Today's tea: Mocha Latte

Sorry I haven't blogged in a year! Between parenting and working full-time, I haven't had much time for tea drinking. I've been sticking to the standard peppermint, or Earl Grey. If I'm feeling really cheeky I'll have a cup of Chai. But now that I'm not breastfeeding, I'm able to have caffeine, and now that I'm working full time, I'm needing the energy boost. Little guy sleeping at night means that I have time to be getting back into the swing of things! So, without further ado, here's a NEW TEA REVIEW, YAY!

Mocha Latte from DAVIDsTEA

Description: When it comes to coffee, nothing beats a mocha latte. And this java-inspired tisane has everything a coffee lover could want and then some. It’s got coffee beans, sweet cocoa shells and a big hit of creamy mocha candy beans for a blend that’s rich, comforting and oh-so satisfying. The best part? It’s low on caffeine, which means you can enjoy all the deliciousness this blend has to offer without getting the coffee jitters. So whether you drink it hot, iced or on the go, this is one little indulgence you won’t be able to get enough of. Thanks a latte!


Ingredients: Cocoa shell, coffee beans, sweet blackberry leaf, mocha bean candy (sugar, cocoa mass, cocoa butter, coffee, sunflower lecithin, artificial mocha flavouring, arabic gum, shellac, coconut oil), cappucino bits (milk powder, sugar, maltodextrin....), chocolate rolls, natural iced coffee flavour.

Allergens: Milk, coconut

Brewing Instructions: 1.5 tsp  95°C /203°F   4-7 minutes  

Caffeine: 1 (Low)

(from DAVIDsTEA: Mocha Latte)

Steph's Thoughts:

This is one of the newer teas from DAVIDsTEA. It's chocolate and coffee, so of course I had to pick some up! I was immediately drawn in by the smell. It smells like heaven. The chocolate notes are strong, like a good mocha should be.

This is a wonderfully comforting cup of tea. The coffee flavour is mild enough that it doesn't overpower the chocolate, but it's bold enough that it doesn't get drowned by the chocolate. Does that even make sense? I'm totally still sleep-deprived. All I know is that it's soooo yummy. It doesn't require sweetener, as the candy bits make it sweet enough. I haven't tried it with milk, but I have a feeling that it would be absolutely amazing at the end of a long day. The best part is that it tastes like coffee without the caffeine, so you can have a cup at the end of the day without worrying about being up all night.

It also tastes wonderful iced, so steeped double-strong with crushed ice and a bit of milk..... oh HEAVEN! I'm salivating just thinking about it.

I find that it doesn't stand up well to multiple steepings, though. It also requires a steeper with very small holes. I initially tried it in my TARDIS steeper, and the leaves floated out the windows, requiring me to strain it through a second steeper. But really, now that I know, it's all good.

I have a feeling this is going to be my new favourite. I hope it sticks around for more than one season. It's nom-tastic!

Verdict: Yes please.

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. 

Today's Tea: Orange Blossom

Orange Blossom from DAVIDsTEA

Description: This is one enchanting tea. It’s a subtly sweet rooibos blend of orange peel, orange blossoms and currants, all kissed with vanilla bean creaminess. Grown among the clouds in heaven and harvested by cherubs, it tastes like a golden ray of sunshine. One sip and you’ll find yourself running along a beach at sunset, surrounded by turtle doves. Don’t believe us? Steep a cup for yourself and see where your imagination takes you.

Ingredients: Rooibos, currants, orange peel, orange blossoms, vanilla pieces, marigold blossoms, safflower petals, artificial flavouring. 

Caffeine: 0 (Caffeine free)

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

(From DAVIDsTEA: Orange Blossom)

Steph's Thoughts:

I'm sure I've said this before, but normally, I strongly dislike oranges. Dried orange peel is UGH, and I don't particularly like the smell of certain citrus fruits.

So imagine my surprise when I smelled this tea and it was very, very intriguing, and not at all yucky. 

It doesn't smell like fake citrus, nor does it smell like gross dried fruit. It also doesn't smell like a creamsicle, which is what I expected of "orange vanilla."

I can't decide what it DOES smell like, though.

It's got a nice sweet taste, so it doesn't really need any sweetener. I like that it's a non-caffeinated tea, doesn't taste like straight rooibos (I've had too much rooibos lately, and I'm a little done with it), and doesn't require any extra sweetener. 

There is a hint of orange, and an afternote of vanilla, but it's not ... fake or overdone. I think the currants add the right amount of flavour to temper it. 

I have very limited experience with actual orange blossoms, due to living in a climate where the ground is covered in snow for half the year, and the distinct lack of citrus trees nearby. My father, however, tells of being in South America and eating grapefruits and oranges straight off the tree. I'd love to visit a warmer climate, just for the experience of fresh (LITERALLY fresh, not "picked underripe and sent halfway across the world to sit on the grocery store shelf for a few weeks") fruit. ANYWAY, the point is, I don't know what orange blossoms smell like, but this tea makes me wish I did.

I like it.

Verdict: Nice. Go try some.

Today's Tea: Garcinia Goodness

Garcinia Goodness from DAVIDsTEA

Description: We all sometimes need a little after-dinner relief. Next time, reach for this earthy, citrusy tea. It combines pu’erh and garcinia – two traditional metabolism boosters. Haven’t heard of garcinia? It’s a small tropical fruit that looks a bit like a mini pumpkin. And in its native Asia, it’s been used as a natural appetite suppressant for centuries. Here we blend it with black tea, pu’erh, orange peel and hibiscus, for a rich, earthy tea you can feel good about drinking. The perfect end to any meal.


Ingredients: Organic: Black tea, puerh tea, orange peel, hibiscus, garcinia, stevia, red cornflower. With natural orange flavouring.

Caffeine: 2 (Medium caffeine)

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

(From DAVIDsTEA: Garcinia Goodness)

Steph's Thoughts:
Honestly, I thought they misspelled gardenia, and it was going to be flowery. I was wrong.

Dry leaf notes smell very heavily of orange. I was worried I wouldn't like it because of the dry leaf notes, but I've learned not to judge my tea solely on its dry smell.

The tea tastes very much like an Orange Pekoe, but with a little bit of .... something. I think it's the earthiness of the pu'erh tea combined with the tang of hibiscus. The Hubby said that it tastes like "Red Rose tea with a slice of lemon." So, it's highly British then??

Garcinia Goodness tastes very good with sweetener. It's a little tart on its own, but the sweetener adds a nice flavour to it. Andrea (my TeaGuide) said that as an iced tea, the light citrus notes come through, but as a hot tea, it's the bold earthy pu'erh flavour that you get.

It is still from the Camellia sinensis plant, so you're going to get a bit of a caffeine hit if you're sensitive to that sort of thing.

It's not bad. It's not my favourite, but I'm glad I've tried it.

Verdict: Pretty okay.

Today's Tea: Snickerdoodle

Snickerdoodle from DAVIDsTEA

Description: Ever heard of a snickerdoodle? We swear we didn’t make it up. It’s actually one of the yummiest cookies around – soft, chewy dough coated in warm cinnamon sugar. And this decadently toasty blend captures the taste right in your cup. The surprise ingredient? Monk fruit – a traditional ingredient from China that’s 300 times sweeter than sugar. Blended with cinnamon, rooibos and pieces of brittle, it makes for a bakery-worthy treat you can enjoy guilt-free. It’s snickerdoodle dandy.

Ingredients: Brittle pieces, cinnamon, monk fruit, rooibos, natural butterscotch and cinnamon flavouring.

Allergen Information: Contains hazelnut.

Caffeine: 0 (caffeine free)

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

(From DAVIDsTEA: Snickerdoodle)


Steph's Thoughts: 
This was the first tea from the 2014 fall collection that I tried. My TeaGuide told me that this would be best tried as a latte, so I took her suggestion. It was fantastic! It's like a cookies-and-milk flavour without the soggy cookie!

Cinnamon is very prominent in this tea, and again, it's the good cinnamon, not the cheap stuff. (Seriously, I've said it before and I'll say it again - GOOD CINNAMON IS WORTH THE MONEY. It changes your life.) I totally love snickerdoodles, so this is a great, great tea.

Today, I'm drinking it straight (no milk), and it's pretty fantastic. It is a little bolder without the milk, but still great. I have a feeling that this would NOT be a good iced tea. (Later note: It's okay iced. It's not good lukewarm, though....)

I should mention, however, that due to the monk fruit, this tea DOES NOT need any added sweetener. It's almost too sweet as it is.

Today's episode of What Did I Learn About My Tea features monk fruit: Monk fruit, also known as luohan guo, is a subtropial melon cultivated in Asia, primarily southern China and northern Thailand.  It's part of the Cucurbitaceae family, which means it's related to watermelon, pumpkin, squash and cucumbers. It's used as a low-calorie sweetener (and I would imagine that you wouldn't have to use as much of it as you do sugar, given that it's 300-400 times as sweet as sugar. Imagine being able to use a teaspoon of sweetener instead of a cup in cookies.... whoa); as well, it's part of traditional Chinese medicine (used to make "cooling drinks" - to reduce fever or as a remedy for hot weather ailments). It's grown on a twining vine (which for some reason I picture as Devil's Snare....), and claims are made that it's packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Mogrosides, the active chemical compound that gives the fruit its sweetness, are also under scientific investigation for anticancer benefits.
(I've learned this from Wikipedia, so my facts may be off.....) This is all pretty cool, since I have a very sweet tooth (ALL THE SUGARS!!!!), hence the ... ahem... curvy figure, so anything that lets me have my sweets without the whoomp that comes with it is a-okay in my books. I'll have to talk to my doc about the prolonged uses of alternative sweeteners, but y'know. If I can use a teaspoon instead of a cup, I'm good.

One of the things that struck me as I was baking (actual) snickerdoodles this afternoon is how much the tea smells like baking cookies. The upside to tea is that it has significantly less calories than cookies, and takes far less time to prepare. I'm glad they got the smell right, in any case.

So, Verdict: Satisfies the cookie cravings. Sort of. (I had to bake a whole ton just to compare. They got it right!)

Today's Tea: Feminini-Tea

Feminini-Tea from Steeped Tea

Description: Blended for emotional stability and stress relief.

(From Steeped Tea: Wellness)

Ingredients: Apple pieces, rooibos, ginger pieces, cinnamon pieces, cardamom, fennel, juniper berries, raspberry leaves, chamomile, lady’s mantel, cloves, orange peel, St. John’s wort, black pepper, silver weed, natural flavors.

Caffeine: 0 (Caffeine free)

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



Steph's Thoughts:
I was wandering around the Morden Corn and Apple festival yesterday, and I came across a little slice of heaven. Steeped Tea consultants (Christie, Charlene and Misty)  had a booth set up, and they had a stash of tea. Well, I knew where I was spending my money! (also, it was my "lost spot" - when I got separated from my group, they knew to find me at the tea booth. Everyone finds it hilarious. Perhaps I have a bit of a problem...)

They had a wide array of flavours and types of tea, and so choosing one... okay, SEVERAL, was quite the challenge. I was intrigued by one of the wellness teas called "Feminini-Tea." The catalogue touted it as "blended for emotional stability and stress relief," which made me laugh. If that's the case, I need a truck-load of this tea. In talking with the ladies, they said that it helps with "time of the month" cramps, and one of their customers calls it her "Anti-B**** Tea" (pronounced anti-BEE tea). I'm all about any non-drug product that alleviates cramps, though to be honest, they are few and far between.

Dry leaf notes are of dried apple and raspberry leaves. When steeped, the smell of cinnamon, cloves and cardamom come through. My thought on the first sip was that it tastes like chai with a bit of fruit in.  You can taste the apple, and upon more sips, it tastes a little bit like mulled cider with a hint of orange peel.

It DOES help with the cramps, though. I could've used this 2 days ago! I feel like it helped even out my mood as well, though it could've been because TEA in general, rather than Feminini-tea.

I would recommend steeping this tea for 4-5 minutes, as it does get quite strong when steeped longer. It took me quite a while to finish it because my Timolino keeps tea quite hot, and I steeped this in boiling water.

It doesn't require any sweetener, as it is fairly sweet on its own.


Verdict: It's really yummy, and effective. Total tea-cupboard staple.

Today's Tea: Super Ginger TeaPop!

Super Ginger TeaPop from DAVIDsTEA

Ingredients: Organic: Ginger, certified fair-trade green rooibos, pink peppercorns, black pepper, white pepper, flavouring.

Caffeine: 0 (caffeine free)

Brewing Instructions: 1.25 tsp    98°C/208°F 4-7 min

(From DAVIDsTEA: Super Ginger)

Brewing Instructions for TeaPop: 4 tsp     98°C/208°F 4-7 min  
Use about half (maybe a little more) of the water you would normally use to steep a cup. Pour steeped (and sweetened, if necessary) tea over a LITTLE BIT of ice (1/3 to 1/2 a cup) until cup is about a quarter to a third full and let it cool. Top up cup with carbonated water. Give it a stir. Enjoy.



Steph's Thoughts:
So I zipped into DAVIDsTEA today to top up my stash of Super Ginger, and there were NEW PEOPLE there! Kathie, the Chief Operating Officer, and Steve, the District Manager had graced the store. They're both totally awesome, and very friendly.

I had hoped to pick up something with a bit of ZING because I had a pretty awful afternoon at work. I was thinking a cold black tea, but Steve had another suggestion - a Super Ginger TeaPop.

Now, I've reviewed both Super Ginger and TeaPop in other reviews. Today I'm doing it together!

Having recently consumed Caribbean Ginger Beer, I would liken this to a very mild Ginger Beer or strong Ginger Ale. It's definitely got a lot more kick than, say, Canada Dry (which is actually very mild, and a little too sweet, to be honest). The nice part about tea pop is that you can put in as much or as little sweetener as you like. If you've got a Soda Stream, or a can of club soda (or a bottle of Perrier, or other such sparkling water, if you're so inclined), you're good to go.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - the thing I love about TeaPop is that it's carbonated, but without all the empty calories that pop would offer, and it's probably better for you too, without a whole crapload of additives.

The downside to using water from a SodaStream is that the bubbles tend to go a little flat over time. I suppose canned pop does too, but not to such a degree that SodaStream water does. Unfortunately, I forgot about my TeaPop due to the revival of the Household Drama Llama (otherwise known as an extremely whiny-for-no-apparent-reason dog, and an infestation of fruit flies which are EVERYWHERE, even after we cleaned up ALL THE THINGS), and so it kind of got flat. It does have a little more kick than normal tea (the only way I can explain it is microbubbles that only your tongue can feel), but none of the big bubbles that tell you your drink is carbonated.

A question my husband asked me about this, to which I did not have an answer, was, "Instead of having to quadruple-strength steep your tea, then cool it, then add carbonated water, could you just make a cup of cold tea and stick it in a SodaStream and make the tea bubbly?" I have no idea. Could you? I understand the logistics of not doing it that way in stores, as they probably make a lot of TeaPops over the course of a day, and it's a lot easier to use ONE bottle of water and just keep adding water and making it bubbly, rather than having to use, and WASH, a different bottle for every TeaPop. That, and the logistics of pouring each and every TeaPop INTO the bottle, which in my experience results in 10% of tea in the bottle, and 90% of tea turning the floor into a lake. So. But I mean, other than that, COULD you just stick your iced tea into a SodaStream? Inquiring minds want to know, readers!

So. What do I think of today's Super Ginger TeaPop? While it was carbonated, it was super. Now that it's less carbonated, it's ... really strong. And not quite as sweet as I would like. So, moral of the story is, ignore the Drama Llama and finish your tea. The drama will still be there when you're done, but the tea might not be good after you're done dealing with the drama.

Verdict: Yummy when carbonated. Especially good if you like Ginger Ale.

Today's Tea: Mighty Aphrodite

Mighty Aphrodite from DAVIDsTEA

Description: Since the day we opened our doors, raspberry leaf has been our number one most-requested ingredient. Why? Because it’s a girl’s best friend, especially for soon-to-be moms. Seriously, there are tons of amazing benefits to explore… But we mostly love it for its sweet, herbal taste, especially in this calming blend of apple, rosehips, lemon balm and raspberries. It’s deliciously soothing, lightly fruity and super good-for-you. (MK Kosher)

Note: Please speak to a professional before taking any herb while pregnant – we are not the experts!


Ingredients: Organic: Raspberry leaves, apple, lemon balm, rosehip, raspberry. With organic and natural raspberry and red fruit flavouring.

Caffeine: 0 (Caffeine free)

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

Steph's Thoughts:
NO, I'm not expecting, but it's a new tea, and new teas are always excellent. Also, raspberry. Chances are if it has raspberry in it, I'll buy it.

I decided to have this tea cold. It's a very light tea - the loose leaves are very dust-like. It makes it very interesting to steep.

It does require a little bit of sweetener as it's not quite sweet enough for my tastes on its own. It doesn't have a bold flavour, so a longer steep time might be necessary.

It is very yummy, though. Soothing, refreshing, and I assume, based on the ingredients, that it's good for you too. The apple flavour and lemon balm comes through nicely. It makes for a nice cup of tea at the end of the day.

And hopefully soon I'll be needing this for reals. In the meantime, I'm just gonna call it my "I'm HOPING" tea.

Verdict: Thanks for listening, DT! Nicely done.

Today's Tea: Magic Dragon

Magic Dragon from DAVIDsTEA

Description: It’s bright. It’s flamboyant. It’s totally over the top. Oh, and it’s incredibly good for you. If you haven’t gotten to know the dragon fruit yet, it’s time you gave this crazy-looking cactus a try. Though it looks a little bizarre, the flavour is actually quite mild – somewhere between a kiwi, a melon and a pear. And it’s so packed with good stuff, it’s being hailed as the next big super fruit. Taste it for yourself in this super tangy tropical blend. With apple, rosehip, hibiscus and blackberry leaves, it’s a great introduction to a fruit you definitely want to know.


Ingredients: Apple, rosehips, hibiscus, sweet blackberry leaves, dragonfruit, cornflower petals, natural dragonfruit flavouring.

Caffeine: 0 (caffeine free)

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

(from DAVIDsTEA: Magic Dragon)

Steph's Thoughts:
Finally got into DT for the July TotM. Yay!

It was one of the Teas of the Day as well, so I got to try a small sample before I asked for a cup (and a bagful!).

It steeps a nice watermelon pink, which contrasts very nicely to the DT teal.

IT has a nice full fruit flavour. The hibiscus isn't quite as strong in this tea as in other teas, which is nice. It's not overpowering. It's got a distinct aftertaste. Having never tasted a real dragonfruit, I don't know if it's a dragonfruit aftertaste. The closest I can come is a pear. Blackberry pear, maybe?? Which is entirely possible, since there ARE blackberry leaves in the tea.

It doesn't really need any sweetener, as it is pretty sweet all on its own. I had a little bit of agave in it, which makes it very nice. I tend to like my stuff on the sweet side.

It is a very wonderful mug of tea. Give it a try.

Verdict: Win!

Today's Tea: Cherry Snowcone

Cherry Snowcone from DAVIDsTEA

Description: When summer really turns up the heat, there’s one cool treat we turn to. A bright red, tangy-sweet cherry snowcone. There’s just no better way to beat the heat. And this tart and fruity cherry-packed blend is our take on the summer classic. Try brewing it extra-strong, sweetening with agave and pouring it over cracked ice for the ultimate refreshing summer treat. A little splash of white rum certainly wouldn’t hurt either.


Ingredients: Hibiscus, rose hip peel, apple, currants, elderberry, sugar crystals, sour cherries, acerola cherries, natural cherry flavouring.

Caffeine: 0 (Caffeine free)

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

(From DAVIDsTEA: Cherry Snowcone)

Steph's Thoughts:

This is one of the teas in the new Carnival Collection.

I will admit, this is the one tea that I wasn't terribly sold on when I bought the Carnival Collection. It didn't smell quite as sweet as the others. Also, I'm not a terribly huge cherry fan. When snowcones were available, I would always opt for blue.

However, this does brew a very nice cup of iced tea. I was worried that 1.25 tsp (x2, for iced tea) wouldn't be enough, because the cherry pieces are quite large. There are some whole dried cherries in there, one of which almost takes up an entire teaspoon!!

I let this tea steep a little longer than recommended, because I wanted a nice bold flavour for iced tea. It brews a nice clear cherry-pink.

I don't think it needs a whole lot of sweetener. The initial tastes are a little bitter, but it's got a very sweet aftertaste that I think sweetener would just... ruin. It's like... a mouthful of ripe cherry, slightly sour with very sweet aftertastes.

I found out that acerola cherries are very rich in vitamin C and are a source of antioxidants (Ooh, look! Health buzzword!).

And even though I'm not a big cherry fan, this is definitely a lovely cuppa.

Verdict: Nicely done, DT. Thanks for changing my mind about cherries.

Today's Tea: Caramel Corn

Caramel Corn from DAVIDsTEA

Description: It’s sweet. It’s salty. And it’s totally addictive. It’s no surprise that caramel corn is such a popular fairground treat. And we just can’t get enough of it. So of course we had to make it into a tea. With real popped corn, caramel pieces plus fresh hints of apple, pineapple, almonds and coconut, it’s rich, buttery and beyond satisfying. And thanks to a touch of beetroot, it brews a fun bright pink colour. Now you can experience that fairground treat anytime, anywhere.


Ingredients: Apple, cinnamon, pineapple, caramel, currants, almonds, beetroot, coconut, popcorn, natural & artificial flavouring.

Allergens: Contains almonds, coconut and milk

Caffeine: 0 (Caffeine Free)

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

(From DAVIDsTEA: Caramel Corn)

Steph's Thoughts:
New collection day means new teas for me! Yay!

Initially, I wasn't sure about this one. I mean, I'm not a huge popcorn fan. But this happened to be one of the Teas of the Day at DT, and it really surprised me.

It has the wonderful caramel corn flavour with none of the calories. Well, okay, maybe like, 5. It doesn't need any sweetener, and makes a fabulous cup of iced tea.

Apparently it tastes really funny when paired with a chicken sandwich, so I wouldn't recommend it to have with a meal. This is more of an "I'm craving something sweet but don't want to/ can't eat" kind of tea.

I didn't realize that the tea contains almonds, so if nuts are your allergen, or if you're hanging out in a place that is designated "nut free" (ie, the daycare!), don't drink this tea. Although, somebody told me that almonds aren't technically a nut, but are the interior meat of the pit of a fruit akin to the peach. However, they are still classified as nuts in a culinary sense.

THAT being said, this tea totally surprised me. I didn't think I'd like it, but I totally love the flavour. The bonus is that it tastes like caramel corn without the sticky teeth, or getting the kernels/ husks stuck between your tooth and your gums! I can totally get behind this idea because that's why I don't eat popcorn as a general rule. Also, the colour that this brews is SO pretty! It's a beautiful pinkish colour, which pairs very nicely with the DAVIDsTEA signature teal.

(that picture was stolen from my afternoon Twitter post!)

I don't know how it tastes hot, but iced it makes a LOVELY treat.

HOpefully I'll be able to review ALL of the carnival collection in the next few days!

Oh, I love tea.


Verdict: WIN. Just go pick up a bag. You'll thank me. I promise.

Today's Tea: Kiwi's Big Adventure

Kiwi's Big Adventure from DAVIDsTEA

Description: There’s something about a kiwi fruit that just makes us smile. It could be their cute round shape, or their fuzzy skin, or their bright green colour. But we think the best thing about a kiwi is the taste – like a cross between a peach and a melon, only better. So it goes without saying that this kiwi-spiked green tea is a real treat. From the second the aroma hits you, you know you’re in for something special. Sweet, fruity, tart and lively, it’s an adventure you won’t soon forget.

Ingredients: Green tea, apple, kiwi, lemongrass, lemon peel, artificial flavouring

Caffeine: 1 (low caffeine)

Brewing Instructions: 1.25 tsp    85°C/185°F 2-3 min

(From DAVIDsTEA: Kiwi's Big Adventure)

Steph's Thoughts:
So in lieu of being able to take my dad out on Father's Day, I took my dad out for tea today. It was his first time in DAVIDsTEA, and he found some teas that he was willing to try (YAY!). And I decided to try Kiwi's Big Adventure.

I asked Andrea, the TeaGuide on duty, if this iced well. She said that it did, and that it's not a strong tea. So if you want a nice light, fruity iced tea, this is your tea.

It is a green tea, so be ready for a Green flavour. I didn't think it tasted like kiwi, more like a really light honeydew melon. Although I suppose honeydew and kiwi kind of taste similar?? In this particular cup, the apple came through - it tastes like they used granny smith! It's the lightness without the "ZOMG TART"-ness of Granny Smith apples, though. It steeps a very nice pale clear yellow colour, almost like a white tea. It does have a good flavour, though. It's not as robust as a black tea, but still flavourful. It's like comparing meringue to whipped cream. Both have their  benefits and their respective corresponding pies. But you're not gonna put meringue on a pumpkin pie. But apparently you can put whipped cream on meringue. So maybe that wasn't the best analogy. But do you get what I'm saying?

It makes a nice light cup of tea on a hot day. Alas, today is kind of overcast so HOT tea would have been better today.

It's not my favourite because of the "green tea" flavour, and it's a little lighter than I would have liked for today. Don't get me wrong, it's still a good tea. Just... not quite right for today. If it had been, like, 40 Celsius and humid, I might be absolutely raving about this tea. I'll try again on a different day.

But cold tea is better than no tea. :P

Verdict: Not my favourite, but definitely good.

Today's Tea: Champagne Raspberry

Champagne Raspberry White from TeaLeafs

Origin: China

Ingredients: White Tea, Safflowers with Champagne flavor and Red raspberry flavors

(from TeaLeafs: Champagne Raspberry)

Not listed, but assumed based on ingredients:

Caffeine: 2 (medium)

Brewing Instructions:  1.25 tsp    90°C/195°F 4-5 min, though some would steep 2-3 minutes

Steph's Thoughts:

This is another tea that I got from TeaLeafs in Williamsville, New York, just outside of Buffalo. I've said it a dozen times, and I'll say it again, GREAT tea shop. If you live in the States (particularly near Buffalo!), avail yourself of the products from this tea shop. You'll thank me. Unfortunately, they don't ship to Canada. Thank goodness my friend Bryan has agreed to be my supplier!!

I decided to steep this for 3 minutes rather than 4 or 5. I think I didn't steep it long enough, because there's not quite enough flavour. I'm always worried that oversteeping white tea can make it bitter. 

It has a wonderful fruity flavour that is nice and light. It steeps a lovely pale yellow topaz colour. It could use a little more fruit flavour, but that could be because I didn't steep it quite long enough. IT doesn't require a lot of sweetener. I didn't add any, but if you absolutely must add some, don't add TOO much because it could overpower the lightness of the tea.

Verdict: Major win, even with understeeping. So yummy.