Trader Joe's Spiced Chai Tea

At work we are given the day off for our birthdays.  The past few years I have been spending it with my sister Jill.  I joked this year I was going to wear this crown.  I then decided to leave it behind, and go crown less.  I think Jill was glad.  The weather was supposed to be nice, but it was really snowy.  Thankfully Jill is the brave driver of the two of us.  And bless her she drove us all around in the snow.  We went to one of my absolutely favorite places- TRADER JOES!!!  We need a Trader Joe closer to us.  It takes us an hour to get there.

http://www.traderjoes.com/

This is the closest store to me:

Trader Joe's Westlake (677)

175 Market St
Westlake, OH 44145
440-250-1592

Trader Joe's Spiced Chai takes its cue from masala chai, a lively blend of black tea and warm spices. It's a carefully crafted combination of strong black tea from India's Assam valley, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, star anise, black pepper, nutmeg, roasted chicory and vanilla bean. The blend is folded into tea bags, making chai prep simpler than ever. Carefully pour boiling water over one tea bag and steep for three to five minutes - we've found this to be the ideal time to achieve the perfect balance of tea-to-spice flavors, but you may want to adjust your steeping time to suit your tastes. Keep it simple and drink it straight, or go for a traditional Masala Chai profile by adding milk and a bit of sugar to your brewed tea.

I enjoyed this Chai with almond milk and sugar.  Again Chai is the only tea I add sugar too.  I think it is a requirement to add sugar and milk to chai.  This chai was very good.

We're selling Spiced Chai in a box of 20 tea bags for $1.99 - that's only about 20 cents a cup! You'll find it in our coffee & tea section.

This bottled tea was very good too.

tea candle

A fun find at Audrey's Attic.  I think it is to be coffee, but I like to think of it as Chai!   It is so cute I hate to burn it. 

https://www.shopaudreysattic.com/

147 N Main St, Orrville, OH 44667
(330) 683-3384

Lipton Peach Iced Tea...in the states

Lipton® Peach Iced Tea is perfectly infused with our unique blend of real tea and just the right amount of sweetness for a delicious taste that refreshes your body and mind. Enjoy the taste of sunshine from Lipton® Iced Tea!

Disappointed in this tea...it DOES NOT taste like the Lipton peach tea that is in Europe.  I first discovered Lipton peach tea in Europe in 1997.  Then when I was in Munich in 2012 I had it again and it was still just as wonderful as I remembered it.  Then this past year, November 2013, I had Lipton peach tea in the Paris airport and again I wished I could find it in the states...you may even remember the blog I did about wanting the same tea here in the states.

Well, I was shopping the other day and I ran across this Lipton peach tea for $2.99.  I knew I had to try it.  Bud sadly it was not the same.  It was too arftifiical tasting.  I found I did like it better when I did 1/2 to 3/4 of tea to water.  I will keep waiting for the USA to carry the European Lipton peach ice tea...because there is a difference!

http://www.liptontea.com/?gclid=CI7A17_zo70CFfFFMgodPUwA7Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

my desk...

 

 

This is the way my desk looks most days...a glass of water, glass of  iced tea, cup of hot tea, and 2-3 other tea choices for later on in the day.

A like variety!!!!

MIGHTY LEAF Rooibos Renewal



I purchased these tea in a sampler pack- a nice way to try a variety of teas without committing to a large amount of tea.  I liked this tea.  The Rooibos flavor was very subtle.  I would recommend this tea.

Ingredients
Green rooibos, flavors, orange peels, rose petals, blue mallow flowers

Character

Leaves
Green Rooibos, natural flavors, blue mallow flowers, rose petals, orange peel

Aroma
Fruity with honey tones

Color
Amber

Taste
Fruity with honey tones

Rooibos Renewal rooibos tea is a mineral rich herbal tea blend comprised of Rooibos, also known as Red Tea, from South Africa. Rooibos combined with Vitamin C-rich orange peels and flowers yields a calming, nurturing blend culminating in a gentle mélange of citrus and honey tones.  Rooibos is naturally caffeine free

http://www.mightyleaf.com/

Brew
Preparing the perfect cup of tea is a process to be savored. Watch how the traditional elements harmoniously come together to make the perfect cup and enjoy the liberation of pure tea goodness.

This is what we call the Mighty Leaf signature multi-sensory ("sensory melange") tea experience. Come share with us and learn how to get infused.

Hot and iced tea brewing instructions are listed below.

Hot Tea ::

Water
The quality of tea is affected by the quality of water used to prepare it. Using filtered or bottled water is best. If possible, avoid brewing tea with tap, distilled or mineral water. Never over-boil water, as it results in flat-tasting tea.

Fire
1) Heat filtered or bottled water to a rolling boil or to 205 F. 2) While the water is heating pour hot water into your teapot and cups, let sit and then drain completely. A warm teapot will maintain the requisite temperature for superior tasting tea.

Whole Leaf Tea
Prepare Mighty Leaf teas using a teapot, paper tea sachet, infuser or traditional brewing methods. Use one rounded tablespoon of loose herbs and fruit per 12 ounces or cup of water.

Infusion Time
Pour boiling water over tea leaves. Keep teapot covered to retain heat. Time steeping carefully and infuse for 5 - 7 minutes.

Savor the Leaf
Sip your cup and rediscover the pleasure of the way tea was naturally meant to be. This is the magic of Mighty Leaf.


Iced Tea ::

A stronger brew is required for iced tea than for hot tea because of ice's dilution action. Prepare a tea concetrate as follows:

Single Serving
For a single serving, prepare as for hot tea, use one rounded tablespoon of loose tea per 12 ounces of water and after brewing pour over ice.

Large Serving
1. For a larger serving, prepare a iced tea concentrate by bringing one quart of cold water to a rolling boil in a tea kettle.

2. Remove from heat and add 8-10 teaspoons per quart of brewed tea.

3. Steep 5 - 7 minutes or to desired strength.

4. To serve immediately, pour over ice in a tall glass, or add another quart of cold water to the concentrate and chill in refrigerator.

YAMA MOTO YAMA Iced Green Tea

http://www.yamamotoyama.com/

The tea comes powered in packets, so you can make one 8oz drink or an entire pitcher.  We made the entire pitcher.  But do notice it says it is only good for 12 hours!!!

I made this tea at work and 6 people gave responses.  5 said it tasted like water, and had not real flavor.  1 said she liked it and took home a packet to try to make the smoothie recipe.  I liked that there was no strong green tea flavor, and I do agree that it would be great mixed with other things, because you really would not notice that it was there.

Argo White Peach

WOW, I love this tea!!!  Now you have to remember since it is a white tea that it should only be steeped about 2 minutes.  I think I steeped it about a minute and a half.  The flavor is delicate and true.  I really was not prepared to enjoy this tea, especially because Dawn said she did not care for it.  Also, I have a hard time finding a peach tea that I think has good peach flavor.  But, this is a winner!!!!

http://www.argoteastore.com/White-Peach-Loose-Leaf-Tea/dp/B00F6C7TBK

White Peach Loose Leaf Tea - 4.3oz

Product Details

Delicate white tea combined with fragrant peaches

• Net Wt 4.3oz - packed in a recycled glass bottle
• Makes 51 servings
• All natural white tea
• Premium loose leaf tea

Price:  $16.95

 

A note about white tea:

White tea is made from immature tea leaves that are picked shortly before the buds have fully opened. The tea takes its name from the silver fuzz that still covers the buds, which turns white when the tea is dried. The exact proportion of buds to leaves varies depending on the variety of white tea. For example, White Peony contains one bud for every two leaves, while Silver Needles, the creme de la creme of white teas, is made entirely from downy buds picked within a two day period in early Spring.

Tea leaves destined to be sold as white tea undergo even less processing than green tea leaves. Instead of air-drying, the unwithered leaves are merely steamed.

The result? A pale tea with a sweet, silky flavor. People who have tried both note that white tea lacks the "grassy" aftertaste so often associated with green tea. Furthermore, studies indicate that white tea is better for you. Leaving tea leaves so close to their natural state means that white tea contains more polyphenols, the powerful anti-oxidant that fights and kills cancer-causing cells, than any other type of tea.

Test the water temperature. Before adding the boiled water to the white tea, it should be no more than 158ºF to 167ºF (70ºC to 75ºC) or 160-170ºF (71-77ºC) at the most. If the water is too hot, the tea will be scalded, causing it to become bitter and astringent

Also do not be fooled into thinking that white tea has little caffine.  Check the label, it can depend where it is harvested.  This is true for white tea from Fujian, China, because white tea from this region is from a tea plant that is naturally low in caffeine. However, white tea from other places is not necessarily low in caffeine. In fact, one tea and caffeine study showed that Indian tea can be even higher in caffeine than Ceylon black tea! While white tea from Fujian may contain as little as six to 25 mg of caffeine per cup, other white teas may be closer to 60 mg per cup. Similarly, the claims that white tea is especially high in antioxidants relate to a study on white tea from Fujian, and may not apply to other types of white tea

Massillon Discount Outlet for tea!

check out all the great teas!!!!  I love this place

Almost always there is a great variety of tea.  Check out all the ones that were here last night.  Seriously, if you want to try a variety of teas and not pay a lot, this is the place to come!!!!

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

TRADITIONAL MEDICINALS Organice Speamint tea & PICKWICK Forest Fruit Iced Tea

Making my own iced tea...I love to experiment with the flavors.

http://www.pickwicktea.com/INTL/Products/

Pickwick is a brand with an impressive history. Since 1753, Pickwick has become a strong, international tea brand. A tasteful brand that offers pure and natural products to enjoy at any moment of the day. Across the world, millions of people daily enjoy one of the different and delicious Pickwick tea blends. In this section you will find out more about the brand behind the tea.

http://traditionalmedicinals.com/products/spearmint/

Personality
Lively, lovely and delightful.
Herbal Power
Aromatic and sweetly minty, spearmint is widely used as a refreshing beverage.
Reason to Love
We like to think of spearmint as the fun-loving, slightly less intense cousin of peppermint. In fact, spearmint and peppermint are so closely related, and look so much alike, they’re often confused for one another. Soft and sweet, with that characteristic minty zing, spearmint is so named because of its pointy, spear-like leaves. Milder than peppermint, it is still aromatic and refreshing. We love it for its distinctly spearminty, mildly sweet flavor.
Taste
Fragrant, sweet and minty

I get these teas at AMAZING Prices from the Massillon Discount Center

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

This was a really good combination.... but I think anything with this spearmint would be good. This tea has wonderful flavor. The fruit is not as strong, so if you want a stronger fruit flavor I might suggest going 2 fruit tea bags of each, instead of 3spearmint to 1 fruit. 

HARNEY & SONS Bangkok (Green Tea with Thai Flowers)

 I first had this tea in Oregon, when visiting my sister.  I thought it was really good and I purchased some loose leaf tea that day.  It was called Bangkok.  Then out one day at Target I thought this sounded good too, so I purchased it.  I have come to discover that Bangkok and Green Tea with Thai Flowers are the SAME TEA!!!!
I have read that some people make this tea cold, I wonder if using a coconut milk and making it could would be good.  I may have to try that next!!!

https://www.harney.com/bangkok.html

Dry Leaves	Lighter colored lemongrass is visible amongst the green tea leaves
Liquor	Bright yellow with slightly brown hues.
Aroma	The aroma of this tea is a tropical mélange, including ginger and vanilla.
Caffeine Level	Caffeinated
Body	This flavored green tea has a moderate to light body.
Flavors	has a mixture of coconut, lemongrass, ginger, and vanilla flavors.
Brewing Time	2 to 3 minutes
Brewing Temperature	175°

same tea....just loose leaf

Our Review Bangkok

Many of the blends used in our flavored green teas are what might be considered sweet, as in a dessert. So, Mike wanted to do a tea that was more “savory.” Being a big fan of Thailand, he decided to lean on the flavors found in many Thai dishes (at least in the States), and that is what we have blended into the green tea: ginger for spice, lemongrass for some citrus flavors, and coconut for creaminess. It all comes together into a lovely tea. With our importation of coconut water, we get over to Bangkok at least once a year, and it is an amazing city. This confirms our opinion of choosing to honor the city and the cuisine of Thailand.

Our Review of Green Tea with Thai Flowers

Many of the blends used in our flavored green teas are what might be considered sweet as in a dessert. So, Mike wanted to do a tea that was more “savory.” Being a big fan of Thailand, he decided to lean on the flavors found in many Thai dishes (at least in the States.) And that is what we have blended into the green tea: ginger for spice, lemongrass for some citrus flavors, and coconut for creaminess. It all comes together into a lovely tea.

VITAMIN BURST, Acai Berry

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

I went to the Massillon Discount Outlet and my mom tried the Keurgic Vitamin Burst iced tea

http://www.vitaminburst.com/

Acai Berry

A delicious combination of powerful superfruit and luscious berries creates a refreshing fruit brew high in antioxidant Vitamin C.

she made it at home tonight and she really loved it.  Me, I took one sip and knew it had stevia in it.
I am not a fan of the after taste... but glad mom liked it!

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