Merry Christmas

It's Christmas!
No post this week from me. Just wishes for everyone to have a fantastic holiday season

Drink lots of tea and have a fantastic week

~K

My Christmas Break

So, I'm taking a Christmas Vacation this year. And also leaving the country for a tad.

My next post will be either on the 6th of January or the 13th of January. I'm not 100% sure.

-L

White Lotus

Laura got me this as a sample today for Christmas!

I can immediately say that this tea will not be for everyone.

Very earthy in flavour, somewhat like bamboo, but much more earthy. That's about the only word that I can find to describe it. I know it doesn't say much, but this is a pretty obscure tea...
But I liked it!
It went well with my dinner of home-made stir fry


Sorry that this was so short and... well, pathetic.
(sorry, Laura! I really do like it)

Better luck next week

Egyptian Chamomile

I'm watching Disney movies while I write this. Specifically Tarzan. Because damn girl, dem eyes.

I got a bunch of amazing tea from my amazing friend Katie, the one I've decided to start with is Egyptian Chamomile from the Oolong Tea House in Calgary.

Some people don't like plain chamomile tea, but I do. It's light and sweet and ever so soothing. That, and you can add it to sooooo many other teas to give them a sweeter, creamier, more relaxing, quality. Also, if you rinse your hair in chamomile tea, it lightens it.

I admit, I fell asleep after writing part of this review. So I forgot to take pictures. 'TIS THE POWER OF AMAZING CHAMOMILE.

Whoooops

-L

Sleigh Ride

Ingredients:Apple, hibiscus blossoms, pineapple, papaya, beetroot, cinnamon, raisins, coconut, roasted almonds, popped rice, artificial flavouring


In the Christmas season, time to break out the festive teas!

Sleigh ride is a tea that has made a come-back for at least the last three years. So, it's reasurring that you don't have to worry about falling in love with this one -if you like it- and never being able to get your hot little hands on it ever again - as seems to be the way of DavidsTea.

I was expecting a sort of watered-down cider flavour, but with a six minute steep, I was pleasantly surprised.
While cider-like, it is incredibly full of flavour.

Apple is the most outstanding flavour of them all, the next being cinnamon. I would liken it very strongly to a hot apple cider - more so than DavidsTea's actually "apple cider" named tea!

Definitely the best (besides White Chocolate Frost) Christmas tea that I have tried from DavidsTea.


I recommend everyone have some of this tea in their home for the holidays.


Happy Steeping,

~K

Denerim: Gold Rush

SHOPS

Okay, so I'm using Gold Rush for Denerim! Why? Because despite all the poor (Like Alistair's jerkface moist, unpeeled hazelnut of a sister), it has SO MANY SHOPS.
I put it on this date because THIS IS THE LAST DRAGON AGE POST BEFORE CHRISTMAS. AND DENERIM IS THE LAST STOP BEFORE THE END OF THE GAME. WHOMP. Yes I left out Lothering. DUN KNOW DUN CARE. 

PERFECTION.

Let me just say, I'm writing this right after I finished beating the game and getting the ending I wanted. My Character (Aaliyah) and Alistair together for 5ever. I hope it's clear that this playthrough was played for the sole purpose of getting the ending I want. This ending. My little dwarven heart has been warmed all the way through.

This tea has coconut. I'm not super excited because it literally reeks of coconut. Yet it also has white tea and mulberries so I have some hope. I may just have to plug my nose as I do it.

And it's pretty gross. I can't even place anything besides coconut. But I'm really sick so this review kinda sucks on the whole taste part. Because my entire being reeks of menthol halls. So, I may just try this tea again later. Maybe.

I swear I'm not obsessed,

L

My text-tone isn't Alistair saying I'm beautiful nope not me I'm not obsessed I promise. Ok I lied I'm obsessed.

Matcha Chai Latte (organic)

I have been tip-toeing about trying this one for a while.

I used 2.5 tsp of powder of the suggested 2-3, 2 tbsp of hot water to disolve that in, then mixed it in to one cup of hot milk.

Honestly, it smells gross. Something about the smell of heated milk just really puts me off, which is slightly odd, because chai lattes are kind of my love.

This is an incredibly odd drink. I love chai, and I love matcha... but this is just odd. I really wanted to enjoy it, and I keep drinking, hoping that it will taste good, but it is just weird.
It tastes like someone threw some matcha into a chai latte.

Take that as you will, I would recommend giving it a ry if you aren't put off, but I will warn that it is not exactly a cheap product. It runs around $12  can, and while you get enough product for it to be worth it, that only really means something if you USE it all.

I will definitely give some to Laura so she can share her thought on this product.
I'm not all that impressed.


Happy Steeping,

~K

 

Redcliff: The Earl's Garden

I picked the Earl's Garden for one main reason, and one reason only. You can easily change EARL to ARL.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to pair up a tea with Redcliff??? Arl Eamon and his issues are basically the entire level, save for the start battle with the Darkspawn.


This is basically Earl Grey tea, with strawberries/berry flavoring. It smells more like just strawberries though!
I steep this on the same temperature as a herbal tea, simply because of the strawberries. It honestly DOES taste good, but I simply wish there were MORE BERRIES. VIVA LA STRAWBERRIES. But seriously, then it would be fantastic.

Fruity Earl Grey is amazing! If you have some extra dried strawberries to add, then you'll love it. If a dwarf vote strawberries over rum, then you should go for it. I mean c'mon, how often does that happen? Just be sure to add more strawberries.

I totally scheduled it wrong. My bad.

Shut up I'm not too into this don't judge me for being a fangirl

Currently questing and romancing,

L

White Tiger

Short and sweet. I will admit that the mix of pomegranate and blueberry really does not appeal to me, and the smell of this tea can be incredibly off-putting...


I was quick to judge.

This tea is really delicious.It's well balanced, and a more natural tasting mix of pomegranate and blueberry that I've come across. And the flavour of the white tea really stands strong as the base flavour.


It's unfortunate that this tea has been discontinued.
White tea does not seem to be a favourite at DavidsTea.


Happy Steeping,

~K

The Circle of Magi: Mulberry Magic

I honestly could not decide whether to do a tea I knew, or suspected I would, hate for this one. I carry such a major dislike towards the Circle level (mostly just THAT QUEST) that it honestly would make sense. BUT I decided to do Mulberry Magic. Why? Because magic that's why. That, and letting my dislike pre-guide a review wouldn't be as much fun as a wild guess!
The first time I played this, I ended up accidentally killing all the mages at the circle, and having to use blood magic with Arl Eamon. THIS TIME I ended up getting help in doing it correctly, and had the help of the mages. Bonus! EXTRA MAGIC TO GO WITH MULBERRY MAGIC

So this tea basically tastes like a less sweet version of how it smells. It's overall really pleasant (unlike this level), but I wish it had some nice sweet green tea in it as well, to help brighten things up. It just feels like it's missing something...a certain...magic. Don't judge me for trying to be punny. I swear adding some green tea would help it's case! Something with a honey taste to it?

I'M A DWARF FOR MAKERS SAKE. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW ABOUT MAGIC????

It's a good tea! Taste test in store first though.

Still rocking that romance,

L

The Brecilian Forest: Nettle Leaf

Maiming and killing things

The Brecilian Forest is a dangerous place, full of things that can main and/or kill you. Much like Nettle Leaf from DavidsTea!
I kid, but this tea is hella bitter. Like, it is super good for you, but it tastes like shit. Smelling it can cause you in inhale nettle, which can sting a bit, but it tastes how it smells.

Weird and slightly off putting. Like...it's just so...weird. IT TASTES GOOD FOR YOU. AND NOT IN THE GOOD WAY.

I've been putting off actually steeping the tea to review. I started typing this like...2 weeks before I drank it. The blog says yes, the taste buds say noooooooooooooooooooooooo. SO I DID IT ON HALLOWEEN. Very spoopy. Just like this tea.
Yup. Just as gross as I remember.

If this tea were in the game, I'd give it the the Dahlish in the supply crates at camp. It would strengthen them, and keep it faaaaaaaaar away from me. DWARVES NEED HEARTIER THINGS (read: something that doesn't taste gross).

And yes, Alistair and my Warden are a couple now. A loving, caring couple. I GOT MY ROSE MOTHER FUCKERS.

Hunting for Andraste's Ashes,

L

Kenyan Tinderet

Black tea from the Tinderet Estate in Kenya. 


This is a very strange looking tea. Like tinny little balls that resemble bird seed - Yoshi certainly seemed to think so.

DavidsTea recommended 4-7 minutes for steeping. I had to stop at three minutes because it was looking incredibly dark and I really did not want something too strong.

This is a very robust tea. Take it slow on the steeping, I would recommend even starting with one minute. It reminds me of orange pekoe, if it had been steeped for about ten minutes. There is a very slight hint of honey, but it is by no means sweet. Incredibly earthy.

If you want a kick in the ass of caffeine from your tea, this is definitely something to give a try.

I really don't think that this tea is for me, it is just too strong, but some people may really be in to that.



Happy Steeping,

~K

Remembrance Day

There will be no review today. Today's post is instead dedicated to all of those lost to us. Not just those lost in wars, but in our lives as well.

That's how November 11th always worked in my family. My grandfather served in WWII and luckily came out of it with his life.

So use today to remember those who have lived and died, loved and lost.

-L

Cranberry Pear

 

Ingredients: Cranberry, black tea, pear, apple, artificial flavouring.


Lets just say, if you love cranberries or pears, you will love this tea.
It's really nice.

While you get a lot of the apple, it pairs so well with the cranberry and makes a great flavour.
I was skeptical about this one, but I can see why my mum (a huge cranberry fan) went absolutely crazy for this.


Happy Steeping,

~K

Orzammar: Buttered Rum

From the era (which may still be continuing) of DAVIDSTEA IS OBSESSED WITH COCONUT, I bring you Buttered Rum!

The first in my Dragon Age: Origins themed reviews! In tribute to them, I have started the reviews 5 years and a day to the North American release date of DA: Origins.

Because in my playthrough I am a dwarf, it is fitting I start with Orzammar! Buttered Rum because rum is alcohol, and alcohol is very dwarven! With our drinking and hunger for power...save for my character, who is only hungry for one character...



Now onto the actual tea review.
This tea isn't BAD, I just wouldn't buy it again. Which is sad, because I'M A DWARF.

Alistair. Hungry for Alistair

It doesn't smell like buttered rum, first of all. It smell like a very tropical tea, which can be attributed to the coconut. Honestly, it's OVERWHELMING how much this tea smells like coconut before it's steeped, and even after it's steeped it smells a little overbearing. (Like bro, since when does plain rum make you think of sun tan oil?)
Some milk or cream helps tone it down, but it just makes it well, creamier. Which, thanks to the coconut, isn't the best option for everyone.

It basically tastes like black tea and coconut. Which, isn't BAD, it's kinda good. But, IT DOESN'T TASTE LIKE THE NAME AND THAT IS FRUSTRATING.

Forever kinda sick of coconut and in love with DA:Origins,

L

PS.
*This game came out 5 years ago, no spoiler warnings will be uttered

Pouchong Oolong

Oolong tea from Wenchan area of Taiwan.

I steeped for a good seven minutes (in the 4-7 suggested) because you know how much I love a strong oolong.

It smells slightly floral. Almost like lilacs, but a little more vegetal. It's a really lovely smell.

And an even lovelier taste. You get a bit of that floral aroma, with a touch of nuttiness. It is such an interesting and beautiful flavour. I absolutely love it!
First words out of my mouth: "Holy shit". That is the best I can say. It is just that amazing. I'm at a bit of a loss for words - ones with even a smidge of eloquence, at least - when I want to describe it.

What I have now will not last. This may have just become my go to. Sorry, milk oolong...


Get your hands on some of this amazing oolong.
You may just fall in love with it like I have.


Happy steeping,

~K

Blueberry Tea

Blueberry Tea! It's a tea that hails from Newfoundland. My brother got it for me when he went on a work trip there, how sweet!

This tea smells delectable, and tastes like a mix of Yorkshire Tea and blueberries. In other words, it's great! It's also what I needed to breathe some energy into me this morning.
I steeped it as you would a herbal tea, because of the strawberries.

This is a good tea, and if you're ever able to grab it, or a tea like it, do so.

Laura - Lover of blueberries

Green Tea Pocky

Pocky! The delightful Japanese biscuit stick treat that I have been a fan of since I discovered them back when I was maybe ten years old.

Now, I have always been partial to strawberry pocky, or the super fancy kind with crushed nuts... but when a coworker gave me my first box of GREEN TEA pocky, I was so excited to finally try it!

You open the bag and it instantly smells of matcha. And the funny thing is, the box says "green tea", but the baggy inside says "matcha" on it. Looks like someone in the English labeling facililty got confused and decided "fuck it! Label it ALL THE THINGS!"

These are amazing. Nothing but incredibly smooth and creamy matcha flavour. I was honestly expecting some grit to it, but there isn't any all - super smooth.

Now, I know that the average Pocky fan may not be into these, but green tea lovers, REJOICE! This is one amazing treat! And a funn way to get a dose of matcha!



I will now be hunting down ALL of the matcha flavoured treats out there.
Kitkats, aero... other candies and chocolates that I a sure are in abundance in Japan.



Happy munching,

~K

Berry Good

Berry good, is BERRY good! Hahaha. Ha...ha. Shut up it's funny to me.

Seriously, this is a nice tea so long as you steep it properly. For 30 seconds. Otherwise it tastes like salty fruit water and is amazingly disgusting.
When steeped for 30 seconds, it tastes like how it smells, but less sweet.

If you already own it, and haven't tried it, do so now. If you do own it and have been steeping it wrong, try it the correct way.

It's, overall and very amazing and delicious tea!

TOO BAD IT'S NOT (at least currently) IN THE DT ONLINE STORE.

WHY DO YOU GET RID OF THE REALLY AMAZING TEAS DT???? WHY

-Regretfully yours,

L

PS. I'm contemplating doing a video game themed tea. I just wouldn't know what that would even look or taste like.
Any ideas?

Yorkshire Tea

Laura gave me some of this tea and I have to admit that I really like it.
It is the perfect Saturday morning tea.

I add a teaspoon of sugar in the raw and about a tablespoon of cream. Tiffy all the way.
This gives me amazing flashbacks to when I would spend hours after school at my English friend's house after school, way back in Jr High.

Very simple black tea, but by far superior to Red Rose or Tetley's orange pekoe (ew).


I am very impressed with this and I really hope that I can find some here, in Canada. Otherwise, my old friend (now back in England) may be getting a request for a package exchange.



Happy Steeping,

~K

Around the World: North African Mint

This tea has licorice root in it. Hate speech time, because I fucking hate licorice.
North African Mint by DavidsTea.

I hate this tea. Not with a burning passion. Just with a "oh my god get this out of my mouth".

The overwhelming scent is of clove and cardamom. Which, is AMAZING and why I picked it for an autumn tea. It's a fall smell.

So I happily steep myself some, per directions, and then take a sip.



Only if I let it sit in my mouth did I taste any mint. Like it NEEDED to hang out in my gob for a few more seconds for my body to say "oh yes, there is a TOUCH of mint".

It tasted kinda like a cleanser or some sort. Everything just mixed together in a bad way. Like...if some of those ingredients were pruned down, it may have been salvageable.

As for this time, I wasted an entire pot of tea on this :(

-L

Hospital

Apologies again, everyone...
I was in the ER on Wednesday for several hours and spent most of Thursday in bed.

I'm not dying or anything, but no blog.



Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone

~K

Cinnamon Heart

Cinnamon Heart, oh how amazing you smell...
Until you get steeped.

I love Autumn. I love the spices that get the most attention in Autumn. Spices like cinnamon.
But oh how did this Pu'erh let me down. It let me down so hard it hurt.

Let me state, I steeped this to HOW YOU'RE ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO STEEP PU'ERH, not how DT says to. Sorry bro, but you give shitty directions.




It smelled weird and tasted bitter and bland and NOTHING like those addictive and disgusting (yet great!) candy cinnamon hearts. Seriously though, I really would rather just put those in boiling water and strain it.

Like I have nothing else to say except that I really wanted to have a nice heartwarming tea, but NOPE it had to turn out like shit. I even added milk at one point, just to give them the benefit of the doubt. It still tasted like crap.

What a bummer

-L

Salted Caramel

Ingredients: Black tea, English toffee, caramel, coconut, sea salt, natural and artificial flavouring*.
Contains soy, coconut, milk and almonds 


In the tin, salted caramel certainly smells exactly like its name-sake. Dark and sweet, it is definitely enticing.

I steeped for five minutes, but would recommend starting with four, this tea is very strong.

Knowing DavidsTea, like myself you may expect something incredibly sweet and artificial. This tea may surprise you.
To me, despite the strength of my brew, I tasted a delicately sweetened black tea. While certainly a unique, almost smokey flavour, it is nowhere near as sweet as expected. It would be a perfect pairing with chocolate, actually.


This tea is pretty simple but delicious, and there isn't much else to say.
Just don't underestimate its strength.



Happy Steeping,

~K

Tea at Sea Samples II

I'm excited for this post.

I've been waiting to try the samples until it (their samples are fantastic and you get a lot, so I COULD have tried them before, but I DIDN'T).

Tea at Sea tea just...oooo I'm always excited for it! BECAUSE IT IS GOOD.

First to go is Mountain Organic Indonesian Black Tea

oops, it's upside down. 

Reading the description makes me excited. So I steeped it to the directions.

For a black tea, it is not such an opaque-ish sort of black.The color is dark, but more like how...Crown Royal looks.

So for the flavor...I do get that cedar. It has a nice, mellow (not harsh or bitter), sweet-ish, cedar-y flavor. And I quite like it. Honestly, it seems like one that may be nice to use to make a chai-style tea.

Would buy again! 

Secondly is Ceylon Pekoe. I'm a bit biased, because really Pekoe is one of my least favorite black teas. So...take none of what I say to heart, unless positive.

It's a little darker than the previous tea, and definitely more of that pekoe scent.

It tastes very similar to a regular pekoe.  So...I'm gonna leave it there. If you like Pekoe, you'll really, really, like this tea. If not, then you won't.

It's not a bad tea by any means, just not for me.

Again, Tea at Sea does not disappoint.

-L

Pom Springs

Ingredients: Apple, apple pomace, beet root, rosehip shells, green tea, hibiscus, sweet blackberry leaves, rhubarb, pomegranate pits, natural flavouring.


On my brother's advice, I decided to try this iced, as he informed me that it is way better this way. And that I should make it pretty strong. So I have done both.

I used two spoons in 20 oz of water and steeped for about 4 minutes. It has same incredible colour, and kind of looks like Koolaid.

I am not sure what I was expecting to taste, but I was pretty confused on my first few gulps. I couldn't put my finger on what it was supposed to taste like... Then I got it. Bubblegum. No joke, it tastes like Chiclets! Those little colourful Halloween gums in packs of two that you chew for two minutes before all the flavour is gone? Yeah, this is the tea form of that amazing childhood flavour.
If you really sit on it, you can really taste the pomegranate and apple, but my mind always falls back on Chiclets

Kids would go NUTS over this one! And you very well could, too! I think I would prefer it mixed with gingerale to make it a tea-pop, but it is still pretty interesting.


I definitely recommend giving this a try, even if you just order one iced from a DavidsTea store. It is an incredibly interesting flavour.


Happy Steeping,

~K

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

No Post This Week

I have been severely under the weather.
And I already posted the tea I use when I'm sick last week...

Sorry that I didn't have anything saved up to post.

Regular posting will resume next week.

~K

Sugar and Spice: Revisted

I'm typing this at work. Because I have no laptop and want to schedule this just in case I don't get it back (today's date is September 3rd).

So I made it in the double boiler, with some vanilla agave.

Using two scoops of Sugar and Spice (more rationing! It isn't back this year!), in have a teapot of milk (so about 2ish cups) and about a tablespoon of agave, I steeped in on the stove, in the double boiler.

And let me tell you, it was a good idea. It was less like a cookie though, and more like a Autumn-in-a-mug-latte. It warmed me through and through. Which is perfect because, just like last year, it's gross and raining and cold out today.

If they had more Sugar and Spice for sale this year, I'd make this even STRONGER, but they don't. Maybe I'll revisit Pumpkin Chai if my laptop isn't back by the day this posts...and if it isn't back BY THE NEXT WEEK, then I guess I'll have to carry on without my laptop and just post from work, and add pictures in other ways. (Turns out, adding pictures on my phone app doesn't work too well. Read: AT ALL)

I'm quite irritated about my laptop, because I made a beautiful schedule of which teas I wanted to do each month. I planned all the way up to January, even some of February (with some tentative spots for any seasonal tea)!

-Laura

Detox (organic)

 [picture of tea to go here, when the damn thing decides to load]

Ingredients: certified Fair Trade rooibos, sencha, lemongrass, ginger, juniper berries, ginko, natural lemon flavouring.


I was going to leave a review until tomorrow to write because my stomach feels really gross right now. Then I thought, hey! I can tell everyone about the tea I use whenever I feel like crap! So, I'm going to do just that.
Now, I usually modify this with honey, nettle leaf, and chamomile -you know, for a real punch to my illness- but I will just add honey, after an initial taste description.

Steeped for five minutes, sometimes a little longer -again, that punch.

Tons of rooibos-y goodness. Only slight undertones of ginger and lemongrass, which I find fantastic because I can't stand either flavours. It really doesn't taste like your typical "wellness" type tea, it just tastes like a delicious and hearty rooibos .

Honey really isn't necessary at all with this tea, but I add it for extra flavour and because honey is pretty awesome. It also makes everything go down just a little more smoothly.

I think that this is a tea that everyone should have in their house. Upset stomachs are common, and you can definitely be prepared with this delicious tummy-soother.


Happy steeping,

~K

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

Sweet Apple Cider

Sweet Apple Cider from DT

Ingredients: Apple, apple pomace, sweet blackberry leaves, apple flavouring, artificial vanilla and cream flavouring.


My awesome brother bought this for me and brought it over because I was having a super shitty day. He insisted that I try it, so I am trying it. Even though it smells amazing, I was still apprehensive. 

Expecting something water-y that tastes mildly of dehydrated apples, was I surprised.

This stuff has some full-bodied flavour. Sweet, tangy, a hit of spice... It tastes like cider! And my favourite part about it is that it tastes like cider that isn't murdered with spice, like they usually are. The spice is so mild that I may just be making up the flavour in my head!
Thick apple base with lots of sweet creaminess.

I am so impressed.
This is a MUST for the autumn. Wow!!!
This blew my mind way more than the all-time DT crowd favourite, Pumpkin Chai.

Everyone who has any kind of spot in their heart for cider, or just apples! You must try this!


 A word of caution... Do not steep this longer than four minutes or it will taste like a candle.



Happy Steepping,

~K
 

The Sweetheart Collection: Movie Night

Movie Night, by DavidsTea~!

So today I had some time alone (and it's dreary and raining and chilly out), so I decided to run myself a nice hot bath (with bubbles and essential oils, hair and face masks. And a mini-pedicure). I hella pampered myself.
With such pampering, means tea MUST be involved. It's basically a law.

Now, why did I pick Movie Night? Because I'm watching Five Nights at Freddy's by Markiplier. While in the bath. What can I say, I enjoy multitasking!


When I first opened my sampler (from the Sweetheart Collection), I smelled a mix of coconut oil, popcorn, and caramel. It made me think of a movie theater minus the stale sweat smell they get in the summer. Which is what I'm hoping was the reaction they wanted!

I steeped it for about 3-5 minutes while I got my bath all ready. I used the entire sampler for one pot (my 4 cup pot).

The downside was this tea doesn't taste like there is any tea. It tastes like plain popcorn water. On one hand, I'm happy it didn't taste exactly how it smelled because that would have been kinda gross, but on the other, at least that would have had more depth than if I had made some plain popcorn and steeped that.
Where was the sencha flavor?! WHERE????

It wasn't horrible or disgusting, I had two cups. It was just boring with a really overpowering scent. And I had peppermint oil in the bath water; so the pure fact that this scent cut through that is impressive.

Buy it, you may like it. But I really didn't.

-L


I've discovered that doing these blog posts does help with my mental health a fair bit. It's actually pretty awesome. So that means that I'll keep doing them as long as I have tea.

Pomegranate Raspberry

Ingredients: Rooibos, mango bits, apple bits, rose buds, sunflower blossoms, flavour


I got this as a sample in an order from Tea Desire. One thing I would greatly like to emphasize about Tea Desire, is that their samples are enough product two make TWO generous spoonfuls of tea. You can make two pots worth with a single sample.
THAT is how you do it.


I steeped for six minutes and made enough for two cups.
No, I was not able to convince Chris to have a hot cup of tea with me. I am just soaking wet from standing in the rain waiting for the train home and I am cold.

This tea smells a little bit like Christmas. The strong notes of apple and pomegranate are probably what has me steering in that direction.

It is called pomegranate raspberry, but I really don't taste any raspberry. And though I can smell the pomegranate, I can't taste it! Mostly apple, rose, and mango paired with the rooibos that stands out, flavour-wise.

Though an excellent flavour, not at all what you might expect. You never know what you might get. I wanted more raspberry flavoured teas, but this is still really good. Everything works really well with the rooibos.


Definitely worth a trip to your local (or online) Tea Desire.


Happy Steeping,

~K

White Tiger

This tea is discontinued. So no matter what I think, I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET ANY MORE. DavidsTea has a thing against good white tea I guess

White Tiger by DavidsTea smells divine. Like holy shit. I stepped it for a few minutes, and used 1.5 scoops with the DT scoop. Because I'm hella predictable and hella lazy. I then let it sit until cool enough to drink...so like, 5 minutes?

And holy shit. I regret drinking this tea.

Because it is so. Fucking. Good. Holy shit. It's sweet and light and has a bit of a bite to it. It isn't as good as Sweet Strawberry, thankfully, but it is really really good.

Like ugh.



I just can't deal with THIS white tea being discontinued too! UUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH

Maddeningly yours,

L

Pineapple Oolong

pineapple oolong from DavidsTea

Ingredients: Tie Kwan Yin oolong, pineapple, apricot, and natural flavouring


Honestly, I thought that this tea was going to suck. (pretty sure that's why Laura gave me her sample of it - so she didn't have to try it... the fiend!)

This tea really surprised me.
Now, it's nothing to get me jumping up and down and screaming to the heavens like milk oolong, or raspberry oolong (if we are sticking with a fruity oolong theme), but I actually liked this tea. It's unique, and if you love pineapple, DEFINITELY don't skip buy this one.

You get a perfectly even balance of everything... if you add a pinch more Tie Kwan Yin like I did. LOOK at that sample I got. There was practically NO tea, so I used some of my plain Tie Kwan Yin and added a couple leaves. Is that cheating? I would imagine that if you got a couple grams from the store you wouldn't get so shafted on the tea - so I did not cheat. I didn't.  ... maybe a little... I made it FAIR!

But I digress... the apricot smooths out the pineapple, removing all acidity, and the tea is still the major contributor. Like I said, I am very impressed. Give this a try, you may be just as impressed as I was. And it is priced around the same range as the average tea in DT's collection.


Happy Steeping,
~K


It's like a tropical adventure!

Around the World: Organic Saigon Chai

Okay, I've roused myself from my funk because life gets to be a lot sometimes. And to help, I have decided to do a chai. Because chai is amazing for the soul.

I was told to steep chai in a pot on the stove. I'm going to use a double boiler, because I really don't want to burn my milk, and some plain white sugar.

Firstly, let me just say the Saigon Chai SMELLS a lot better than the Pure Chai I reviewed almost a year ago but posted in March.



I steeped the sample, which is worth TWO perfect spoonfuls, in a large DavidsTea filter bag. I basically just pinned the top under the lid of the double boiler and let it sit in the hot skim milk, occasionally moving it around. It steeped for probably 5ish minutes.

And you know what, it smells better than the Pure Chai, and taste a lot better too. There is none of that dusty taste, and it is a great strength (although I would probably steep it just a little bit longer, maybe an extra two minutes). For sweetness, that's really more of a preference type thing, and I tend to enjoy things a little bit on the sweet side.

I'm buying more of this tea, because it will give me a way to make a Chai tea latte with eggnog come eggnog season. BUT IT'S STILL AUGUST. IT IS STILL SUMMER.

SUMMER. NOT AUTUMN. NOT WINTER. SUMMER.

Continuously living in denial of the change of seasons,

Laura

Caramel Corn

Caramel Corn from DavidsTea

Ingredients: apple, pineapple, caramel (milk, sugar, glucose syrup, butterfat, sorbitol, tara powder), currants (currants, vegetable oil), almonds, beetroot, coconut, popcorn, natural and artificial flavouring.
Warning: contains nuts, dairy, and coconut.


In lieu of recent sad events, I figured I could use a cheerful, crazy tea; it seems only fitting.

The ingredients in this tea are complete madness! Madness that smells like complete deliciousness!! Wow.
It does make me think of caramel-assaulted popcorn. Even if I did not get any pieces of popcorn
inside of my sample. Actually, considering the lengthy list of ingredients, I have a feeling that I may not be getting the real nature of this tea considering how plain everything looks.

I steeped for the full seven minutes suggested, and I was a little bit disappointed by the colour. It looks very pale, I was expecting to taste water that someone dropped a Wherthers in to. I wasn't completely wrong, it is very weak. You just don't get enough in a sample.

But, if you actually got a full perfect spoonful, I think this would be a really delightful, sugar-y tea.
You get a lot of apple flavour, so maybe it would have been more apt to call it Caramel Apple. It really does taste similar to the way that it smells.

Wrapping this up; it is definitely worth giving a try if you are a fan of caramel. I think I might actually buy some. I really enjoy the combination of apple and caramel.


Happy Steeping,
~K

Your Regularly Scheduled Post...

Is totally not happening today.

My cat died on the weekend. I'm sad. I've got other stressful shit going on.

So I forgot about making a post.

So yeah. I'll be back next week, and I will be functioning. But for today, I just don't fucking care.

If you're remotely displeased with me, then, well, fuck you.

Butterfly Jasmine

Butterfly Jasmine from DT

Ingredients: Chinese green tea from Fujian Province, scented with Jasmine blossoms

So exciting!!!

I have been wanted to try this tea for quite some time.
What was stopping me? It is the most expensive tea that DavidsTea sells! Twenty dollars for fifty grams! 
What finally got me to buy some? The fact that I didn't have to buy it! I used my DT frequent steeper points and got 50 grams for free! (I used the other 50 grams of free tea I had saved the points up for and got more Quangzhou milk oolong)

 Not going to lie, I had my nose inside of the bag the entire drive home from the mall. I think I told Chris "This is the best smelling tea ever" about fifty times within those ten minutes. This tea makes Dragon Pearls jasmine smell like afalfa.

I steeped these gorgeously wrapped leaves for four minutes my plain old ceramic pot. 
Everything smells amazing!

It tastes exactly the way that it smells. 
This is the smoothest, creamiest jasmine I have ever had. It is beautiful. The floral accents are at the perfect level and there isn't a hint of bitterness. I'm sure that the second cups worth that is still in the pot may be a little too strong by the time that I get to it, but it won't be long. I am powering through this absolutely perfect cup I have right now.

I was wrong. Even with the second half of the pot sitting for fourty five minutes, it is not at all bitter or overpowering; just stronger and still delicious and perfect!
Holy shit, this tea is magical!

Beautiful. 
Everyone should treat themselves to this tea at some point in their lives.
I am in LOVE.

Best tea?
I might just have to say YES.


Happy euphoric steeping,

~K



Update:
Yoshi loves it so much he is trying bathe himself in it!

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

Cotton Candy

Cotton Candy from DavidsTea

Ingredients: Green rooibos, sprinkles, mango, brittle, natural and artificial flavouring


If you wanted cotton candy, you get cotton candy!

Incredibly sweet, especially if you steep it for as long as I did (someone left it in the fridge to cool and forgot about it... me). But it isn't bad, and you definitely get a lot of the flavour if you're going to ice it.

It was a little difficult for me to put my finger (or would that be tongue?) on the flavour of the tea itself, but it is hiding in there. And really, with something named after a treat that is just sugar and air,  how much of the tea are you really expecting to stand out?

Tastes very much like candy.

Sugar-y madness. Definitely a treat and not an every day sort of thing, in my opinion.

I certainly don't need any more of it, but I'm sure kids would go mad for it! Or any of those people who like to go about half-and-half with their sugar to tea ratios, hahaha!



Happy Steeping,

~K

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

Mao Jian

Mao Jian fro DavidsTea

Ingredients: First pluck green tea from Henan Province, China.


Only available in stores, I noticed it completely by accident, hiding on the back shelf under the tea shelves. Barely advertised, and not mentioned at all by the sales clerks (even when I asked to know what was new), who seemed more interested in insisting that I try the new summer teas.

Taking a sniff from the bag once I got home instantly reminded me of when I used to work in a pet store... Alfalfa. A sickly-sweet kind of grassy scent, which I still can't decide how I feel about.

Once brewed, I found it definitely has the asparagus/artichoke scent that the description talks about. It puts me off a bit, thinking of drinking something that looks a bit like wee and smells like asparagus. (this is how my mind works)
But Yoshi seems to like it because he currently has his face dunked in my mug as I type this before I have even had a single sip.

Pleasantly -and greatly- surprised!
I can see why the little bird won't leave it alone. Very sweet, amazingly fresh, light green. I love it.


I recommend everyone give this a try before it isn't fresh any more!
Get your butt to a DavidsTea if you love a light green.


 Happy Steeping,

~K



I am struggling to drink around my bird. He refuses to get off the lip of my mug while I'm trying to drink. He nudges at my nose and eye as I tip to drink.
Honestly, tea lovers, I don't recommend a pet that loves tea as much as you do.

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

Root Beer Float

Ingredients: Cinnamon, black tea, white chocolate, sarsaparilla, safflower petals, natural flavouring
 

Looks better than it tastes

I got a little excited about this one. It smells like root beer flavoured candies

It was a short lived excitement.

I iced this, because it is just too damn hot right now for anything that isn't filled to the brim with ice.

It was a cinnamon-y mess. I actually gagged when I tried to drink it. I was expecting way more vanilla flavour, but nope.


I really hated this.
That's all I can say.



Happy Steeping (just maybe not this one)

~K

Midsummer's Night Dream

Next post will be for my biiiiiiiiiiiirthday~! So I can't pre do it so it may be laaaate

But today, I feel sick. So I basically wanted to do a post that would help make me feel better.

So you know how, in the summer of if you live in a climate that basically is always summer, drinking a hot beverage to make yourself feel up to snuff and soothe a throat basically will cause you to melt? Well, have no fear, this tea helps soothe, both heated and iced. I introduce, Midsummer's Night Dream.



Today I made it iced. I took a shit tonne of loose leaf, steeped it for like...3-5 minutes, added ice and some extra cold water for a top up and BAM. Iced tea.

It tastes kinda tart and sweet. You can totally taste the apples and the gooseberries. Like, I can't get over how much more I enjoy this tea iced than hot! Like...I don't know to explain it, but it's just soothing and good and yummy. Add some agave or even honey when you're steeping if it isn't sweet enough.

Make it. Drink it. Enjoy it.

-L

Also, just because it is summer and summer is for enjoyment and shit sometimes my posts may be a bit late! I'll aim for not more than 24 hours, but no guarantees.