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The packaging of the Rishi Pu-erh Ginger is absolutely beautiful. There’s no doubt that the natural brown and black ink print of a flower garden seems to reflect and project its degradable quality and eco-friendliness. The ingredients are also all organic, which just somehow feels good. The flavour… Despite boasting strong spiced ginger, which I find an absolute delight, this blend also contains quite a distinct lemon note, which becomes particularly strong when combined with honey. I’m really not a fan. On the upside, I can totally imagine this being perfect if you had a really snotty head cold. The ginger would open your sinuses, the lemon (and honey should you add it) would sooth your throat and the deep earthy tea serving to relax.

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I’ve searched for this. I needed this. I loved this. Hunky Dory was just amazing, genuinely providing the kick I wanted from a ginger tea, with a lovely sweet mellow back drop. It actually felt good to drink it, feeling like a bit of a cleanse and it’s packed with antioxidants. With the taste test passed, I would say the only blip I can see with this product is the name. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fun and bubbly name, but it just doesn’t seem to reflect the blends vigorous nature. That’s the best criticism for this tea I could come up with… Guess that makes this tea damn near perfect.

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A WEEK OF USE
I started using Lavender Luxe by working it into my night-time skin care routine. Normally, I would use big brand products, but having acne, eczema and combination skin, I’ve recently decided to make a move towards natural products. My current routine includes using a home ground coffee exfoliator, a DIY green tea cleanser and a light layer of coconut oil or cocoa butter. The products by Nature Whip really complement this kind of routine, as they contain natural ingredients.

Day 1: After cleaning my face of the accumulation of city grub, I replaced my usual moisturiser with Lavender Luxe, adding a light layer all over my face, with a little extra under one eye that had some dry skin. I also rubbed some into the dry skin on my legs, arms and hands. It seems, as with pure coconut oil, that a little goes a long way. The signature smell made this perfect as a night cream to help calm the mind, as lavender is a natural relaxant. After my hours of beauty sleep, I awoke to the softest skin I have EVER had! The effect even seemed to last all day.

Day 3: Results! The dry patch under my eye is gone! My skin is still incredibly soft and it seems the product isn’t flaring up my eczema. I’ve used the Matcha Manderin under my make-up to keep my skin moisturised throughout the day and it doesn’t seem to make me look oily, which is perfect. Just remember not to use lots! I also rubbed a little in my hair last night, from root to tip, but have found this isn’t as effective as coconut oil for softening the hair.

Day 5: Today I rubbed a little through the ends of my hair and styled. Unfortunately, I found that it made the ends of my hair look wet, so is not something I would repeat. I also used this as a pre and post shave balm, which isn’t a routine I usually undertake, but thought I would try it, as it’s one of the suggested uses. Whilst, I found it annoying as a pre balm, as it clogged up my razor, it was perfect and a post balm, extending the new found smoothness of my skin and soothing it.

Day 7: Still using this in my facial routine every night and on the driest of patches on the rest of my body, I’ve found my face to be silky soft, but not excessively moisturised. Amazingly I still have tons left in the pot.

FInAL THOUGHTS
I really liked the classic apothecary feel to the packaging, being retained in a little dark brown glass jar. Whilst the label style gave it a homemade kitch feel, it took away from my initial impression of the product, making it look a little amateur. However, having used the product, it just proves that first impressions DON’T count. The Nature Whip products are genuinely luxurious and makes your skin feel the same. It served to clear general dry skin and made my skin incredibly soft. I’m not just talking soft, I mean silky soft, I mean new PJ’s soft. It didn’t make my eczema patches better, but definitely didn’t flare them up either, so for me that’s a win! Whilst all 3 products smell lovely the Mandarin was my favourite, as the fruity flavours made it feel fun and wearable during the day. I feel like this product is fairly priced, as long as your using it as a daily facial cream, but is perhaps a bit pricey for all over body lotion, especially for someone with problem dry skin, considering it’s a 30ml pot.

FLAVOUR: Taken black and steeped at the recommended 3-4 minutes, Dorset Brew produces a strong, dark cup, with a bitter tobacco profile, a standard breakfast tea flavour. Perfect for those who love a strong black tea in the morning or throughout the day. I found this to be a bit too harsh for my own taste, the musty tobacco being devoured into the bitter citric notes the further through the cup you venture. To match my preference, I steeped this for 2 minutes to create a black tea that is lightly woody, almost floral, with a gentler tobacco profile.

EMBELLISHMENTS: As with many black teas, Dorset Brew is completely compatible with milk and sugar, creating a traditional all day British brew, strong and distinguished, yet smooth. Delightfully, the leaves of Dorset Brew can withstand multiple steeping’s, I used mine about 3 times. As mentioned, the first brew can be a little bitter, so if this isn’t your kind of cup, try steeping for less than the recommended 4 minutes. Each steep lets the flavour retreat into a lighter bodied tea, producing a delicious malty biscuit flavour. In keeping with the values of a good British cuppa, add a dash of sugar just to sweeten up the cup.

FINAL THOUGHTS: My favourite part of Dorset Brew was definitely the leaves, which are really pretty with light flacks of tea. As a former Dorsetonian (a term coined by The Gilded Teapot), having lived in Dorset for about 8 years prior to re-locating to London, I felt a kinship with Dorset Brew. I really wanted to enjoy this blend, but I just didn’t get on with the heavy, strong flavours when brewed for 3-4 minutes. This doesn’t mean to say that this isn’t a good blend. It’s inclusion of some classic breakfast teas could actually make this the ultimate breakfast blend, particularly for those who prefer a strong start to the day. I just much prefer a tea with that has is more gentle bodied , so really preferred Dorset Brew when I didn’t steep it for as long.

I was excited as this blend includes mint (a fav), however, Tummy Rub also contains fennel, liquorice and chamomile, none of which I am particularly fond of. In fact I usually avoid them, so this made me incredibly apprehensive. In the first sip all I felt was bewilderment. This was nothing like the flavours I dreaded. The fennel is light, the liquorice is insanely sweet and the chamomile combines with mint to provide a calming demeanour. In an unexpected turn, the flavours combine flawlessly creating a blend I actually really loved!

I enjoyed this: After an evening meal. I crave sugar constantly, so this surprisingly sweet herbal mix helped beat the pudding pangs after dinner.

Having already had the pleasure of sampling the Baraka tea collection, I was accustomed to the brand and the fact they source and visit the plantations from which they stock their quality single estate teas. Malawi Peony is a revered white tea, with light floral and pine notes, making a great choice to help anyone start exploring the world of white!

I enjoyed this: Pre-lunch. I’m a foodie and live to fill my face, so before I’m even done with breakfast I’m already thinking about what I’m eating next. However, my work is mostly sedentary, so I’m constantly seeking ways to cure my cravings. This white tea is flavoursome enough to provide some sensory delight, but light enough not to fill you up just before lunch.

APremium peppermint leaves grown in Washington State. Loose peppermint tea provides a cooling refreshing flavour that is both caffeine and calorie free. The properties make it ideal for awakening or relaxing, drinking hot and cold, alone or in a cocktail. It’s a totally diverse drink!

I enjoyed this: As a late night beverage. Mint tea before bed is one of my favourite drinks, the olfactory outputs help calm and relax, ready for bed.

T-Tox is aimed at the health and wellness market and holds a belief that tea is an ideal way to reap the benefits of herbs. Couldn’t agree more. I like this brand already! Yoga Tea is an infusion of white tea, lemon grass, ginger, rose petals and nettles, formulated to stimulate and provide energy. Although the tasting notes suggest this is a light and subtle tea, I found the ginger and lemongrass to provide punchy notes, helping me to feel fully revitalised.

I enjoyed this: As a Sunday pick me up. Sunday is my lazy day. I avoid doing anything that means I have to leave the house. This blend helped to perk me up, giving me a little extra energy and motivation.

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I enjoyed this: Friday mornings. I have a weekly Friday meeting that starts first thing, so I get up extra early. Despite not liking actual coffee, the similarity in essence was the perfect kick in the morning.

A brand established by two university friends, who have a love for creating loose leaf blends and tea infused chocolate. Sounds tasty! This blend in particular uses Taiwanese oolong, orange peel and natural flavouring. It smells fantastic and rather than carrying a crisp citric note, Orange Blossom tastes like a creamy chocolate orange. It tastes good, but I was a little disappointed that the orange flavours completely overpowered all of the mild oolong notes. A bit of a shame for me personally, however blends like this can be a good way to introduce people to less common teas, such as oolong.
I enjoyed this: Saturday morning, in bed, with buttered toast, just as the tasting card suggested, they paired amazingly!