Lemon Tea Tasting, ARGO, TEA FORTE, AND TEAVANA

Dawn, from work, and I decided to do some Lemon Tea tasting.  I had Tea Forte Lemon Sorbetti and she had Argo Lemonello and Teavana Fresh Lemon Zest.  The Tea Forte is an herbal tea and the Lemon Sorbetti and Fresh Lemon Zest were green teas.

 http://www.argoteastore.com/

You can not buy this Lemonello on line, it appears to only be found in the stores.  Dawn picked this tea up while she was in Chicago.  The aroma of this tea was the best of the three teas. 

VS

#2

http://www.teaforte.com/store/gourmet-tea/green-tea/lemon-sorbetti/

Based on Italy's most celebrated sorbet, this green tea is married with fragrantly fresh citrus and the sweetness of wildflower honey. A delicious taste of dessert any time of the day

Ingredients

organic lemon verbena, organic lemongrass, organic green tea, natural lemon flavor, organic lemon myrtle, organic lemon peel

 VS

#3

 http://www.teavana.com/the-teas
I went on line and it appears that this tea is no longer available. Which was okay, because we felt this tea had more of a grassy flavor.  I think it had a lot of green tea in it... which I am not always a fan of.

   

Okay the winner of these three teas for taste was :

1.Argo

2.Tea Forte

3.Teavana



ARGO Black Currant vs TEA FORTE Black Currant

Dawn, from work, and I did another taste test.  The last taste test Argo won...so we decided to include them again.  Again on their own we liked both teas, but when we compared them side by side Argo beat Tea Forte again.

The Argo was lighter and sweeter.  The Tea Forte was darker and a bit stronger.  It as close, and again we liked them both, but when asked which one we prefer- we picked Argo!

Black Currant Loose Leaf Tea - 4.1oz

Product Details

Black tea with aromatic and sweet currants

• Net Wt 4.1oz - Packed in recyclable glass bottle
• Makes about 49 servings
• All natural black Tea
• Premium loose leaf tea

Price: $12.25
http://www.argoteastore.com/Black-Currant-Loose-Leaf-Tea

 

VS

Tea Forte Black Currant

http://www.teaforte.com/store/gourmet-tea/black-tea/black-currant/

Ingredients

black tea, blackberry leaves, natural flavors

black currant loose tea pouch

20-25 servings $7.00

Finest quality black tea leaves superbly blended with the bright fruity taste of just-picked currants. A delectable, lush cup with soothingly sweet blackberry undertones, floral notes and a delighting finish.

TAZO Passion Tea and PAROMI TEA Hibiscus Berry, iced tea

 Another attempt at mixing teas for iced tea....

This time I took two floral teas that I like and mixed them together.  2 passion tea bags and 1 Paromi Hibicus Berry and put them a in a gallon container of water.

http://www.starbucksstore.com/tazo-passion-filterbag-tea/000149903,default,pd.html

HIBISCUS FLOWERS, NATURAL TROPICAL FLAVOURS,

 CITRIC ACID, LICORICE ROOT, ORANGE PEEL,

CINNAMON, ROSE HIPS, LEMONGRASS, FRUIT JUICE EXTRACT (COLOUR)

Tasting Notes Juicy berry, wine-like, earthy

MIXED WITH:

http://www.paromi.com/

Ingredients:

fair trade organic hibiscus, organic rosehip, organic apple pieces, organic orange peel,
organic licorice root, organic blueberry, natural berry flavor.

The red flowering tropical hibiscus gives this herbalicious infusion its unique tangy taste  and wonderful deep ruby color. It is bold and flamboyant with a medley of fruit-forward flavors and vibrant overtones of rich berries including  blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, and blackcurrant.  What follows is a delicious, tart, sweet finish.  Naturally caffeine free, rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals, this full-bodied blend makes a bracing hot brew or a refreshing.iced drink.

okay, this was NOT a winning combination.  not sure if there was too much

hibiscus flavor happening here or what, but I did not care for this iced tea!  I like both of these teas on their own, but I guess together was too much.

TRADER JOE Blueberry & Pomegrante Unsweetened Green Tea

http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=1060

This refreshing beverage is an embarrassment of riches: blueberries, pomegranates and green tea, all in the same package. It's almost too good to be true. But it is true; we promise you that. And truly thirst-quenching.
Trader Joe's Blueberry Pomegranate Green Tea is made just for us, in small batches, using only unsweetened green tea and natural blueberry and pomegranate flavors. We never add sugar — or artificial sweeteners, for that matter — so the finished product that you’ll enjoy is 100% calorie free! All true. It also tastes like what the combination of these flavors should taste like — a little sweet and a little tart, with the underlying grassiness for which green tea is loved — no artificial flavors messing with the naturally refreshing taste.
You'll love the price almost as much as you love the tea. We’re selling each 33.8 ounce bottle (one liter, for the metrically-inclined) for the excellent everyday price of $1.49.

I tried this tea and was pleasantly surprised at the taste.  I liked it a lot.  It did not have an overly strong green tea taste.  And what I really liked is that it was still sweet, even though it was "unsweetened".  ZERO CALORIES- you should try it....and only a $1.49!!!!  

 I took it to work to let my friend Melanie try it.  She liked it too.  She liked that you could really taste the blueberries.

ARGO CONTAINERS....

BEFORE- air tight, but the light gets to the tea



AFTER- now my tea will last longer!!!

http://www.argoteastore.com/Loose-Leaf-Teas/b/5647128011?ie=UTF8&title=Loose+Leaf+Teas

I like Argo Tea.  But I am disappointed that they put their loose leaf tea in clear bottles!!!  They have to know that this makes the tea loose its flavor sooner.  Tea needs to be in air tight and dark containers.  Well, they have the air tightness down, but clear bottles are not good for the tea.  The liquid tea comes in these great containers too.  When I sent to a store they had the liquid bottles for $1.67.  They are sold at some Walmarts and some Walgreens for around $2.39.  I would normally not pay this much for a bottled drink, however knowing I can re-use the bottles the way I do- it is soooo worth it!!!



Here is a photo of what the liquid bottled tea looks like...



The second set I painted, I tok the alids off all together and just sprayed painted them upside down.  Worked like a charm!!!

Painting the clear bottles black was super easy.  The lids I thought I had under control, but I guess not.  I put painters tape on them, but I guess there were still some spots were the paint got in.

I was able to take loose leaf tea that I had that was either not in air tight containers or where in clear containers and make them last longer by putting them in this dark jars.  WONDERFULLY HANDY TOO!

I got my bottles at the Massillon Discount Center...you never know what will be there, it is hit or miss.  But they often times have a great selection of tea! 

1070 1st St NE, Massillon, OH 44646
(330) 832-8006

ARGO Hibiscus Tea Sangaria

I like Argo tea.  And as a special treat I have these bottled drinks.  I first had one in the Chicago airport and my second one was in the another Chicago airport.  I was so excited to have it that I way over paid- I think I paid over $5.00 for it- yikes!!!! 

I was excited to find Argo bottled tea at the Massillon Discount Outlet (1070 1st St NE, Massillon, OH 44646  (330) 832-8006).  They were $1.67 a bottle, which is more than I would normally pay for a bottled drink, but I can re-use the bottles to store tea (see another blog for this)  Also, in stores these bottle drinks run almost $2.50....I think you can buy them at some Walgreens and some Walmarts- as well as the Argo Tea Shops

I do save these bottles and reuse them.  I paint them black and I store loose leaf tea in them.  Super handy!

http://www.argoteastore.com/Bottled-Tea-Drinks/b/5647188011?ie=UTF8&title=Bottled+Tea+Drinks

Hibiscus Tea Sangria® Bottled Tea Drink

Ingredients: Fresh-brewed infusion of hibiscus and fruits (water, hibiscus, elderberries, apples, rosehip shells, strawberries, kiwi, raspberries), pure cane sugar, orange juice concentrate, natural flavors.
Serving Size: 8 oz (240 ml)
Servings Per Container: About 2
Amount Per Serving:

• Calories: 50
• Total Fat: 0 grams
• Sodium: 0 milligrams
• Total Carbs: 12 grams / Sugars: 12 grams
• Protein: 0 grams

Birthday spoon!

I gave my friend Marci some tea to try.  As a thank you and a birthday present she made me this spoon!  I love it!  I have since bought the "stamps" to make my own.  How fun as a gift with some tea.  The possibilities are endless.  You could do Kerrie's Kitchen, or Enjoy Tea, or Love You...anything!!!

Marci also made a spoon for a bridal shower.  It said "Spooning since 2014"

Below is a spoon that I had that I hung on my Valentine themed Christmas tree

WONDERFUL MINT TEA, TETLEY AND TRADER JOE'S Organic Mint Melange Tea

My sister served the MOST WONDERFUL mint tea at my nephew's 8th birthday party.  When I asked her about it she said she used two packets of Trader Joes Mint tea and one packet of Tetley tea and a little less than 1/2 a cup sugar.  She made it in her ice tea maker.  It was the closest tea I have EVER had to being like the mint tea that grows in the garden.  Some people in Ohio call it "Ditch Tea".  It was great!!!

http://www.tetleyusa.com/

This mint mélange tea is actually a blend or mixture of peppermint, lemon grass and spearmint, so it is not just a plain mint tea

Si with his tea

look there's Si!  I snapped a photo of him in the window.  Than I went into the store to have my picture taken with the great iced tea drinker. 

 Love me some Si.  He was kind enough to pose with me

He did not have a lot to say, but I was okay with that...

HARNEY & SONS Dragon Pearl Jasmine Tea

Enjoying a relaxing 42nd birthday at my parents house.  I asked for Thai food and elderberry pie.  Boy, can my mom cook!!!!  Since we were having Thai food, I took my Jasmine tea along.  I like Jasmine tea with Asian food.  My nephews thought that the little Jasmine pearls were really cool.  And they are!!  I am amazed that the pearls are HAND ROLLED!!!!  I had not had Harney & Sons Jasmine tea before, but I found it at the Massillon Discount Store Iike so much, and since I love Jasmine tea I bought the tin.           ( 1070 1st St NE Massillon, OH 44646 (330) 832-8006)

 I really enjoyed the flavor of the this tea. It was light and floral and not over powering of "green" tea.

This is a masterpiece from Fuan, China. Beautiful little hand-rolled pearls are gently infused with the floral essences from jasmine flowers. The tea is a delight to look at, and the light-colored brew is full of floral and sweet aromas. Always a delight!

https://www.harney.com/dragon-pearl-jasmine-1.html

Dry Leaves	Small rolled "pearls" of faded green and white leaves. They are very pretty.
Liquor	A light and clear liquor that is tinged a pale yellow.
Aroma	There is no question here: Jasmine and more jasmine!
Caffeine Level	Caffeinated
Body	This is a medium bodied tea.
Flavors	What a wonderful tea! We looked long and hard to find a tea that is both sweet and very floral. Please enjoy it as is, there is no need to alter it all.
Brewing Time	3 minutes
Brewing Temperature	175° F