Kerikeri Organic Tea

I wouldn’t have picked this combination to work, but it really does! The spearmint shines through, with the manuka giving it a medium body with an underlying sweetness.
Both a refreshing and comforting cup, kind of like jumping in a swimming pool and getting hugged in a blanket.

This honeybush chai was quite a delight; smooth, sweet with a hint of peppery cinnamon. The addition of horopito pepper puts a kiwi twist on the usual blend of chai spices too, I really wish more NZ tea companies would use native plants.
And normally I love any excuse for a milky tea, but I ended up drinking this plain because I was too impatient to let brew it any longer. Though I do imagine it would be lovely with milk if you doubled the steeping time.
I might even prefer this over the rooibos Red Baron Chai… perhaps this can be Honeybush Viscount Chai?

Malty, mellow and smooth – and that is before adding any milk! I don’t find this tea particularily strong, certainly not the strength needed for a good ass-kicking at 9am on the first day back at work after a disjointed 3 day weekend. Adding milk (trim of course) lessens the strength but brings out a hint of that delightful honey taste found in my favourite Assams. More of a late morning or early afternoon tea really… Bay Of Islands Brunch?

I’ve been a fan of Kerikeri’s earl grey for a while, but only recently found a stockist handy to me – Esquires coffee shops of all places! Its basically a cruddy NZ version of Starbucks, so I’m amazed that you are able to buy decent loose leaf from them.
I picked up an EPIC size cup of this earlier and drank it black – its definitely my favourite earl grey after Excelsior! Really smooth and light, with a good citrusy bergamot kick. I can’t wait to try their other blends :D