Jenniferkovacs

I am more than partial to Chai blends and when I saw this new creation I knew it would be a winner. The initial dry leaves have a wonderful crisp and creamy lemon scent with the aromatic spice blend in the background. Once brewed, the Chai spice is at the forefront with an incredible creamy lemon finish at the back of the palate. The pairing of the savory, spicy Chai against the bright lemon flavor works incredibly well and makes for an indulgent cup. With every sip the flavors seemed to bloom and develop even more layers came through. It’s fortunate that I snapped up a few pouches of this one when it came out as I am already half way through my first pouch. :) In short, if you are a fan of Chai or spice teas you then you can’t go wrong with this tea.

I have to confess that I ordered this tea hoping it would be like drinking pecan pie – and it SO is! The moment I opened this tea I was immediately taken aback at how wonderful the dried leaf smelled. Once brewed the flavor held true to its name and then some. I have become quickly addicted to this blend and gone through so much that I had to order an additional batch for fear of being without it. In short, if you even slightly enjoy maple and/or pecan pie you will be in heaven.

I received a sample of this tea from a recent order and I was beyond impressed. The dry leaf has a wonderfully sweet honey almost caramel scent that sets the stage. Once brewed this sweet base acts to enhance watermelon flavor and is a perfect pairing. As the tea cooled the more subtle floral notes and the sweet watermelon flavor and scent really blossomed. Overall this tea really shines and was best just slightly warmer than room temperature. I don’t add any sweetener to my teas as a rule and I found that there was no need to do so here. This is tea is definitely worth trying and I can only imagine how wonderful this would be iced.

Another delicious tea from 52teas. I found the blend of green teas used is what set this tea apart. The full bodied Young Hyson is balanced by the subtle sweetness from the Yun Wu which is paired perfectly with the slight plum notes from the Chun Mee. This combination of green teas would have made an outstanding tea all on their own but the addition of the citrus notes really makes a nice spring time tea. I have only tried this one brewed hot but I can imagine that it would make for a refreshing iced tea.

I can’t say I have had the pleasure of trying this interesting hybrid fruit but it doesn’t take away from this unique blend. The strawberry flavor was at the forefront with a juicy pineapple and marshmallow finish. Using both the pineapple and honeybush base was a very clever move as it gave just the right level of sweetness and avoided any tartness that I find too often with strawberry teas. As I was enjoying this blend I kept thinking this flavor reminded me of something and then it hit me – Strawberry Peeps! This tea has all the flavor of these addictive little guys but NONE of the calories or guilt. :)

This is a perfect tea for this time of year. The moment I opened this tea I was instantly hit with a strong refreshing peach scent. Once brewed I found that the peach flavor continued to be the dominate flavor however at the back of the palate a sweet plum note came through as well. I tried my first cup hot which was absolutely scrumptious but given the blend and recent nice weather I HAD to try this over ice. In doing so I found that the overall flavor profile changed so that some of the more subtle notes in the background came through and were not as overshadowed by the peach when enjoyed hot. All in all, this is a delightful refreshing tea.

I missed this tea on its initial release and was happy I got my hands on some added stock. Typically I am not one to fond over Rooibos teas as I find that they have a woodsy aftertaste however this tea uses a green rooibos which doesn’t tend to have this aftertaste and has more of a fruity note. This makes for a perfect canvas with this blend of lush raspberries and bergamont. A fresh natural flavor of raspberry is at the forefront of this blend which is followed by the smooth bergamont and citrus finish. I just received this today and have only tried it brewed hot but I have feeling this would be wonderful over ice – and can’t wait to try it.

With the recent return of Doctor Who I thought it was a perfect time to get around to rating this blend. While I can’t say I have ever tried or even heard of buttered toffee caramel corn (whatever it may be) but it makes for one tasty tea! The dried tea leaves have a smooth buttery, sweet scent that makes your mouth water. Once brewed the flavors further develop and the use of a black tea base adds a smart balance to ensure that the blend isn’t overly sweet or too buttery. I am not sure how Frank does it, but I was very pleased by the lack of any lingering aftertaste on the palate even though there was artificial flavoring used. As noted, I steeped this on the lower side as it’s a personal preference when it comes to black teas but works especially well in this case since all the flavors could really shine through.

I have never tried pistachio ice cream but the combination of flavors intrigued me as I am a fan of Toasted Walnut by DavidsTea. The dried tea leaves have a wonderful creamy and nutty scent that sets the stage perfectly. Fitting to the name, pistachio is the dominant flavor which is supported by the clever use of Mao Jian green tea which adds a light creaminess and has very pleasant taste on the palate. There is also a smooth milkiness to the blend as the tea cools and the flavors continue to blossom. For this blend I found it was key not to steep longer than the recommendation as it disrupts the balance of flavors – which I tend to do since I like my tea strong. In the end, Pistachio Ice Cream surpassed Toasted Walnut and will be soon replacing it in my tea cupboard.

This is another fantastic Oolong blend from DavidsTea! The use of Pao Zhong oolong is a clever choice as its lightly fermented which adds a light floral backdrop to the coconut flavor. This also allowed the coconut to really come through while offering some unique and subtle notes to the brew. The coconut flavoring does come through as mostly natural with only a slight artificial taste on the palate on the first steep. As with any Oolong tea this blend really blossoms on the 3rd and 4th steeps as the flavors meld together perfectly with a smooth velvety finish.

Generally speaking I haven’t encountered a Peach flavored tea I liked … until now. True to 52Teas high standards, this tea has a perfect balance of sweet peach flavor that is paired wonderfully with a spicy backdrop of Cardamom that is pulled together by a Chinese sencha base. The is peach flavoring is a natural one which I adore since I find the artificial stuff simply awful. The genius to this tea is the Cardamom and Chinese sencha pairing as it reminded me of my favorite childhood treat of Szilvásgombóc (for non eastern Europeans it’s basically a dessert dumpling) with a mature twist. As the Cardamom is a predominate flavor you do have to appreciate and enjoy this spice otherwise this won’t be the tea for you – BUT if you are a fan, then you are in for a treat.

When I saw this tea I just HAD to try it – and I wasn’t disappointed. The dry leaf has a very strong cinnamon scent however this is misleading as once brewed it adds just the right flavor to the blend. Once brewed the smell and flavoring are spot on for me but I did find it a bit on the sweet side. According to the ingredients the only sweetener seems to be the raisins so perhaps this is just my taste buds since I don’t tend to consume much sugar (or other sweeteners). With this said, it is a VERY tasty blend that’s true to its name. Now only if someone would come out with a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie tea … :D

Overall this is a very surprising mint blend. Normally a sencha base would turn me away however it really pairs well with these flavors. I found that the peppermint and spearmint combined really nicely with spearmint being at the forefront of the mix. I really enjoyed this as most mint teas are peppermint based which made this one stand out from the rest of the pack. The little touch of vanilla flavoring is just there in the background to add a smooth finish which I believe cuts the bitterness of the sencha as well as the mint. As the tea cools the vanilla flavoring does become more pronounced which is tempting me to try this one iced once its warmer outside. :) All in all, if you enjoy mint teas this is a MUST have for your cupboard.

After much anticipation I finally got my hands on this cherished blend! After going through some trail and error I finally found the ideal steep time that would bring out the crisp blueberry flavor along with the subtle creamy notes without being overwhelmed by the strong black tea base. Once I found this marker I could truly appreciate this tea. What I enjoyed most about this tea was the natural blueberry flavor that was used as I find artificial flavoring often spoils what could have been a great tea. Overall given the strong black tea base this makes for a great morning brew but this also is a drawback for me since it quickly overtakes the blend.

Both the dry and brewed aroma of this tea is heavenly. Although this tea lists black tea as part of the base I don’t get a significant aroma or taste – which is fine by me! The blueberry and crumble flavors are in perfect balance and one doesn’t overpower the other allowing for a truly delectable dessert tea. I am not one to add sweetener to my teas however the sprinkles add a good level of sweetness without being overly sugar laden. Overall, the flavor profile replicates it’s namesake to a tea! ;)

This has to be one of the more unique green teas I have had the pleasure of drinking. It has a nice smooth, creamy egg flavor that is brought out by the green tea base that lends a perfect buttery taste to the mix. This blend is very reminiscent of Milk Oolong but has depth and character all its own. I enjoyed this one without any sweetener or milk and it was simply fantastic. For those who are so inclined, I am sure adding a bit of sweetness or diary to the mix would only further enhance the flavor profile. Overall, a unique and tasty find!

I was absolutely blow away by how fragrant this tea is both brewed and the dry tea leafs. When it arrived I had to literally pry it from my husbands hands … and he is not even a tea drinker! Once brewed the blend tastes exactly like marshmallow treats BUT is not sickly sweet like the actual treat itself. I only recently discovered 52teas so this is the first time I have had the pleasure of trying this one – and it lives up to the high praise. My only knock against this blend is that its all gone! :( Frank, this is tea is AMAZING and I standby my promise to buy 2lbs if you ever blend anymore. (…please do)

Just when I think that Frank couldn’t come out with a better blend he comes out with this delight! S’mores Genmaicha is exactly what you hope it would be based on the name. A delicious blend of chocolate, marshmallow root and a roasted warmth from both the Genmaicha and lapsang souchoung. Being lactose intolerant I am thrilled with the use of cacao nibs rather than bits of chocolate! This also works perfectly to add a good subtle chocolate flavor without (in my opinion) ruining the tea with added unnecessary sugar. This has officially become one of my favorites and is a must try!

Not being a huge fan of black tea blends I was hesitant to try this one at first but given my recent experience with some awesome blends from 52teas I was feeling brave. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed and found that this was a nice refreshing break from all the spice based teas I have been enjoying lately – not that there is anything wrong with spice teas. :) Personally I found that the mango flavor really shone thru and I could not help but be reminded of one of my favorite Oolong blends also from DavidsTea – Happy Kombucha. This blend is sweeter (even without sweetener) which works wonderfully given the stronger black tea base. The pomegranate flavor has a presence as well but is more of a supporting flavor that you end up saying, “there is something else in this blend – oh right its pomegranate!” So in a nutshell, if you like mango, you will like this tea. If you like Happy Kombucha, you will LOVE this tea.

Coco Lemon Thai where have you been all my life! I am the first to admit that white teas don’t typically grab me but this is that rare exception. A creamy lemon flavor is at the forefront of this blend which is enhanced by the spicy ginger that comes through in the after notes. The coconut has a strong, but not over powering presence. It also adds another layer of creaminess that bridges the lemony tartness and wonderful heat from the ginger perfectly. This one has quickly become my new addiction … already half way through the tin – and loving every moment of it!

The fragrance of this blend both dry leaf and brewed is extraordinary! There is a strong cola flavoring which is paired nicely with refreshing lime. I am not one to add sweetener to my teas and found that there is absolutely no need to do so here. Once more Frank has impressed me with his ability to create a perfectly balanced blend and has given me renewed appreciation for black teas. I don’t drink so I can’t say how close this is to the actual drink its named for … but does it really matter if it tastes this good? ;)

I was counting the days until this little gem arrived in my mailbox. Thus far I have been very impressed with 52teas blends that I have tried and with this being my first Oolong blend the bar was set pretty high. Once more, Frank did not disappoint. The Ti Kwan Yin base lends a wonderfully sweet, earthy, floral essence which is only enhanced but the tartness of the cranberries. The initial steep is excellent however I found this tea really shines in subsequent steeps. The flavors develop extra depth and intertwine to perfection! Even if you are not a fan of Oolong tea this is one is worth trying – unless I end up cleaning Frank out (… which I may very well do – yeah, I am THAT person)

This is another 52teas blend that took me by surprise. When I first received this blend I was hesitant as I was expecting the typical artificial raspberry flavoring you often get with tea blends – but I should have known Frank has higher standards than most. The dry leaves have a delicate creamy scent which simply brings out the nice fresh raspberry in this blend. The raspberry is a nice tart natural flavor which is supported nicely by both the black tea base and cream-like notes in the background. I am a straight tea drinker and was surprised how lovely this tea was hot but even more impressed with the flavor profile when it was at room temperature/cold. I am not typically one to try black teas cold or cool but due to a combined hectic day at the office and a desperate end of day caffeine fix I decided to down the half cup of cold tea on my desk – and I have to admit this is one tea best enjoyed cold.

For a black tea blend this is very tasty. Black tea is not my tea of choice mostly due to the caffeine content but this is worth the indulgence. In line with the name, the predominate flavor is a nice roasted almond flavor with the chocolate and coconut in the background. I did find lowering the steep time for a typical black tea did allow for a greater balance of flavors even when enjoyed straight. Overall, this makes a nice dessert tea without being overly artificial or sweet.