Tea Reviews

Adagio’s Christmas Advent Tea Calendar

December 19, 2021 by Emily Dill Leave a Comment

Guys, I now have a new yearly tradition. And I don’t say that lightly – I love my old tried-and-true traditions, and it’s a big deal for me to add something new to the mix. But I have had SO much fun with this Christmas Tea Advent Calendar from Adagio Teas.

What’s funny is that my husband has had just as much fun as I have, if not more – sometimes he’ll walk into the room with the calendar reminding me that we haven’t opened that day’s little door yet. We’re both going to be sad when we’re through with this advent!

I don’t want to post many pictures of the specific teas in case you haven’t opened yours yet! I’ll just say that there are some absolutely amazing teas in here.

Adagio sent me the loose leaf version (which is my personal preference), but they also provide a tea bag version each year as well. I think next year I’ll order a second calendar to gift my parents after Thanksgiving so they can try it along with me and compare notes!

Again, not to be a spoiler, but the Candy Cane and the Cocomint Green have been my favorites! And my husband adored the Kentucky Bourbon. Let me know which day has been your favorite!

The Two Autumn Teas You Need ASAP

October 20, 2021 by Emily Dill Leave a Comment

Thanks to Adagio, I’ve got the inside track on the two loose leaf teas you have to have in your autumn rotation. And when have I ever steered you wrong? 🙂

The first is my current favorite loose leaf tea (I’ve probably said that before about another tea but look, I discover new teas all the time and my mind changes okay? Lol.) The Honeybush Blueberry Pancake tea (don’t say it 5 times fast) is THAT tea. The smell is incredible, like sticking your face into a plate of blueberry pancakes and syrup (which we’ve all done, right? RIGHT?)

But luckily, the taste is just as good. I’ve only ever tried this tea hot (I drink it before it even has a chance to cool), but I’m sure it would be amazing as an iced tea too.

The other tea I’m going to advise you to check out is actually one of my husband’s favorites, the Fiery Cinnamon Spice tea. He’s an odd bird in that he doesn’t like desserts or anything sweet, but he loves fruity teas or any tea with cinnamon. He said that this tea reminded him of eating hot cinnamon candy, which apparently is a good thing.

I’ve actually mixed the cinnamon spice leaves with two other teas to make little cinnamon autumn hybrids, and they’ve all turned out amazing, so even adding these leaves to another tea you have will kick it up a little. Or a lot. That’s between you and your tea and God.

Let me know if you try any of these amazing teas! I’m anxious to hear which one you prefer!

The Autumn Teas Sampler from Adagio

October 16, 2021 by Emily Dill Leave a Comment

What’s better than one really good Autumn tea?

Well, four, of course.

Thanks to Adagio, that little crisp-fall-leaves dream can come true. Their Autumn Teas sampler includes four different loose leaf teas, each of which would be worth buying on their own. Here’s the list:

– My personal favorite from the pack, the Autumn Mist Green Tea. It’s just that darn good. It’s gunpowder green which is one of my personal favorite things in the history of ever. Then throw in some apple? Some rose? Some creme brulee? HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS? Whew.

– Bonfire, which is my husband’s favorite (seriously, he’s already made me order more which should get delivered this week). I don’t know how to say this except it’s absolutely like drinking a campfire. And I don’t know how I know that because I’m certain that’s an activity I’ve never partaken in.

But somehow, in my soul, I know this is what it tastes like. I can’t even go into what all is in this tea (like, there’s peppercorns, and cinnamon, and some cloves, and cocoa, and some apple, and some hazelnut flavor…), but just know that it all comes together to taste like….fire. And apparently that’s my husband’s thing. Who knew?

– Pumpkin spice, which almost everyone is crazy for this time of year, right? There’s some spice and cinnamon and ginger and cloves, oh my. I’d personally add a little sweetener or cream, but you don’t have to listen to me, I’m not your mom. (Unless Colton’s reading this, in which case I AM your momma and go to sleep, you’ve had a big day. And also, you’re 1, how are you reading this?!).

– Honeybush pumpkin chai, which is an herbal tea, so you can enjoy pumpkin spiciness any time of day. It also has cocoa nibs and safflower in there, along with some ginger and cardamom. Chai and spicy teas are my least favorites and no matter how hard I try to force it, that will never change, but if you like these teas (and tons of people do!), you’ll love the two pumpkin drinks included in the sampler.

Let me know your favorite from the pack (its the green tea, right? Thought so.) – and tell my husband to slow down on drinking the Bonfire because I’m not made of money.

Bella Luna Blue from Adagio

August 2, 2021 by Emily Dill Leave a Comment

Some things happen once in a Blue Moon.

Sorry, I had to. 🙂

Bella Luna Blue, meet the reader. Reader, meet Bella.

I wish you could smell this tea! This is where scratch and sniff technology would really come in handy for smart phones and computers. (And then there are times that I’m really, really glad it doesn’t exist.)

This is the Bella Luna Blue tea from Adagio Teas and it smells like a slice of blueberry heaven, which I’m sure is a real section of the actual Heaven. Catch me there in 6 or 7 decades. This loose leaf tea is ONLY available for purchase on an actual blue moon and the next one is August 22nd (thank you so much Adagio for my bag – I’m so glad I didn’t have to wait!). This limited edition tea brews blue, but turns purple when you add lemon juice, and it’s pretty freaking cool to watch. In the picture below, I’m sure you’ll be able to tell which one I added lemon juice to.

Blue is my favorite color so I like mine better without the lemon juice, but the purple is still beautiful (and tart and lemony for those of you into that). The flavors are just as good as the smell, with a delicious combination of blueberries, lemongrass, and Butterfly Pea Flower.

Make sure to make yourself a note, or set a reminder, for August 22nd, so you can grab a bag of this tea and taste (and smell!) this yumminess for yourself. 🙂

Unmatched Love for Matcha Love

March 23, 2021 by Emily Dill Leave a Comment

Benjamin Franklin once said that the only certain things in life were death and taxes. I think if he were around today he’d have to add “oh, and at some point today Emily will drink matcha”. When I say I’m obsessed…it’s a big deal. Especially because of my semi-addiction to iced matcha lattes. Put some matcha powder in a shaker and add some form of milk and ice and I’ll forget my own name. BUT, we have a problem, Houston, when the venti iced matcha latte from Starbucks (the only place in my area that makes them and the only size that even comes close to satisfying me) runs over $5. So my daily fix costs me around $35 a week, which *gulp* runs around $140 a month.

Yeah, I can’t be doing that.

Enter the wonderful product above. Each packet can be mixed with milk and thrown over ice and voila, homemade iced matcha latte. Here’s the fun part (what am I saying, it’s green tea, it’s ALL the fun part): I can get a can of 15 packets from Meijer for usually around $10. Thus (do people still say thus? I’m bringing it back.), for the cost of 2 Starbucks lattes, I can make 15 at home.

Now sometimes I’m away from the house all day and need my fix to go. Or sometimes I want to browse Target while getting my fix. And I don’t mind making an exception every now and then. But discovering this delicious and cost-efficient product will *literally* save me hundreds of dollars this year.

And that’s pretty darn precious.

Sleepytime Peach from Celestial Seasonings

March 17, 2021 by Emily Dill Leave a Comment

Funny story (or not?): as a baby I was allergic to peach fuzz and couldn’t have anything peach. Eventually I outgrew the allergy (obvs) and now I love any and all peach- flavored things (ice cream, candy, drinks, etc.).

This tea is my current favorite herbal tea – I go pretty hard with matcha and caffeinated tea all day (the thug life chose me), so I try to go herbal before bedtime to wind down a little. This herbal tea has all the good stuff: lemongrass, spearmint, chamomile, rosebuds, plus some blackberry leaves and orange blossoms just to show off.

I’ve never had a bad fruit-flavored herbal tea from Celestial Seasonings, and the streak lives on. I don’t wanna say this tea is just peachy….but yeah, I kind of do.

The Wellness Tea Review: Everything About this Tea is Beautiful

December 30, 2020 by Joi Leave a Comment

The Wellness Tea

One of my newest tea obsessions is from The Wellness Tea, pictured here. Before getting to the benefits, let’s be honest… if a tea doesn’t taste good, the benefits go right down the drain (along with the tea). This tea is spectacular – very, very delicious and enjoyable. I’ll be honest, when I first brewed a cup, I was pretty much expecting it to taste like every other blend that contains chamomile… chamomile! It’s one of those aromas and flavors that dominates. It’s a beautiful herb and has a beautiful flavor – but, by its very nature, it loves to be the center of attention. If you’re familiar with cooking, you’ll recognize that garlic is the same way. They’re like only children… we want to be the center of attention!

So, yes, I expected this tea to essentially be like a cup of chamomile tea. I was very wrong and I’m delighted to have been. They have hit upon the perfect blend to keep chamomile in its place – a delightful member of the team, not the superstar who tries to control the entire game.

If I had to wager a guess, I’d say it’s the cinnamon and ginger combination that help keep chamomile in check. They share the spotlight and the flavor is out of this world.

Health Benefits of The Wellness Tea

If (like me) you’re making health a huge priority in 2021, I know you’ll want to learn more about this tea. If 2020 taught us anything it’s that the healthier we are, the better our odds are of fighting off illnesses and viruses. The stronger our body, the stronger its defenses.

Immunity boosting properties (as well as anti-inflammatory action) is one of the things I love most about this particular tea. Anyone who isn’t interested, at this point, in boosting their immunity simply isn’t paying attention! I particularly love the thought of being able to do something healthy for myself while doing something I enjoy everyday anyway – drinking hot tea in the evening.

It doesn’t get any simpler or more delicious than that!

The Wellness Tea Pyramid Tea Bags

I also love the fact that The Wellness Tea comes in beautiful, ideal pyramid tea bags. Pyramid tea bags, such as this, are basically like having a built in infuser INSIDE your cup. You can see the dry tea leaves and other healthy, organic ingredients, but the pyramid tea bag allows you to steep your tea without having to get an infuser or strainer out.

I’ve gotten to where I love simplicity almost as much as I do tea.

(Review Continued Below…)

BENEFITS of The Wellness Tea

Immune system

Anti-inflammatory

Ease digestion

Control blood sugar level

Calming

Cleanse

Heart health

Energy boost

Improve skin health

INGREDIENTS

Organic Ashwagandha Root, Organic Astragalus, Organic Chamomile, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Dandelion Root, Organic Elderberries, Organic Ginger, Organic Lemon Balm, Organic Milk Thistle Seeds, Organic Turmeric

Caffeine-free
No artificial colors
No additives
Made in USA

You can find this delicious and healthy tea on their website, The Wellness Tea. They offer free standard shipping in the US and even have (as of today) a code at the top of their website for 10 percent off your order.

The Wellness Tea: Look at that Goodness!

24 Days of Tea Advent Calendar from Adagio Teas…. LOVE THIS!

November 24, 2019 by Joi Leave a Comment

24 Days of Tea Advent Calendar from Adagio Teas

I am obsessed with Christmas. I have been obsessed with Christmas for all of my life and am, honestly, more in love with it now than when I (an only child) had a mountain of dolls and toys in front of me. There’s something to be said for growing older and realizing just how magical the Season truly is.

Needless to say, this time every year, our home is completely decked out in Christmas decor, ornaments, advent calendars, snowmen, etc. – every single room, including the laundry room gets into the Spirit.

You’re looking at the newest Christmas item to give our home extra cheer. The best part about it is that it also gave us extra tea. Win, win!

The History of the Advent Calendar

From Adagio Teas: The history of the Advent Calendar dates to the mid-19th century when German Protestants made chalk marks on doors or lit candles to count the days leading up to Christmas. In the U.S. however, Dwight D. Eisenhower is often credited for popularizing the Advent calendar tradition. During his presidency, Ike was photographed opening an Advent calendar with his grandchildren and the photo ran in several national newspapers.

The 24 Days of Tea Advent Calendar from Adagio Teas is an especially fun way to count down to the big Day. Each day, you pop open one of the hidden “drawers” to reveal a new individually wrapped bag of tea. They’re from Adagio Teas’ VERY popular varieTEAS, so you know each one will be absolutely perfect.

The Advent Calendar is just the thing you or any tea lover in your life needs this Christmas season. If you give it as a gift, just be sure to give it early so it can be fully enjoyed!

If you have cats like I do, you get an EXTRA bonus…. you know how much cats love empty boxes. This little girl has been in this box for 3 hours napping.

I recommend this Advent Calendar 110 percent. The box is gorgeous, the teas are outstanding, it’s a lot of fun to see what each day brings for brewing, and the box… there’s always the box…

Click here for many more pictures of the Advent Calendar. If you choose to see ALL of the teas included, there is a link you can click on to see the list.

Twinings Darjeeling Tea: Sweet Addiction!

October 17, 2019 by Joi Leave a Comment

There are certain varieties (and brands) of tea that I always, always, always have on hand. Always. The tea you see pictured here, Twinings Darjeeling Tea is one of the ones I’m most loyal to.

There are other brands of Darjeeling but I haven’t found one I love as much. There’s just something about Darjeeling done right and Twinings does Darjeeling SO VERY RIGHT!

Did you know that Twinings was founded in London, England in 1706? Talk about longevity and on the job experience. Little wonder they’re one of the best tea brands in the business. You pick up a bit of knowledge over hundreds of years, I’d imagine.

Darjeeling tea is one of those teas that tastes exceptional iced or hot. For people like me, who drink tea all day and all night, this is a must. If I had to choose my favorite way to enjoy a cup of Darjeeling, however, it’d be hot.

Here’s the kicker, I’m a honey fanatic and add honey to most of the cups of hot tea I drink. However, even I wouldn’t dream of adding anything to a cup of Darjeeling tea. It’d seem… well, wrong. This tea has a hint of sweetness without adding anything at all. That, as well as its beautiful fragrance, make this one of my favorite teas.

This Heavenly intense black tea is from the foothills of the Himalayas, and it doesn’t let you forget its exotic background for one second.

Some teas are perfectly content to have a subtle, almost shy, personality. They’re subtle, so they don’t make a lot of noise. They’re just happy to be in your presence. Subtle teas are like, it’s up to you – if you want to add a little fruit, fine. If you want to stir in a little honey, great. If you want to eat cookies or pie as you sip, wonderful. Have at it.

It’s all about you, and subtle teas insist on being your second in command.

Then there’s Darjeeling Tea. Darjeeling Tea is the star of the show, with a delightful diva-like presence that I LOVE.

If you’ve never tried Darjeeling Tea, you have to grab some Twinings Darjeeling Tea and prepare to fall in love.

Continued Below….

You’ll find yourself following the same ritual I do:

I open the box of Twinings Darjeeling Tea
I put my nose to the box and inhale the wonderful aroma
I joyfully brew up an amazing mug to enjoy, usually two cups because one is never enough
I wonder how I ever got along without Darjeeling

It’s a wonderful ritual and one I highly recommend.

Exquisite Loose Green Tea from Masters Tea by Adagio (Review)

September 1, 2019 by Joi Leave a Comment

Masters Teas by Adagio

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times – tea isn’t just a drink, tea is an experience. Whatever the reason(s), tea isn’t just something we enjoy while making memories, it becomes part OF the memory:

A hot chai tea latte while watching the first snowfall
A tall class of iced raspberry tea as you admire your bed of zinnias
Hot green tea with honey and a slice of orange while wrapping Christmas presents
An especially good glass of iced tea on date night with the love of your life

Tea is that special – and every true tea lover knows it.

Meng Ding Huang Ya

That’s why we never hesitate to buy specialty teas, gorgeous tea mugs, infusers, tea-related products, etc. And that’s why we get downright excited when we come across a new source for excellent tea. As you can tell from my tea reviews, I love ordering loose tea online. While I buy my everyday tea bags at Kroger, I’ve found that the best loose tea is only online.

Over the years, one of my favorite sources has been Adagio tea. They’re just excellent – every single step of the buying, brewing, and drinking process is flawless. How many things can you say that about?!

That’s why I was so excited to learn that they’d launched a new division, Master Teas, and why I jumped at the chance to review a few teas on my tea blog.

Master Teas Mission Statement:

The intention of Masters Teas is to share the finest, freshest specialty teas direct from the farms where they grow. We invite you to get to know the artisans who tender them and learn their stories. It is not necessary to be a tea connoisseur to enjoy these exceptional productions, as we intend to offer as much information as possible to help you on a journey of tea discovery. Masters Teas is proud to offer you our 2019 fresh-from-the-field teas the moment they arrive. Each offering is a limited edition, small-lot production.

Meng Ding Mao Feng

I love green tea with a passion, so each of the loose teas I chose to review were green teas:

I’ve tried each of these three BEAUTIFUL teas hot and cold and they are simply breathtaking. If you’ve ever enjoyed top of the line loose tea, you’ll know what I mean when I say there’s simply nothing quite like it. I cannot possibly say which of these exquisite teas is my favorite. While there is a similarity between the first two, there is also noticeable difference. Meng Ding Mao Feng has a sweeter taste – especially (for me, anyway) when iced. It tastes like an amazing cup of lightly sweetened green tea and it is a beautiful, beautiful thing!

It is just as wonderful when served hot.

The Meng Ding Huang Ya tea is also perfection in a cup… literally. While less sweet, it is easily as delicious as the Meng Ding Mao Feng. It, too, is just as excellent iced as it is hot.

The third tea, Yu Qian Anji Bai Cha might just be the most unique loose green tea (or any loose tea!) I’ve ever tasted. You take a sip and try to identify the wonderful underlying flavor… but you can’t quite come up with it, so you take another sip. Then another. Before you know it, the wonderful (perfectly, perfectly wonderful) cup is completely gone and you’re still left wondering, “What was that delicious flavor in the background?!” After drinking this particular tea for the first time – as well as each subsequent time – the first word to come to mind was, “Intriguing.”

Not, that’s a very special tea!

Truth be told, however, they are all three exceptional teas. When I was thinking through this review, I kept asking myself, “If you were to recommend only ONE for your reader friends to try first, which would it be?” My answer each time I quizzed myself was the same, “I can’t pick just one!”

Gorgeous, HIGH Quality Teaware

I also ordered a gorgeous tea cup that caught my eye (you can see the beauty in the pictures above and below). It’s the Nami Cup (color: Ash) and no photo does it justice. The size and texture are unlike any tea cup I’ve seen and I’m absolutely in love with it. It was larger than I was expecting, which is always a wonderful surprise. I hope you’ll click through and see all of the gorgeous Teaware (cups, mugs, teapots, infuser sets…). There are beautiful, serene, colors available and these would make EXCELLENT Christmas gifts for the tea lovers on your list. Unique, gorgeous gifts they’ll absolutely love. Be warned, though, when you see these, you’ll want to keep them for yourself.

I’ll never tell!