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So my bestie came over and after lunch I offered tea (of course). She must reduce caffeine so requested something herbal. I made this chamomile tea. I have been drinking a cup almost daily since I too have to keep caffeine to a fraking minimum. Which I’m handling with such grace as you can see. We sipped our tea dutifully and then left to go out. As we walked away, I said, “I hate chamomile tea so much.” Relief and solidarity in her eyes, my friend responded fervently, “I do too!” It was fun to hate it together.

Just finished my sample, I hung onto it as long as possible, thank you Josie Jade! I feel as though Josie Jade has expanded my horizons into the world of tea with flavors and oh, what a delicious world it is! I used to be all like, “straight up, black tea!” And she’s all, “…with caramel? And vanilla?” And now I’m like, “yes, please!” Mistie’s Blend by Carytown Teas is a heavenly blend of all things sweet and scrumptious. I enjoyed it steeped with milk, no sugar or honey, and it had such a natural tasting, lingering sweetness. Sigh! : )

I got this as an anniversary present! A propos, right? Oh my gosh, where to start: first of all, it is so good. Yum. Lots of flavors and nuances going on but all harmonizing gorgeously. You’ve got your sweet, malty, mouth-puckeringness and a little smoke and a little earthiness. Total tea party in one blend. Love!

Assam Golden Tip by Peet’s: one of my new favorites, this tea has a wonderfully bright flavor. The flavor can be best described as the essence of black tea itself: toasty, round and bright.

Irish Breakfast blends have a reputation for being robust and flavorful, and Peet’s Irish Breakfast? Check and check! It has a sweetness and an astringency; a subtle malt and fresh floral flavor; a strength and delicacy. One reason I love tea so much is that there can be so much going on in a single cup, in a single cup.

While I have an appreciation for bitter flavors that are awesome (dark roast coffee, certain teas, wicked dark chocolate, etc), my introduction to Yerba Mate was, “Whoa…too bitter for me.” However, I have such fond memories of my visit to Guayaki in California, I just had to try it again. This time I picked up a box of this cocoa infused blend. I tried it with lots of positive attitude but inner bracing against possible bitterness. OH…my…yumminess! Delicate sweetness, light cocoa and spice flavor, warming and delicious. Frothed with a little milk/non dairy bev. and a touch of honey, this became a latte of cocoa laced with spices; the yerba mate’s earthy and vegetal flavor creating a lovely counterpoint.

I was earl grey-less and then this showed up. Nice! It has that bergamot zest going on, and it also has a sweet blend of black tea that is robust and delicious. I love it.

Happy Easter! I had a cup of this delicious tea today. Perfectly delicious straight up, the currant flavor is enhanced with a drop of honey. The sweet, almost floral flavors of black currant mingle with the nearly citrus flavor of the tea itself, which also has a faint flavor of malty toastiness. Sip by sip, I savored this tea as the steam enveloped my face, fogging my glasses.

I love how Earl Greys are open to interpretation: this one has a bright orange flavor along with a faint base note fragrance of saffron. The black tea blend is light, blending nicely with the citrus flavors. Taja Tea is marketing this as a health promoting tea due to the saffron. Is there enough saffron in each serving to truly have a health benefit? Well, let’s just brew another cup and see!

This was a gift…from me to my husband, but extreme fatigue had me reaching for it in desperation today. Delicious earthy flavor, mild, slightly sweet; the mint is fresh tasting. I added a squeeze of lemon, and a few drops of NuNaturals stevia (for some reason, I love when mint teas are just a little sweet and lemony.) Really tasty! And, I got no jittery, unpleasant feeling, the way I do from coffee. Hmmm, might be reaching into my husband’s guayusa again soon!