Good Earth calls this Chai Tea, even though "chai" is the Indian word for "tea." Tea Tea is kinda redundant, if you ask me,
Flavor: Spicy and black. It uses Indian spices, so does remind you a little of Indian food. I wanted to try Good Earth's version of it because I am curious about Good Earth in general and I did not want to try their "Original" flavor tea. I do like chai though, and this one does not taste like it is trying too hard, as some chais do.
Suggested Additions: Chai not only means "tea" but it means "tea with spices, milk and sugar." So to say "Spiced Chai Tea Latte with sugar" is SUPER redundant. But that means that this chai, which comes in a tea bag, was intended to be sweetened and given milk, the Indian way. This does take some of the harshness out of the spicy flavor, so its good if you aren't sure whether or not you like the Indian spices.
Ingredients: Black tea, chicory root, cardamom, natural flavors (contains soy lecithin), ginger root, black pepper, star anise, nutmeg, cloves
Purpose: It is interesting to note that this tea does not contain cinnamon. Many commercial companies add cinnamon to chai, but there is a big debate in Indian cultures about whether authentic chai should have cinnamon or not. This company may actually be well-versed in other cultures and making their chai for the love of tea, not for its commercial value. Drink this tea if you like Indian spices, if you like Indian culture, if you want to try something new, or if you are really cold. Even if this tea were iced, it would have a warming effect on the body. And there's caffeine in it.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Double Bergamot Earl Grey
The full name is: Double Bergamot Earl Grey Black Tea by Stash. That's a mouthful (no pun intended)!
I've never reviewed Earl Grey here before, for many reasons. First, it is such a popular tea that pretty much every brand carries it. Distinguishing them would be difficult. Second, Earl Grey is made by mixing oil of bergamot with the tea leaves, and bergamot is a difficult flavor to describe. Third, Earl Grey is probably my favorite flavor, so I would be biased and say that every different Earl Grey out there tastes "Awesome." However, this particular tea has something that distinguishes it from every other Earl Grey out there. In the future, when I come across an Earl Grey that varies from the norm, I will review it at this blog site.
Flavor: The tea bag itself has an initial smell that is somewhat minty, crossed with a sort of anise-like smell. It is spicy, nutty, and minty-licoricey all at once. You see what I mean when I say bergamot is difficult to describe? It seems to cover every range of flavor and so in some ways, it becomes nondescript. However, it is a pleasing flavor, as you can see by the number of sales of Earl Grey tea from so many different brands.
Suggested Additions: This tea is flavorful enough to drink black, however, it is still a black, caffeinated tea. You may want to lighten the boldness of the taste by adding a bit of white sugar or honey. I would not suggest lemon because it adds just one more flavor to an already full palate of flavors, but if you find the tea is too bitter for your tastes, adding either lemon or milk can correct that. Adding milk and two white sugar packets would be the "British" way, or how I learned to make tea while I was there.
Ingredients: black tea, oil of bergamot
Purpose: I love Earl Grey, one that goes double on the Earl-Grey-ness is just awesome. Also, caffeine, even though I don't really need it today.
I've never reviewed Earl Grey here before, for many reasons. First, it is such a popular tea that pretty much every brand carries it. Distinguishing them would be difficult. Second, Earl Grey is made by mixing oil of bergamot with the tea leaves, and bergamot is a difficult flavor to describe. Third, Earl Grey is probably my favorite flavor, so I would be biased and say that every different Earl Grey out there tastes "Awesome." However, this particular tea has something that distinguishes it from every other Earl Grey out there. In the future, when I come across an Earl Grey that varies from the norm, I will review it at this blog site.
Flavor: The tea bag itself has an initial smell that is somewhat minty, crossed with a sort of anise-like smell. It is spicy, nutty, and minty-licoricey all at once. You see what I mean when I say bergamot is difficult to describe? It seems to cover every range of flavor and so in some ways, it becomes nondescript. However, it is a pleasing flavor, as you can see by the number of sales of Earl Grey tea from so many different brands.
Suggested Additions: This tea is flavorful enough to drink black, however, it is still a black, caffeinated tea. You may want to lighten the boldness of the taste by adding a bit of white sugar or honey. I would not suggest lemon because it adds just one more flavor to an already full palate of flavors, but if you find the tea is too bitter for your tastes, adding either lemon or milk can correct that. Adding milk and two white sugar packets would be the "British" way, or how I learned to make tea while I was there.
Ingredients: black tea, oil of bergamot
Purpose: I love Earl Grey, one that goes double on the Earl-Grey-ness is just awesome. Also, caffeine, even though I don't really need it today.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Plantation Mint
I am comparing two different mint teas. This one is made by Bigelow.
Flavor: Instead of peppermint, this one tastes a bit like spearmint. It has a cooler, greener taste, and hints at being bitter but isn't really. It has a strong flavor that makes me want to say this is a "man's mint" tea.
Suggested Additions: A tiny bit of sugar may take those hints of bitterness away, but again, adding sugar to a mint flavor runs the risk of making it taste like toothpaste. Sweeten at your own risk!
Ingredients: Unknown
Purpose: I drank this one for my own amusement, to do this comparing blog post. But it is a good taste, and I would suggest it as an after-dinner tea. Also, no caffeine, so its good in the evening.
Flavor: Instead of peppermint, this one tastes a bit like spearmint. It has a cooler, greener taste, and hints at being bitter but isn't really. It has a strong flavor that makes me want to say this is a "man's mint" tea.
Suggested Additions: A tiny bit of sugar may take those hints of bitterness away, but again, adding sugar to a mint flavor runs the risk of making it taste like toothpaste. Sweeten at your own risk!
Ingredients: Unknown
Purpose: I drank this one for my own amusement, to do this comparing blog post. But it is a good taste, and I would suggest it as an after-dinner tea. Also, no caffeine, so its good in the evening.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Pure Peppermint
I am going to compare two different mint teas. This one is made by Twining's.
Flavor: The most prominent flavor, obviously, is a minty flavor. It is followed by a green, leafy taste that is somewhat sweet and flowery. While it is delicate, it also has a very clean feel, reminiscent of well brushed teeth. However, it does NOT taste like toothpaste. I would describe this tea as a "women's mint" tea. It feels "girly."
Suggested Additions: I did not add any. Adding any kind of sweetener, I feel, would give it more of a toothpaste flavor. If anything, lemon added to the mint might be interesting.
Ingredients: Pure peppermint.
Purpose: I drank it for the experiment, to compare the two teas. But it is a refreshing taste, even on a hot day, I think it would be fine to drink this hot or iced. There is no caffeine, so drinking it late at night would be fine as well.
Flavor: The most prominent flavor, obviously, is a minty flavor. It is followed by a green, leafy taste that is somewhat sweet and flowery. While it is delicate, it also has a very clean feel, reminiscent of well brushed teeth. However, it does NOT taste like toothpaste. I would describe this tea as a "women's mint" tea. It feels "girly."
Suggested Additions: I did not add any. Adding any kind of sweetener, I feel, would give it more of a toothpaste flavor. If anything, lemon added to the mint might be interesting.
Ingredients: Pure peppermint.
Purpose: I drank it for the experiment, to compare the two teas. But it is a refreshing taste, even on a hot day, I think it would be fine to drink this hot or iced. There is no caffeine, so drinking it late at night would be fine as well.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
White Tea Tangerine
This one is called White Tea Tangerine and is made by Bigelow.
Flavor: It is not too strong on the "tea" taste, not bitter at all. It also has a delicate tangerine taste; it is not too citrus-y and just a little sweet like a tangerine.
Suggested Additions: A dash of raw sugar makes it taste more like tangerine. I'd also be curious to see what it is like if I add a splash of orange juice instead of the sugar.
Ingredients: White tea, natural tangerine flavor with other natural flavors (soy lecithin). I don't know why soy lecithin is in parentheses.
Purpose: Warmth without all the caffeine of a black tea. Also a good morning tea because citrus has been known to be stimulating.
Flavor: It is not too strong on the "tea" taste, not bitter at all. It also has a delicate tangerine taste; it is not too citrus-y and just a little sweet like a tangerine.
Suggested Additions: A dash of raw sugar makes it taste more like tangerine. I'd also be curious to see what it is like if I add a splash of orange juice instead of the sugar.
Ingredients: White tea, natural tangerine flavor with other natural flavors (soy lecithin). I don't know why soy lecithin is in parentheses.
Purpose: Warmth without all the caffeine of a black tea. Also a good morning tea because citrus has been known to be stimulating.
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