Today's Tea: Berry White

Berry White from DAVIDsTEA 

Description: We are having a serious moment with blueberries over here. Once called “star berries” because of their jaunty little crowns, blueberries are truly the superstar of the fruit world. After all, with their compact size and huge benefits, they’re basically the original “superfood.” And when you mix them with delicately fresh white tea, sweet black currants and pretty cornflower petals, they make for an irresistibly luxurious cuppa. Rich, fruity, fragrant and refreshing, this is one sweet treat you can feel great about drinking. Oh baby.

Ingredients: Organic: black currants, white tea, blueberries, cornflower petals. With natural blueberry flavouring.

Brewing instructions: 1.25 tsp   90°C /194°F   4-5 min

(From DAVIDsTEA: Berry White)

Steph's Thoughts :

This is a fantastic iced tea! It's like Blueberry Jam without the black tea punch. The white tea is subtle and very light. The blueberry flavour is absolutely fabulous.
I love this tea quite a bit. I've been craving blueberries lately, so this is the perfect tea!
When sweetened, it makes a nice refreshing afternoon pick-me-up. I'm glad I decided to pick this one up!

Verdict: Win!!

Today's Tea: Iced Tea!!

Hey teaple!

Since my last review, a LOT has happened. I am now the mother of a beautiful baby boy who is taking up all my time.

Also, it is summer, and ridiculously hot, and therefore, I have no yen to do ANYTHING.

I've been experimenting with iced tea as of late. I've made several teas that I wasn't sure about, but I've got so much tea in my cupboard that I need to start weeding out my stash.

First on the list was Melon Drop from DAVIDsTEA. Ingredients are apple, honeydew,kiwi, papaya, and watermelon. I wasn't sure about this one, as I'm normally not a watermelon or kiwi-in-my-tea person, but I had such success with Honeydew Maté, and it smelled like spring, so I couldn't resist. This tea is no longer available, as it was just a seasonal tea.
Verdict: YUM! It makes a wonderful cup of iced tea!!

Next up: White Chocolate Frost, also a DAVIDsTEA blend. Ingredients include peppermint, pink peppercorn, stevia leaf, white chocolate, and natural and artificial flavours. I thought that because of the peppermint, it would be refreshing on a hot day. It's got an okay flavour, but it's a bit... cloying. I think I need to water it down a little, and add a LITTLE touch of sweetener as unsweetened it tastes a bit funky.
Verdict: Meh.

Third: Tea My Baby, from DAVIDsTEA. Ingredients are fenugreek, fennel seed, roasted carob, and cinnamon. It's supposed to help with milk production (not that I have a problem with that, but .... you know. All in the name of science.) I found that this one tastes a lot better as an iced latte than it does plain. I like it though, as long as it's sweetened.
Verdict: Pretty decent!

All three are caffeine free.

I'm going to be reviewing a bunch more iced teas hopefully in the upcoming weeks. We'll see what I can do.

Today's Tea: Dark Chocolate Delight

Dark Chocolate Delight from DAVIDsTEA

Description: What is it about dark chocolate? Its taste is sinfully decadent, but studies say it might actually be good for you. But wait – it gets better. Now you don’t even have to wait until dessert to get your fix. With this black tea blend, you can treat yourself anytime, anywhere. With cocoa shells, blueberries and big chunks of luscious dark chocolate, it’s a deliciously rich taste of our favourite indulgence. Welcome to the dark side…

Ingredients: Black tea, spiced dark chocolate, blueberries, cocoa shells, natural chocolate flavouring.

Caffeine: 2 (Medium caffeine)

Brewing Instructions: 1.25 tsp     96°C/205°F 4-7 min

(From DAVIDsTEA: Dark Chocolate Delight)

Steph's Thoughts:

Today was an "I need black tea" kind of day. Not because it was upsetting or anything, I just... needed black tea. Nothing was piquing my fancy until I remembered that I'd picked up a bag of this tea.

I opened it, and yep, that was what I needed. It's got a wonderfully chocolate-y aroma.

I steeped it slightly cooler than the recommended temperature, but I don't think that detracts from the taste at all. Because it is a chocolate tea, I didn't add any extra sweetener. If you really wanted to, you could, but I really don't think it needs it. It does have a hint of bitter, but it's not an "I steeped this too long" bitter, it's a decadent dark chocolate bitter. It could use a splash of milk, perhaps, to cut the bitterness. You could use cream for a richer flavour if you so chose.

This tea reminds me very much of the Dark Chocolate coated dried fruit (including blueberries) that you can get from Costco. The Hubby and I splurge on that every once in a while, and end up eating the whole bag within a few days because they are SOOOO GOOOOOD, although probably ridiculously high in calories. Now we can get the same flavour without all the calories!

I was also so caught up in savouring the cup that I let it go cold. Whoops. BUT speaking of cold, if you brew it double-strength, you can turn this into an amazing iced latte. So I've heard; I haven't actually tried it myself, but I've heard wonderful things about it from other customers at DT who were trying it while I was getting something else.

If it were possible to make tea-infused ice cream, I'd use this one, simply because it IS so decadent.

Verdict: OM NOM NOM YES PLEASE. 

Today's Tea: The Glow

The Glow from DAVIDsTEA

Description: This light, floral elixir is all about beauty. That’s why it has rooibos, which is basically a liquid spa. It also boasts traditional stars like rose petals, rosehip and marigold. And time-honoured nourisher like nettle leaf. Plus there’s cinnamon, Ayurveda’s complexion saver. Just steeping it makes you glow. Caffeine-free. (MK Kosher)

Ingredients: Organic: Cinnamon, rosehips, nettle leaf, rooibos, rose petals, marigold. With natural peach, pomegranate and red fruit flavouring.

Caffeine: 0 (caffeine free)

Brewing Instructions: 1.25 tsp    96°C/205°F    4-7 min

(From DAVIDsTEA: The Glow)

Steph's Thoughts:

When I compared my bag to the stuff on the website, it's very different. This is what my bag says:

This light, floral elixir is all about enhancing your skin’s clarity and elasticity. That’s why it has rooibos, with hydrating zinc and alpha hydroxy acids. It also boasts traditional stars like rose petals, rosehip and jasmine. And time-honoured nourishers like oat straw and nettle leaf. Plus there’s cinnamon, Ayurveda’s complexion saver. Just steeping it makes you glow. Caffeine-free.

Organic: cinnamon, rosehips, nettle leaf, oatstraw herb, rooibos, rose petals, jasmine flower, organic flavouring.

It, however, smells amazing. Warm and comforting, not at all floral like I was expecting based on the ingredients.

It steeps a very lovely warm amber colour, and is very subtle in flavour. Some reviewers have likened it to an oatmeal cookie. I really enjoy the subtle flavour. I was worried that the flowers, especially the rose and jasmine would overpower some of the other flavours, but they don't detract from the taste at all. It's not nearly as rooibos-y as one would think, either. There are some teas that I drink that I go "Oh yeah, this is definitely honeybush tea!" This is not one of them.

I steeped it for just over 5 minutes. I don't know whether steeping it longer would embolden the flavour at all, or whether this tea has been specifically designed to be more subdued. I like it though.

I'm drinking it straight, without any sweeteners; I don't think it really needs any. Maybe a BIT if you feel it really needs it, but ... I'm TRYING to cut back on my sugar intake. That's the theory anyway.

I can't necessarily comment on the "skin toning" or "glowing" aspect of the tea, as I have only had, to this point, half a cup. ALTHOUGH I could definitely see one adding some of this as liquid in a homemade oatmeal facial mask for a little bit of a sweeter aroma, maybe even grinding up some of the tea and adding it to the mask as well. I'll have to try that.

Because of the cinnamon, it's not a tea that I would recommend to be iced. Even as my tea is cooling off, I'm enjoying it less. Unfortunately, as I've said before, there's a very short window between "OW MY MOUTH" and "ugh, too cold."

Hubby says it's "okay. Reminds me too much of cinnamon hearts." He's just not a cinnamon fan.

Verdict: It's nice if you don't mind cinnamon and subtlety. Subtle-tea. Haha. (sorry, that was bad)

Today's Tea: Cool Cactus

Cool Cactus from DAVIDsTEA

Description: If you’ve never tried a prickly pear, you may not associate the desert with refreshment. But once you get a taste of this luscious little cactus fruit, you just might change your tune. Traditionally used for candies, jellies and aguafresca, prickly pear is naturally sweet and totally refreshing. And in this exotic, fruity blend with green tea, lemongrass and pineapple, it makes for a deliciously fresh taste of the desert.

Ingredients: Pineapple, rose hips, green tea, strawberry leaf, lemongrass, lily flower, natural and artificial pear and prickly pear flavoring.

Caffeine: 2 (Medium)

Brewing Instructions: 1.25 tsp     85°C/180°F 3-4 min

(From Steepster: Cool Cactus)

Steph's Thoughts:
I had a yen for something light, fruity and iced today.

This is a tea I picked up a couple of months ago, when it was available as part of the Sunshine Collection. It has since been discontinued, and isn't on the website anymore, so I had to cobble together the information from several different websites (the main being Steepster, hence the credit). I hadn't tried it then, since it smelled like an iced tea, and when it was available, it was cooooold outside.

Anyway, this was today's pick. It's a nice, light, fruity green tea. I steeped it slightly longer than what it recommends, partially because the flavour is very subtle, and partially because I kind of forgot to set a timer.

It's got a nice pear/pineapple/strawberry flavour. None of them are overwhelming, and they blend very nicely. I've read several reviews that say that this tea has a very clear green tea flavour. I have very limited experience with green tea, but I don't think this tastes like a green at all. Perhaps it would if you used the wrong temperature to steep it. I've been very careful when brewing my greens, as I don't want to burn the leaves. Bitter tea is gross.

I feel like this is an iced tea which requires some sweetener, though too much overwhelms the flavour, so you have to be very careful.

It's definitely a thirst quencher. I'm sad that it's not still available. This would make a wonderful summer tea.

Saturday's Tea: White Nectarine

White Nectarine from DAVIDsTEA

Description: As far as we’re concerned, a perfectly ripe nectarine is one of the world’s most perfect tastes. And something that special deserves the royal treatment – which is why we only used the best ingredients around for this all natural blend. We took a base of sweet, mellow white Bai Mudan tea, for a fresh taste of the spring harvest. Then we added fruity apricots, herbaceous blackberry leaves and all-natural nectarine essence. The result? A fresh, juicy tea worthy of our very favourite fruit.

Ingredients: Apricot, white tea, blackberry leaves, safflowers, natural nectarine flavouring.

Allergens: Contains sulfites.

Caffeine: 1 (Low caffeine)

Brewing Instructions: 1.25 tsp    90°C/195°F 4-5 min

(From DAVIDsTEA: White Nectarine)

Steph's Thoughts:

I went to DT on Friday to spend some gift cards and get a cup of iced tea for me and Hubby. Hubby picked this one. I was reluctant, as I don't usually like peach or nectarine, but there was something about the smell that intrigued me, and hit just the right note that I was craving (but didn't know how to express).


I was so caught up in drinking and savouring it that I forgot to write a review, so when I was at the mall on Saturday picking up groceries, I stopped by DT and got myself another one! It's definitely worth having a few times!

I find it light and fruity, with a slightly floral taste. The floral taste is not overwhelming, however. It's the perfect refreshing tea on a hot day. I can imagine that in the dead of winter, this would bring the promise of spring.

It steeps a lovely bright yellow colour, which brings so much cheer.

I find that this is one tea that has a better flavour when steeped longer. It allows the flavour of the nectarine to come through much better than if it's short steeped. I might caution against oversteeping, however, as this might lead to bitter tea.

While this tea is sweet on its own, sweetener doesn't detract from the flavour. I like my iced teas on the sweeter side, while Hubby likes his on the more natural side, so I tend to add sweetener. His comment on the tea "au naturel" is that it's "perfect." So.... it's your preference, I suppose.

All in all, this was the perfect tea for the day! A cup full of the promise of summer.

Verdict: Win. Definitely awesome.

Today's Tea: Ginger Pear

Organic Ginger Pear White from DAVDsTEA

Description: Some flavours are just made for each other. Pear and ginger are definitely two of them. The combo of sweet, delicate pear and warm, spicy ginger is more than the sum of its parts – especially in this perfectly balanced, organic white tea. With ginger, cinnamon, pear, apple and rosehips, it’s lightly spiced, lushly fruity and deliciously comforting. No wonder pear and ginger are so inseparable. They’re just so good together.

Ingredients: Organic: Ginger, apple, cinnamon, white tea, pear, rosehip. With natural quince, pear, apple and cinnamon flavouring.

Caffeine: 1 (low caffeine)

Brewing Instructions: 1.25 tsp    90°C/195°F 4-5 min

(From DAVIDsTEA: Ginger Pear)

Steph's Thoughts:
Dry leaf notes are not overly fruity, but definitely enticing.

First sip is slightly floral. I think it's the combination of pear and ginger. It's GOOD, but it lacks... something. It is nice and light for an after dinner tea. I could see a fluffy cake flavoured with this.

I was debating whether to make this tea because of the phrase "spicy ginger." We'd had a very spicy supper and I didn't particularly care for a spicy drink on top of that. The ginger spice is very mild (at least, in my cup!) compared to other ginger teas. However, it does seem to pick up a bit of a punch over the course of the cup, so that's something to keep in mind.

I find that it could use some sweetener. I think honey would pair very well with this tea.

Verdict: Decent, but not my favourite.

Today's tea: Steph's Hibiscus-Free RaspTea

Hibiscus-Free RaspTea from Adagio Teas

Description: This is a low-caf raspberry black tea, accented with notes of chocolate and apples.

Ingredients: decaf ceylon tea, honeybush tea, assam melody tea, ceylon sonata tea, natural raspberry flavor, cocoa nibs, raspberries, natural chocolate flavor, raspberry leaves, apple pieces.

Brewing Instructions: 1.5 tsp      100°C/212°F    4-5 minutes

(From Adagio Teas: Steph's Hibiscus-Free RaspTea)

Steph's Thoughts:

It's been a while since I posted. There's been a reason for that. Because of current health issues, there are many things that I am unable to ingest. Unfortunately, the majority of the "off-limits" list are in the teas that David's Tea sells, and also the teas that I gravitate toward. Most of the teas that are on the "alright" list I've already reviewed. 

BUT. Here's a new tea! 

This tea is a personal blend, made for me by a dear friend. She had made a wonderful blend of tea as a Christmas gift for me, but it turns out that it had hibiscus in it. Hibiscus is on the "off-limits" list. When I told her this, she made a blend of tea that would meet my current dietary requirements. (Isn't she the best ever?!)

I love this tea, because it's got the zingy taste of black tea without the caffeine, with raspberry and chocolate. It's absolute heaven. The chocolate is subtle enough that it's not overwhelming, and the raspberry adds fruity sweetness that compliments the chocolate and black tea. It doesn't require a lot of sweetener, and it tastes wonderful with milk. 

It's my current favourite, as is evidenced by the almost-empty bag. I can't wait to try the caffeinated version! 

Verdict: A must-have for my cupboard.