ice I think).

ignore the gravy in the bottom left

.

Do it, mix it, match it. Let me know your results! I added some ginger ale when I was nearing the end, and wham bam! It's even better!

-L

Birthday Cake

So, my birthday was on the 19th. I'm now 23! Go me! I promise I'm a real adult. I DO MY OWN TAXES, GOD DAMNIT.

And because all birthdays need birthday cake, I decided to up the anti and have not only cake flavored cookies from my lovely tea sister, but a TEA that is all about the birthday cake.

It's my birthday, I make the rules now!

Birthday Cake tea from DavidsTea.

So this tea is much more cake scented than flavored. It tastes basically like a sweet rooibos tea. Which isn't a bad thing at all. I enjoy the tea.
But, I don't have it often because the smell can be overwhelming when made in my than a cup. If I make a pot, then I tend to be overpowered by cake-tea smell!

THIS REVIEW IS SHORT BECAUSE MY BIRTHDAY.

-L

PINK LEMONADE (LATE)

I FORGOT.

SORTA

Me while winning. My pool has over
1.5 mill, I'm betting $500 K, I doubled it.

I was making Pink Lemonade iced tea (this morning)...but I forgot to do anything with it. SO I NEVER MADE THE POST. SO I NEED TO DO THIS ALL LAST MINUTE. I FEEL SO FRAZZLED HOLY SHIT. I DIDN'T GET THE CHANCE TO YESTERDAY. BECAUSE I WENT TO A CALGARY STAMPEDE EVENT AND WON $2 MILLION FAKE DOLLARS.

SO I HAD TO MAKE MORE. RIGHT NOW.

I poured a fuck tonne in a strainer because fuck being subtle. And it steeps faster.

AND THEN I MADE IT.

AND ADDED MOTHER FUCKING ICE FROM OUR NEW FRIDGE.

Let me break it down for ya'll. This shit taste like legit pink lemonade. DavidsTea delivers on this one. No jokes. I love this shit to the moon and back.

BUY IT. LOVE IT. DRINK IT. CONSTANTLY.

No longer perfect at posting,

Laura

Oh Canada!

See how interesting Canada is in one stock photo

The amazingly evil kitchen renos are done. Finally. Three months of being miserable, over. Three months of not being able to drink my favorite teas whenever I wanted, over. Being able to eat well and do what I want...I could cry!  (this was the only part I pre-typed and now I regret it because the renos still aren't done)

What a perfect thing to have for Canada Day! Not to mention, this was NOT scheduled ahead of time. Hell yeah. YESSSS. But, I did plan to do this tea on this day months ago. (I mean, I did it on the 27th because I have long weekend stuff to do. Sue me.)

What is this tea you ask? Oh Canada! by DavidsTea. I also have some Maple Flavored Agave Nectar, also from DavidsTea, just in case it's not quite Canadian enough!
I've only tried this once before, and it was along time ago in a baby sample. So now I need to perfect it. Because IT'S CANADA DAY.

Let's get a move on with the review!

So, it's an okay tea. Which is disappointing because Canada is awesome and it could have been just more. I just found that, even with some maple agave (which taste just like maple syrup), it was kinda boring. By itself, the tea didn't even taste super maple-y or toffee-ish. Just kinda...flat.


I dunno, maybe I'm being too picky, but they could have literally done so much more. Like a maple, apple (can anyone say Okanagan Valley?), caramel, mate with some honeybush (and the maple candy)! That is the one I'd gun for. You know what, I may try to make that one day. Maybe next Canada Day I'll make a tea like that.

It's good but not great. I'm not buying more because I'd rather spend my money on something else.



Happy Canada Day!

-L

June 27th

Creme Caramel Rooibos

Ah, Creme Caramel Rooibos by DavidsTea! This tea smells amazing. Like Creme Brulee but with a much more potent caramel punch.

I've only had this tea once before, and I can't remember what I thought. So, this is basically a play by play.

I love caramel. Like adore it. So I'm really excited!

I used once scoop using my David's Perfect Spoon. I set my kettle to the "herbal" setting and, steeped it for roughly 5 minutes, then let it sit for a few minutes under Stanley (the tea cozy) until I was ready.


Since this is being done during renos, I've had to turn my bedside table into a mini kitchen, and I am also making Ichiban at the exact same time.

I do like how there are actual caramel cubes in the leaf. Even if it doesn't affect the flavor (which, since as of this paragraph I still haven't had any tea) then it's still a cute idea.

It's a little darker than Creme Brulee and a even steeped smells a lot more like caramel.

Now for the taste!


It tastes a lot like Creme Brulee. Like...a lot. It's not bad at all, in fact it's rather good! But, it tastes like Creme Brulee, just less creamy tasting. And for a tea with CREME in the NAME (creme being French for cream) you'd think it be like drinking a caramel custard or something.


But it's not. It's the slightly more boring twin of Creme Brulee.
So, this is not a hate speech, but I am certainly not going to buy more.

Laura

Jessie's Tea

Notice it looks different than the website

Let me start out with what I did to brew this tea. I feel kinda gross so this is going to be short and sweet.

Jessie's tea by DavidsTea

I used one scoop using David's Perfect Spoon. I set it to the "herbal" setting on my kettle (200F), steeped it for like...5 minutes, then let it sit for a few minutes under Stanley the tea cozy

More fucking coconut. DavidsTea, please calm your shit with the coconut.

This tea is okay. Just okay. It smells kinda funny. The mix of lavender and rooibos AND the coconut just smells funny. Not a BAD funny...just funny.

I dunno, it also tastes how it smells.

I don't like it enough to buy any more, but I do like it enough to have a glass.

Now, to wait for the renos to be over to make a good cuppa,

-L

Three Wishes

I know Kayla reviewed this back in 2013, SO NOW IT IS MY TURN.

This tea is lovely.

L.O.V.E.L.Y

My one qualm with the tea, is the artificial flavoring. It doesn't elaborate as to what the flavoring is flavored as, so it's not 100% positive what belongs to what. Honestly though, the tea still tastes great so fuck it.



My qualm with DavidsTea is that they have it in JUST the Black Tea section, instead of both the Green and Black. Considering it has both green and black tea in it, it just seems unfair and misleading! I'M BEING PETTY. DON'T JUDGE.

A little tip with this tea, I've brewed it at both a full boil, like you would normally do for a black, and then at the lower temperature that tends to suit greens better, and SURPRISINGLY brewing it as if it were JUST a black tea is what works best. That may be why it is in the black tea section

It smells kind of pineapple-y, kind of mango-y. Basically really refreshing. I have tried it iced. It get's this weird bitter after bite, and loses the fruity qualities. 2/10. Would not do again.

Flavor wise you can absolutely taste both the green and the black tea, with a hint of that pineapple-y and mango-y taste.  This is one of those teas from DavidsTea that makes me keep coming back. Lately there are fewer and fewer of those, which makes me sad.

But, this tea rocks. Go buy it. Like, right now. But don't ice it, you'll feel bitter and disappointed.

-Laura

Mother's Little Helper

Tonight I feel gross.

As I'm sure you know by now, I'm fairly candid. So, fair warning.
I feel gross because I have cramps and I'm tired and just a little moody. I have all three of these because I'm on my period.

Mother's Little Helper by DavidsTea can help. I would be using the menstrual tea I made, but 1) my cramps aren't bad enough to warrant using it, 2) it's mainly for daytime use and 3) I want to sleep really well tonight. Not to mention the fact it tastes like shit without honey. And I have no honey. Buckley's of the tea world



Mother's Little Helper is a strange tea color wise when it brews, and beautiful BEFORE you even steep it. Seriously though, it's so pretty. It basically always tastes the same, but some steeps it's more brown, others it's more pink, and other's it's more yellow. Each scoop is a little different percentage of hibiscus wise, and it's really the hibiscus that gives it it's bright pink color.

This tea is also VERY versatile. Too hot out of a hot mug of tea? No problem. Make in concentrate, add cold water and store in a jug in the fridge. It's just as delicious and refreshing and relaxing and sedating as when it's hot!
Did I forget to mention the fact this tea is basically a sedative? It has valerian root in it. Valerian is a natural sedative. For some people, it basically knocks them out after they drink it, for others like myself, we just get relaxed enough to sleep, but it keeps us asleep throughout the entire night.

How I steep it to drink it cold:

I start with 5-6 tbsp of loose leaf and steep it with 4 cups boiling water, or near boiling. This tea steeps well at basically any temperature. And then I steep it for 10 minutes, sometimes more. Then I add about 3 cups cold water and put it all in a jug in the fridge. Perfect for summer! Then, I just had a cup or two before bed.


How I steep it to drink it hot:

I start with two heaping scoops of tea using David's Perfect Spoon, then steep it until the pot is finished being drank, or for at least 5 minutes. I use boiling or near boiling water. Honestly both the 'black' and 'herbal' setting on my kettle work perfectly with this tea.



Honestly, this tea is just all around yummy. It and Creme Brulee are what started my tea addiction, so it will always have a special spot in my soul. It's fresh and sweet. Minty and just a little bit fruity. It's just so good and good for you that I literally recommend this tea to EVERYONE. I've gone through over 200g of this tea (basically by myself) since I first started buying it.

Buy it. Drink it. Sleep.

LONG AND RAMBLING POST IS FINALLY DONE.

-L

PS. I premade little bags of this so I could just throw it in a pot before bed and not have to worry about any clean up. That's what's shown in the first picture.

The Last of Us: Mixing of Obsessions Part 2

On my first steep, I used once scoop with my David's Perfect Spoon and steeped it for about 5 minutes. There honestly isn't much of a smell to this tea, and it doesn't taste bad. A little herby, but not savory or sweet. So, for a tea made for healing instead of flavor, I'd say that's pretty ace. BUT if you steep it too long it becomes bitter and completely undrinkable.

Now, for the true test, out of all my steeps did it work for what the ingredients are supposed to do...

The answer is a resounding, kind of. Since there were no steeping instructions, I can't be sure I was even doing it correctly.

I did have a decrease in pain by about two points when I had it. (5/10 down to a 3/10 etc) But nothing super spectacular that made this worth using when we have access to pain killers.

BUT in the world of The Last of Us, steeping this on a cold night, when you're bruised and sore and have nothing else to soothe it, a tea like this would be awesome and incredibly helpful!

In the end, this is perfect for the apocalypse if you are in the North Eastern USA or Iceland!

Oh yeah, and here is the video I promised you.

 

-----

No, seriously,
We DO NOT take responsibility for any possible consequences from any use of the information provided by this information, or information contained in this blog. The post of this information does NOT constitute the practice of medicine or replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider(s). Please seek the advice from your doctors.

Sweet Strawberry

White tea, strawberries, rosehips, 

white Silver Needles, hibiscus, stevia, natural flavouring

This tea is basically its name.

Sweet Strawberry by DavidsTea is a white tea. A light, beautiful, white tea.

So I started with one heaping scoop of tea using David's Perfect Spoon. Set my kettle to the "white tea" setting (185F). Then steeped it for about 4 minutes. Let it rest for about 4 minutes. Then started drinking. (I finished the entire pot)






Now, you all know by now how I like a really strong tea, but this light tea is just so nice. I always need to have some hanging around.

When you smell it, you'll know how it tastes. It doesn't taste as strong as it smells, but it tastes the same. Every time you take a sip, you smell the strawberries, taste the strawberries with a gentle backer of the white tea. So light, sweet, but in a light way.

This tea would be amazing, amazing, iced on a hot summer day.




As you can see, this tea leaves me feeling excited. It's just so nice.

Now excuse me while I go enjoy my strawberry bliss, which you should enjoy too. So should your friends. So should your family. Coworkers. Everyone. :|

EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT IT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. BECAUSE OF STUPID REASONS NO DOUBT.
LUCKILY. I ORDERED 250g LIKE A BOSS.

-Laura

The Last of Us: Mixing of Obsessions Part 1

Ellie is basically amazing. Image source here

This has to be a two parter. I'm sorry, but the information portion (this portion) is simply too long to be combined with the tea review portion! I'M SORRY I DIDN'T MEAN TO. BUT YOU BETTER READ BOTH BECAUSE I PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT INTO THIS.

This is literally the only game I'm going to play the entire way through, mostly ALL BY MYSELF. I've watched it be played online  numerous times and in person (Thank you, fiancee). So, I'm pretty well versed in the game itself.
Did I forget to mention I've watched ALL of the behind the scenes videos and googled the fuck out of things and have completed the DLC? No? Well now you know.

As you can see, this obsession has reached the same level as my tea obsession. So, I decided why not mix them together, and see what sprouts out?

The tea I found is actually an Icelandic Tea. It's closest to what I wanted, without having to basically make my own. One of the ingredients is pretty specific to where it is made. LUCKILY, the one ingredient that is not located in the USA, has a counterpart in the USA. SO IT'S ALL GOOD YA'LL.

Okay, so let's start with The Last of Us map. Basically every chapter has been mapped out and color coded! 

Image source is here

Now, let's move on the plants in the tea!

• Birch (Betula pubescens) [1] [2]
• Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica)
• Angelica (Angelica archangelica)*

The angelica is the only non-American plant; and even then, it is only that specific species of angelica.  The North American specific angelica is Angelica Atropurpurea. Flavor and health benefit wise, it is basically the same.  Props for edible plants.

Image source here

All of these plants (replacing the Angelica archangelica with the Angelica Atropurpurea), are located in Massachusetts, and/or Pennsylvania, and/or Wyoming, and/or Colorado, and/or New England. Which, happily enough are all on The Last of Us map! As for the angelica, we have to pretend.

Now, let's go over the health benefits of all of the
stuff in this tea. You know, the thing that makes it something people would actually WANT to brew. Since just boiling water is easier than making a tea with barely any supplies, it has to be worth it. Otherwise, fuck that noise.

Birch: [1] [2]

• Source of vitamin C. Vit C helps with collagen production. Collagen is required to help wounds heal. It also boosts your immune system.
• It helps treat UTI's by increasing the amount you pee. Flushing out bacteria is rad
• Helps treat arthritis/aching joints
• Helps treat skin rashes

Iceland Moss: [1]

• Helps with dry coughs/bronchitis/common cold
• Helps treat indigestion
• Helps treat fevers
• Helps treat irritation of the mouth and throat
• *It can be applied directly to poorly healing wounds
• *It can also be used as an emergency food source

Angelica (Angelica Atropurpurea): [1]

• Helps treat heartburn
• Helps treat gas
• Helps treat arthritis
• Helps induce menstruation *see health warnings for more details
• Abortive qualities would be beneficial if being pregnant would be a health risk

My plan is to actually take this tea before my period is due, and when I am in a bit more pain. As someone prone to joint and muscle pain, as well as someone with a uterus, I figure timing it out that way would make things a tad bit more scientific. If I have heartburn or gas at the time, I'll let you know.

Health warnings!

Image source here

Birch: [1]

• Do not take if pregnant or breast-feeding
• Do not take if allergic to mugwort, wild carrot, or celery
• Do not take if you have high blood pressure

Iceland Moss: [1]

• Do not take if pregnant of breast-feeding
• Do not take if you have a stomach or small intestine ulcer

Angelica:  [1]

• Do not take if pregnant or breast feeding
• *It is suggested that angelica can cause uterine contractions

There seems to be a theme of DO NOT TAKE WHEN PREGNANT...

Oki Doki Smokey!  That's the end of Part 1! 

Now that you are up to date as to WHY this tea would be beneficial, available, and the potential health risks, next week we can do the actual tea review! 

Thank you for bearing with me!

Endure and survive until next week!

-L

I may even include a video of me playing TLoU. I'm not good at it, so it will be funny.

Again,
We DO NOT take responsibility for any possible consequences from any use of the information provided by this information, or information contained in this blog. The post of this information does NOT constitute the practice of medicine or replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider(s). Please seek the advice from your doctors.

Banana Dream Pie

Let me start off with this will probably turn into hate speech against this tea. You all have been warned.

I really, REALLY don't recommend steeping this in water THEN adding milk. It just tastes...wrong. Too strong. Too bitter. So, if you are going to steep it, just steep it straight in milk. Trust me. It tastes better.

For one, not enough banana. Like, they fucking skimped out! I have gone to the store to see how expensive huge amounts of large bulk slices of banana are...and it is really cheap. I mean, c'mon! DT, you are just being cheap as fuck.
Number two, the cocoa nibs just really fucking kill the white chocolate. Why not, instead of cocoa nibs (I've never had a banana cream pie with those in it!), put in say, white chocolate and some vanilla yogurt stuff? Or white chocolate and some vanilla bean? You know, shit that makes some fucking sense with bananas. Or a tea trying to mimic banana cream pie.

BUT, it did taste better than their Pure Chai (I can only speak for Pure Chai, not any of the other Chai from DT)

When steeped in straight milk, it taste very creamy, and very rich, and quite chocolatey. I literally got through maybe, MAYBE 1 cup of it. I actually felt a little gross after, so I made some Organic Detox tea to feel better. Like it doesn't taste BAD...but it doesn't really taste good either.

3/10. Would not buy. I regret my choice to pay for 50g of it.

-Laura

PS. If you own it and haven't tried it, follow these steps. I just asked DT about it being available, and it's apparently part of the Winter 2012 collection and no longer able to be bought. Which is weird...since I bought way, way after.

See, I found my invoice. Notice the fact it was purchased
JUNE 15TH 2013. So either people really hated it and there was some left over for months, or I just have to give DT major a major sideeyeing. WHO WOULD THINK ABOUT BANANAS FOR WINTER?????

Goji Pop

Okay, I'm cheating when it comes to steeping this one. I put it in a bag. I WANTED TO REVIEW BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO CLEAN UP. DON'T JUDGE ME.

Today's review? Goji Pop by DavdsTea.

Since I have a tin of it, it's pretty obvious that I like this tea. As a general rule of thumb, for me, buying 100 grams of tea means it's a keeper.

So I used two scoops of this tea using my David's Perfect Spoon, put them in the DavidsTea drawstring tea filters that I got from Kayla. Steeped it for extra long (aka the bag didn't leave the pot) because, well, it's in the bag and doesn't get to spread out as much.

This tea is sweet, but not too sweet, and quite smooth.  I get a lot of honeydew flavor, but it can change depending on the proportions of fruits you get in each scoop. IT'S LIKE A SURPRISE EVERY TIME. I honestly don't find that it has much of a smell.

Either way, it's a good tea.

Get the good tea.

Much tea. Very good.

-Laura

Tea at Sea Sample x2

Hey all! Today, we do samples. Two of many, many sample packets I have.

Luckily for me, Tea at Sea gives samples large enough to make a full post (unlike DT where some of their samples are only enough for one cup). Also, their sample packets are resealable. So if you only want to make a single cup to try, you can and you won't have to throw any away! It can also work as a little travel pack to take some looseleaf to work. Plop it in it's matching sample bag, and off you go!

I have a deep rooted love for Tea at Sea's product, as small as it is. It's down to Earth (no frills and no fucking coconut), all natural, all tea leaf. Sometimes it's nice to ground yourself in the basics again, to refresh yourself from all the fancy flavors from this, that and the other thing. Appreciate the natural, and different, flavors that comes from different preparation and growing methods.

Also, their tins and sample packs and labels are cute.

The first pot I made was of their Ceylon Sencha. It's a Sri Lankan green. The dry leaves smelled almost fruity, but upon steeping it smelled a little more like seaweed. The tea itself smells warm, and light.

The flavor is exactly as described on the label. Smooth, mellow, mild taste with a slight sweetness. It's earthy and relaxing. I just loved this pot of tea. I wanna buy some! So. Fucking. Good.


The second tea I made was a pot of their Ceylon FFEXSP (Flowery Fannings Extra Special). This tea is Sri Lankan and steeped at about the same temperature as white tea. Yet, it does not look like a white tea, or smell like one. In fact, it smells like a black tea.

It's yummy, but it's not as yummy as the Sencha. It is nice and earthy, and very smooth. It's really, in the end, just not the tea for me.


One good, one not so much for me. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me! Thank you Tea at Sea, for never disappointing me.

-L