Blog Archives
Drink Me: La Creme, Guava Gold
One of the inclusions in my recent Tearunners box was the Guava Gold Detox Tea from La Creme Coffee and Tea. This blend has the distinction of being a 2013 Flavored Green Tea championship winner.
From the website, Guava Gold contains Bai Mu Dan White tea, Silver Needle White tea, Japanese Sencha Kyoto Green tea, Formosa Oolong Choicest tea, blue flowers, rose petals, natural and artificial flavoring.
It is available in a variety of sizes: 1/4 lb for $21.00, 1/2 lb for $32.35 and 1lb for $55.00.
When I opened the bag the first thing I noticed was the sweet and spicy scent of guava. Once brewed I could smell a bit of strawberry as well. (As a side note – I wish tea makers wouldn’t just include “natural and artificial flavoring” but tell me WHAT the flavoring is. For instance, if it smells like guava, tell me there’s guava in there!)
The tea was actually quite a bit milder than I was expecting. I really enjoy Guava Cadabra from David’s Tea and while this definitely had notes of guava, I think I wanted more fruit taste. That said, it was a pretty smooth blend of tea with light, sweet notes. I think it would make a good tropical iced tea.
Drink Me: Rishi Tea, Genmaicha
One of the things that I love about my Tea Runners subscription is that it introduces me to new teas. One of these is the Genmaicha in the May box.
Genmaicha translates to “brown rice tea” and was discovered when Japanese monks brewed green tea in their rice cauldrons. This particular blend includes organic green tea and organic roasted sticky rice.
Genmaicha is available in a variety of sizes: teaser for $2.00, 50g for $9.00 and 250g for $39.00
I have to say that I was completely skeptical about whether or not I would like this blend. When I opened the bag all I smelled was the green tea which was sort of overwhelmingly grassy smelling. However, as the tea brewed, all I could smell was the toasted rice, smelling almost nutty. The taste was more of the nutty brown rice and not much of the green tea flavor at all. I added just a touch of sugar and it was sweet and nutty and really enjoyable. I would definitely try a Genmaicha if you get a chance because this one was delightful!
Drink Me: Tea Embassy, Secret Garden
Another tea I picked up in my last Tea Embassy order was their Secret Garden blend.
From the website, Secret Garden contains Pai Mu Tan, Darjeeling and Chinese green teas, sencha, dragonwell, gunpowder, jasmine jade pearls, candied mango bits, candied pineapple bits, orange peels, strawberry bits, red currants, sour cherry bits and apricot bits.
Secret Garden is available at $6.50 per ounce in 1oz, 2oz, 4oz, 8oz and 1lb packages.
When I first opened the package, I got the overwhelming tropical scent of the mango and pineapple. As it brewed I also detected the cherry and strawberry scents. The tea itself was light and fruity. The blend didn’t taste strongly of any of the actual teas: I didn’t get a black tea feel from it, and the green tea was very light and not grassy. Overall, it was a really nice light fruity blend. I think it would be fantastic iced and I really enjoyed it.
Drink Me: Tea Runners, Moonlight Jasmine
Whoops! I fell off the tea bandwagon there for a few Fridays, but I’m endeavoring to catch up.
Another lovely selection in my last Tea Runners box was Moonlight Jasmine courtesy of Rishi Tea.
From the website, Moonlight Jasmine contains green tea and jasmine blossoms.
It is available in a variety of sizes: Teaser for $2.00, a Quarter Pound for $45.00 and 250g for $80.00.
As I’ve said before, I LOVE Jasmine tea. In general I’m not a huge fan of florals, but something about Jasmine gets me every time. I was delighted to try this one from the moment I opened the package until the last sip. The green tea was smooth and fresh tasting, not grassy at all. And the Jasmine was almost like an afternote – I got the taste mostly as I was swallowing. It wasn’t as strong as some teas I’ve tried, but it was light and perfect. I plan on brewing a large pitcher of it iced to keep me going through the summer and I’ll definitely be ordering more of this one!
The Corner of Knit & Tea: Episode 134, Wood Sorrel.
Welcome to episode 134! Today I share my Wood Sorrel cowl, and a review of the yarn I used, Mountain Meadow Wool Alpine. I also have other WIPs to share and Ply Away is coming up.
Please come and join the Ravelry group.
You can also find me on Ravelry as Fluffyk, Twitter, Instagram as Fluffykira, and in my shop The Corner of Knit & Tea.
Tea:
- Argo Teas, Cinnamon Orange Green Tea (review here).
Knitting:
- Finished: My cowl, Mountain Meadow Wool Alpine DK in Moss
- In Progress: My dragon design, Cascade 220 Superwash in Turtle
- In Progress: The Avenues Socks by the Knitting Expat, Spun Right Round 80/20 Sport in The Walkers
Spinning:
- In progress: Combo spin – Southern Cross Fibre South African Superfine Merino in Space and Hello Yarn Rambouillet in Breathless Air.
Extras:
- I’m looking for test knitters for my new design! Please visit the Test Knitting thread in the Ravelry group for details.
- I will be hosting a Sock KAL (knit or crochet) from May 1 to June 30. Come visit the group thread for details.
Drink Me: Tea Runners, Creme de la Berry Green
A second tea that I got from my last Tea Runners box was Creme de la Berry Green, which actually comes from Simpson & Vail from whom I have recently purchased tea.
From the website, Creme de la Berry Green contains green tea, organic cacao nibs, flavoring and strawberry fruit pieces.
It’s available in a variety of sizes: 2oz for $4.15, 4oz for $7.20, 8oz for $13.20, or 1lb for $26.40.
When I opened the package, the first thing I could smell were the strawberries; it was like they were sweet and tart and fresh in the package. The tea itself was light without a grassy taste, and the strawberry flavor really came through. I didn’t get as much of the chocolate taste, but I was so delighted with the strawberry flavor that I don’t care. I can’t wait to try this one iced as summer rolls around!
Drink Me: Tea Time Scottsdale, Raspberry Beret
Another tea my friend Liz brought me from Tea Time Scottsdale was Raspberry Beret.
From the package, Raspberry Beret is a green tea with raspberries and pink and white cornflower blossoms.
When I opened the package, I got the undeniable aroma of raspberries. Once brewed I got more of the green tea scent. I was a little disappointed that the raspberry flavor wasn’t stronger, because I felt it competed a little bit with the green tea. That said, it was light and would probably be delicious as an iced tea during the summer months.
Drink Me: Churchmouse Yarns & Teas, Smith Teamaker Sampler
When I placed my last order with Churchmouse Yarns & Teas I was excited to see that they had a Steve Smith Teamaker Sampler. So far I’ve enjoyed the Steve Smith teas I have tried, but it’s always nice to get to try a bunch of teas without buying 4oz of each before you know what they taste like.
The Smith Teamaker Sampler is “a thirteen-cup tour of Steve’s best blends” and includes selections of black, green and herbal teas. I’ve already shared a few with friends, but I decided to take the rest of the pack to work and work my way through it.
The Smith Teamaker Sampler is available for $14.00.
The first tea I decided to try was the Kandy blend. This boasts a blend of Ceylon teas. This one was very mellow and smooth. It was a strong black tea without being bitter. It was a great afternoon treat.
The second tea I tried was the Mao Feng Shui green tea blend. This one can potentially “improve your outlook on life.” This one was very light and fresh. I found it a lovely start to my day.
Overall, I can highly recommend trying a sample pack. The only problem I have is deciding which ones to order again!
Drink Me: Republic of Tea, Organic Strawberry Basil Green Tea
I decided with summer rapidly approaching (we’re already getting the humidity!) it was time to check out some iced teas. I placed an order with Republic of Tea, eager to try their Organic Strawberry Basil Green Tea blend.
From the label, Strawberry Basil contains organic green tea, organic apple, organic sweet blackberry leaves, organic basil, organic lemon balm, natural strawberry flavor and organic strawberry bits.
It is available in a tin which contains 8 pouches (to make 8 quarts of tea) for $7.99.
When I opened the tin it smelled like fresh strawberries – a scent that only grew as I brewed the tea. I added just a bit of sugar and it tastes delightful. I don’t get a lot of the basil or the lemon balm, but I do get plenty of strawberry goodness. The tea is light, fruity and a bit sweet and I think it will make a delightful addition to my summer iced tea rotation.
Spinspiration: Tropical
The Fiber: Southern Cross Fibre, Polwarth/Tencel in Triumph
The Tea: Harney & Sons, Tropical Green
The Mug: Pottery Mug from Emburr on Etsy
The Yarn: Handspun by me, for sale in my shop!
