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Herbal Teas

Bella Luna Blue from Adagio

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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. 🙂

Sleepytime Peach from Celestial Seasonings

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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.

Plum Deluxe: Sunshine in a Cup Herbal Tea (Review)

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Plum Deluxe Loose Leaf Tea - Sunshine in a Cup Herbal Tea

Plum Deluxe Sunshine in a Cup Herbal Tea

I was recently sent some beautiful Plum Deluxe Loose Leaf tea to review on Crazy Tea Chick.

Who said there weren’t any perks to being crazy? Not me, I never said it.

The first thing I noticed about Plum Deluxe was the stylish way they go about everything.  They do everything with the level of charm you’d expect from a tea business.Even the logo is perfectly lovely.

I’ve actually been wanting to tell you about this beautiful and delicious tea for a few weeks now, but what with Christmas, New Year’s, and embarking on a total new design for the Crazy Tea Chick tea blog, I have been busier than anyone has a right to be.

Frankly, I thought it much more fitting to wait and “do right” by Plum Deluxe as opposed to rushing through a review and throwing up a random picture or two.  Tea deserves better than that and Plum Deluxe is simply too classy to treat in a shoddy fashion.  I may be crazy, but I’ve never been accused of being shoddy.

When I first brewed the beautiful and aromatic “Sunshine in a Cup Herbal Tea,” I was knocked out by the color as well as the taste. I’m a very visual person, so I take in and “breathe” the entire experience when enjoying tea (or coffee, chocolate, baseball…).  The way I see it, the more of our senses we involve in our moments, the fuller our moments will be.

After thoroughly enjoying my first cups of tea, I brewed another little Hario pitcher of it, this time a little stronger than before – I wanted to make sure the gorgeous color showed up vividly in the pictures.  Frankly, I’m still not sure the pictures do it credit.

The flavors in this tea are amazing. With calendula flowers, hibiscus flowers, you’d probably expect this tea to be unique. You’d be right! It’s very unique… very special.  If you’re a fan (as I am) of Tazo’s Passion Tea, you’ll absolutely love this tea.

It makes a wonderful hot cup of tea but my favorite way to drink this particular herbal tea is iced.  Words can’t describe the beautiful flavor.

{Review Continued Below…}

Plum Deluxe Loose Leaf Teas

Plum Deluxe

I love the approach Plum Deluxe with all things, including their About Page:

We’re a little different than your typical lifestyle blog, and we’re very different than your typical online tea company. We’re a community – and one of my not-so-subtle goals is to share the story and lessons I learned from my mother, Pam.

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 59. The subsequent 5 years of her life while she battled the disease were some of the best years of her life. She took the opportunity for self-care days and spa treatments, to keep her spirits up. She went out to dinner parties with friends to celebrate each day, and went to the gym regularly and became very fit. She laughed more. She traveled more – visiting her favorite city, Paris, and finally visiting the town her family was from in Germany.

My mom taught me that no matter your circumstances, you can choose to create moments that matter, every day. And some of the most enjoyable moments are the small things – time to sleep in, relaxing in a reading nook, going on a neighborhood walk, or catching up with an old friend over a cup of tea.  {Please Read More…}

As a mother, I can’t tell you how much I love and respect this son’s tribute to his mother. I can, however, tell you how incredibly proud and honored she’d be.

I’ve read through Plum Deluxe’s website and I’ve come away with this – it’s more of a community than a business. There is absolutely NO corporate coldness about Plum Deluxe. They’re as special as their tea is.

I hope you’ll visit their website and see all the exciting things they have going on. Things such as…

If you have a special someone to shop for this Valentine’s Day, you might want to check out Plum Deluxe’s Tea Gift Sets – if you’re at all familiar with my sweet tooth, you won’t be surprised to know my personal pick is the Sweet Tooth Gift Set. Come on, anyone can pick up a box of candy. Show your Valentine that you’ve put extra thought into this – give them a tea gift set AND the box of candy.

Man I hope my husband’s reading this…

Tomorrow, I’ll review Plum Deluxe Tea’s Oregon Breakfast Black Tea and Monday I’ll post my review of their Vanilla Latte Tea. Each of the three is outstanding and highly recommended by none other than the Crazy Tea Chick, herself.

More Plum Deluxe Reviews on Crazy Tea Chick:

Learn more about Plum Deluxe teas, gift sets, newsletter, and tea club by visiting their website: Plum Deluxe. You can also find them on Pinterest and Facebook.

Plum Deluxe Loose Leaf Tea

Lipton Herbal Pyramid Tea Bags: Orange Blossom Hibiscus (Review)

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Lipton Orange Blossom Hibiscus Tea

Lipton Orange Blossom Hibiscus Tea: Beautifully Delicious!

I had read some reviews for Lipton’s Orange Blossom Hibiscus a while back and was anxious to try it for myself.  Even though most of the reviews said there wasn’t much flavor, I knew Lipton’s line of “Pyramid” teas well enough to know this couldn’t really be the case. Lipton and “not much flavor” don’t add up – so I went ahead with my pans to try it for myself.

After one sip, I had to ask my cat (as she was the only one around at the time), “What flavor were these reviewers expecting?!”  There is a wonderful flavor that, I would think, would be impossible to miss.  It isn’t a flavor that will hit you in the face and spin your head around – like so many artificial flavors on the market.  I honestly think it’s these cursed evils that cause people to sometimes quip, “… not much flavor..”  Compared to the artificial flavors and sweeteners people have become so accustomed to, sometimes a lovely subtle flavor causes them to think there’s no flavor at all.

Buggers.

Like all of Lipton’s Pyramid bag teas, the experience begins the minute you look at the bag. You can see the orange and the hibiscus (which has been proven to be wonderful for high blood pressure, by the way) alongside the tea leaves and you can most certainly smell them.

When I first tried this beautiful tea, I used one bag for a cup of hot tea. It was fantastic.  The next time, I used two bags and it was (of course) stronger and just as wonderful.  For anyone who enjoys their tea’s flavors to appear “up front,” two bags is the way to go.  I, however, prefer for the flavors to be subtly in the “background,” with the tea up front where it belongs.

This tea is also great served over ice – especially with a slice of orange floating on top.

It’s caffeine free, which means it’s ideal for a late evening cup of tea.  It’s a beautiful way to bring your day to a close.

You can buy Lipton Herbal Pyramid Tea Bags, Orange Blossom Hibiscus, 18 Count on Amazon at a GREAT deal. Click through for information.

I 100 percent recommend all of Lipton’s “Pyramid Bag” Teas.  By the way, do you know the reason for the pyramid shaped bags? Not only are they super cool looking, but the pyramid-shaped bags allow the herbs and fruit pieces to flow freely for full flavor and full aroma.

I haven’t had one of these Lipton teas yet that didn’t reaffirm my Crazy Tea Chick status. See Lipton Herbal Pyramid Tea Bags for different varities or click through the slideshow below (certain mobile devices will not show the slideshow, so just use the link!).

Republic of Tea Get Relaxed Herb Tea

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The Republic of Tea Get Relaxed Herb Tea

My husband gave me an adorable tea gift set not long ago (pictured above) from Republic of Tea. The purple mug and accompanying infuser came with the tea and all but stole the show. (To see the mug, click here. All of the other links in this post lead to the tea, itself.)

While I was immediately infatuated with the little mug (perfect for enjoying a cup of relaxing tea in the evening), I was also anxious to try the herbal tea. Republic of Tea only knows how to make one kind of tea – Awesome – so I knew I was in for something special.

There’s really nothing quite like a relaxing cup of hot tea in the evening and I have to say, the  Republic of Tea: Get Relaxed Herb Tea  is incredibly relaxing. You can just feel the activities of the day fade away as the only thing left is a more relaxed version of yourself enjoying a delicious cup of tea.

While I, personally, don’t suffer from any type of anxiety or stress,  I was amazed by some of the reviews I’ve read for Republic of Tea: Get Relaxed Herb Tea – a lot of people who DO have anxiety attacks and stress-related problems credit this tea with helping them a great deal.

A natural relief to unsettling ailments?  It doesn’t get much better than that.

I’ve also found that this tasty tea is great for those nights when you have trouble getting to sleep. It helps you unwind and drift into a beautifully relaxed state of mind…. and sleep isn’t far behind!

Click through the image or any of the links for more information. You can, of course, also find Get Relaxed on Republic of Tea’s website.

Green Tea Review: Triple Leaf Tea’s Ginkgo & Decaf Green Tea

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Triple Leaf Tea Ginkgo and Decaf Green Tea

As you’d expect from someone who runs a tea blog, I drink tea all day long. From the first glass of iced green tea in the morning (as odd as it may sound to some people, I drink iced green tea along with my cups of coffee each morning) to my last cup of hot tea in the evening, there’s a steady stream of tea bags and flowing tea leaves in my kitchen.

I don’t really like to have much caffeine late in the evening, though, so I’ve been experimenting with a few different decafs. One I’ve fallen particularly in love with is shown above, Triple Leaf Tea, Tea Bags, Ginkgo & Decaf Green Tea with Panax Ginsengs & Chinese Herbs, 1.4-Ounce Bags, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6).

Healthy and delicious? That’s something I can get behind.

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Herbal dietary supplement. Supports mental alertness & memory. Helps maintain a healthy immune system. Supports natural vitality. Naturally decaffeinated tea to maintain antioxidants. Ancient Chinese medicinals. Now you can enjoy the benefits of ginkgo, green tea and Chinese herbs without the caffeine! Our green tea is naturally decaffeinated using a carbon dioxide process that maintains green tea’s beneficial antioxidants. Research indicates that ginkgo helps promote healthy circulation and oxygen supply to the brain and extremities, and helps support normal mental alertness, concentration and memory. Gingko, Asian and American Panax ginsengs, eleuthero, astragalus, poria, fo-ti and eucommia are traditional Chinese longevity herbs, used to tonify the liver and kidney. They were used to help maintain the healthy function of the immune system, and to help build the body’s vitality, strength and resistance to mental and physical stress. Experts recommend drinking three or more cups of green tea a day. Drink this delicious tea anytime of day, hot or iced, as is, or try adding lemon and your favorite sweetener. Traditional Chinese medicine began in approximately 2500 B.C. Recently, here in the West, people have discovered the value of this ancient system which focuses on aiding the body’s own healing mechanisms through restoring harmony and balance. The Chinese system of herbology has been recorded in ancient texts which are studied and employed even today. This time tested knowledge has been passed on from generation to generation over the centuries. Triple Leaf Tea comes from such a tradition. It is made in the U.S.A. by a Chinese American family-owned business. The company owner can remember stories of his own grandfather selling herbs and teas in his village in China. Today, these traditional Chinese herbal formulas are available to you. We wish you harmony and balance! We use oxygen bleached tea bags. (These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.) Made in U.S.A.

All Triple Leaf Tea is excellent AND nutritious.  I’m beginning to feel like a complete expert on this brand because we’ve tried just about everything they make!

I love my Ginkgo & Decaf Green Tea with honey and a spritz of lemon but it’s actually a great tasting cup of tea without anything added. It’s also great on ice, but I prefer it hot.  Truth be told, even though I had it in mind for drinking in the evening, I often make a cup during the day simply because I’m hooked on the taste. In fact, it’s 10:40 am as I’m writing this review and I’m enjoying a cup right now.

A big, big cup.

Click either picture or the following link for more information about this flavorful, comforting, and ridiculously delicious tea: Triple Leaf Tea, Tea Bags, Ginkgo & Decaf Green Tea with Panax Ginsengs & Chinese Herbs, 1.4-Ounce Bags, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6).

Cup of Tea

My 5 favorite hot teas this month…

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As you may know (scratch that, you better know), January is National Hot Tea Month. I’m not sure how that works in other countries – I would recommend that they celebrate hot tea this month as well, but no one’s asked my opinion. Yet.

Anyway, as a way of celebrating hot tea, I’ve listed my current favorite hot teas below…obviously I’m pretty much crazy about most hot teas, but these are the ones that I just…can’t…stop….DRINKING. 🙂

White Coconut Creme by Tea Gallerie (official website): I cannot, with my great talent at words and description, even begin to describe how good this tea is. It seriously is amazing, and decadent, and reminiscent of a moist coconut cake that my mom makes that is out of this world. Make 2012 the year that you do nice things for yourself, and start by buying some of this tea.

 

Mint Chocolate Delight by Boston Tea Company (official website): Another tea that is delicious beyond words. Reminds me of those tasty after-dinner chocolates you get at Olive Garden when you’re ready to pay. Seriously one of the best teas I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking.

 

Chocolate Hazelnut Decaf Tea by Stash Premium Teas (official website): This tea is so, so decadent. It’s like you’re drinking a fancy chocolate Starbucks latte, but without the calories or caffeine. There have been times when I’ve wanted something sweet to eat, but I’ve just brewed some of this tea instead. Less calories, and all of the taste.

 

Wild Sweet Orange Herbal Infusion by Tazo Teas (official website): This is one of my 5 favorite teas of ALL TIME, not just for the month. It’s also the only tea that I’ve been able to convince Dill (my soda-guzzling spouse) to drink, and he loves it. As in, drinks about 2 cups of it each night. Success!

 

Mint Medley Herb Tea by Bigelow Tea (official website): I’m a hussy for anything with mint in it, and this tea is no exception to my rule. It’s delicious and tastes wonderful hot. We all know how good the herb mint is for us, and it goes without saying that tea does a body good, so do the math, people…drink this tea. 🙂

The Republic of Tea’s “Get Charged” Herbal Tea

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So, my sleep schedule’s been a little off these past few months. Instead of falling asleep around 12 or 1am (like I have most of my life), I’ve been falling asleep closer to 3 or 4am, which puts me behind on waking up, which throws my day off and I’m over it. Unfortunately, the only solution I can come up with is cutting back, ever so slightly, on my caffeine-intake. Cue the herbal, caffeine-free teas.

I did, of course, make coffee this morning (I didn’t want to DIE), but I decided to brew a tea that promoted “energy and focus” but didn’t O.D. me on caffeine. To my surprise, I found one in my cabinet (it’s like a tea shop up in there). The Republic of Tea has a line of red teas, and I happen to own one called “Get Charged: Herb Tea For Energy”. Yes, please.

It has a very strong smell, which is fine with me, and the taste is pretty strong as well. This is an “organic rooibos-based blend”, which is also paired with herbs like Chinese ginseng and peppermint, stevia, hibiscus, and a few things I’ve never heard of, honestly, like Ashwagandha, and Gotu kola leaf, which purportedly grants you focus and boosts circulation. (They do point out that the FDA hasn’t evaluated their statements, so don’t rely on their teas to treat diseases and whatnot.)

I can’t swear to anything, but I have noticed that since I finished my cup about an hour ago, I’ve stopped yawning, and I’ve gotten quite a few things done, including some writing that I’ve been putting off forever. The tea tastes pretty good – the only thing I don’t really love is the intense aftertaste. I’m all for a tea tasting vivid in my mouth while I’m drinking it, I just prefer not to still be tasting it several minutes after swallowing. But that’s not every person’s opinion, obviously – some people out there are crazy about aftertastes, God love ’em.

Final verdict? I’ll be brewing this tea quite often as an assistant to my morning coffee – the java wakes me up, while the tea keeps me focused. It’s so cute how they work together. 🙂