Monthly Archives: November 2011

Review: Trader Joe’s Organic Mint Melange

Posted on November 29, 2011 by | 5 Comments

Overall Rating:

Taste: 3.5 of 5 tea leaves – A decent tasty tea.
Steepability: 5 of 5 tea leaves – This tea is easy to make

Abby says:

Temperature: @180 (below boiling)
Steeped: 3-4 minutes
Served: Nothing added to start, then with a dab on honey

After a long holiday weekend filled with running around and generally being busy, a soothing (organic) mint tea was a well matched partner for Sunday night football.  It was enjoyable because the mint was present while not overpowering. However, it did find it a bit flat after the first few sips.  To pick it up a bit I added a little bit of honey.  That did the trick and I finished the cup happily.  For a simple mint tea this one from Trader Joe’s is just fine, though it is not anything particularly special.

Taste: 3 of 5 tea leaves – A decent, tasty tea.
Steepability: 5 of 5 tea leaves – This tea is easy to make!

Katie says:

Temperature: @180 (below boiling)
Steeped: Just left it in the cup!
Served: Nothing added

There are two things that I just love about this tea. 1) How easy it is. I just leave the tea bag in the mug and it doesn’t get too strong or bitter. WIN! 2) While I enjoy a cup of relaxing mint tea, strong peppermint flavor isn’t my favorite. This tea is a blend of peppermint, lemon grass and spearmint. For me the lemon grass and spearmint really mellow out the peppermint flavor so that it’s not too harsh. If you’re looking for a similar taste but with caffeine try the Teapigs Marakesh Mint that we reviewed a few posts back. Ok…off to finish my tea!

Taste: 4 of 5 leaves: Quite a good cuppa!
Steepability: 5 of 5 tea leaves – This tea is easy to make!

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Posted in herbal tea

Tea for Thanksgiving

Posted on November 23, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I have to say, as someone with a major sweet tooth, I mostly look forward to all of the desserts. I always try a skinny slice of each of the many pies with a big cup of tea! Our friends at Whittard also suggest drinking tea to relieve holiday stress. What a great idea!

“Take five minutes to push other things aside and sit down with a hot cup of British tea. The British style 3.1 gram teabags have 50% more tea than the US style string and tag 2.1 gram teabags. The teabags are larger and so the tea has more room to brew, resulting in a tastier cup! Instead of allowing food prep and stress to define Thanksgiving, put the kettle on! In the amount of time it takes to drink a cup of tea, we can find many reasons to be thankful.”

Here are some teas to try for de-stressing during the holidays:

- Peppermint tea
Try peppermint tea by Whittard or my favorite Mint Melange tea from Trader Joes. Some mint teas can be strong and almost medicinal. What I like about the Mint Melange is that it is a smooth-tasting  calming blend of mint teas.

- Rooibos

Try red teas by Whittard or the Stash Red Chai that we just reviewed! Click over to that post here to read our review of it.

Keep in mind when choosing a tea for relaxing avoid anything caffeinated and instead choose a decaffeinated or herbal tea. What is your favorite type of tea for de-stressing?

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Posted in Uncategorized

Review: Stash Red Chai Loose Tea

Posted on November 20, 2011 by | 1 Comment

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Stash Tea was kind enough to send us samples of their teas for fall to review.* Thank you!

Overall Rating:

Taste: 4 of 5 tea leaves – Quite a good cuppa!
Steepability: 3.5 of 5 — This tea is a bit delicate (this rating was given because this is a loose tea and requires an infuser of some sort)

Abby says:

Temperature: @200 (boiling point)
Steeped: 4 minutes, loose in a teapot
Served: Nothing added

For a chilly morning when I can see the frost holding fast of my windshield, the spicy and warm qualities of this tea make me smile! Both the rooibos and the chai flavors shine in this tea and marry well together. Not only can you taste each individually, but the blend is nice as well. I will surely be enjoying another cup (or two) this week while baking up some Thanksgiving desserts!

Both red tea and chai are stong flavors, so together they make for strong-tasting tea. However, even though the tea flavor is strong – it is caffeine-free! So, add this one to the list of worthwhile caffeine-free teas. I will surely be enjoying another cup (or two) this week while baking up some Thanksgiving desserts!

Taste: 4 of 5 tea leaves – Quite a good cuppa!
Steepability: 3.5 of 5 — This tea is a bit delicate (this rating was given because this is a loose tea and requires an infuser of some sort) – however I did not find over-steeping to be an issue when I went back for seconds.

Katie says:

Temperature: @200 (boiling point)
Steeped: 3 minutes
Served: with milk and honey

The first important thing to know is that I’m not a fan of red tea. I typically don’t care for it’s unique sweet taste. However, I LOVE chai. So, I decided to give this red chai a whirl. Let me tell you…I’m so glad that I did! I liked the way the chai spice and the sweetness of the honey I added combined with this tea. Sometimes decaf teas lack strengh in their taste, but this tea did not disappoint! I’m shocked to find that I’m enjoying a red tea.

Fun fact, did of know that all rooibos (red) tea is naturally decaffinated? It isn’t technically a tea at all but an herbal infusion.

I just love the cinnamon and clove notes that you get from a good cup of chai. This one is no different. I fact, you can even see nice big pieces of clove in this loose tea. Yum! Even as a non-red tea fan of I’d reccomend this to any chai lover looking for the favors and richness of chai without the caffiene.

Taste: 4 of 5 leaves. Quite a good cuppa!
Steepability: 3 of 5 — This tea is a bit delicate (this rating was given because this is a loose tea and requires an infuser of some sort).

*Please note that we are just as critical of free teas as the ones we purchase. If we get a sample we don’t like we won’t include it on our blog.

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Posted in decaf or hearbal tea

Compost Your Tea

Posted on November 17, 2011 by | 2 Comments

You may be asking yourself why you are reading a post about composting in mid-November.  Yes, I am writing about compost and yes, it is November 17th … and yes, you should keep reading!  This post is coming about now because I have just gotten my Earth Machine composter set up in my backyard.  A bit late on the 2011 compost track?  Nah!  My frame of mind is that I have an excellent head start on the 2012 compost season!

It’s true, you do need heat to successfully compost and the first thing that comes to mind when you mention “Maine” and “upcoming winter” is not heat, but that’s okay.  We have filled our composter about halfway with yard leaves and other scraps that we came across while preparing our yard for snow.  Though to be honest we have already had some of that in October (5 inches) and we were SO not ready for it, but now we are, so bring it on, Mother Nature!  Our scraps will (very) slowly turn into nutrient rich soil even in the cold weather, until it freezes.  Then when the early days of spring come along the decomposition will rapidly speed up and hopefully we will have decent dirt ready for us when we need it, later on in the spring.

Well, after that tangent it’s time to get to the POINT of this post!  Tea! (of course)  It is great for compost!  Steeped tea leaves provide very small bits that compost very well, and if still wet gives the compost a bit of much-needed moisture.  In most cases you can compost your bagged tea as well with just a couple of things to keep in mind:  nylon tea bags are bad for compost (just cut them open and dump the tea leaves in) and staples will NOT compost.  If you don’t want little staples in your compost just cut them out before you toss the tea bag in.  There is also some concern that heat sealed tea bags contain plastics to help them seal.  Plastics are not good for compost, so you may want research what your tea bags are made from before tossing them in the heap.

AND… if you like steeping tea that you drink, how about making some tea that your garden drinks?  Compost tea!  I have never tried this (duh, I just starting composting this week), but it seems like it could be pretty cool and beneficial to the garden.  Here are some links to learn more about it:


http://www.mofga.org/Publications/MaineOrganicFarmerGardener/Spring2004/CompostTea/tabid/1357/Default.aspx


http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/tea/tea1.htm

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Posted in Uncategorized

Review: Stash Sweet Cinnamon Loose Tea

Posted on November 14, 2011 by | Leave a comment

 

Stash Tea was kind enough to send us samples of their teas for fall to review.* Thank you!

Overall Rating:

Taste: Taste: 4 of 5 tea leaves – Quite a good cuppa!
Steepability: 3 of 5 — This tea is a bit delicate (this rating was given because this is a loose tea and requires an infuser of some sort).

Abby says:

Temperature: @200 (boiling point)
Steeped: 3 minutes, loose in a teapot
Served: Nothing added

Here comes another review of a beautiful tea!  The black tea combined with the light cinnamon is so pretty both dry and after steeped.  The aroma and taste aren’t bad either!  This tea smells great while it steeps because you get a little bit of both the black tea and the cinnamon.  Same goes for the flavor, the combination of the tea with the cinnamon it is nice and sweet with a light cinnamon flavor.  I often worry about cinnamon overpowering tea, but I don’t find that here at all.  This is a well-balanced tea with a sweetness (hence the name, I suppose) that was very enjoyable.

With a great warming quality, this tea is great for the cold weather that we are slipping into.  It would be great for a cold morning or to help warm you up after an afternoon outside!  It is very easy to drink with its mild flavor, so I would recommend it to any tea drinker.

Taste: 4 of 5 tea leaves – Quite a good cuppa!
Steepability: 3 of 5 — This tea is a bit delicate (this rating was given because this is a loose tea and requires an infuser of some sort).

Katie says:

Temperature: @200 (boiling point)
Steeped: 3 minutes, in tea ball
Served: Nothing added at first, then honey.

This is a mild black tea with nice cinnamon flavor. At first I expected it to be stronger, but then it was very nice to have such a balance of the tea and cinnamon tastes. I decided to add some honey and it was like dessert for breakfast. Did you ever have toast with butter, cinnamon & sugar? Everyone once in a while my mom used to make that for me as a kid. Well, with the addition of honey this tea reminded me of that sweet cinnamon toast! It’s a comfort drink for sure! If you’re looking for a blast of caffeine in the morning this may not be your top choice. However, it’s perfect for afternoon tea time when you want a little caffeine but not too much.

Taste: 4 of 5 tea leaves – Quite a good cuppa!
Steepability: 3 of 5 — This tea is a bit delicate (this rating was given because this is a loose tea and requires an infuser of some sort).

*Please note that we are just as critical of free teas as the ones we purchase. If we get a sample we don’t like we won’t include it on our blog.

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Posted in herbal tea

Review: Stash Triple Ginseng Loose Tea

Posted on November 8, 2011 by | 3 Comments

Stash Tea was kind enough to send us samples of their teas for fall to review.* Thank you!

Overall Rating:

Taste: 5 of 5 leaves: Outstanding! A MUST try.
Steepability: 3 of 5 — This tea is a bit delicate (this rating was given because this is a loose tea and requires an infuser of some sort).

Abby says:

Temperature: @200 (boiling point)
Steeped: 3 minutes, loose in a teapot
Served: Nothing added

For many years I have loved Stash and the wonderful variety of tea they have to offer, so I was excited to try their Triple Ginseng tea.  It is not a new tea for Stash, but it is new to me.  I fell in love with this tea after opening the package and smelling the dry ginseng mixed with lemon and orange scents.  Then after steeping it, I fell in love again, with the beautiful and pale yellow color that paired so well with the light lemony notes in the smell and taste.  Speaking of taste, upon the first sip I took, I fell in love one more time, with the energizing bright and somehow subtle flavor.

The ginseng root and citrus pairing is unusual, but works perfectly. I can tell you right now, that this is sure to become one of my staples and because there is no caffeine I can drink it whenever!  It would be a great choice for people looking for something a little different and for people looking for a little energy boost without having to worry about caffeine jitters.

Taste: 5 of 5 leaves: Outstanding! A MUST try.
Steepability: 3 of 5 — This tea is a bit delicate (this rating was given because this is a loose tea and requires an infuser of some sort).

Katie says:

Temperature: @200 (boiling point)
Steeped: 3 minutes, in tea ball
Served: Nothing added

It’s true. Abby & I have loved stash tea since college when we bought ourselves (along with our other 6 housemates) a huge tea sampler for Christmas. So I was thrilled when they reached out to us so we could try some fall teas. This tea, however, was somewhat funny. I’m not going to lie. I opened up the bag and thought…why am I looking at a bag of hay? Delicious-smelling hay, but that IS what it looked like. Well tea-loving friends, look past the strange appearance of this herbal infusion.  Side note: learn more about the term herbal infusion. This isn’t actually tea at all, but pure ginseng, and contains none of the tea bush. It is great for the times that you’re looking for a truly caffiene-free option. This makes the perfect tea for after-dinner, time-to-relax, or even when you have an off-stomach. I could honestly just use it like potpourri. Sniff….mmmmm! Ok, on to the taste. You’ll be glad to know that it tastes as good as it smells. It has a fresh and clean taste without seeming medicinal. Most herbal tea, or herbal infusions, are very sweet from the fruit flavors. This one is a nice change for an herbal infusion that is different than the popular fruit teas. I highly recommend it!

Taste: 5 of 5 leaves: Outstanding! A MUST try.
Steepability: 3 of 5 — This tea is a bit delicate (this rating was given because this is a loose tea and requires an infuser of some sort).

And, because my sister-in-law tried this tea too we’ll let you know what she thinks:

Jillian says: From the minute that Katie opened the Stash Triple Ginseng in her kitchen, I had a feeling it was going to become a new favorite of mine. Not only is this blend exceptionally aromatic but it tastes just as good, if not better than it smells.  This was the perfect tea for us both to unwind with on the sofa after a long day of working and commuting. Its citrus flavor is great for warming on a chilly day, soothing a cold, or unwinding during the evening.  It’s the perfect tea to give you that added energy after work when it’s dark, without adding unnecessary caffeine to your diet.   Overall, I think this is a wonderful choice for any season, but is especially tasty as we head into winter and need a little reminder of citrus, sun, and warmth. 

*Please note that we are just as critical of free teas as the ones we purchase. If we get a sample we don’t like we won’t include it on our blog.

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Posted in herbal tea

The Tea Bag, A Hero!?

Posted on November 3, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Check out this site, Hidden Heroes, that I stumbled across the other day … its cool, I promise.  If you are like me and like learning little tid bits here and there, it will be worth it.  Ok, so now you are asking, what’s this got to do with a tea bag, huh?  Well, on this interactive site the folks from Vitra Design Museumare honoring some hidden heroes, the humble tea bag included (see Forward Museum Tab for more info about what “Hidden Hero” specifically means).

Here is the scoop … click this link and hover over the colorful little bars.  An item will pop-up and you can select whether or not you want to know more about it. How’s that for interactive!  Then, enter the site and it will take you through all of the items you selected and why each is a Hidden Hero.  I’ll admit it, I spend quite a little while checking all this out and of course LOVED that they included the tea bag. Of course, this little guy made tea so more accessible and portable that it really opened up a new world for tea drinkers… and it came about by accident!  So cool.

Make sure to check out the Overview, Discovering the Hero, the Gallery and the Visitor Contributions.

This exhibit is not just online, you can check it out in person.  The Hidden Heros: The Genious of Everyday Thigns is on tour in London through November 9th, if you so choose to visit.  Sadly, that wont be in the cards for me, but it will move to the MIT Museum in Cambridge, MA from September through December 2012! I hope you find this as fun as I did.  In fact, I think I’ll check back to see if I missed anything the last time around.

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Posted in news

Review: Magic Carpet Tea

Posted on November 1, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Magic Carpet Tea was kind enough to send us samples of their tea for review. Thank you! Please note that we are just as critical of free teas as the ones we purchase. If we get a sample we don’t like we won’t include it on our blog.

Overall Rating:

Taste: 4 of 5 tea leaves – Quite a good cuppa!
Steepability: 3 of 5 tea leaves – this tea is a bit delicate (requires an infuser or fill-it-yourself tea bags)

Abby says:

Temperature: @180 (below boiling point)
Steeped: 3 minutes, loose in a teapot
Served: Nothing added

When the opportunity to try and review this new tea popped up we were thrilled to give it a go.  I, for one, was not disappointed.  Here we have a loose blend of Oolong tea and dried dates.  Oolong (or wulong) can be a strong tasting tea and in this case the more intense flavor is balance pretty well with the sweetness of the dried dates.  This is a nice blend because the complexity of the oolong shines and the sweetness of the dates adds a nice finish.  I really enjoyed my first cup and it was gone before I knew it!  Lucky for me I steeped enough for two cups!

Magic Carpet Tea would be great for those looking to branch out  a little and explore different types of tea instead of the ever popular black and green teas or for those who already know and love oolong.  I tried it hot, but iced is also recommended as Magic Carpet Tea hails from the hot CA desert.

Taste: 4 of 5 tea leaves – Quite a good cuppa!
Steepability: 3 of 5 tea leaves - this tea is a bit delicate (I gave this rating simply because it is a loose tea so some kind of infuser is required).

Katie says:

Temperature: @180 (below boiling point)
Steeped: 3 minutes, in infuser  (some of the tea is very fine and escaped my infuser. It is better when used in a fill-it-yourself teabag like the t-sac.
Served: Nothing added

I’ve always enjoyed the rich taste of oolong tea. It has a unique roasted flavor that is quite complex but wonderful. What is different about this tea is that the sweetness of the dates is blended with the oolong gives this rich roasted tea a sweetness and smoothness without any added sweetener…and I like my tea a bit sweet. I really enjoyed the combination of dates and oolong! One of the best parts about our tea blog has been trying new flavors and blends, and this tea was a joy to discover! If you purchase this tea give it a try iced too because they recommend it as a cool beverage. I only wanted warm tea this unusually cold fall snow-tober weekend, but come warmer weather I’ll be sure to give iced a try. Just don’t forget the t-sac! Or order their special tea bags that are perfect for iced tea makers.

Taste: 4 of 5 tea leaves – Quite a good cuppa!
Steepability: 3 of 5 tea leaves

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Posted in black teas, Oolong teas