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 - Take 2

Another tea, another try -- Zhi - Turkish Spice Mint

Price:  $3.99 at Whole Foods
Size:  0.6 ounces/17 g
Caffeine:   No
Type of Tea:    Herbal Tisane
Steeping time:  7 minutes
Mix ins:  Nothing
Fragrance:  Peppermint and clove - very pleasant
Ingredients:  Organic peppermint, cinnamon, ginger root, licorice root, cardamon, cloves, stevia leaf and vanilla essence.
Opinion:  This smelled wonderful in the bag, but the stevia made it too sweet,  too licorice-y.  Stevia leaves really oomp up the sweetness, however, they can impart an anise flavor which can overwhelm the tastebuds, at least to me.  I wish it didn't have the stevia, for the other ingredients would have been an awesome blend.
Rating: 0 for me, but your rating could be higher if you don't mind stevia.

So pretty, such high hopes

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Tea Embassy Grand English Breakfast Tea

Price:  $5
Size:  2 ounces, about 25 cups of tea
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of Tea:    Black
Steeping time: 3-5 minutes, I did 4 minutes
Mix ins:  Natural Bliss.  You certainly don't want to try this plain.
Fragrance:  Tobacco.  Horses.
Ingredients:  Black tea from Keemun, China
Opinion:   I thought I was on a roll with finding and liking English breakfast teas. That stopped with this one.  Very bitter and astringent.  And the tobacco-y/smoky scent hits you hard as you bring the cup up.  I'm kind of disappointed, as I love all the other Tea Embassy Teas.  Just not this one.
Rating: 0

Such potential

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!

Thursday Tea Time - Something cool to warm you on a cold, rainy day...

This week - The Republic of Tea - Limited Edition Cool Winter Herb Tea - Peppermint Bark 

Cost:  $10.25 online (no longer available),  also can be found at Whole Foods (I will check and add the price next time I'm there) and $15 at Mod Coffeehouse in Galveston...
Number of tea bags:  36
Caffeine: No
Type of tea: Herbal/Rooibos
Mix ins: Not a thing
Fragrance:  Creamy minty
Ingredients:  Organic green rooibos, peppermint, organic cocoa extract, organic vanilla flavor and stevia leaf and natural flavor
Opinion: This reminds me of those pastel yellow, pink and green mints with the white non parriels - that pleasant, creamy minty flavor.  I really didn't taste the chocolate, though - a little disappointing there.  I liked the fact it is a green Rooibos,  I actually had never heard of Green Rooibos.  It was perfectly fine plain and plenty sweet enough without any added sweetener or milk/cream, so that's another check in the win column.  The stevia leaf aftertaste is disguised by the mint, in fact, I was surprised to see it when I was checking the list of ingredients to type.  If you see this in the stores/coffee shops, I would grab it.  It sold out online.  I'm glad I saw it a few months ago when reordering my Get Wellness tea (thank goodness that is still available, I can't find it in the stores anymore).  Hopefully they will bring it back later this year.
Rating: 4.5

This almost looks like one of  those Pinterest pictures
- it is raining in Houston and a perfect tea day today!

Thursday Tea Time - Indulgent Tea

This week - Numi Indulgent Tea Chocolate Spice

Cost:   $7.99 at Whole Foods/Sugar Land
Number of teabags:  12,  individually-wrapped
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Ingredients:  All organic cacao powder, black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, star anise.
Steeping time:  8 minutes
Add ins:  A splash of Coffee Mate's Natural Bliss.
Fragrance:  Spicy chocolate, like Mexican hot chocolate!
Opinion:   You know this is going to be a good tea when chocolate is listed first!  And unlike last week's Tazo pepper'd chai, this has a wonderful flavor.  And no black pepper in the ingredients.  This makes for a sweet treat and kept me out of the Halloween candy.  However, it is a bit on the pricey side.  Whole Foods eventually will put this on sale and I will stock up then.  You can also save by buying larger quantities online -- I know I will blow through this box ricky-tick.  There are also three other flavors in their Indulgent Tea line - Chocolate Earl Grey, Chocolate Mint and Chocolate Rooibos.  Whole Foods had them all.
Rating:  4.5 dinged only by the high price.

This week - Guayaki Yerba Mate Pure Empower Mint

Cost:   $6.49 at Whole Foods
Number of teabags:  16,  individually-wrapped
Caffeine:   Yes, 20 mg/serving - 1/4 cup of coffee equivalent
Type of tea:   Herbal
Ingredients:   All organic - Yerba mate, peppermint leaf, spearmint leaf and stevia leaf.
Steeping time:  I need to check the water temperature of the Keurig, I noticed on the box it says not to drink mate over 150 F. I don't know if that means the water brewing temperature or letting it cool down to 150.  Which wouldn't really be a problem since I get to doing other things and get distracted from my tea on the counter.
Add ins:  Perfect without any.
Fragrance:  Like a peppermint version of Morning Thunder.  A little earthy.
Opinion:   I like Trader Joe's Yerba Mate.   But what this has going for it is the mint flavor, which has a pleasant warming effect.  You feel it in a few seconds after sipping right in your upper chest.  This might be nice to drink when you have a cold and need a little decongesting and to get your health back on track.   And it doesn't keep me up at night.  I place it safe, however and only drink it in the morning - or early afternoon if I need a boost and it's going to be a long day.
Rating:  3.75

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Numi Organic Tea Decaf Black Vanilla

Cost:   $6.49
Number of teabags:  16,  individually-wrapped
Caffeine:   No
Type of tea:    Black
Ingredients:   Fair trade certified organic decaf black tea, organic vanilla beans
Steeping time:   5 minutes
Add ins:   Sweet Bliss makes it sweet bliss!
Fragrance:  Vani!!a
Opinion:    This is a true vanilla tea - no artificial or natural flavors, just the real deal vanilla bean and decaffeinated black tea.  I love the extra vanilla kick at the end of the sip.  I originally bought this for my daughter to try.  She liked the Mighty Leaf  Vanilla Bean at a cafe, but the Mighty Leaf was almost $10 for 15 pouches at Whole Foods.  (Wait for a sale!  I think I've picked it up for $5 or $6 in the past.  Target used to carry Mighty Leaf teas, but not any more.)   And Numi teas have a proven track record with me.  I still love their Moroccan Mint the best.
With the Sweet Bliss, it tastes like vanilla pudding in a cup! I even drank what was left out on the coffee table earlier cold - it would be great as an iced tea latte.
Bonus times two it is organic and decaffeinated so you can drink it anytime.  I still rely on my English Breakfast teas for my morning kick start, but this way I won't over-caffeinate during the day.
I saved a few pouches for me to hold over until I can get another box before mailing the rest to my daughter.  That may even be this afternoon!
Rating:  5+

Thursday Tea Time - Yerba Mate, piled on

This week - Whole Foods 365 Every Day Value Organic Yerba Mate with Green Tea & Peppermint

Cost:   $4.99

Number of teabags:  40
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:    Yerba mate and green
Ingredients:  Organic yerba mate, organic green tea, organic peppermint, organic spearmint, organic licorice.  And 35 mg of caffeine
Steeping time:   3 minutes
Add ins:   Nothing, and a splash of Pure Bliss Sweet Cream in desperation
Fragrance:   Grassy/minty
Opinion:   I was disappointed.  I was hoping the addition of two mints and green tea and licorice would make this great.  Nope.  Just odd.  I thought it would be mintier.  And it had a strange aftertaste.  Points were also deducted for teabag packing.  Four groups of ten in a cello, unsealable, bag.

Trader Joe's Yerba Mate is much, much better!
Rating:  .5   Only because I liked the description on the box, which suckered me into buying it.
(Can I say anything nice?  Sure.
Click here for Whole Food's tea tips.  There were some I didn't even know about.)

Pretty color!

Sea Salt and Almonds Match Up

I love the Chocolove Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate bars, the love poem inside the wrapper…but not the price.  Slowly the price has been increasing at Whole Foods.  I used to be able to get them on sale for $2.50 or for $2.99 regular price.  Last time I was there, it had increased to $3.49.  Ouch!  Now they have become more of an occasional treat, rather than getting a bar each time I shop.

As I was checking out, the clerk saw the bar and asked if I had tried the Salazon version.  I had not, but it was on sale, 2 for $5.  I was willing to save 99 cents, and put back the Chocolove.  I'm glad I did.  I like it even more!  And it is 72% dark chocolate versus 55%

The nutrition comparison facts are skewed, as the Salazon shows the count for half a 2.75 ounce bar, and Chocolove for a third of 3.2 ounces.  But all math aside,  I still love the Chocolove, but will wait for it to go on sale.

Chocolove

Salazon

Thursday Tea Time - Just Dandy

This week - The Republic of Tea Super Herb Tea - Dandelion

Cost:   $12.99 at Whole Foods
Number of teabags:  36
Caffeine:  No
Type of tea:  Herbal
Ingredients:  Organic roasted dandelion root, organic ground roasted dandelion root, organic vanilla flavor, natural French vanilla flavor
Steeping time:  5 to 7 minutes
Add ins:  Nothing!  This tastes great by itself.
Fragrance: Roasted vanilla - Yummy!
Opinion:  Timing is everything.  When was posting last week's A to Z Blogging Challenge, D is for Dandelion, I found this tea!  And I love it!  The flavor is like toasted vanilla.  Probably one of the best vanilla teas I've had, and the dandelion benefit is just bonus.  This would be fun to drink in the summer, iced.  With an ice-clinking glass toast to the dandelions in the backyard!
Rating: 5+

"Dandelion-colored!"

Thursday Tea Time

This week - The Republic of Tea Hi Caf Teas - Caramel Black

Cost:   $12.99 at Whole Foods
Number of teabags:  50 !
Caffeine:  Hell Yes! (123 mg)
For comparison, Coffee has 100mg
Type of tea:   Black, with Green tea extract
Steeping time:  3 to 5 minutes, I set the timer on this one - 3 minutes
Add ins:  Just a little Natural Bliss creamer
Ingredients:  Black tea, green tea extract, natural caramel flavor
Fragrance:  Caramel
Opinion:  This is good!  I mean, really good!  I've been liking caramel tea, as it is a way to enjoy the sweetness of the caramel without destroying dental work or creating more trouble.  And sometimes you just the like the more robustness of black tea instead of the green and rooibos teas.   This one packs a punch!  I drank it in the morning and went strong all day.   No jitters or tachycardia, just a good energy boost.  Bonus it tastes so good.  Not an artificial or cloyingly sweet caramel flavor.  I also like that for the money, you do get a lot of tea bags.  Check out my earlier sip of Hi Caf Gingermint Green.  I also have the Hi Caf Toasted Coconut Black tea in an upcoming review.
Rating:  5

Thursday Tea Time - Bee Buzzed

This week - The Republic of Tea Hi CAF Teas - "Gingermint Green"

Cost:   $11.99 at Whole Foods
Number of teabags:   50 !
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:   Oomped up Green
Steeping time:  1 to 3 minutes.
Add ins:  Just a little honey ; )
Ingredients:  Green tea, ginger, spearmint, peppermint and green tea extract.
Fragrance:  Speartminty-ginger
Opinion:  You know when the steeping time starts at 1 minute, this is going to be a strong tea!   Comparatively.  Premium green tea has 25 mg caffeine.  This has 50 mg.  Coffee has 100 mg.  So you won't get jittery, just a nice boost.  And a boost in flavor.  I really like this combo.  I may try a bag each of Yogi Tea Ginger and Trader Joe's Mint Medley when I don't want the caffeine later in the day or after dinner.  This particular flavor was featured on Oprah.com as a 2014 Food Trend.
There were several other flavors in this line.  I went back to grab the Caramel Black tea (140 mg) and the Toasted Coconut Black tea (123 mg) but they were gone.  Hopefully they've restocked.  They will definitely be morning teas!  0.0
Rating: 4.5

Bee Clever!

Bee even more clever!

Thursday Tea Time - Coco-nutty!

This week - Paromi Tea Coconut Almond - Blend No. 8

Cost:   $9.99 at Whole Foods, goes on sale for $6.99
Number of teabags:   15
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:   Black Assam
Steeping time:  5 minutes.  Keep the bag, you can easily use it again, just brew it for an extra 2 minutes.
Add ins:  Natural Bliss Sweet Cream or plain with honey.  Go even nuttier and use almond milk. Or just as brewed, it's that good!
Ingredients:  Black tea, coconut, almond, natural coconut and almond essence
Fragrance: Very sweet coconut-y with almond subtleties
Opinion:  What starts out as the tea bag, mellows into a comforting mug of almonds and coconut.  A yummy way to start out the day if you are timing your caffeine intake.  Otherwise, it would make a great after dinner dessert tea, too.    I also love the frosted black glass jar and look forward to reusing it to hold my watercolor pencils.  If you are looking for a spur of the moment gift, grab a jar of this tea and stick a bow on it.  It is that attractive and would make a wonderful hostess or tea-loving friend gift.
Or send an entirely different message and give a special someone the "Sleep With Me" jar - which I will be reviewing soon!  Whole Foods tends runs out of this one. . . ; )

Rating:  4.5

Thursday Tea Time - (Cinnamon) Chai It Again

This week - Paromi Tea Cinnamon Chai

Cost:   $9.99, goes on sale for $6.99 at Whole Foods

Number of teabags:   15 

Caffeine:  No 

Type of tea:   Red/Rooibos

Steeping time:  6-7 minutes 

Add ins:  Natural Bliss Sweet Cream or plain
Ingredients:   Rooibos, cinnamon, ginger, aniseed, cadamom, red pepper, clove, vanilla, black pepper, natural cinnamon oil, natural vanilla oil.

Fragrance:   Strong cinnamon and ginger undertone

Opinion:   Definitely worth seeking out and the price.  And a deal when it goes on sale.   You can tell this is a quality tea from the moment you unscrew the cap and catch a whiff of the spices.  It is especially nice to enjoy after dinner without having to worry about caffeine. The rooibos gives it a little extra sweetness so you really don't need to add any additional sugar or milk - bonus there, too. (Especially if you misjudge your mug volume and hit the wrong size button on the Keurig.  Ooh, that was close!)  The red pepper, in addition to the black pepper, is an unusual addition to most other chais, which gives it an extra kick.  The tea sachet is also pretty to look at.  The frosted black glass jar is a nice and unique touch.  I picked up some other flavors while the sale was going on, so stay tuned for future reviews.

Rating:   5

Pretty!

Reminder to self to use this mug!

Update May 24, 2015 -- I'm now drinking this with just a touch of honey and a splash of Califia Pure Almond Milk Vanilla Flavor - YUMMY!!  And FYI, Kroger in Houston is carrying it for $2 less than Whole Foods.

Thursday Tea Time - Snowflake Tea!

This week - Tea Embassy Snow Flake Tea

Cost:   $5.99 at Whole Foods, Austin 

Number of teabags:   2 ounces (about 20 cups of tea)

Caffeine:   Yes 

Type of tea:   Black

Steeping time:  3-5 minutes

Add ins:  Natural Bliss Sweet Cream

Ingredients:   Black tea, coconut rasps, flavoring and almond flakes

Fragrance:  Almond and coconut

Opinion:   How can you resist a tea called "Snow Flake"?  And once you open the resealable pouch, how can you not resist the scent?  It tastes as great as it looks and smells.  Perfect cup of warm for a winter day.  

Rating:  4.5 - only because unless you order online or are visiting the Whole Foods mothership in Austin, it is difficult to find.

Thursday Tea Time - Tea's the Season!

This week - The Republic of Tea - Tea's the Season Spiced Herb Tea - Holiday Chai

Cost:   $10.99 at Whole Foods
Number of teabags:   36
Caffeine:   No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Steeping time:  5 to 7 minutes, I went for 7
Add ins:  Natural Bliss Sweet Cream, Natural Bliss Cinnamon Cream (not recommended), or honey.  I may try vanilla almond milk next time.
Ingredients:  Organic and Fair Trade certified rooibos, cassia, ginger, cardamon, black pepper, cloves and natural spice flavor.
Fragrance:   Ginger
Opinion:    I found this at the Sugar Land Whole Foods, not on the tea shelves but on top of the loose teas in  the bulk foods aisle.  This may actually be a Whole Foods exclusive, as I didn't see it online.
Just checked the label -- it is!  "The Republic of Tea is proud to partner with Whole Foods Market by offering the first Whole Trade Guaranteed organic and Fair Trade Certified teas.  The Whole Trade Guarantee program provides more money to producers, ensures better wages and working conditions for workers and promotes sound environmental practices.  In addition, 1% of sales are donated to the Whole Planet Foundation to help end world poverty."  Drink well and do well!
I actually liked this without creamer and just honey.  The Sweet Cream was nice, but if you are trying to watch fat grams, honey sweetens it just fine.  For some reason, the Cinnamon Cream made it taste awful and I dumped it.  This is a nice chai because it is caffeine free.   It's also not overly cinnamon-y like most chais.  It has a bit of a bite to it, perhaps from the ginger and the black pepper.  It is also strong in the cardamon department.  Would I run out and get another before they are sold out?  Honestly, no.  It has a generous quantity.  This is still good and an alternative to the other herbal chai's out there.  If you see it, though, try it.  Maybe they will make more flavors in the future.  Cute label design, too -- I'm leaving it out on the counter.  (I am really taking the lazy way out decorating this year!)
Rating:  3.75
Dinged only because the price is a little high, and the fact I'm pretty overrun with chai teas right now, this doesn't really stand out beyond the others.

It's almost better to just add honey 

Thursday Tea Time - Go Green

This week - Republic of Tea Green Chai

Cost:   $1.48 at Whole Foods
Number of teabags:   .04 ounces - I was able to get three mugsfull.  However, it is also available in the canister as tea bags
Caffeine:   Yes, a little
Type of tea:   Green
Steeping time:  Five minutes
Add ins:   A little bit of sugar, fat-free Half&Half with a little sugar.  Next time I will try honey.  Maybe even almond milk to kick up the "almondness"
Ingredients:   Green tea, ginger root, cinnamon, cardamon seeds, almond pieces, natural almond flavor
Fragrance:  Spicy almond
Opinion:  Well, y'all  know I love chai, and when I found this version with green tea and almonds, I knew I had to try it.   The Whole Foods mothership in Austin, Texas has a loose-leaf tea section, and when my daughter and I found these packets and the prices, it was a great way to try some new flavors.  And I was happy to see this is available as tea bags, too - as I shake out the last remaining bits.  The almond was a nice touch.  It was not that overly spicy/peppery.  I like the fact it is a green tea, I'm trying to drink more green tea, and this has a fun combination of flavors.  I will definitely look for the teabags.
Rating:   3.75

Friday Flowers - Saturday Moment of Zen Edition

Phalaenopsis Orchid - "Golden Treasure"

Watercolor Painting
Project-Worthy!

"Golden Treasure" Phalaenopsis orchids.  I was lucky and got a two-fer -- two stems!
Special half-off sale today only at Whole Foods.  Bonus:  They are in a beautifully glazed pottery container, too!

Thursday Tea Time - Vanilla-Vanilla

This week - Zhena's Gypsy Tea Double Vanilla White Tea

Cost:  $6.99 at Whole Foods Austin (Lamar location)
Number of teabags:  22
Caffeine:  Low, 15 mg
Type of tea:   White and green
Steeping time:  3 minutes
Add ins:  Fat-free half & half, or plain - iced or hot.
Fragrance:   Spicy caramel
Ingredients:   Fair Trade Certified Indian White Tea, Green Bancha Tea, Vanilla Beans, Organic and Organic Compliant Flavors.
Opinion:   I so wanted to like this,  perhaps if I had I would not have gotten shingles.
Look at all the benefits:

Green Tea	Energizing, uplifting and slimming. As a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins C and E, green tea boosts the immune system, regulates blood sugar and helps the body maintain a healthy weight. Moderate caffeine stimulates the nervous system and promotes blood circulation.
Vanilla	Uplifting, calming and balancing. The familiar rich, sweet aroma of vanilla comforts the mind and excites the senses. Vanilla contains vanillin, which has antioxidant properties, and B-complex groups of vitamins that help enzyme synthesis, nervous system function and healthy metabolic function.
White Tea	Relaxing and rejuvenating. White tea is made of leaves and buds gathered only between mid-March and early April. It offers less caffeine and greater health benefits by being less "processed" than other teas. High in antioxidants for immune health, enzymes for digestive health and the amino acid theanine for reduced anxiety.

It must be the Organic Compliant Flavors which made this taste slightly anise-y/licorice-y to me.  I even used two tea bags (Quadruple Vanilla) and it still wasn't the suped-up vanilla I thought and hoped it would be.  Don't add any sugar or sweetener, it made it taste even odder.
Rating:  1