White Orchard

Very aromatic upon opening the pouch with silk tea bag inside. Strong peach and melon scent. Brews rather strong for a white tea.  Hints of fruity flavoring while drinking. Use sugar to bring out flowery notes.  Hard to taste the white leaves over the fruit medley. Excellent as a cooled tea with sugar. Sold by Mighty Leaf.

Red Rooibos and Lemon Grass

I have seen similar attempts from other tea companies, but sometimes you just can't mess with the goodness of simplicity.  Lemon Grass has been a long-time favorite of mine since childhood.  Tangy, yet smooth in nature, it boosts the natural sweetness of the red bush tea.  A simple and excellent blend to try.  Add honey if desired and brew using typical herbal blend temperature.

• 1/2 tsp Rooibos Superior Grade Organic (SpecialTeas #950)
• 1/2 tsp Lemon Grass, Course Cut (Upton Teas #BH65)

Steeping Suggestions

Leaf Quantity: 1 tsp of mix/ 8 oz. cup

Water Temp: 212º (boiling)

Steep Time: 10 min.

Halmari CTC BOP

Upton describes as, “A bold CTC style tea with rich flavor. The dark liquor will readily take milk. Especially suited as a bracing morning tea.”  It must be the famous crush-tear-curl method that I don't like.  I've tried other teas like this before and I find them overly harsh.  Stick to the full leaf or broken versions. 

TA27: Halmari CTC BOP

Origin: India

Steeping Suggestions

Leaf Quantity: 2¼ g/cup

Water Temp: 212° (boiling)

Steep Time: 3 min.

Certified Organic Peppermint

A refreshing cup indeed!  Mix with any green tea using a 1:1 ratio for a study boost, very similar to Moroccan Mint teas.  According to Upton this herbal infusion is, "Fresh tasting, highly aromatic, with a very round peppermint flavor."

BH46: Certified Organic Peppermint

Origin: USA

Steeping Suggestions

Leaf Quantity: 1 g/cup

Water Temp: 212° (boiling)

Steep Time: 8 min.

Banaspaty Estate FTGFOP1 Organic

Dry leaves smell earthy. During infusion, the brew smells like freshly-roasted peanuts. The liquid tastes harsh even with milk and sugar. It's missing that flowery taste and aroma I value in an Assam.  According to Upton, “This modestly priced Assam is a great value, with uniform leaf and a moderate amount of tip. The medium-bodied cup has rich flavor, with smooth, malty nuances. This is an excellent choice for those seeking an organic Assam for any time of day.”  Ultimately my vote goes towards a more flowery, honey-like assam, so I'm afraid I have to give this one a thumbs down.

TA26: Banaspaty Estate FTGFOP1 Organic

Origin: India

Steeping Suggestions

Leaf Quantity: 2¼ g/cup

Water Temp: 212° (boiling)

Steep Time: 4-5 min.

Green Tea Tropical

Green tea that is not boring.  The tropical fruit notes –pineapple and guava- complement this tea, rather than overpowering.  A harmonious mix that transports you to summer days in the dead of winter.  Sold by Mighty Leaf.

Sessa 'B' Estate STGFOP1(S)

An exceptionally flowery and creamy Assam! It balances the maltiness with sweetness well. I will definitely consider buying a larger packet after trying the sample!  According to Upton, "While this whole-leaf tea displays only limited tip, the pleasant cup has a creamy-smooth character with a rich complexity that suggests a more expensive tea. This is a special Assam tea at an everyday price."

TA25: Sessa 'B' Estate STGFOP1(S)

Origin: India

Steeping Suggestions

Leaf Quantity: 2¼ g/cup

Water Temp: 212° (boiling)

Steep Time: 4-5 min.