Howdy, dear Posse folks! It pains me to have to admit it to you, but I have fallen off the tea wagon a bit. I wish I could tell you all that I’ve been a tea-sampling fiend, have sipped twenty-jillion teas and here are my top 5 to brew, more or less. Alas, I’ve fallen off the wagon, not so much as in not drinking it, but in not being able to try many new things.
These days I feel like I’m always in a rush and end up reaching for the nearest tea tin, which usually happens to be either Republic of Tea’s Lean Green tea or Zhena’s Ultimate Green. The Zhena’s also includes white tea and matcha, and has a citrus-y flavor; we have that a lot at night as it’s hubby’s favorite. The Lean Green has a slight cinnamon flavor (which it contains) and contains the herb garcinia cambogia, which is 
said to help burn fat. Since I’m on a major weight-loss campaign, this has been my go-to brew most afternoons. Not sure if it’s doing any good yet, but we’ll see at future weigh-ins.
And now that really, truly cold weather is here in my neck of the woods, I have pulled out my little bag of Georgia Tea Company’s Snowflake, a cheery black tea with coconut and almond. And their rooibos blend, called Nutcracker, with its silver dragees and cute mini snowflake candies, will be making more of an appearance, especially since my son is partial to it. In fact, I think anyone young (or young at heart) would enjoy this fun brew.
And of course, I will be putting my standard Mariage Freres classics (Wedding Imperial and the Marco Polo blends) into heavy rotation.
So what about you? Any great brew or brews you’d like to tell us about?
Teas that I’ve had recently (or reasonably so) that I’ve liked:
Tazo Cocoa Mint Maté
Stash Spice Dragon Red Chai (rooibos chai)
Tazo Russian Twilight (this one I’ve only seen at Whole Foods – slightly smoked tea with jasmine)
Palais des Thés Thé du Hammam
Kusmi Rose Green Tea
Genmaicha (green tea with roasted rice).. I want to say the brand is Yamamotoyama, but I’m not 100% sure.
Lahaha Compassionate Oolong – this one is on the green side and very floral – has a kind of jasminy note though I don’t think it’s actually flavored with jasmine.
Howdy, Jennifer! Nice to see you. So many of your selections sound yummy (love the idea of a green-ish oolong), and that Malaysian tea is intriguing. But Malaysian restaurants are few and far between in my neck of the woods. Maybe a trip to a big city is in order?
I’m not really a tea person, outside of Southern “sweet tea” or else Thai iced tea — do those count? But your descriptions are beautiful!
I love Thai iced tea! I tried Malaysian milk tea from a restaurant near my house, and it is really good too. Not quite as sweet or as strong a flavor as Thai tea, but delicious.
Thanks, dear Heidi! Sure they count, and I love those, too. But haven’t had Thai iced tea in ages — must remedy that.
There is a tea company in France named Dammann.. They already exist since king Louis XIV!
Their teas are SUPERB…
Yes, yes! I tried some of their tea bags a few years back (my Neiman Marcus served them) and they were wonderful. Can’t seem to find them much around here anymore though. 🙁
Any recommendations for types of Mariage Frere tea? Heading to Paris this week and wondering if I should stop in one of their shops and get some tea for myself and for gifts.
My personal favorite is “Route du Temps”. Oolong with ginger. I’ve even converted non-tea-drinkers to it!
Not much of a hot tea drinker (unless it’s mint) but I would drink the hell out of that ginger Oolong. xoxoxoA
and Dinazad, stop by tomorrow – I’m talking about creams! xoxoxoA
Oh, darling — what kind of creams? As in face, body or perfumed? 🙂
Oooh, lucky you, Tatiana! As I mentioned above, I’m partial to their Marco Polo blend (which comes in red, green and black teas), and their Wedding Imperial black tea, which has a hint of chocolate-y-caramel goodness, which makes it especially nice with dessert or with afternoon tea sweets. Enjoy your trip!
Goodmorning, my favorite brand is PUKKA teas. They have quite a collection of organic teas.
In the morning I drink Serene Jasmin Green containing: jasmin scented green tea, chamomille flower, limeflower, elderflower, licorice root, marigold flower, rosé flower and lavendel flower.
In the evening I love Three Cinnamon, containing: Vietnamese cinnamon bark, Indonesian cinnamon bark, licorice root and Indian cinnamon bark.
Hi, Mariannew! I am not familiar with that brand — but I love to learn about and try new things, so thanks! I’m especially intrigued by the cinnamon one — wow! three kinds. And it’s so good for you. Wonder if they sell it here in the States? Will have to put on my detective hat and go exploring. 😉
PUKKA does sell online. pukka herbs.com
I believe they are in the UK.
Heya Ann,
I have an embarrassing confession.
Though I have a cupboard groaning with some of the world’s most fabulous teas it seems to always be the Twinings Australian Afternoon that I reach for. It’s perfect at any time of the day or night.
Yes I feel guilty for neglecting the others but I just love the taste, ease of grabbing a teabag and the Australian tag.
Pathetic, I know.
Portia xx
No worries, mate! It’s great that you have such a yummy favorite. Is it a black, red, white or green tea, BTW? And do you ever ice it?
he He he> You are SO Aussie.
Black tea.
Only hot. My Mum used to do iced tea in Summer but I never have.
Maybe next week you could do me a couple of Iced Tea Recipes?
Portia xxx
Sure, I’ll make some iced tea when I can get my teeth to stop chattering 😉
I’ve been brewing up homemade chai with Assam and cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, ginger and cloves. If I remember I add a bit of vanilla.
Yum, Tatiana — that sounds so wonderful! I’m not even sure I’ve ever seen or tasted star anise 🙂
My goal to is the Tazo chai but if I am out of that, I will drink the Tazo Passion. Its not technically a tea but I do like a mint tea.
Yum, eldarwen, you’ve got me craving chai now. Is the one you use a mix or in teabags? I really like the Tazo line; not sure if I’ve tried the Passion or not, but need to get some asap. Thanks!
I use the mix because it’s a whole lot easier to mix when I have those super early mornings that start a 3 am.
That’s smart. Now I need to get to the store and try it — thanks!
Hiya, Ann! Hey, I remember that Snowflake tea – you introduced me to it quite a while back, and I remember liking it a lot. These days, I’m in your boat – no time to sample new stuff, always reaching for whatever happens to be in the cupboard. I’ve been drinking a lot of Trader Joe’s Mango Chili Black Tea, just because it’s easy and has a nice spicy finish. I received a gift of Teavana’s White Chocolate Peppermint Rooibos, which sounds like a hot mess, and it is, but it’s a delicious one. A lot like drinking dessert.
I hope all is well with you and yours – if it turns out to be another year before I comment in one of your posts, have a great one! Drink more tea!
Hi, dear — so nice to see you!! I’ve had that Teavana one and it really is pretty good, too, I think. Must try that Trader Joe’s — sounds dee-lish! In fact, I just need to pack a big cooler and go up to the TJ’s an hour plus away from me and load up on stuff, ha! Sending you good wishes and big hugs …
Mostly Kusmi here, St. Petersburg, Violet, Irish Breakfast, Anastasia and Red Fruits. Evening teas are LOV Rose Rooibos and Almond Rooibos, with the occasional chocolate mint rooibos from Republic of Tea.
Tara, I love Kusmi tea, too! Can’t remember which one I liked best (either St. Petersburg or Anastasia), but it’s a great line. I even experimented this summer with one or two of their wellness teas. Lifting a tea cup to you — enjoy!
Yesterday was our annual craft beer festival, call appropriately enough, Brew Ho Ho! Its sister summer festival is Brew Ha Ha. I was doing Nutcracker duty and missed it, but Hubs had a great time (grrrr…maybe next year). Happy Holidays, Love!
HIya, Rina! Oh, I love that Brew Ho Ho — too cute! Sounds like a fun time that hopefully you can make next year. Happy holidays and hugs to you!