Gourmia Tea Pot and Ohio Tea Lady Grey

https://www.gourmia.com/item.asp?item=10181

I got this little brewer, it does about one cup at a time, and the pitcher holds about 3 1/2 C.

 From on line- "HEAT RESISTANT DESIGN – Thick Borosilicate Glass Body Provides Double Wall Insulation; Airtight Lid With Silicone Ring Keeps Drinks Hotter [or Colder] Longer"

This pot works nice to brew the tea and then then it filter into the pot.  The downside is that you have to make one pot at a time, the filter at the top does not hold a lot of water.  But, I do like it- I can make tea and add milk and let it sit in the pitcher. ... Also the filter come out.

Ohio Tea sent me some tea that they were thinking about starting to carry.  Lady Grey or Earl Grey Citrus. 

At first I thought the aroma was a little strong, but I let it sit for a little with the bag open and it seemed to be not as strong.

This is a black tea so you want your water to be over 200 degrees.  I decided to try my new tea brewer too.  I took a 1 tsp of tea and I steeped it for 4 minutes.

The steeper is super cool.  You put the tea in the basket and add water.  Let it steep and then press the black button on the rim and the tea drains into the glass pot.  

The steeper container does also lift out.

I added coconut milk into my mug first and then I poured the tea in. 

( I tried to get a picture of the tea in the bottom of the pitcher, but it steamed up too much)

The tea was really good.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  

I enjoyed my tea with English Crumpets too.  I felt very English.

(Trader Joes has very good crumpets)

Earl Grey was interested in my Lady Grey tea...or maybe it was just the mug that looked like him.

Davids Tea, Frozen Raspberry Iced Tea

https://www.davidstea.com/us_en/home/

I was in Columbus on Saturday and really wanted to check out Davids Tea.  It was one of the things I went to Columbus for...but sadly it was Covid Closed.

Lesson learned...during this time of Covid, you will want to check and see if  the business you are wanting to visit it open before you spend the time to driver there.  For me, it was an hour and half drive.  Thankfully, I wanted to see Trader Joes too.

I hope to visit sometime, I hear Davids is like a Teavana store.  And don't we all miss Teavana.  I thought maybe I would have order something on line and see what their tea is all about. 

I went on line to learn a little more about Davids and found they were having a 40% off sale!!!  Perfect timing.  I had some fun buying a few things to try.  Shipping was super fast and free too.

I first tried the Frozen Raspberry Iced Tea.  It comes individually packed loose leaf.

Apple (apple, citric acid), Sugar, Raisins, Hibiscus blossoms, Carrot, Yogurt pieces (skim milk yogurt powder, sugar, maltodextrin, modified starch, citric acid), Beetroot, Artificial (raspberry, strawberry cream) flavouring, Raspberries.

There are all kinds of chunks of goodness in this tea.

I put the tea in an  plain tea bag and then added hot water and 1/3 C sugar.

This tea is really good.  The raspberry notes come through really strong.   I am really intrigued by the ingredients in the tea too- carrots, hibiscus, yogurt, raisins, and beet juice just to name a few.

This tea actually reminded me of kool-aid as a kid.  I can remember taking kool-aid and pouring it into popsicle containers and freezing them.

I like this iced tea and since it brings back fond childhood memories, I am giving it 4 out 5 tea cups!

Porch Light Golden Turmeric Latte, Ankey, Iowa

https://porchlightcoffeehouse.com/

While in Iowa I wanted to find fun new tea places.  This was one of my favorites.  I love the style and vibe that they has going on here.

The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable.  They have lots of seating, so if you want to get work done or meet with friends there is space to do your own thing.

They also have plenty of drink options.  Currently they also have breakfast sandwiches, but it sounds like they may add other food to the menu.

They are attached to a fun gift shop as well.

I ordered the Golden Turmeric Latte, I thought it was very good.  I was pleased with the turmeric ratio to milk. Sometimes one is a lot heavier than the other.  This was a really good blend of both.  I asked if they used honey, she said that they did not, it was just the turmeric blend and milk.  When I normally have it there is honey or maple syrup in it.  I enjoyed it this way, it cut out the super sweetness.  I am a fan.

I would give this latte 4 out of 5 tea cups. 

Starbucks, Iced Passion Tea, Chicago

On my way to Iowa I had a layover in Chicago. 

I was hoping to have some Argo Tea, but it was closed.

But, I did find a Starbucks and got my Iced Passion Tea with half squirts of syrup.  I love this iced tea.  It is my go to iced tea at Starbucks.  The hibiscus notes are perfect and you also get the lemongrass notes that come through too.  I love it!

https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/461/iced?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Ficed-teas%2Ficed-herbal-teas#:~:text=Tango%E2%84%A2%20Tea-,Iced%20Passion%20Tango%E2%84%A2%20Tea,with%20the%20color%20of%20passion.

Ingredients

An Infusion Of [Water, Hibiscus Flowers, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Cinnamon, Apple, Licorice Root, Lemongrass, Fruit Juice Extract], Ice, Liquid Cane Sugar [Water, Turbinado Cane Sugar, Cane Sugar, Natural Flavor, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid]

For lunch I found some Drunken Pad Thai.  It was really good.  I had a three hour layover, so I read my book, drank my tea and enjoyed my Drunken Pad Thai.

I was super excited to find the seat beside me was again free.  All flights coming and going on my trip had free seats beside me.  This is a great time to travel.

Let the vacation begin!!!

Tea-Biotics Blueberry Kombucha

I went on vacation in Iowa.  While there I wanted to find some "local" kombucha.  I found this one at the grocery store, it is made in Kansas- which is a state below and to the west of  Iowa for those who maybe geographically challenged.

Organic Raw Kombucha (Reverse Osmosis Water, Organic Black Tea, Organic Green Tea, Organic cane sugar), Organic Cold Pressed Blueberry Juice, Blueberry extract.

https://tea-biotics.com/kombucha-flavors/

This Kombucha is really tasty.  I enjoyed the blueberry notes.  The flavors mix well together and I don't find it to be too vinegary.  I am a fan.

When I visited the website I saw that there was a taproom in Kansas with Kombucha on tap.  I would love to have a taproom with my tearoom. 

Lisa Bledsoe started this company in 2010.  She started out of her home and as a way to give up soda.  I love that!!! 

I need to find someone who wants to start a taproom and needs me to run it here in Orrville. 

Scooter's, Caramel Apple Iced Chai, Johnston Iowa

https://www.scooterscoffee.com/caramel-apple-chai

From the website. "Traditional chai tea spices of cinnamon, clove, and ginger dance with juicy apple and buttery caramel"

While on vacation on Iowa I was looking to try new tea places. We went to Scooter's.  I ordered the iced Caramel Apple Iced Chai.  It was okay- I could taste the caramel- but I would have like more apple flavor.  It was a creamy more milky then chai tasting.  I do appreciate when a coffee place does try to have a tea drink- so they get points for that.

Cinnabon, Iced Chai, Akron Canton Ohio

Up at 4:45 am to catch a flight to Iowa for vacation.  I decided to pick up breakfast at the airport.

I do enjoy the Cinnabon rolls.  I decided to also try the iced chai.

I would say the iced chai was average.  It was not spicy, I did not detect any notes that I would normally find in a chai.  I like to taste cardamon, ginger, cinnamon, or  Indian flavors.  I was not bad, but neither was it not fantastic.  I would give it a 3 out of 5. 

The nice ting about traveling now- things are even cleaner than before.  I got an email before each flight.  I would say if  you get a chance to fly- do it.  The flights were less expensive right now, the flights were less full- I had an open seat beside me on all flights, also everything is really clean.  This is a great time for a get away,