Organic Earl Grey Supreme Tea

There is no better way to spend the end of a hectic week than to enjoy a whole day void of  distractions, noise – including radio and television, and drama – the kids are out doing their own thing. As we speak, I am looking out my kitchen window into the backyard watching the leaves skip across the hard cold grass. While periodically peering around the island at the dogs sleeping peacefully on the floor. I chatted  with my husband on the phone as he drove to to my stepson’s basketball game and later laughed with my sister who called from her home in Mississippi. What an awesome moment in time to enjoy a hot, soothing, cup of tea. Today’s choice… Organic Earl Grey Supreme.

Composition: Organic Fair Trade Certified™ black tea leaves (Keemun and Yunnan blend) and 100% natural essential bergamot oil. Keemun and Yunnan (also known as Dian hong) are Chinese Black Teas. Yunnan’s key distinction from other black teas comes from its fine leaf buds or “golden tips”. Though blended with bergamot, I truly appreciate a tea with no artificial flavors. 

Dry Visual: Very dark almost black and twisted tea leaves. The tea appears to be a mix of broken leaves, a few stems, and even a few buds (characteristic Yunnan).  Thanks Rishi Tea for the picture.

Dry Aroma: A robust citrus aroma reminiscent of lemon or lime zest.

Flavor: Let me start by saying that Organic Earl Grey Supreme is the best Earl Grey I think I have tasted. The black tea is very smooth without a hint of bitterness. Immediately, I was reminded of Dawn, an unflavored black tea I recently discovered and fell in tea love.  Organic Earl Grey Supreme is blended extremely well – the bergamot adds wonderful complexity. While its natural citrus flavor is dominant, it is followed by the subtle, slightly malty taste of black tea. The finish is slightly floral.

Organic Earl Grey Supreme is surprisingly full-bodied. Though robust, it is easily enjoyed without sweetener. I believe the bergamot in conjunction with the natural character of the black tea adds a definite sweetness. However, if you decide on sweetener, only a little is required and I personally would never add milk or cream. Organic Earl Grey Supreme is delicious!

Liquor: A cross between a rich golden and reddish brown hue.

Brewing: It is recommended that 1 teaspoon of Organic Earl Grey Supreme is steeped for 4 minutes in boiling water. I steeped for the recommended time.

Manufacturer: Rishi Tea

Caffeine: Yes

Bergamot has a splendid way of transforming black tea from ordinary to extraordinary. And when paired with a quality black tea you end up with Organic Earl Grey Supreme. If you have had the opportunity to enjoy a cup, please stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Botanical Bakery – Tea Cookies

So I thought I’d heard it all. That is until, I learned about gourmet tea cookies sold by Botanical Bakery located in Napa Valley, California. Sondra Wells, “planter, baker, tea cookie maker” and now owner of Botanical Bakery, began creating her tasty treats 10 years ago when preparing for a dinner party. That first cookie, Lavender Tea Cookies, was a big hit with her guests. Unknowing, this was the beginning of Botanical Bakery. A company that prides itself for its quality ingredients and creative cookie recipes.

Lavender Tea Cookies, is quite unique with its dominant butter and lavender flavors. A lover of butter cookies, I found the taste of the former ingredient delicious and the taste of the latter distinct. Delicately sweet, Lavender Tea Cookies contains: organic unbleached flour, organic sweet cream butter, organic pure cane sugar, organic lavender buds, and vitamin E. While dense and buttery, the lavender left a slight vegetal after taste.

Intrigued, I was compelled to move on to Cinnamon Basil Tea Cookies. Crafted with the same ingredients, albeit two modifications – no lavender, instead basil and cinnamon. Upon removal from the packaging, the basil was immediately recognizable. My first bite, was robust with butter and basil, yet the cinnamon was surprisingly mild. A typically dominant spice, I found the cinnamon enhanced the buttery flavor by adding a second layer of sweetness. Visually, Cinnamon Tea Cookies, looked unlike any cookie I’ve ever seen. Pieces of basil were intermingled throughout the petite cookie.

After nibbling on both cookies, it was definitely tea time. With the kettle preparing to boil, I opened the package containing my last cookie. Cardamom Tea Cookies smelled divine. One of the reasons I love chai tea is because it often contains cardamom. Thus the combination of cardamom and butter made me giddy just thinking about it. My first bite solidified not only my love for this cookie, but my decision to brew a cuppa chai tea. Again, the ingredients were the same as the last two cookies, minus the cinnamon and basil but with the addition of green cardamom.  I found Cardamom Tea Cookies sweet and spicy and truly delicious. Perfect for eating along side a cup of tea.

Armed with a hot cup of chai tea, I finished each cookie, saving Cardamom Tea for last. The taste of each cookie was further enhanced by a sip of tea. Botanical Bakery cookies are sweet enough to enjoy alone, but not so sweet as to alter the taste of the tea. The perfect complement.

To learn more about Sondra Wells and Botanical Bakery or to place an order, visit their website at http://botanicalbakery.com. Until we meet again… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Ginger Pu-erh Tea

Over the weekend I had two firsts… I tried Rishi Tea for the first time and I enjoyed a cuppa flavored Pu-erh. Earlier this year, I purchased by my first pu-erh. It was a great experience that had me instantly hooked. However, I have learned a great deal more about Pu-erh since then. Particularly, I learned by reading other websites like Ancient Tea Horse Road and A Tea Addict’s Journal where I discovered a new world or should I say sub-category of tea lovers… those who are dedicated to the study, tasting, and writing about Pu-erh.

Composition: Organic Fair Trade Certified Yunnan Pu-er tea leaves, Organic ginger, and Organic orange peel.

Dry Visual: Very dark reddish brown twisted tea leaves with large orangy bits of dried orange peel and creamy bits of ginger. Thanks Rishi Teas for the picture.

Dry Aroma: Ginger Pu-erh smells delicious! A bold ginger fragrance combined with a spicy earthiness.

Flavor: Ginger Pu-erh is delicious! The two distinct flavors – ginger and puerh create very complex tasting tea. First you get the taste of the puerh that is both earthy and smokey. This taste is what I love about Pu-erh that you don’t find in other teas. Blended perfectly with the pu-erh is the taste of ginger – ginger with its exotic spiciness adds character to Ginger Puerh. Personally, I cannot taste the orange – perhaps after another cup I will discern the subtle nature of the orange bits. I’ve had four already. Together, the two flavors produce a unique tea blend.

Ginger Pu-erh is not bitter nor dry. However, it is a very robust tea which I love as well as pretty thick in the mouth. Even the second infusion yields the same hearty flavor as the first. 

Liquor: A rich, dark, reddish-brown color. Almost like jeweltones.

Brewing Time: It is recommended that Ginger Pu-erh is steeped for 5 -6 minutes. I steeped the recommended 5 minutes.

Manufacturer: Rishi Teas

Caffeine: Yes.

Rishi Teas?

According to their website, Rishi Tea began in 1997 when Joshua Kaiser, founder and tea buyer, recognized that the traditional handcrafted teas he grew so fond of during his travels in Asia were rarely available elsewhere. Joshua felt that North American consumers would embrace artisan tea as they did single origin coffee and fine varietal wine if they were given access to it at reasonable prices.  Joshua enlisted longtime friend Benjamin Harrison as a partner. The Rishi team began to import and market premium teas, botanical blends and teaware from origins frequented by Joshua. Today, the Rishi team has grown into a passionate group of tea lovers who serve as guides for our customer into the world of premium tea.

If you have had a chance to enjoy a cup of Ginger Pu-erh, please stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Organic Peppermint Tea

Today was the day for doing things that make no sense. Last Friday, I purchased a fish entree from the Kroger Marketplace near my home on a recommendation from my mother. Okay… sidebar… The Kroger Marketplace near my house has wine tastings every Friday and Saturday night. Bizarre? Additionally, there is a chef who makes entrees for purchase by the patrons of the wine tastings. Bizarre? Also, there are tables and chairs set-up for all of the patrons. Bizarre? For those of you who don’t live in the Midwest, the Kroger Marketplace is a grocery store and there are regulars who meet for wine tasting every Friday and Saturday night. There’s even a server and they both dress in black and white uniforms. Bizarre? The regulars include my mother… hence the recommendation.

Now back to doing dumb things… Today, almost a week later, I decided to eat the fish entree I purchased last Friday. Why? Is, “it looked really tasty”, a good excuse? So, I ate the fish and started on the carrots that were included in the entree. Not only did the carrots taste odd, I developed major nausea within minutes. So bad that even the smell of the leftover food in the trash made me feel like I was going to vomit. It was at that moment that I wanted nothing more than a hot cup of tea to soothe my sick stomach. I decided on Organic Peppermint Tea.

Composition: 100% Organic Peppermint

Dry Visual: Very green broken peppermint leaves. No other details available as Organic Peppermint is loose tea in a biodegradable sachet.

Dry Aroma: Absolutely minty!

Flavor: A true lover of Peppermint Tea I eagerly anticipated my first sip and I must say Organic Peppermint tea did not disappoint. Truly minty, this tea was robust from the first sip to the last. Leaving a soft peppermint aftertaste. There was no need to add sweetener – I was able to enjoy Organic Peppermint tea pure. Not only was it delicious, Organic Peppermint soothed my stomach and eliminated the nausea. 

Liquor: A golden brown – leaning more towards brown.

Brewing Time: Recommended brewing time is 1 – 3 minutes. I brewed Organic Peppermint for the recommended 2 minutes.

Manufacturer: Two Leaves and A Bud

Caffeine: No.

The next time you think about eating week old fish… DON’T! But, even after my sage advice you decide to do so anyway, please be sure to have a cup of Organic Peppermint tea close by. It will soothe your stomach and produce a great cuppa tea.

If you have had an opportunity to experience a cup of Organic Peppermint tea, stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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