Winter Wonderland Rooibos by Simpson & Vail

Seller Description: "A wonderful blend of green rooibos with cacao and cinnamon and flavored with Bavarian chocolate, cinnamon and hazelnuts. When we sampled this in our store we heard "Best rooibos ever!", "A new favorite", "Great everyday tea". It brews to a golden cup with the delicious aroma and taste of cinnamon baked goodies (we were reminded of apple fritters). Smooth and warming, this blend has the more pronounced taste of cinnamon and hazelnuts, while the Bavarian chocolate is an underlying taste that rounds out the other flavors. Delicious in every season!"
Ingredients: Organic green rooibos, organic cacao nibs, organic cinnamon pieces, flavoring, white and blue cornflower petals.

Website: Winter Wonderland Rooibos by Simpson & Vail
Sample source: Provided

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug
Measured dry: 3 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 5 minutes
Additives: 3 teaspoons of raw sugar

When I first read over the notes about this tea, I thought I was in for a completely different experience. Nothing says "Nutella" to me like chocolate and hazelnut, but while this blend does have some slight cocoa notes, it hearkens more to the sweet breads of the season.

When I taste it, I'm transported back to Grandma's kitchen, enjoying warm stollen while Mom, my aunts, and grandma bustled around preparing Christmas dinner. Every year it was the same: A sweet bread with raisins topped with white icing, candied fruits, and nuts in pretty floral designs.

I can definitely see how some reviewers liken it to apple fritters (It's the closest I've gotten since I developed my apple allergy!) but it just seems like more to me. The nuttiness of the hazelnuts and the slight fruity elements combined with the flavor of that sweet, drippy icing just shout stollen to me... and makes it that much more special.

Now please excuse me while I go pull out Grandma's recipe and make some of my own!

Prominent Notes: Buttery flour with nutty and fruity elements
Aftertaste: Sugary icing with a slightly caramel, buttery element
Overall: A wonderful cup full of memories of the season

Mint Chocolate Chip Rooibos by The Persimmon Tree

Seller Description: "Our Mint Chocolate Chip tea is a naturally caffeine-free tea with an infusion of organic rooibos, vanilla, rich chocolate and invigorating mint. It's a refreshing beverage for any time of day, and makes a great accompaniment to (even an alternative to) dessert. Try Mint Chocolate Chip tea in a latte, or iced with a splash of cream and sugar. Simply delicious!"
Ingredients: Organic Rooibos, Mint, Vanilla, Cocoa Beans, Chocolate Pieces, Apple Pieces, Yogurt, Natural Flavors
Website: Mint Chocolate Chip by The Persimmon Tree Tea Company
Facebook: The Persimmon Tree 

Sample source: Provided

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug
Measured dry: 3 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 5 minutes
Additives: 3 teaspoons of raw sugar

This evening's tea is another tasty blend from the The Persimmon Tree tea company out of California. An organic rooibos blend, this tea fits right in with their extensive catalog of organic, fair-trade, and biodynamic teas. For that extra green touch, they also feature recycled products in their packaging and shipping.

I was feeling like a dessert tea tonight, because I'm trying to be better about sticking to my diet and there are a heck of a lot less points in a lovely warm cup of sweet tea than a an equally warm and nummy cookie!

Actually, it doesn't taste nearly as much like a cookie as it does mint chocolate ice cream. The rooibos base hangs out in the background while creamy mint rules the stage and tapers off into a chocolately finish.

Now, I did run afoul of my apple allergy with this tea, which, with as much as I enjoyed this blend, was a big disappointment. I wasn't expecting to find any apple in a mint chocolate tea, so when it wasn't mentioned in the description I didn't do my usual homework. It will mean a little extra Benadryl will help me get to sleep tonight, and that should stave off the worst of it. Well, it's my loss but my husband's gain. He's looking forward to having the rest of the tin all to himself!

Prominent Notes: Cream and mint, with slight rooibos hints
Aftertaste: Chocolate and mint
Overall: A tasty - and guilt free - dessert!

Sugar Plum Spice by Celestial Seasonings

Seller's Description: "This celebratory blend combines juicy purple plums and aromatic spices like ginger and cardamom with tart hibiscus, floral chamomile and just a hint of sweetness. Every sip is a journey to the Land of the Sweets in Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, where the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy presides over a flavorful assortment of sensory delights."
Ingredients: Hibiscus, roasted chicory, chamomile, rosehips, roasted carob, natural plum and cinnamon flavors with other natural flavors, ginger and cardamon.
Website: Sugar Plum Spice by Celestial Seasonings

Sample source: Provided

Teaware: 8oz glass cup
Measured dry: 1 sachet
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 5 minutes
Additives: 1 teaspoon of raw sugar

Ah, Sugar Plum Spice. We meet again.

This tea's tart and spicy blend has joined us for many a holiday season, and I believe it served as my first taste of hibiscus tea. Since this is a seasonal tea, and only available for part of the year, it's been a little while since I've had this blend.

When I opened the package this evening, I was slightly surprised at the scent: cinnamon and cardamon with a hint of ginger. I was expecting something more explicitly plum, but the aroma was more spicy than fruity.

While the scent may be different than I remembered, the visual appeal was spot-on. The color is a gorgeous pomegranate, and it's still fun to watch the ropes of color that spill from the teabag. With the color comes the flavor, and the fruity notes finally make their appearance.

It's not an outright plum - the hibiscus and the rosehips are just too strong for that. It does achieve a tart berry note, though. And the spices? There's no missing them! They're nicely balanced with the more fruity elements to make a cup fit for the season.

Prominent Notes: Cinnamon, cardamon, berry, and hibiscus 

Aftertaste: Cinnamon and hibiscus
Overall: A sweet yet tart tea

Rooibos Vanilla Chai by The Persimmon Tree Tea Company

Seller Description: "Our Vanilla Rooibos Chai tea features a delightful blend of masala chai spices, red rooibos and a hint of vanilla. Rooibos Vanilla Chai is naturally caffeine, making it a perfect any-time tea. Much like its caffeinated cousin Masala Chai, this tea tastes delicious with milk and sugar."
Ingredients: Organic Rooibos, Vanilla Flavoring, Ginger Pieces, Cinnamon Pieces, Cardamom, Clove, Orange Pieces
Website: Rooibos Vanilla Chai by The Persimmon Tree Tea Company
Facebook: The Persimmon Tree 

Sample source: Provided

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug
Measured dry: 3 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 4 minutes
Additives: 3 teaspoons of raw sugar

The Persimmon Tree is a tea company out of California that offers a wide variety of organic, fair-trade, and biodynamic teas. They also pride themselves on using recycled products in their packaging and shipping. Now, it can be difficult to get to know an online tea company, but The Persimmon Tree makes it a lot easier by offering a variety of $5 sampler packs, which I found irresistible. The company was kind enough to provide me with a cute little 3oz tin of today's tea, but just in case you were wondering, the Rooibos Vanilla Chai is also an option in their Rooibos sampler.

But on to the tea itself! Today's blend has all the wonderful spices you'd usually associate with an eye-opening, caffeine-packed cup of black tea. By substituting a red rooibos base in lieu of the black, this becomes a caffeine-free drink that you can enjoy whenever you feel like it. As someone who tends to bounce from the walls with too much caffeine after noon, I can sincerely appreciate that!

Rooibos can often leave me with a caramel aftertaste, but this blend has managed to avoid that. The base slips into the background and lets the cardamon, clove and vanilla take center stage with the ginger and cinnamon off to the side singing the chorus. The effect is nicely balanced, with no one element standing out too strongly and causing dissonance.

As it cools, the vanilla stands out further and gives it a lovely creaminess. It becomes less and less noticeable that I used water instead of milk while preparing it. Now, "chai" itself is a bit of a misnomer, as it actually means "tea" in several languages and not the specific blend of spices that we tend to associate with it. Actually, if I'm getting into semantics, this isn't even tea, technically. There's only one actual tea plant: the camellia sinensis. How it's treated determines the kind of tea (i.e. black, green, oolong, etc.) that it will steep.

But for a not-quite-chai and a not-quite-tea, it's quite yummy!

Prominent Notes: Cardamon, clove, and vanilla
Aftertaste: Light hints of cinnamon and lighter still of ginger
Overall: A harmonious chai blend for any time of day

As a final note, The Persimmon Tree has asked me to give you their coupon code TEABLOG for 20% off at their online store: www.persimmontreetea.com. Enjoy!

Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride by Celestial Seasonings

Seller's Description: "That festive sugar cookie aroma and taste — yours in just 4 to 6 minutes!"
Ingredients: Milk thistle, roasted barley, orange peel, natural sugar cookie flavor with other natural flavors and vanilla bean.
Website: Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride by Celestial Seasonings

Sample source: Provided

Teaware: 16oz glass tea infuser
Measured dry: 2 sachets
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 4 minutes
Additives: 3 teaspoons of raw sugar

They nailed it. They totally nailed it. This smells and tastes exactly like sugar cookies made with a slightly more generous dash of vanilla.

When I first opened the package, I was more than a little shocked at how my kitchen suddenly smelled like I'd been baking cookies all day.

With how amazing this smelled on its own, I was sure it wouldn't translate the same into the cup. I was so wrong. Once the tea was steeped, the flavor was nearly identical to the original aroma.

The same rich, buttery baked flour, slightly caramelized sugar, and vanilla was packed into each sip. On the box, their Blendmaster's Notes proclaim this tea is "...a guilt-free way to partake in the real pleasures of the season..." and I have to agree. What a fabulous way to enjoy the holidays!

Prominent Notes: Buttery flour, sugar, and vanilla.

Aftertaste: The caramelized top of a creme brûlée.
Overall: The sugar cookie experience without the calories!

Gingerbread Spice by Celestial Seasonings

Seller's Description: "Step into a cozy kitchen warmed by the spicy aroma of freshly made gingerbread — with no baking required!"
Ingredients: Cinnamon, roasted chicory, ginger, natural flavors (soy lecithin), roasted carob and Luo Han Guo.
Website: Gingerbread Spice by Celestial Seasonings

Sample source: Provided

Teaware: 16oz glass tea infuser
Measured dry: 2 sachets
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 4 minutes
Additives: 3 teaspoons of raw sugar

As soon as I opened the box, I was hit with a wave of ginger. There's no missing its spicy bite in this tea, and as I tend to be a bit of a ginger fiend that was no problem for me!

It's not until you steep it up that the other notes come out to play, but not in the way I was expecting. This strikes me more as a ginger tea than a gingerbread tea... or at least not your usual holiday gingerbread... something a lot older.

When I visited Hampton Court Palace back in 2003, I picked up a recipe book from the Tudor kitchens and have since tried out some of the dishes. This tea reminds me more of the flavor of their Gyngerbrede honeyed treats than a more modern cookie. It's where the "bread" part of gingerbread cookies got their name. Those treats were made with honey, white breadcrumbs, cinnamon, ginger (of course!), and ground black pepper.

Sipping this tea, I had to check the ingredients again to make sure this one didn't have the black pepper in it. It has that kind of a robust yet gentle bite. Part of that may be due to the roasted ingredients, but I think I may have to make up a fresh batch of Gyngerbrede in order to compare!

All in all, this was a very interesting cup and it has sparked my curiosity. 

Prominent Notes: Ginger!

Aftertaste: A slight honeyed effect with hints of pepper
Overall: Curiouser and curiouser

Organic Candy Cane by Simpson & Vail

This evening's tea is a cheerful yet soothing peppermint, as we move on to the Organic Candy Cane Rooibos Herbal Tisane by Simpson & Vail.

Seller Description: "It's fabulous hot or iced (so yes you can enjoy it in the summer too!) and with no added sugar, this calorie free blend is sure to please. The aroma of the dry leaf is amazing - a definite mood booster - with its euphoric aroma of minty sweetness. When brewed, this herbal blend has a taste that is tingly, refreshing, and harkens me back to my childhood - or rather just last December….. The taste lingers delicately and deliciously on the tongue. A cup of this tea brings joy to our day and we hope it does the same for you!"
Ingredients: Organic green Rooibos, natural candy cane flavor, organic stevia, and red and white organic cornflower petals.
Website: Organic Candy Cane Rooibos Herbal Tisane by Simpson & Vail

Sample source: Provided

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug
Measured dry: 2-1/4 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 5 minutes
Additives: 3 teaspoons of raw sugar

Most of the holiday teas I've encountered this season have been caffeinated, so I was delighted to discover this cheerful peppermint herbal - all the better to sip during a long evening of grading!

After I opened the sample envelope, my senses cleared and I could close my eyes and imagine stepping into a candy cane forest. The herbal and rooibos elements are beautifully blended, and the rooibos (which can overcome some blends) had been perfectly balanced and restrained. It supports the flavors gorgeously but stays behind the curtain.

Mei-Mei timing the steep
from atop the tea chest.

I can't believe it, but it really is like licking a candy cane! Each sip brings a wave of peppermint, which quickly settles back and lets a creamy cool minty calm, which just lasts and lasts, slide in its wake. My tongue is still tingling even a full minute after my last drink. I can pick out very, very slight hints of the cornflower, but like the rooibos it is more of a stagehand, helping backstage to bring the experience to life. Now, My husband loves peppermint teas, but we rarely keep them on hand because so many of them can be overwhelming, and I hadn't found one that I could just sit back and enjoy... until now.

Prominent Notes: Peppermint with very slight hints of cornflower

Aftertaste: Creamy, lasting minty freshness
Overall: I love it!

Unbridled Love Fruit Tea by Teavivre

Unbridled Love Fruit Tea by Teavivre

Seller Description: TeaVivre's Fruit Tea's make great, low calorie, caffeine-free, refreshing drinks for anytime of the day. Made only from carefully matched flower petals, dried fruit and berries, they all have high levels of vitamins and minerals and – most importantly – taste and smell great! They are all fantastic to drink either hot or iced.
Ingredients: Apple, Roselle, Rose hip, Orange Peel and Black Currants

Directions: 3-4 teaspoons for 8oz of water. Brew at 212 ºF for 8 to 9 minutes
Website: Teavivre.com

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug, depression glass cup
Measured dry: 4 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 9 minutes
Additives: 3 teaspoons of raw sugar

This tea has taken me on a bit of a journey. When the sample first arrived from Teavivre, I though it would simply be a nice, enjoyable cup to make the most of a long summer evening. I wasn't expecting it to become my husband's new favorite fruit blend, nor did I expect the quick trip back to my best friend's childhood home where we used to have fruit juice "tea" parties in the backyard.

First Steep: The dry smell is a curious blend... it's apple with a faintly floral, berry kick. One of the best things about infusing in glass is that you get to watch the steep slowly unfold. It's delightful to watch crimson ribbons snake down from the infuser basket and turn water into a liquor.

The color is a lovely blend of dark pink with an orange twist, and before I even take my first sip I can smell the delicate aroma of rose hips and apple. That translates well into the flavor, which continues to build on those elements and adds a black currant chaser. There is still a delicate flavor, by no means overwhelming but still made of stern enough stuff to build a nice cuppa.

This is like apple cider in a rose garden. As the cup begins to cool, slight orange hints sneak from their hiding places but remain firmly in the background. It is whole and refreshingly authentic without any of the artificial and/or perfumey notes that plague many other fruit or floral blends.

Re-Steep: Out of curiosity, I did attempt another steep.  It was a bit too light. This tea just gives its all in the first steep and doesn't save anything for later. It's a very, very faint apple and orange. The colorful streamers never appeared and most the color had more to do with raw sugar than anything else.

Second Attempt: I just picked up a white teapot as an early birthday present, and I couldn't resist making a fresh batch. My husband Jake absolutely loved it, and while I need to scale down my apple intake, he has no such worries and is avidly looking forward to enjoying this on winter mornings.

Prominent Notes: Apple and rose hips

Aftertaste: Black currant

Overall: A keeper!

Lemon Crème Parfait by Della Terra Teas

Seller Description: "Creamy lemon, what a most amazing parfait that would be! Well, we have in this amazing fuit blend the perfect blend of cream and lemon. Parfait, literally means perfect in French, and we feel that is exactly what this blend is."
Ingredients: Lemon bits, lemon rind, lemon flavor, cream flavor, lemon grass, apple bits, dried cranberries.

Directions: 1 to 1.5 teaspoons per 6oz, 210 degrees Fahrenheit, steep 2-5 minutes.

Cost: $8.50/2oz

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Teaware: 24oz tetsubin and depression glass cup

Measured dry: 2 tbsp

Water Temperature: Boiling

Steeping Time: 3 minutes

Additives: 2tbsp Sugar in the Raw

A couple weeks ago, Della Terra offered a giveaway contest on their Facebook page, and I was lucky enough to win a 2oz package of their Lemon Crème Parfait. It just arrived today, and I couldn't wait to try it! 

I've been trying to get better about picking out different scents and investigating each step of the process instead of just the end result. To explore the dry smell I thought a little comparison/contrast would help. The husband and I have really enjoyed another one of their lemon tisanes - the Lemon Chiffon. I had a little bit left, so I decided to get it out and compare the two. While they both imitate different lemon deserts, both Jake and I were surprised at how very different they were. The Chiffon has more of a dessert smell - a wee bit more artificial and sugary sweet. The Parfait, though, smells more fresh and authentic. It's almost like I just grated some lemon rind while getting ready to make the real thing. 

Lemon Crème Parfait

The dry appearance was vastly different as well. The Chiffon is a Rooibos and has very small pieces, while the Parfait is much, much chunkier. Not quite as bad as a Teavana (I've had to avoid some of theirs before because the pieces wouldn't fit in my steeping equipment!) but still at least four times larger.

We decided to pull out the larger teapot, both because of the dry size and because we thought we might be coming back for seconds!

What we discovered is that this tisane wasn't done surprising us yet! The dry smell is completely different from how it tastes after the steep. To my husband and I, this is like a rush of lemonade quickly followed by lemon meringue. The toasted, creamy flavor is actually adhering to my tongue just like a real meringue would. It's a bit of a mind boggler for me, as this is the first tisane I've tried that truly tastes like what it advertises.

The lighter second steep.

Of the ingredients, I don't really taste the apple and cranberry, but the cranberry certainly comes out in the color: a pretty crystal pink that contrasts in an interesting way with the overwhelmingly lemon flavor. 

I did try a second steep, and it's caused my only disappointment in this mix. It just doesn't hold up, and even when I forgot to set the timer and let it go for nearly 20 minutes it was weak and watery. This is good for a single-steep only. 

All in all, I've really enjoyed this tisane and I am very excited that it was a 2oz bag, so we can continue to enjoy it for some time to come - but only for the first steep!

Prominent Notes: Lemon and cream

Aftertaste: Lemon meringue

Overall: Seconds, please!