Day 14: Alpine Punch

Tea enthusiasts, hello!

It’s a sunny day in Victoria (a rare occurrence during winter months) and we’ve just had a lovely egg and toast breakfast, courtesy of Dr. Dré. While Stacey is busy today with meetings and anniversaries (congrats, you two!), André and I graciously took on the responsibilities of today’s tea: Alpine Punch. Come along and enjoy this favourite with us!

Tea: Alpine Punch

Description: This is the kind of tea we imagine they serve in fabulous ski chalets in the Swiss Alps. With apple, cinnamon, ginger and the heady scent of almonds, it’s warm, comforting and totally decadent. What better to sip after a long day of skiing, sledding and snowball fights? Just cozy up in front of the fire and warm up with this sweet, fortifying brew. And if a little splash of brandy makes it in there too, all the better.

Ingredients: Rooibos, coconut chips, coconut rasps, apple, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, rose blossoms, almonds, natural and artificial almond cream flavouring.

—

Brooke: They suggest putting brandy in this! Who owns brandy these days?
André: Brandy? Like the alcohol?
Brooke: Yes! Did you know that brandy is distilled wine?
André: I did. I took a wine class in college, way back in the day.
Brooke: Well then!
André: As for brandy, it’s not something I drink on a regular basis.
Brooke: Ah, but Alpine Punch IS! Why, you just had this last night when we went to climb!
André: You bet, I can’t get enough. As I said a few days ago, this is one of my top 5 favourites.
Brooke: Agreed. Something about almond, apple, and ginger that just fits.

*sip*

André: Mmm. I think half of what I love about it is the smell. I totally feel the Swiss chalet getting ready for a summit bid.
Brooke: A what?
André: A summit bid. A mountain climbing attempt.
Brooke: Oh.
André: It’s odd to drink this tea while it’s still so warm out (3°C). I always associate this tea with really cold weather. The hot tea in your mouth paired with the cold snowflakes on your lips.
Brooke: I imagine myself back in Ottawa in the heart of winter, my eyelashes freezing together and wind sneaking its way into my sleeves as I walk to campus. One sip of this in my thermos and all would be well again. What flavours really come out for you?
André: I taste the almond and rose each time. The rooibos bark is well chosen for this tea, it compliments the other flavours very well to deliver a well balanced brew.
Brooke: There’s a really good mix of spices, fruits and nuts and yet it still manages to be delicate and not overpowering. Forever Nuts is fruitier and sweeter, while this one is more of a complex mix of sweet and spice. Mmm Mmm, this one will never get old.

---

 

Twitter was equally pleased with today’s tea:

@keryngill #24daysoftea Day 14: Alpine Punch. Who wants to go to the mountain!? #snowday @davidstea

@DilaraLit .@davidstea#24daysoftea Day 14: alpine punch. A creamy, almond-scented rooibos perfect on a cold winter day.

@gothicflamingos Today’s #24daysoftea is martianradio’s fave, #alpinepunch. In a boot because Ich bin eine entzückende Deutsche. #liquidmarzipan #punchalpin

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Final thoughts:

Brooke: There has been, and always will be, a tin of this in our cupboard. A perfect winter tea that warms you up, keeps your day sweet, and delivers a pleasant burst of almond and ginger.
André: A five star tea in my books. Alpine Punch is my go-to winter tea. Can we have another cup?

And there you go- an obvious choice for a stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift. : )

Until next tea,

Brooke and André

Our Chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland: a perfect place to a cuppa Alpine Punch. 

Day 22: Sleigh Ride

Hello Readers!

We were a bit disappointed to discover what tea was behind door # 22, because it’s a tea that we’ve had twice before (here and here) and is one that we don’t particularly like very much (sorry!). And don’t get us wrong, we want to like it (we really do!). In fact, we’ve tried numerous things to make it fit our tastes: not steeping it for long, adding cinnamon sticks, using the dredges of someone else’s brew, eating fruitcake with it, etc. But every time, we end up throwing it down the drain. So this year, we thought it best to not to even try (*spoiler alert*or so we thought…).

Tea: Sleigh Ride

Description: Falling snow, popping chestnuts, cold hands and noses…yep, winter has arrived. But don’t worry, we have the perfect tea to warm you up all December long. Cinnamon, apples, raisins, almonds, and hibiscus combine for a tea that is sweet, tart, and earthy. And beet pieces make it as nice and rosy as a caroler’s cheeks. So hop in your sleigh, snuggle up, and pass a thermos around. It’s lovely weather for a Sleigh Ride together.

Ingredients: Apple, hibiscus blossoms, pineapple, papaya, beetroot, cinnamon, raisins, coconut, roasted almonds, popped rice, artificial flavouring.

Steeping Instructions: 2 tsp, 98°C, 5-7 minutes

—

Stacey: Did you see what the tea is today?
Brooke: Yep. No way!
Stacey: Agreed!

*A little later that morning, Stacey receives a surprising text from Brooke.*

Brooke: Hold the phone! Game-changer…Mom and I made an iced version. Whoa.
Stacey: Ohhhh! Much better???
Brooke: Yes!!

Well this is indeed a game changer! After creating a cooler version, Brooke and her Mom, Cathy sat down to review this brew:

*sip*

Brooke: It still comes out strong, but it just makes more sense as a cool tea. Even the cinnamon found a place to fit in!
Cathy: Do you get any other flavours from it, now that it’s chilled?
Brooke: It kind of makes me think of a fancy vitamin water.
Cathy: The cinnamon is odd, isn’t it? I continue with my theory that these teas can be better cooled. You can still steep it hot, of course! Can you cool teas quickly?
Brooke: The pouring the water into another cup method!
Cathy: I often feel like I want to add sugar to my teas but I find the sweetness comes out when it’s cooler. All teas are better this way!
Brooke: At least herbals are, they’re just fruits and flowers after all! This poor tea deserves better!

Tea Vibes:

Stacey:  Make sure you have no idea. Didn’t have it, it’s gone gross. Sorry.

Well there you have it folks, Sleigh Ride seems to be a bit better when it’s over ice. What you all think? Do you like Sleigh Ride hot or cold, or not at all? Either way, we’ll see you all tomorrow for the second last tea (oh my!).

Until next tea,
Brooke and Stacey

The carnage of one bad sleigh ride

 

Day 8: Cocomint Cream

Hello tea lovers!

We started our days of in different parts of the city but we managed to meet up after work to chat about today’s tasty brew: Cocomint Cream! Oohohhhhh yummy. Here we go!

Tea: Cocomint Cream

Description: Coconut and mint might not be a familiar combo, but trust us. It’s seriously addictive. As soon as you open your first tin and experience its fresh, sweet-mint aroma, you’ll understand. It’s the kind of tea you always want to have within arm’s reach. It makes a sweet little afternoon pick-me-up. Or a perfect finale to any meal. Or a midnight snack that won’t keep you up all night. Refreshing, creamy, sweet and comforting, it’s everything a tea ought to be.

Ingredients: Apple, coconut, sweet blackberry leaves, peppermint, spearmint, natural coconut flavouring (Stacey: But there is already COCONUT in the tea! Sometimes I don’t understand this “flavouring” business, hmph!).

Steeping Instructions: 1.25 tsp, 96°, 4-7 minutes

—

Earlier in the morning, Stacey was able to take her tea in a thermos on her way to work and enjoyed the cup throughout her morning. Here are her thoughts:

Stacey: Oohhh yummy!! Minty, smooth and quite fresh. It has a lovely hint of sweetness at the very end. There’s a tropical taste to it, almost like a warm pina coloda. Yum, yum!

Brooke turned on the kettle after her busy day in the lab and fell in love the with smell of her steeping brew.

Brooke: Ohohoh, that creamy smell is incredible! *Sip* Ugh, wow, that is way too sweet!
(Stacey was home at this point)
Stacey: Really? I liked the little hint of sweetness at the end!
Brooke: No, maybe I steeped mine for longer, but its flavour is NOT subtle this time! Definitely taste the mint and the coconut… but kind of taste artificial sweetener, too.
Stacey: Oh, I found the apple brought the sweetness to it! There is “natural” flavouring that could be disguised!
Brooke: Apple? I don’t get the apple. Just feel like someone melted down a creamy mint bar and I am drinking it. It’s more like a dessert than a tea to sip on while you work.
Stacey: It *was* a little odd to have in the morning. But I still liked it!

Tea Vibes: 

Since Stacey was home, the voice-type feature on her phone let us say our final thoughts on the tea in its warped understanding of our spoken words: 

Stacey: It was a 40 and 90, yeah! Give me images of having pina coladas. I give  it a 9 and Hannah.

Brooke: This TV is way too sweet for my taste. I do with a 60 and tenor.

And with that, we’re already into our second week of December! Our friend MK was with Stacey on this one, she absolutely loved it. Brooke’s sister, on the other hand, was apprehensive about the sweet smell. What were your thoughts?

Keep those kettles going and join us tomorrow for Day 9!

Until next tea,

Brooke and Stacey

Our mantra on busy days like today.

 

Day 6: Coco Chai Rooibos

Stacey: Oh, we’ve done this one before. That’s not as exciting.
Brooke: Ah come on, it’s been so long! Let’s do it again.
Stacey: It does smell AMAZING. Alright, I’m in.

We made crepes to go along with our Saturday tea, topped with brown sugar, cinnamon and pure maple syrup (sometimes our Canadian roots take over). We also discussed the joys of rock climbing, soup making and making big life choices. A regular morning here in the Market.

Tea: Coco Chai Rooibos

Description: A spicy adventure. If you’re into spice-based chais, this one is for you. It’s got a smooth base of caffeine-free rooibos, and a satisfying kick of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and piquant red peppercorns. Plus there’s a strong hint of coconut, for a slightly exotic twist. Try it straight up or infused in hot milk for a truly fabulous chai latte. It’s the kind of thing you get addicted to.

Ingredients: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Coconut, Ginger, Natural And Artificial Flavouring, Pink Peppercorn, Rooibos

—

Brooke: Oooh, that smells just lovely!
Stacey: Yes, it’s spicy! Those peppercorns really come out.
Brooke: Oh wait, are you sipping it?
Stacey: It was… it was.. lovely. Just, so warm. And just… envelops my throat.
Brooke: Oh my!
Stacey: It’s lovely.
Brooke: Yes, you said that. *sip* Oh, oh that IS lovely. You get a bit nervous when you take your first whiff of it because of the potent smell of peppercorn and cinnamon but when you taste it, it’s SO subtle and perfect.
Stacey: It definitely one-ups the regular Chai experience. I love that it’s a rooibos, too. It’d be one we could have before bed; it’s exciting but it doesn’t prevent you from going to sleep. Mmmm oh yes.
Brooke: Coco-chai, though? Nope. No coconut. We’ve got another misnomer on our hands!

Tea vibes:

Voice-type feature on Stacey’s phone had its way with our words, and this is the result:

Stacey: I am really enjoying this city on a Saturday morning. Crepes and Brooke and yeah. It has Zachary Novack. I taste it. Call in a house on 10!

Brooke:  This city is spicy yet soft and it will make an extradition to our getting ready for bed routine, which we don’t have. Iphone 10.

After reviewing our previous blog post about this tea, we both agreed that our reviews may be getting sloppy. But Stacey isn’t worried. “We’re having fun as people now”.

Until next tea,

Brooke and Stacey (and Zachary)

Good things grow….

Day 22: Sleigh Ride

Hello wonderful tea drinkers!

Can you believe we are at Day 22? With Stacey and I at our respective homes, we are still putting in all our effort to taste, test, and review our 24 Days of Tea for you (and for us!). Today my Mom is out running errands so I sat down with my Dad to review the brew. Stacey and her Mom took a little tea break from baking and de-icing their driveway to sit down and have a mug. And we’re off!

Tea: Sleigh Ride

Description: Giddy-up

Falling snow, popping chestnuts, cold hands and noses…yep, winter has arrived. But don’t worry, we have the perfect tea to warm you up all December long. Cinnamon, apples, raisins, almonds, and hibiscus combine for a tea that is sweet, tart, and earthy. And beet pieces make it as nice and rosy as a caroler’s cheeks. So hop in your sleigh, snuggle up, and pass a thermos around. It’s lovely weather for a Sleigh Ride together.

Ingredients: Apple, hibiscus blossoms, candied pineapple, candied papaya, beetroot, cinnamon, raisins, coconut, roasted almonds, popped rice, artificial flavouring.

Steeping Instructions: 2 tsp, 98°C, 5-7 min

—

In Bolton, Stacey and Lorie seemed impressed:

Lorie: It’s so red! Like a cranberry!
Stacey: Mmm, it smells really good!

Back in Halifax, there was a disagreement:

Brooke: Oh no, Sleigh ride!
Stewart: I remember this one from last year! I liked it.
Brooke: Well that makes one of us..

As I remembered my last experience drinking this with my sister Andrea, I recalled the bitter and tart tastes of beetroot and rice and how much I disliked its potency. This time, I steeped Dad’s with the regular instructions and then used the dredges of his cup to steep mine for only three minutes in the hopes that my tea would be a bit more dull than the last one. Mom pouted on the way out the door, saying she would probably have like this one very much.

*Sip* (Sip sip sip sip sip from Dad)

Brooke: How do you like it?
Stewart: Hmm..  It’s acidic, and I like acid in a tea.  You should test the pH. Acidic and astringent, is what I’m getting here. Is there cinnamon?
Brooke: Yes! Cinnamon, apple, hibiscus, papaya, pineapple- a whole assortment of flavours!
Stewart: Well, it’s a very expert blend because none of them overwhelms the other. There’s a slight predominance of cinnamon but it is very satisfying.  This would go well with fruit cake!

Dad prompty ran downstairs to grab a homemade slice from the fridge.

Brooke: WELL. You just put me out of a blog. That was such a delicate review. I find this dulled down version is just what I wanted! The acidity is probably what threw me off last year and it’s not as intense this way. Oh.. right. There are apples in here. I should probably only have a few sips any way. Oops!

Back in Bolton, Lorie was having NONE of it:

Stacey: I’m glad I didn’t steep mine as long, it’s so sweet still!
Lorie: …It tastes like cough medicine!  It smells really nice but the taste is just awful! I won’t be able to drink that one. Yuck!
Stacey: It tastes similar to apple cider or a sweeter version of Forever Nuts.
Lorie: Nope!
Stacey: I like it better than last time. Not sure how much of the sweetness I can take but it’s growing on me.
Lorie: Ick!
Stacey: What imagery does it make you think of Mom?
Lorie: Being in bed with a cold and being forced to drink cough syrup!
Stacey: Oh… well I think that’s enough of this one then.

Back in Halifax, we got distracted…

Stewart: Did you know cows don’t burp?
Brooke: Christmas at the Camerons!

Tea Vibes:

Stacey: It’s not my usual cup of tea but I think steeping it for a shorter amount of time helped tone it down a bit. There’s a lot of flavours that can make this tea quite intense. It’s funny that this is a holiday tea but it would make a good iced tea or juice. Still not something that I would recommend if you don’t like sweet teas. 2/5

Lorie: I didn’t care for this tea at all! 1/5

Brooke: I’m sorry DAVIDsTEA, but this one will never win me over. Its acidity and mix of flavours doesn’t suit my palette and I cringe after each sip unless I’ve dulled and diluted it down. Add in the fact that its main ingredient is an allergen of mine, and I’m spent. Will not drink again (even if it’s in next year’s set!). 1/5

Stewart: I like it a lot. It’s quite full bodied and satisfying. It’s a good herbal tea. You guys are tough critics! It’s well balanced and acidic- an expert blend! 3/5

—

This is how you know we aren’t biased and love everything, right? Whew! Some people just don’t like going on that sleigh ride, amirite? Oh boy. You know what IS tasty? Bridge Brewing Co. Beer. Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law for that brew. I WILL have another cup of that.

Until next tea,

Brooke and Stacey (and Stewart and Lorie)

*Not reflective of the tea’s actual taste. Which is gross. 

Day 5: Stormy Night

Hey readers! Day 5 comes to you in true Brooke and Stacey fashion:

After a busy day and two hours in a cold hockey rink, I came home to find Brooke chatting on the phone. As not to disturb I mimed drinking tea, to which she gave me the nod. After her call, she hurried out to see what was behind door #5. And what do we have? Stormy Night! Ohh boy!

Tea: Stormy Night

Tea Description: As good as it gets

It was three o’clock in the afternoon on a rainy Friday. David was hungry. He needed a nap, a shave, and a hot meal. What he had was a kettle, a pack of matches, and a bag of black tea. So he grabbed some ingredients and threw them in the water. Chocolate, cinnamon, coconut, vanilla – this drink was a real piece of work. He lifted his cup, took a drink and then another. It was hotter than an inferno and smoother than silk. It was good. Almost too good.

Ingredients: Ingredients: Organic: Black tea, chocolate, cinnamon, coconut, vanilla. With natural vanilla flavouring*.

Steeping steps: 4-6 minutes, 1.25 tsp, piping hot water

—

Tea is prepped, and our apartment is still making the transition from Fall to Winter. Our little scarecrow by the front door now sports a Santa cap and the wreath of fall leaves and berries now has a gingerbread candle in its middle. We’re well on our way.

Brooke: Ooh I love the smell of the spices in this one!
Stacey: Mhm! I like that it’s just simple! Chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, and coconut. That’s all you need. I like that the cinnamon floats on top, too.
Brooke: Yeah, no infuser could catch all the ground cinnamon in this mix.
Stacey: *sigh*
Brooke: ?
Stacey: I just was thinking of how nice this is to do. And I want my hands and feet to be warm. Maybe I’ll go put on comfy socks. (And I also came back with a big woolly blanket. Bad idea…definitely gave myself a big shock when I turned on the TV)
Stacey: Damn these socks! I can’t decide what I like about this tea so much! Is it the chocolate? The cinnamon? I love it all!  And it’s kind of a good alternative to hot chocolate, too.
Brooke: It’s not rich like chocolate, you don’t get weighed down like you would with a mocha or a hot chocolate. Its cinnamon flavour also keeps it rather light.
Stacey: And it’s doing wonders to warm me up.
Brooke: Not those staticky socks?
Stacey: It’s a combination! Ooh let’s have some Christmas songs. Also, this would be perfect for the canal. And hey, if the weather keeps up we’ll be on it sooner than you think!
Brooke: Yep, wow, this tea is such a keeper. I’m glad we have more of it in our kitchen.

Tea vibes:

Stacey: It’s one of my favourites from DavidsTea, it gets a 4.5/5. You can get your chocolate fix without the sugar.

Brooke: I agree, roomie. A touch of cinnamon and soft hints of coconut, this is such a delicate and yet filling brew. 4/5

Sometimes it’s the simple things that are truly the best. Stormy Night is one of those things. Oh. and chatting over tea with your roommate, of course.

Until next tea,
Stacey and Brooke

Beware the static shock!

Day 2: Alpine Punch

After a late night of bouldering (indoor rock climbing without the ropes- we’re wild!), we settled in for Day #2 of DAVIDsTEA’s 24 Days of Tea. Are you excited?

Stacey: ALPINE PUNCH!

Cheers ALL around on this one. André made some kind of a Sherpa comment, which confused me until Stacey confirmed that something similar to Sherpas were in this tea’s description. Here we go!

Tea: Alpine Punch

Tea Description:  High altitude taste

Have you heard of the barbegazi? According to Swiss lore, they are a group of furry little men that live high in the Alps. They are known for their long, icy beards and enormous feet, which they use to ski down hills and surf on avalanches. But how do they stay warm up in the frozen mountains all year round? We like to think it’s with a fortifying brew like this almond-scented rooibos, with apple, cinnamon, and ginger. If you see some very big footprints next time you’re out hiking, follow them to the barbegazi’s cave and see if they offer you a cup. Limited edition.

Tea Ingredients: Rooibos, coconut chips and rasps, apple pieces, cinnamon pieces, ginger bits, cardamom, black pepper, rose blossoms, almond flakes, artificial flavouring.

Tea Instructions: 1.5tsp, 98 degrees, 4-7 minutes. Perfection.

Stacey opted to shower as the tea boiled. Drinking tea with pjs on is a good way to go to bed, she said.

Stacey: Can I skimp out on the loose leaf?

Brooke: NO YOU MAY NOT.

Stacey:  GOSH DARNIT BROOKE WHY DO YOU MAKE IT COMPLICATED. Oooh! There’s a just little bit left!

Brooke: André, what you remember about your previous Alpine Punch experiences?

André: Well, considering I had some last night, I remember it being delicious, wonderful, and tasting like winter.  I remember it has the happiest smell.

The kettle blew its whistle and André ran off to pour the water in to the teapot.

Oh man, Stacey and I are excited to be doing these reviews again. We missed having late night teas together and we missed our lovely readers.

André brought out our mugs just as Stacey was coming out in her pjs.

Stacey: TEA! But… I want to go to bed.

THEN Stacey nearly flashed us with a hole in her pjs. “Oh no, don’t write that! But seriously, do you see it? Is it okay if I still wear them right now? Cause… okay. Good.”

Brooke: Ooooh this tea smells delicious! Cinnamon, coconut, almond oh my!

Stace: I really need to get another container of this. We had TWO containers of this last year and we finished it.

André: Me too!

Stacey: Hands down…

André: …Best tea ever.

Stacey: Really sad it’s just a winter tea.

Brooke: Why are we even reviewing this tea if we all agree that we totally love it?

André: It’s like you said- it’s a gulper. Wait for it to cool down and gulp it.

Stacey: I’m trying to remember the first time I ever had this tea- honestly the description got me. It’s one of the only rooibos teas I enjoy. It’s jam packed full of amazing  flavours that just go so well together. The almond is delicious.

André: You know, the thing is,  I forget what I was gonna say.

Stacey: Welcome to our tea blog, André. 

André: It IS a very winter tea, couldn’t have it in warm weather, though it would make a very nice iced tea. But I really associate this tea with snow.

Stacey: It’s reminiscent of our last tea blog experience. Put in a thermos on any winter day and it would be golden.

André: I agree- it actually DOES make me want to be a Sherpa.

Tea vibes:

André: Put it in your mouth and enjoy.

Stacey: Buy this tea. What’s our rating system? 5/5, done.

André: Boom.

Stacey: Bow to the tea.

André: Touch down.

Stacey: I like Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

—

And there you have it! Alpine Punch- it’s a keeper! Those subtle hints of ginger and cardamom keep this tea from being too sweet while the coconut and almond rounds it out perfectly. Wait, there was apple in there? Ack! Get the Benadryl!

Until next tea,

Brooke and Stacey (and André)

Give me an S! Give me a Tea!

Checkmate

Hello again readers,

Well, after a delicious meal of maple salmon and roasted potatoes (we promise we’re not a couple… even though technically we *are* common-law), Stacey and I were feeling like a tasty tea to finish off our day. We popped open tea #16 and after retrieving it from the floor (they’re slippery!), we were both thrilled with what we picked up. Checkmate! Stacey had been eyeing this once since we bought the set over two months ago, so she was pretty excited. Oh boy.

Tea: Checkmate

DAVIDsTEA Tea Description: Game on!

This tea isn’t like a chess game of black versus white, it’s black and white working together. When you mix white Bai Mu Dan with black tea, coconut and chamomile flowers, it creates a rich, satisfying, chocolate flavour. You’ll swear you’re drinking a cup of hot cocoa, even though there’s no chocolate in the blend. It’s so delicious it’ll hold any king or queen in check – now that’s a winning move any way you look at it.

Ingredients: White tea, black tea, coconut, Roman chamomile flowers.

—

This tea… smelled delicious. We steeped 1.25tsp for 4 minutes in 98°C water and then let our teas cool. By the time they were drinkable, though, I realized I was going to be late for my improvised comedy practice so we improvised (HAH!) and poured our brews into our trusty thermoses for later.

When I got back, it was after 10PM and Stacey was a little hesitant to do the review.

Stacey: No we can’t, the caffeine!

Brooke: *Sip*. Oooh. Oh but it’s SOO good, Stacey.

Stacey: I.. I just.. *sip*

She seemed confused.

Brooke: No? You disagree? You don’t like it?

Stacey: I don’t know, I’ve just never had a tea like this before. I’m trying to figure out what it is.

Brooke: Ah but it’s got such a light nice coconut vibe. I’m digging it.

Stacey: Are there figgs in this? It just reminds me of DAVIDsTEA Apres Ski.

Brooke: I always wondered why white teas were way more expensive than blacks and greens…

Stacey: They do something different with the leaf!

Educational break! White teas are actually made with the bud of Camellia sinensis along with the leaves. The plant withers in natural light, then gets plucked and lightly processed. This stops any further oxidation of the plants tissues. Since there’s such a small amount of processing, white tea contains many more nutrients than its black or green counterparts. It’s all very special. Hence the price.

Stacey: You know, I wouldn’t say there is a hot chocolate taste, nor even a cocoa taste, but there’s a hint of SOMETHING chocolatey. Hmm.. I like it!

Brooke: I just get the balmy feeling of coconut and I love it.

Stacey: I just don’t GET it!

At this point it was late and Stacey was nervous to continue for fear of sleeplessness in the night [Stacey: Hey, it’s a thing, Brooke!]. Unfortunately, our busy lives prevented us from enjoying our brews together the following day  so instead, following a trip to Toronto for me and a weekend of skating on the canal for Stacey, we sat down to have one last cup each to finish it all up. We always make time for tea. And each other. Aw.

Tea Vibes:

Stacey: You know, I would describe this tea as yin yang:  two completely opposite flavours that work well together. On Friday, I brought my thermos to work and was very sad when it was empty. I’m happy we got to have another. : ) I totally get the image of a chess board too. That’s what they were going for with the black and white tea, I bet. I really like it- what a neat mix! I want to buy this one next. 9/10

Brooke: You seem to have really taken liken for it, haven’t you? The coconut flavour is delicious but it’s the only aspect that I really do taste. It’s not too wild- I get how you could fall in love with it. The flavour of chocolate is very faint but the chamomile flowers are an excellent touch. This is most definitely a nice dessert tea to have after a big meal. Yum! 7.5/10

We’ll have to see if this winds up in our cabinet, especially with all our new Nourish Tea loot we recently aquired. In any case, it was well received all around. Maybe you should try it?

[Stacey: my vote is yes! MmmMmm]

Until next tea,

Brooke and Stacey

Knight to E5, baby Ron.

Sleigh Ride

Hello tea enthusiasts!

Well after days of anticipation the snow has finally arrived! And with the majority of Canada covered with the white stuff or gearing up for another winter storm, Brooke and I thought there was no better way to celebrate “snowpocolpyse” than to enjoy a nice, hot cup of tea. So after I arrived home rosy-cheeked from walking my dogs and Brooke was in the midst of a visit with her sister, Andrea, we decided it was time for a little Sleigh Ride.

Tea: Sleigh Ride

Ingredients:  Apple, hibiscus blossoms, candied pineapple, candied papaya, beetroot, cinnamon, raisins, coconut, roasted almonds, popped rice, artificial flavouring.

DAVIDsTEA Description: Falling snow, popping chestnuts, cold hands and noses…yep, winter has arrived. But don’t worry, we have the perfect tea to warm you up all December long. Cinnamon, apples, raisins, almonds, and hibiscus combine for a tea that is sweet, tart, and earthy. And beet pieces make it as nice and rosy as a caroler’s cheeks. So hop in your sleigh, snuggle up, and pass a thermos around. It’s lovely weather for a Sleigh Ride together.

—

After boiling the water to a peak 98°C and letting 2 tsp of tea steep in our designated mugs for 6 minutes we were off. And let me tell you, the aroma of the tea was taking us places.

Brooke: It smells like apple cider.
Andrea: I could go on a sleigh ride with this.
Brooke: Oh you could, could you? With how many horses?
Andrea: Two.
Brooke: Not a one horse opened sleigh?
Andrea: No.
Stacey: Mmm, well hello apple indeed.

*Sip*

Andrea: Mmm, this tea is nice and sweet. It tastes like cranberry.
Brooke: It reminds me of Goji Pop, uh oh. I almost wish it had more cinnamon.
Stacey: You could put in a cinnamon stick!
Andrea: Ooo, I have those!!
Brooke: Mmm, yes, much better! The tea tastes more like apple pie now.
Stacey: It definitely has an apple cider vibe and I get the tart taste, too. I better let Mom try it.

…
Lorie: Ooo it looks like a red sleigh…*sip*…oh… but doesn’t taste very nice at all! Ick! Nope. Not for me! Phew.

…
Brooke: To be honest I don’t like this tea either. It has a bitter taste at the end that I don’t like.
Stacey: Aw, really? But it’s so festive! It’s warming me up after being outside! The sweetness is starting to get to me, though.
Andrea: I’m glad I got to use up my cinnamon sticks, at least!
Brooke: Yeah… I’m not finishing this one. I will, however, gnaw on the cinnamon!
Andrea: Brooke!!

Tea Vibes

Brooke: Sleigh Ride is full of flavor and the ingredients really complement each other but it’s just not for me. Like Goji Pop, it has that bitterness and tartness that overwhelmed my senses.  I definitely like my teas less fruity, a bit heartier. Unfortunately Sleigh Ride doesn’t really do it for me. Ho ho no. 4.5/10

Andrea: The tea reminds me of another cranberry tea I’ve had before. The tea is really sweet, probably to cover up the tartness, if it was less sweet it would probably be too bitter. With that being said, I will finish off the cup… though I’m glad I don’t have a big box to finish. 5.5/10

Stacey: I know what DAVIDsTEA is going for but I think Sleigh Ride would definitely be better as an iced tea. I’m not a fan of sweet hot teas, so I don’t recommend this one for those with a similar palate. I think adding a cinnamon stick helped, but it still has an odd combination of sweet and tart. This tea doesn’t make me cringe when I drink it but it doesn’t make me smile either. 6/10

Well folks, I think it’s safe to say that this Sleigh Ride was a little too wild for our liking. But hey, if you have a sweet tooth and want to take a break from all of those holiday desserts, then this tea may be for you.

Once again, we would like to thank you, our loyal readers, for joining on this tea-tasting journey. We really appreciate all the love and support, you are all awesome! This post will be our last one for 2012…but don’t worry, we’ll be back in 2013 to finish off our version of “24 Days of Tea” and get started on our 800g Nourish Tea gift package (can anyone say “Tea Party?”). We hope you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and we’ll see you in the New Year!

Until next tea,
Stacey and Brooke

“Anyone want another cup?” “Neigh thank you!”

[I have to give Brooke credit for that one…]

Coco Chai Rooibos

(New to our blog? Check out our first post- 24 Days of Tea)

Hello precious readers!

Welcome back to another episode of Tea Time. I’m Brooke, and I’ll be your host this afternoon. Today, Stacey and I dive into the world of spice with a zippy Coco Chai Rooibos. Will it pale in comparison to our rocket adventure or will it spice up our lives? Stay tuned to find out.

Tea: Coco Chai Rooibos

Ingredients: Rooibos, coconut, cinnamon, ginger root, cardamom, cloves, pink peppercorns.

DAVIDsTEA Description: If you’re into spice-based chais, this one is for you. It’s got a smooth base of caffeine-free, antioxidant-filled rooibos, and a satisfying kick of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and piquant red peppercorns. Plus there’s a strong hint of coconut, for a slightly exotic twist. Try it straight up or infused in hot milk for a truly fabulous chai latte. It’s the kind of thing you get addicted to.

—

To start things off, we used 1.5tsp of the loose leaf mix per cup and steeped our mugs for 6 minutes at 98°C. We could smell the spices right away but we had some initial concerns with the flavours…

Stacey: Ok, so… the goal of this tea test is to try and taste the coconut. But…man. The cinnamon is still freaking me out. Why is it there??

After removing the tea infusers, we had both noticed hoards of cinnamon debris floating in our cups.  Like… way too many for us to not feel a bit weirded out. How did they escape? What did they want with us?

*sip*

Stacey: you can definitely taste the rooibos, Mmm. I like that.
Brooke: I was worried about the ginger, but it’s really complimentary. Like a gingerbread cookie.
Stacey: But “Coco” Chai? Really? No. There is no coconut here.
Brooke: I might have burnt my mouth off from the Indian food I had last night… but I don’t taste any spicy either.
Stacey: Aw this is fun, Brooke.

We paused briefly to shout about Justin Bieber, as roommates often do. “How could he post that shirtless picture of himself on twitter?” “He met Stephen Harper wearing dirty overalls!”

Stacey: HOLD UP. I TASTE THE PEPPERCORN.
Brooke: I don’t know, this tea is kind of falling flat at the end. It’s just burning the back of my throat.
Stacey: …He got at MEDAL? HE WAS WEARING OVERALLS! There’s still cinnamon in my teeth.

—

Tea Vibes:

Stacey: Okay, so to be honest, this tea is spicy… but not a hot spicy, just flavourful. I could definitely taste the ginger but the cinnamon unnerved me. I’m always a fan of rooibos so it was nice to have a chai rooibos. Definitely NO coconut, though. Overall, I’d give this tea a 6/10. It would have been a 7 or 8 if the flavours lasted the whole time but they pittered out at the end. I would say enjoy this tea while it’s hot.

Brooke: Couldn’t agree more, Stace. There were delicious hints of gingerbread cookie and cloves at the beginning that unfortunately faded near the end. Unlike black tea based chais, this one was softer and easier to drink without milk. It filled you up nicely but be sure to drink it down before the tea cools, or else you’ll be left with spicy water. I’ll give it a 7/10, because it was certainly delicious at the beginning. Whew!

Overall, we both agreed that the two signature ingredients “coconut and peppercorn” were not accurate. We’d say they were ginger, cloves, and cardamom. It’s a nice tea to have when you’re in the mood for some zip- but drink it quickly! You don’t want to let it cool down as you discuss baby pop stars with your tea partner.

With that, another episode of Tea time comes to an end. Coco Chai Rooibos: a tea that makes you really, really, really wanna zigazig ah.

Until next tea,

Brooke and Stacey

What is this I don’t even.