Crazy Tea Chick (Emily) Send Message

Not-so-shocking statement of the day: I love green tea. I love all green tea (just please don’t overflavor it or ruin it with lots of lemon, ugh). This tea is a thing of beauty and I’ll pretty much drink any green tea you put in front of me. Here’s the kicker, though: I think I’ve found my favorite green tea bags yet: Carrington Tea’s Original Green Tea. I can’t describe how much I love this tea; I definitely just tore through a box in record time.

Seriously, it’s that good. The only complaint I really ever have about green tea is when it’s too strong or bitter (especially from places like Starbucks or Joe Muggs or wherever; it’s like sucking on actual leaf). This tea is strong but not at all bitter and has the most amazing taste. The company recommends brewing time at 3-5 minutes which was about right for me too. The only thing I’d change is the water temperature: they advise bringing water to a “rolling boil” and pouring over tea bags, but I could never bring myself to pour boiling water over green tea – it’s just not done in this apartment. They also suggest adding sugar or lime to taste if you’d like…but I forbid you from messing this tea up by adding ANYTHING else to it.

The box I bought came with 20 bags (and probably lasted me around 2 weeks) and was not at all expensive. I could go on and on about the natural goodness of the leaves or the abundance of antioxidants, but by now I’m pretty sure you get the point: Green tea. Is good. For you. Period.

I recently had the pleasure of trying The Republic of Tea’s Earl Greyer black tea, which lists its ingredients as simply “fine black tea and natural bergamot oil”. The bergamot oil was very noticeable and very tasty, as it always is. This brand of Earl Grey contains more bergamot oil than other varieties, according to The Republic of Tea. I’m a big, big fan of Earl Grey tea – Earl Grey is actually the first hot tea I can remember drinking – so any variation of this tea is always a treat for me. The Earl Greyer has a very strong taste, though not as spicy or peppery as some brands; it also has a delicious aroma.

I’m going to be completely honest and say that my favorite Earl Grey variety is still the Twinings brand, but I enjoyed the Republic’s Earl Grey tea a lot and I’m sure I’ll be ordering it again. :)

I’m gonna be honest with you: even tea-loving happy chicks get down. Today was one of those days….I was stressed, tense as could be, had a bad headache, and was down in the freaking dumps. A couple of things had depressed me and I was rocking some major sleep debt. Fast-forward to this evening, and s’all good, thanks to a big ole steaming mug of Tazo’s Zen Green Tea. Okay, and some retail therapy, but MOSTLY due to my cup of deliciousness.

I’m a sucker for the taste of mint, especially in chocolate or tea, and this green tea doesn’t let me down. There’s something very relaxing about the smell, not to mention the taste. Spearmint leaves, one of the main ingredients, are well-known for curing headaches, possibly relieving pain, and acting in an anti-inflammatory manner. So now here I sit, once-again in a chipper, laughing (slightly annoying?) mood, at peace with all and sending many happy thoughts to the good people at Tazo.

This tea, my friend, tea happens to be one of the very best on the market, period. If you’ve never tried it then you MUST. Like, NOW. (I use caps when I’m all excited and stuff.) The smell is purely intoxicating, while the taste is a beautiful combination of tartness and sweetness. Correction: wild sweetness. The title says so. This exotic ”tea” (actually a combination of fruit peels and citrus herbs, along with spearmint, orange essence, blackberry leaves, lemongrass, rosehips, spices) is caffeine-free. The teabags also have a shelf life of about 2 years, but if it takes you that long to finish one box, then there’s something wrong with you. No offense, but that’s the truth.

GO GET SOME.

Lady Grey Tea, first produced by Twinings in the 1990s, is actually a variation on their uber-popular (and amazing) Earl Grey. Earl Grey is very much a strong tea, while Lady Grey is a slightly softer, more subtle version. It’s also a a black tea, scented with orange and lemon peel, citrus flavoring, and oil of bergamot. It’s usually considered a breakfast or afternoon tea by “professionals” (although I say drink it whenever the heck you want to), and it’s often described as “zesty” and “vibrant”. Not to mention it smells pretty awesome. Lady Grey is available from Twinings in tea bag or loose leaf form, although for those living in the US, it’s a lot harder to find the loose-leaf form. Go figure.