Grandma's Pumpkin Pie

I can’t seem to get ahead on my things to do list, but I feel I need to take a quick break for Steepster, as I’m trying this tea for the first time today.

I got this as part of my Fall try me kit. The smell and taste of this tea is a lovely pumpkin spice experience. It emanates coziness that I associate with Fall baking, and the taste is accurate to my expectations of a tea named “Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie”. I got 2 solid steeps out of the tea, the first one having a nice balance between the black tea and the spices. The second steep having less intense flavors, but it’s still an enjoyable cup.

Sadly, I have to minimize the number of black teas I buy (as I am extremely caffeine sensitive), so this will be an occasional buy rather than a cupboard staple for me. I’m glad companies like Della Terra offer these sample size options, so I still have a chance to occasionally try teas that are unsuitable for me in larger quantities.

I received this one as a surprise second batch of samples from Della Terra Teas in their snazzy new packaging. The new pouches are a thicker black plastic which eliminate the smell contamination I experienced with the old ones. Thumbs up!

Unfortunately, one of my picky tea tastes is that I don’t like pumpkin. Actually, i don’t like pumpkin ever. I will carve it for jack o lanterns, but that’s about it. No pie, no seeds, nadda! So, I got the beau to drink it, and the following is his review:

“The tea was good, it is much better then the David’s tea pumpkin chai! The cinnamon was subtle so it did not overpower and it actually tasted like pumpkin pie. I only steeped it for like four mins for fear of over powering cinnamon so it was a little weak in flavour but the next time I think I will steep it a little longer to see if the taste is stronger and/or better. I would give it a 88 out of 100 and I boiled the water for it since it is black.”

There you have it, folks!

This reminds me a lot of Pumpkin Chai, except that I can taste pumpkin without sweetening the tea.

It doesn’t completely remind me of pumpkin pie, but that’s okay. I’m not a fan of pumpkin pie. Give me pumpkin cheesecake!

Pumpkin it indeed is though, and the pumpkin sprinkles are an adorable touch. If you’ve had DavidTeas’s Pumpkin Chai, this is verrrry much like it but so much better. I’m not even worried about getting some of it now because this is far more enjoyable to me. I only really like that tea with milk and brown sugar. This one doesn’t even need anything, and it tastes just like the flavor I get with those additions in Pumpkin Chai.

Though I imagine maybe some milk brings out more of a creamy flavor that’d be like pumpkin pie? But it does seem to be lacking any kind of pie crust type flavor. Like I said, fine by me. I’m just here for the pumpkin.

I really haven’t been drinking a lot of flavored teas lately, besides flavored matcha. Weird. Well I finally went to the post office during their opening hours this morning so that I could get the packages that were too big to fit in my (actually very large) PO box (although seriously, there is no reason that two ounces of tea, or a small tin of matcha, need huge cardboard boxes to ship in), and so I finally got to pick up my order from Della Terra. I’ve been curious about Della Terra teas since everyone has been talking about them on here, but never that driven to order from them. But then they had a 50% off halloween teas and I ordered two off that list since the price was right.

I have not spent a lot of time looking for a perfect pumpkin tea, but am pretty certain that it is a flavor I will be fairly picky about because I love pumpkin everything. I go pumpkin crazy this time of year. The dry leaf on this one is powerfully pumpkin pie. Spiced, but not spicy in a chai way, and definitely pumpkiny. Steeped, I smell more fall-themed spices, particularly some woody cinnamon, a bit of pie crust, and what may be some pumpkin hanging out in the background.

The flavor is pretty nice, with some good levels of spices and a decent creamy pumpkin-ness. It’s just, the black tea is so weak. It’s like it has hardly any flavor at all. At one point this would never have bothered me, but now it does. I can just imagine how much more delicious this would be with a lovely, rich, black base underneath. I could try to steep it for longer, but I fear that would just bring out undesirable black tea qualities. I may actually try to add some richer black tea to this the next time I have it and see what the result is. Even so this is pretty tasty with nicely balanced pumpkin flavoring.

Yes, I saved this one to review on Halloween! The name is accurate with this one, just like the apple pie was yesterday! If I’m not mistaken, this looks to have little bits of pumpkin pie filling in the blend? Like the stuff that you’d buy in a can and then somehow it is dried for tea? If so, what a genius idea! I was definitely getting a pumpkin flavor, and not just the spices that gets added to anything pumpkin flavored. It had a great balance of the spice with the squashy, vegetal pumpkin! As usual with Della Terra, the black tea base isn’t overpowering the flavors. The second steep was just as good, since I used just-boiled water. Peeking in the infuser, the pumpkin filling pieces or the sprinkles weren’t completely melted into the tea. I really like this one, and I think this is the best idea on how to make a pumpkin tea… pumpkin pie filling! (But if anyone knows that this isn’t pumpkin pie filling, please correct me if I’m wrong!) Another amazing tea from Della Terra! This is why I knew I shouldn’t have tried so many in their sample packs… I will want to buy full ounces of most of the teas I’ve tried!

In the aftermath of tropical cyclone Sandy (no problems here, thank you for all your kind thoughts and prayers), what could be more comforting than Grandma’s pumpkin pie? Okay so my grandmother never made pumpkin pie, but it sure sounds good. =)

The little pumpkin candies in this tea are very cute. I was tempted to try one, but then I forgot about it. It smells very, very autumnal, a combination of all the warmth and spices that generally go into pumpkin pie and other seasonal desserts. I didn’t get a pumpkin feel from it, but to be honest, I’d have to open a can of pumpkin pie filling and stick my nose in it to remember the fragrance. The brew is a little lighter in colour than I anticipated for a black tea, but it does kind of look like liquified pumpkin pie.

I’m torn on the taste (and therefore the rating). This is a really nice pumpkin pie spice tea. A pumpkin pie tea, not so much. It’s warm and yummy and comforting and smells really great, but I’m still not getting any pumpkin from it. Next time, I think I’m going to try sweetening it with just a touch of condensed milk.

Tea amount: 1 level tsp
Water amount: 6oz/~175mL
Additives: None at first, then about ½ tsp demerara sugar.
Dry mouth factor: 2/10 (really low for a black tea, in my experience—awesome)

I have to say this might be ones of my favourite teas from Della Terra. I would definately call this a fall tea. I don’t really taste the pumpkin, which is fine by me since i’m really not a fan of pumpkin. This is however a really nice spiced tea.

Edit: Also thanks to the magic person who gave me this sample…i think? it was Azzrian but i’m honestly totally not sure.

Third tea review comes to me as a sample from Della Terra Teas, which came along with the ounce of tea I won from their Facebook page!

The aroma of this one is absolutely decadent. Brown sugar, a hint of spice, and pumpkin. It definitely smells like a pumpkin pie, and one I’d like to eat, pronto! Best aroma by far!

Wow! This tea actually does taste kind of like pumpkin pie! The spicing is definitely more muted than in DavidsTea’s Pumpkin Chai, and is more appropriate to what a pie would taste like. However, the pumpkin in this tea really stands out. It’s the first tea of the three where I feel the flavour of pumpkin is truly apparent, and it’s good!

Sweetened, my only complaint is that I’m actually feeling like I’m getting too much pumpkin, and not enough spice! Like an underspiced pie, perhaps. Not bad, though! Perhaps I’m a bit biased due to just having had some of the DavidsTea version.

Overall, this is a pretty great tea if you’re looking for something to curl up with in the fall. I do wish that there was a bit more spicing, but for someone who isn’t a chai fan, this tea would probably be the best option. I would happily drink this one again if it was easier for me to order from Della Terra! I may actually try a 50:50 blend of this and DT’s Pumpkin Chai to see if I can get the perfect balance between pumpkiny and spice. Stay tuned!

(Teas under review: Butiki – Pumpkin Creme Brulee; iHeartTeas – Creamy Pumpkin Spice; DAVIDsTEA – Pumpkin Chai; Della Terra Teas – Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie)

So you know how when you see something interesting online, you read it? Then at the bottom of the page, something else catches your eye? Then, hours later, you’ve read so many things you can’t believe it? Well that’s what happened to me this morning. I’ve been reading about Westboro Baptist Church. I don’t know that I’ve ever felt so angry. This is the story that brought me there http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/19/westboro-equality-house-aaron-jackson-rainbow_n_2906337.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

This tea is pretty yummy. It certainly has all the pumpkin pie spices. I’m really enjoying it straight, and it’s not too heavy for a black tea :)

Thanks jessiwrites!

I got this in a fall sampler pack I ordered from Della Terra Teas – Azzrian this is all your fault!

Anyway I am usually not a huge fan of dessert teas, somehow they seem to be too strong or they miss the mark somehow. I was pretty impressed with this. I decided to add a touch of soymilk and turbinado sugar to bring out the sweetness. It’s slightly pumpkin-y, nutmeggy and brown sugar-y. I swear there is something about this that really tastes like a pie. I think I might need more when this sample runs out. It’s scrumptious and smells good too!

This was another sample from momo!

This one smells and looks a lot like the Pumpkin chai from DAVID’s. It is super heavy on the spices of the pie rather than pumpkin itself. I get a whole lot of cinnamon, and maybe clove/nutmeg.

I used 1.5 tsp. leaf for a 10 oz. cup and drank it straight. I think it would benefit from cream and sugar mostly because it had a thinner texture and taste. Once steeped the spices were still very present in the smell but the taste was pretty watery until it started to cool down some. Even once it cooled the pumpkin note was barely there – drowned out by the spice.

I think in terms of pumpkin flavor the Pumpkin Creme Brulee by Butiki was more authentic so if you want to actually taste pumpkin I would go with that. But if you like the whole pumpkin pie experience then this one is certainly not a bad option. Then again, it is April so I’m pretty sure no one’s REALLY thinking about pumpkin pie right now anyway – I’m just that weird that I can stand it all year round!

Yeah! The Cardinals won, 3 – 0!
Tony & I watched the first half of the game at the pool hall. A couple of hours of shooting pool while watching baseball? Perfect!
I’ve been enjoying this tea for the last couple of innings.
I am a grandma, & I bake a killer pumpkin pie. This doesn’t actually taste like it to me, but it is pleasant & spicy.
It’s also a sipdown! #2 from Sil! Thanks!

This is one of the best Della Terra black teas that I have tried.

It’s a very nice blend of pumpkin and spice and a nice overall sweetness. It certainly reminds me of pumpkin pie filling, but I’m not getting much crust. Or whipped cream.

This is much tastier than DavidsTea’s Pumpkin Chai, but still does not compare to Butiki’s Pumpkin Creme Brulee. GAH.

EDIT: As it cools, I am definitely getting more of a pastry-like crust flavor… so the name is fitting! Although I do prefer my pumpkin pie with generous amounts of whipped cream. I could try a splash of almond milk, but I don’t want to ruin my cup. Also, I’m lazy.

this tea is nice. smooth and pumpkin-esque. i definitely taste the nutmeg and cinnamon. it’s a cute flavor? i know that’s a strange descriptor. but i don’t feel very moved by this tea. not sure why. i just find it very nice is all.

i am doing everything in my power to NOT register for the Pike’s Peak Marathon in Colorado.
“Starting … at 6,300 feet and gaining about 7,750 feet before reaching the finish line or turnaround point at around 14,050 feet, the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon will redefine what you call running. In fact, many runners spend a great deal of time walking.”
why would i even consider this if i don’t even like running on hills?
please god help me.
(yes i have googled things like “Pike’s Peak death”, “Pike’s Peak dangerous” and “Pike’s Peak horrible”)

1.5 tablespoons for 375 ml

The brewed tea has an incredibly buttery aroma- very much like a fresh pastry. I’m detecting pie crust in the scent.

The buttery taste does translate into the flavour. A little bit thin in flavour on the sip but the taste blooms into a very convincing pumpkin pie taste close to the end of the sip into the aftertaste. Slight earthy/astringent note from the black. The black tea flavour compliments the pie very nicely near the end of the sip into the aftertaste. Very nice black tea and pumpkin pie notes in the lingering aftertaste.

Thanks to Sil for passing on some of this to me!

Making that one right now i don’t really like Pumpkin tasting food but since i really like the smell i keep trying thing with pumpkin wrote on it That one is no exception the smell is really good a hint of cinnamon and what i suppose to be the pumpkin pie spice

The taste : I don’t taste the black tea and that a good point for it but i don’t taste anything else gonna try a longer steep next time and maybe a little honey

I got this one because I had read a few reviews saying this one was better than DAVIDsTEA’s version. Better? Is that even possible? I feel that it’s probably the same… as was Autumn Leaves the same as Oh Canada.

It smells the same, looks the same.

I have to say they taste the same as well, which is just fine by me. I love both versions and you can never have enough of your favourite tea. When I run out of one, I’ve got the other.
Super yum!

This was another of the teas that I won from Della Terra Teas (seriously, go like them on facebook, there are so many giveaways). This was also one of the teas I suggested when they asked for ideas for fall teas. Makes me feel special!

So, I made a very sad tea discovery last night when I was drinking this. I don’t like nutmeg in teas. I like it in cooking, but not teas. I first noticed this when I tried Forever Nuts. It had a weird smell and taste to me that I just didn’t like. When I opened this up, there was that same smell! I was hoping it would drown out in the taste, but no :( My mom tried it, and said it tasted just like pumpkin pie, so obviously it is a good tea. I just can’t get past the nutmeg :(

If you don’t mind or even like nutmeg in teas, give this a try. According to my mom it is really good. I was looking forward to this tea too. Silly taste buds :(

YES. New teas! WOO!

This was the third tea I sniffed, and the first I decided to try. (I also sniffed chocolate covered strawberry and oatmeal raisin cookie.) Dry, it smells sugary and spicy. Not particularly like pumpkin pie, but definitely of spiced fall baking. Steeped it also smells of delicious spiced baking. The leaves are in pieces, but the pieces are big. I still kept the steep length on the shorter side, and the water temperature a bit cooler. It was off the boil for a couple minutes, so temp is an estimation (as always).

Because there’s candy in this, I just added a bit of creamer. Oh my, this is delicious. The tea flavour isn’t as strong as I’d like it to be, probably due to my shorter steep and cooler water, but the spices are just perfect. It reminds me of a masala chai, but the scent and taste is much more “baked good” than just spices.

Yum! I’ll have to try this with a longer steep. I think I’ll also do a second steep to see what I think. So far, so good.

The smell of this tea made me want to skip the steep and just eat it!! But I controlled myself and waited the five minutes to drink it. At first it was to hot to really taste anything But after a few minutes of cooling owww the yummy goodness!! I added just a touch of sweetener – perfect!