Taste Testing Event 2019




Last year I had a free tea tasting in my home, it went so well I decided to do it again!  I had people from church, work, friends, and family show up,




I made a mango bubble tea and had popping bubbles, instead of the tapioca balls.  Bursting bubble options- Passion Fruit, Blueberry, Mango, and Pomegranate.

People enjoyed the bursting bubbles in the Bubble Tea.  It is a fun surprise.  I think I enjoy it over the tapioca balls.


Bursting boba's-


Mango Powder-







I made iced tea- Plantation Iced Tea from Bigelow.  I used 10 bags of tea and 1/4 cup if sugar.

I also made Tazo Passion Iced Tea with 1/4 cup of sugar.  This is one of my favorite iced teas.

Lastly I made Republic of Tea- Pineapple with coconut water.


I had the three iced tea choices on the table. I am not sure that there was a favorite for anyone, they all seemed to go over well.  I mixed the Plantation Mint and the Passion Tea together and that was great!  Don't forget you can play with your tea...try different flavors together.


Tea tasting...





Cold brew it great- have you tried it yet?  I put in about 1 teaspoons per 8 oz of cold water, within 10 minutes I have cold brew tea. It doesn't get bitter because the water is cold and you are not releasing any tanins. I can add water to the cup at least 2-3 more times throughout the day.  You can add ANY loose leaf tea to water for cold brew.

This cold brew was a big hit.  People were surprised how it tasted like Blueberry water and no sugar was needed.   I personally like this tea cold over hot.







I made homemade Komucha for taste testing. I had an Elderberry batch and a Fruity Mary batch.  Some liked it, some did not.  Kombucha is an acquired taste.  I think it is great and it is so healthy for you. 

 They say Kombucha has lots of anti-microbial powers and is full antioxidants, it helps sooth ulcers and improves the function of your pancreas.   Helps with your digestion and arthritis. It supports your liver.  It improves your mood. it helps you loose weight.  It helps you detoxify ... This one I can say is true!  I have one friend who calls it her "poop juice".  I can say  I've never been so regular myself!!! It also reduces the risk of heart disease and they say prevents cancer.  also lots of nutrition. Helps with your good cholesterol. Boosts immunity.  Treats type 2 diabetes too. I can't say that you will have all these changes or experience any of these benefits.... I'm just listing some of the things they say about Kombucha.  I can say I love it and drink a lot of it :)







This Hazelnut Vanilla is so wonderful! I am big fan. I like this best with milk, but it is really good without too.  The flavor is rich and deep.  I love it.


You could add whole milk, almond milk or coconut milk





This tea has great fruit and coconut flavor.  It says that there is Rooibos in the tea, but I thankfully, don't taste it.  It is sweet without being overly sweet.  It has nice fruity notes, I pick up the mango, apples, and apricot.  

It says it is a white tea, but then there is an asterisk that says no white tea.  I brewed it as a white tea, the water temp around 150 degrees.  I also steeped it for 3-4 minutes.








I love this cold brew tea!!!  The raspberry Oolong is smooth and delicious.  It is a wonderful blend.  

This tea is fantastic cold too.







It was fun to have people over for tea!!!  One of the big hits of the day was this Winter Wonderland tea from Ohio Tea Company.  For me, I was shocked how much I liked it- especially since it is a Rooibos Tea.  This tea reminds me a snickerdoodle cookie.  I mean, It tastes just like one!!  I love it.






I made golden milk lattes. I love the turmeric - it makes me crave Indian food.  This was enjoyed by most.  It does get spicy, the key is not to add too much powder.





I found some fun treats to have with the tea. 




Authentic Thai Iced Tea, One Brew





I am a fan of Thai Tea, it takes me immediately to Thailand.  There is no other tea like it.  I found this authentic Thai Tea and decided to try it.


To make the tea, I heated the water and steeped the tea and then added ice.  
The tea is really good, even without the condensed milk.


I am enjoying this tea and it does have a Thai taste for sue!  Next time I make it I want to add the condensed milk.  The condensed milk is definitely Thai!!!


This is in Thailand, you can see all the condensed milk!




Ohio Tea Company- Blueberry Fields



From the website,

"This fruity and aromatic black tea blend is made with actual freeze-dried blueberries. It steeps up medium-bodied, a little sweet, and makes you think of summertime as you sip this tea. This black tea also makes a wonderfully refreshing iced tea! Blueberry Fields has helped numerous people break the Diet Pepsi in the Morning habit. Throw some leaves in a pitcher, add tap water, and throw it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, strain the leaves and you have a pitcher of great fruity iced black tea to help you make it through the day.

Ingredients:

Full leaf black tea"



This is a great blueberry tea.  I love the aroma and flavor of this tea.  This is another tea that is great iced.  I actually think I like this tea better iced.



Fez Iced Tea, Steve Smith Tea


 2013
Fez tea with Steve Smith of Smith Tea!!!




2019




Spring harvested full leaf Mao Feng China green tea, Pacific Northwest spearmint leaves and Australian lemon myrtle.


I am a bug fan of Fez tea, by Smith tea.  I was super excited when I was in Portland OR and I found that they had a Fez Iced Tea.







There is so much tea in these bags!!!!

This green Fez iced tea does not need to be steeped very long, only 3-5 minutes.  Also, I only heat the water to about 180 degrees.   I also add about 1/3 C of sugar.


After heating the kettle water to 180 degrees, I pour that water (which fills up the pitcher about half way).  I let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes.  Then I take the tea bag out and I fill the pitcher up the rest of the way with water.


I use the bag and make 2 pitchers of tea.

This tea is really great, it's light and bright.  The spearmint mixes so well with the lemon myrtle.   I am a big fan of this tea hot and iced!!!