Thursday Tea Time - Pig Out

I had seen Teapigs when traveling at coffeeshops near the register (The Broadmore in Colorado Springs and Hudson's Coffee in Sydney), but never tried them.  The name/brand popped up recently on Facebook and Instagram feeds and I decided to check it out.   They have a cute website and a fast response when I asked where in Houston I could find them - Central Market!
And Central Market carries the tea "temples" in about six different flavors - I controlled myself and only bought two.  And they were on sale $6.79 (regular price $7.99).  I got the Mao Feng Green Tea (North American Tea Champion - First Place 2013 and Great Taste 2015 -- awards for green tea?  So buying!) and how could I resist Chocolate Flake Tea?!

You get 15 tea temples per resealable (so keeping!) box inside a plastic wrap.

The Mao Feng (click on the link for a cute story) tasted good plain and hot -- sweet grassy...but even better when I added just a little bit of creamer, which really brought out the fruity peach/apricot flavor.

Chocolate Flake has to be hands down the best chocolate tea I've tried.  No cloying, artificial flavor or a "let's mix tea and hot cocoa together!" (busted) -- just a hint of real chocolate.  And it was successfully able to kill the afternoon carb crazy hour - whomp.  And look, over 110 reviews on their site with 5 stars.  I also saw they have a Chocolate Mint - may have to order that one online.  (Seriously, who ever writes their advertising copy should also win an award.)  This also tasted better to me with a little bit of half and half to let the chocolate out.

I will give both of these 5 stars and am running back to Central Market to get/try more.  You should, too!  Maybe then they will carry more flavors.  That's how I think and drink.

Photo Gallery:

Looks nice!

Mao Feng after brewing!  Poof!

Mao Feng - pretty color!

 Chocolate Flake - oh yes, you can tell that's chocolate!

UPDATE: I went back and got the Darjeeling Earl Gray - it is everything they said it was and more.  It makes a great London Fog!  I have honestly never had a better tasting Earl Gray tea.  I can see why it won the 2016 Great Taste award...and the adorable gray dascshund. . .

Thursday Tea Time - Triple Threat

This week - a sale at Central Market and three new Pukka teas to try!

Chamomile, Vanilla and Manuka Honey
"A soothing dip in an organic pool of calm - Good news for inner peace"
In the midst of chaos and clutter, there's a pool that's still.  Finding your way there is easy - fresh water and heat awaken the magic of nature's finest gifts:  silky golden chamomile, exotic vanilla pod and the golden balm of manuka honey.  With a sip, stillness takes over.

Ingredients:  Chamomile flower (68%), sweet fennel seed, licorice root, vanilla pod (3.5%), manuka honey flavor (3.5%)

Opinion:  Brewed to a clear, light yellow.  Floral and honey with a slight marshmallow scent.  You can really taste the vanilla and honey, and has a very pleasant aftertaste.

Rating:  5+

Three Cinnamon
A 2014 Great Taste Winner
"A sweet embrace of organic Indian, Indonesian and Vietnamese Cinnamon - Good news for filling yourself with sunshine"
Cinnamon is nature's sun trap.  Bask in the spicy sweet-heat of three cinnamons and feel the warm embrace filling you with life.  Enjoy the warmth

Ingredients:  Vietnamese cinnamon bark (60%), Indonesian cinnamon bark (16%), licorice root, Indian cinnamon bark 10%)

Opinion:  Brewed to a golden yellow color, slightly cloudy.  It has a very cinnamon fragrance and flavor - the aftertaste is like cinnamon toast!  Yum!

Rating:  5

And a warning on the tea wrapper - "Do not drink more than 4 cups a day"
It's probably addicting and/or too much of a good thing like cinnamon isn't good for you.

Wild Apple and Cinnamon
"A sunlit orchard of organic warmth and sweet spice" - Good news for dancing your cares away
A sun drenched orchard and you dance with delight, as cinnamon tree branches swirl overhead.  One moment, a jive of ginger root and spicy clove; the next, chamomile flowers and sweet orange cushion your step.  Slowly you come to rest as a wild apple tumbles softly to the ground.  Let your cares go and travel free.

Ingredients:  Cinnamon bark (28%), licorice root, ginger root (14%), orange peel, chamomile flower, wild apple (6%), cardamon pod, orange essential oil flavor, clove bud

Opinion:  This brewed to a light yellow and was the cloudiest.  With an astringent scent, it doesn't last like apples nor cinnamon.  Just didn't have any defining flavor and an oddly sweet aftertaste.  I dumped it without taking any additional sips or finishing the mug.

Rating:  0

Each box has 20 individually wrapped teabags, all are herbal (no caffeine), ethnically sourced and organically grown.

Tea for Tuesday - Higher Living

This week from Australia - Higher Living Cocoa and Chilli (not a typo)

Or - Sweet Chilli in the USA

I think this flavor may only be available in Australia, even though the bottom of the box says "Imported by Tenth Dot Business Development" (cute logo)...and "Only Natural Products" in --- SAN ANTONIO?!  Yes, 1045 Central Parkway North.  But made in the United Kingdom.
You can find the different label/name (same tea/ingredients) here.  I believe I have seen it in Whole Foods or Central Market.

Cool logos, the box tells the story

Size:  15 teabags
Caffeine:   No
Type of Tea:    Herbal
Steeping time: 4-5 minutes (I kept hitting the microwave power button instead of the timer button, sorta-kinda nuking my Girl Scout Thanks a Lot cookies.  Oops.
Mix ins:  Doesn't need anything.  In fact, when I added just pain 2% milk, it made it terrible.
Fragrance:  Slight chocolate fragrance
Ingredients:  Cocoa, licorice, chilli (15%), ginger, cinnamon, fennel, anise, black pepper, Bourbon vanilla, cardamom, cloves.
Opinion:   At first I thought it had stevia (thank you licorice and anise), as it tasted very sweet like stevia.  But the other flavors were muted.  I think I would make it again with two teabags.  It also brewed disconcertingly cloudy.  It did have a nice bit of spicy heat, which was kind of neat.  While it was cheap in Australia, I believe it is close to $5-6/box. Given the fact you may want to use two teabags, it puts it more on the expensive side here.  Bonus it is caffeine free and organic, so if you'd like a spicy pick me up in the afternoon, this would be good mug.
Rating: 2 (Goes to work with hubby

Thursday Tea Time - Rishi Masala Chai

This week - Rishi Organic Black Tea Masala Chai

Price:  $5.99 on sale at Central Market, regularly $8
Size:  15 teabags
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of Tea:    Black
Steeping time:  7 minutes
Mix ins:  Definitely a generous splash of Natural Bliss.  Or Fat Free Half and Half with a little bit of honey.  You need that creamy, slightly sweet addition
Fragrance:  Cardamom, ginger
Ingredients:  Organic black tea, organic ginger root, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, organic black pepper, organic cloves.
Opinion:   At first I was like, eh.  A 3.  Then I made it again and put it in my Hydroflask to take to a watercolor workshop.  Oddly this tastes better not super hot, but slightly cooled.  And this sure beats the concentrate stuff you get at most coffee places.  It has a a nice bite to it from the cardamom and ginger.  The caffeine level registers "High" - which makes it even better to drink in the morning or take with you on the go.  The only drawbacks I could think of is that the packaging is really over the top.  The size of the box (approximately 7" tall), the size of the sealed packaging for the teabag.  It seems just slightly wasteful.  However, you won't lose the box or the (almost 4") tea wrapper.  The teabag is neat and different, too.  It is a knit fabric, not paper.
Rating:  4+ - The more I drink it, the more I like it!

Tea for Tuesday Two

Due to missing blogging and bagfuls of tea to review, I am doubling up this week, and probably for the next few weeks.

Today - Tazo Chinese Orchard, part of their Grand Tour Collection

Price:  I think I got this at Central Market or Whole Foods, around $5-$6
Size:  15 full-leaf tea sachets inside a plastic wrapper

Keeps the tin container clean!

Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Steeping time:  5 minutes
Mix ins:   Nothing needed!
Fragrance:  Sweet fruity cinnamon
Ingredients:  A blend of black teas, linden flowers, natural flavors, licorice root, blackberry leaves, cinnamon, star anise
Opinion:  Floral with a nice spicy aftertaste, a very nice blend.  This was a delight to sip this morning.
Rating:  4

Nice leaves!

Twice on Tuesday - Truffle Me

Special Tuesday Edition of Thursday Tea Time - so you can take advantage of this great tea on sale at Central Market.  Regularly $10.99, on sale for $5.49    Look for the tea on the opposite corner rack facing the coffee section, but the sale tag is on the other side with the rest of the Rishi teas.  Only this flavor is currently marked down.

Size:  90g, 3.17 ounces - loose leaf
Should make at least 30 cups.  
Caffeine:   No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Steeping time:  5 minutes  Bonus round:  It is also re-steepable for 7 minutes.
Mix ins:   Nothing!  Enjoy this wonderfully flavored tea all by itself.
Fragrance:  Chocolate mint!   Cocoa & spice
Ingredients:  Organic cocoa shells, organic roasted coconut, organic peppermint, organic cinnamon, organic cloves, natural chocolate flavor, natural macaroon flavor.

Opinion:   The fact this tea tastes great is one of many reasons you should grab it while you can, besides being herbal and no caffeine - you can enjoy it any time of day or night, guilt-free.  Settle your tummy and your chocolate craving.  I believe this is a limited edition/seasonal tea flavor.  I did not find it on the Rishi website.
Rating:  5

This week - Oreanthi "Harmony"
Cost: $6.99 at Central Market

Size:  15 transparent biodegradable pyramids, made from cornstarch!
Caffeine:   No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Steeping time:  3 minutes
Mix ins:   A little bit of Pure Beeing honey
Fragrance:  Floral
Ingredients:  Chamomile, rosehip, jasmine flowers, nettle, marjoram, scented geranium and Greek sage.
Opinion:   Another one of the teas featured during Central Market's Greek Festival, which seemed to be added to their regular tea selection.  You may find this in two places, with two different prices. Of course, the higher price will ring up.  But Customer Service was very good about refunding the difference.   I liked the name and the box design, and also the interesting combination of herbs.  Marjoram?  Hmm, they could have left that out.  It kind of made it take a turn towards poultry seasoning tea, especially with the Greek Sage - haha!  : /  But, if you add a little honey, by the time you finish the cup, you will also agree "it's not bad and kind of fun to drink."  I thought the Scented Geranium was very unique and nice addition to the jasmine flowers.  And Oreanthi means "beautiful flowers"  You'll end up buying a box, too, when you read this description - "...Chamomile and Marjoram, reputed for their calming effect on rattled nerves, Nettle known for its slimming and cleansing properties and Greek Sage said to promote harmony and inner balance. Scented Geranium is believed to have destressing properties that ease anxiety and tension. We have blended these traditional treasures together with Jasmine and Rose Hip for a refined and exquisite taste..."
Rating: 3.75

Pretty!

Nice color!

May the Fourth Be With You - Part 4

This week - Lahaha Breakfast Tea

Cost: $1, on sale.  Regular price $1.99 at Central Market.  Look for them on the rack near the freezer section.
Size:  30grams
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Steeping time:  3-4 minutes
Mix ins:   Nothing helped this
Fragrance:  Astringent
Ingredients:   Black tea
Opinion:  Yuck!  Very bitter.   I love Breakfast tea and had hopes for this one.  Which were quickly dashed and this trashed.
Rating:  0

looked promising

May the Fourth be with you! Part 3

This week - Lahaha Supreme Compassionate Oolong

Cost: $1, on sale.  Regular price $1.99 at Central Market.  Look for them on the rack near the freezer section.
Size:  20grams
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:   Oolong
Steeping time:  5-7 minutes
Mix ins:   None or just with a little bit of honey.
Fragrance:  Slightly floral
Ingredients:   Oolong tea
Opinion: If you are looking for an oolong tea and its antioxidant/anti-inflamatory health benefits, this would be a good one to try.
Rating:  3

Before brewing

After brewing!

May the Fourth be with You - Part 2

This week:  Lahaha Supreme Awash Crimson Tea

Cost: $1, on sale.  Regular price $1.99 at Central Market.  Look for them on the rack near the freezer section.
Size:  15 tea bags
Caffeine:  No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Steeping time:  5-7 minutes
Mix ins:   None or just with a little bit of honey.
Fragrance:  Malty-earthy, very slight cinnamon.
Ingredients:   Cassia cinnamon
Opinion:   Yuck!  Glad I only spent $1.  Don't waste your dollar.  Basically just looks and tastes like colored water.  Maybe better if you used two bags?  Not impressed.
Rating:  0

blech!

May the Fourth be with you!

I was down for the count the past couple of weeks, and missed posting my tea reviews.  To make up for it, here's four for the Fourth!
All of them are on sale at Central Market for only $1, so celebrate the USA and celebrate the savings.  It all started with a tea party, you know. . .

This week:  Lahaha Supreme Honey-Suckle Summer
Cost: $1, on sale.  Regular price $1.99 at Central Market.  Look for them on the rack near the freezer section.
Size:  15 tea bags
Caffeine:  No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Steeping time:  5-7 minutes
Mix ins:   None or just with a little bit of honey.
Fragrance:  Light floral
Ingredients:  Honeysuckle bud, honeysuckle flower
Opinion:   What a nice sweet treat for summer.  Not cloying or heavy-handed.  This is very soothing hot and delicious iced, too.  Relive the days of summer and enjoy the benefits of honeysuckle, which supposedly helps lower body fat, per the package.  Well, that would be a bonus, but the tea also tastes wonderful.  I also appreciate the minimal packaging.  And you can't beat the price right now!  There are still a few packages left (look on the bottom rack and also tucked behind another flavor on the middle rack).
Rating:  4.5

tag and string free!

Pretty honeysuckle yellow!

Thursday Tea Time - It's Greek to me

This week - Anassa Organic Mint Tea  (click here for the English link)

Cost: $9.74, clearanced-priced from Central Market's Greek Festival
Size:  0.71 ounces, approximately 20 cups.
Caffeine:  No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Steeping time:  5-7 minutes
Mix ins:   None
Fragrance:  Mint
Ingredients:  Greek Mint (Mentha piperita)
Opinion:   Well-earned "Great Taste 2014" award.   I admit, I bought this tea for the tin and the cute Teumession Fox drawing.  I figured the tea would be bonus.  And it was!   It is very minty.  This is probably the mintiest tea I've ever had.  Even after the second brewing from the same tea bag.  The taste and flavor linger nicely behind in your mouth.   I had no idea mint had anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial  properties.   Per the English insert, mint is also used to strengthen the immune system and treat the discomfort and symptoms of upper-respiratory illnesses as a natural decongestant and expectorant, a remedy for digestive discomfort - knew that, and it may prove beneficial in reducing depression, relieving stress, tiredness and aiding in sleep deprivation and insomnia.  After reading all this, I drank two cups!  : ) I also like how it has its own tea bags (20) and brewing stick holders (6).   Maybe Central Market will bring this back if they have another Greek Festival next year.

Update 6-23-15 - Good news!  I was in Central Market the other day, and checked to see if perchance there may still be a few remaining tins.  Lo and behold, there were!  Along with the tag of "New Item" and the price raised to $12.99.  They have this tea, the Mountain Tea and Lemon Verbena.  Look for them on a rack near the coffee bean area, facing the cooler/freezer area. 

Update 7-3-15 - Even better news!  If you look by the regular racks of tea, you will also find this, and at the $9.74 price.  However, be alert when they are ringing it up, as it will come up as $12.99.  They will adjust and lower the price, at least they did today.

Rating:  5

Bonus photobomb of "Bill" the Anole lizard escaping the rain
from Tropical Storm Bill
He's between the screen and the sliding glass door,
not inside the house

1 gram

Brilliant!  It has its own tea bags
and stick holders

My, what big leaves you have!

Cool idea!

Thursday Tea Time - Happy Tasting!*

This week - Lahaha South Bay Coconut Peony White Tea

Cost:  $8.99 at Central Market
Number of tea bags: 12
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:   White
Steeping time:  4 minutes
Mix ins:  Nothing needed.  Perhaps ice if you want to make a terrific iced tea with this.
Fragrance:   Floral-light coconut.
Opinion:   While a little on the pricey side, the box says the tea bag can be rebrewed up to to more times.  This is a nice, not-in-your-face coconut tea.  Light but still flavorful.  I like that you don't need to add anything else to your cup, it is perfect as is.  *Lahaha means "Happy Tasting"
Rating:  4.5

Thursday Tea Time - Chocolate Raisins

This week - Rishi Limited Edition Cocoa Cabernet

Cost:  $9.99
Number of tea bags:  10
Caffeine:  No
Type of tea:  Herbal
Steeping time:  4 minutes
Mix ins: Nothing
Ingredients:  Organic - red wine grape skins, roasted cocoa nibs, maquis series, cinnamon, acai  powder, vanilla bean, black pepper.
Fragrance:   Like Raisinettes
Opinion:  Brewing to a pretty chocolate-wine color, this tastes well worth the price of almost $1/teabag.  The Rishi website no longer has it, I found it at Central Market.  Judging by Googling, this probably came out in 2013, as the expiration on the box is October 5, 2015.  No problems, it will be gone before then.  I like it, it is different.  It starts out chocolatey, then a distinct wine flavor, closing with a nice tangy berry.  What a tea ride!  It even smells good. And photographs Pinterest posting pretty.   If I'm back by Central Market within a few days, I may pick up an extra box.  Head's up Houston -- There were a couple left.  Maybe not now.   Only dinged because of the price.

Rating:  4.5

Pinterest Pretty Pink!

Thursday Tea Time - C is for chocolate, cinnamon, combo

This week - Rishi Organic Pu-Erh Chocolate Cinnamon Tea

Cost:  $8.99
Number of tea bags:  15
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:  Pu-erh
Steeping time:  7 minutes
Mix ins: Nothing
Ingredients:  Pu-erh tea, roasted cocoa nibs, cinnamon, vanilla bean, peppermint, licorice root
Fragrance:    Cinnamon/spicy with a hint of chocolate
Opinion:  What a cool and yummy combination of ingredients, and what flavor!  The first time I splashed some Natural Bliss in it, and it was...OK.  Then I read the box which said it "tastes divine without the need for milk or sugar"  And the box was right!  The milk hid the myriad of flavors.  It smells and tastes like chocolate and cinnamon, then you get the hit of peppermint and licorice, closing with vanilla.  I'm only dinging it a little because you do have to steep it longer, in fact - I save the previous teabag to put in the mug as I brew and use a new one.  And it is a little pricey.  It does have a good kick and lingering flavor.
Rating:  4

 A little over the top, packaging-wise?

oh yeah, chocolate!

Thursday Tea Time - Beautiful Leaf

This week - Lov Organic "Lov is Beautiful"

Cost:   $16.00 at Central Market-Houston.  They were doing a sample-tasting

Number of teabags:  N/A, it's four ounces of loose tea.  But using 1 teaspoonful per serving, I'd say there are at least 40+ mugs awaiting your drinking pleasure.

Caffeine:   Yes

Type of tea:    Green and white and rooibos

Ingredients:  White tea*, green tea*, green rooibos*, pieces of mango*, pineapple* and apricot*, natural peach flavour, natural flavors.  (*Organically-grown ingredients)

Steeping time:   In tiny print underneath it said 3-4, but I only found and noticed that after my first cuppa.   So I did 5 minutes.   That extra minute just made the tea more flavorful, not bitter.

Add ins:   Tasted great without anything added

Fragrance:  Pineapple-mango-apricot

Opinion:   Oh, this is good…and oh, this is a little pricey!  But they were doing a demo at Central Market and it tasted great.  Plus I'm a sucker for a neat container, and a good theme/design (Lov-e the bird).  How much to use per serving was also not noted on the container, so I did 1 teaspoonful - and it really expanded. Go small and go big.  P.S. Lov is Scandinavian for leaf.

Rating:  4  It would have been higher if more readily available and a little bit cheaper.  $10-$12 usually tops what I am willing to pay.  But this had pineapple and three kinds of teas that I like.  So, it was worth the price gamble.

nice color!

Update:  Here is the watercolor I did for Every Day In May of the tin --