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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query "tea". Sort by date Show all posts

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

An Unusual, Delicious Strawberry Chocolate Tea With 0 Calories

If you're a tea lover, like exploring new flavors and prefer your "cuppa" slightly sweet, The Republic of Tea's Strawberry Chocolate Tea is definitely worth a try. This delicious, low caffeine herbal tea has no calories, so it's a lovely, guilt-free sweet treat you can enjoy any time of day.

Strawberry Chocolate Herbal Tea No Added Sugar, Low Caffeine, Naturally Sweet & Delicious!

I have been a lifelong tea drinker. While I enjoy a cup of coffee from time to time and I have been having one more often since switching to a low carb / keto diet, I'm definitely not in the "don't talk to me until I have had my morning cup of coffee" camp. However (with apologies to the Florida Citrus Board), "An afternoon without tea is like a day without sunshine." My favorites are made by The Republic of Tea, Harney & Sons, Twining, Tazo and Stash.

For the first half of my life, I drank only black tea varieties, growing up with the ubiquitous orange pekoe, then branching out into English Breakfast and Darjeeling. Later fruit flavored black varieties such as peach, apricot and mango became my favorites. About 10 years ago, I began taste testing green, white and rooibos (red) for their health benefits as well as decaf and low caffeine teas for evening sipping, after noticing that my previously low sensitivity to caffeine was increasing with age. I found the flavor of most green teas so grassy as to be unpalatable, but eventually I discovered The Republic of Tea Decaf Ginger Peach Green Tea and the company's naturally caffeine-free Ginger Peach Red Rooibos Tea that, until recently, was the only red rooibos beverage I enjoyed.

Republic of Tea Strawberry Chocolate Tea and tall insulated stainless steel travel cup

Since I consume not just a cup or mug but a large, 16-ounce Thermos insulated travel tumbler (and sometimes two) of leafy brew that I sip on over the course of several hours each day, I like having a nice selection to choose from. This year, I was in the mood to find a few new favorites and take a break from some of my old standbys. Since The Republic of Tea offers the largest variety I've seen and frequently adds to its line, I focused my search on their herbal and low caffeine offerings.

I found several delightful, new-to-me flavors, including naturally caffeine-free Queen's Cake Vanilla Fruit Tea and refreshing Whistledown Punch hibiscus iced tea with hints of citrus and pineapple from the company's Bridgerton collection, as well as SuperAdapt Restore and Reset, an organic herbal blend with reishi mushrooms and cocoa that's earthy and calming, and my newest obsession, Strawberry Chocolate Tea.

Image by Brook from Pixabay

Smooth, Satisfying and Slightly Sweet

I adore chocolate and cocoa, but I had never heard of a tea flavored with either one before encountering the company's Cuppa Chocolate Tea collection. I was skeptical but also intrigued by this idea. I also love chocolate-covered strawberries. So, after reading the overwhelmingly positive customer reviews of The Republic of Tea Strawberry Chocolate Tea on the company's website, I decided to give that one a try and ordered a 36-bag tin on Amazon (along with the SuperAdapt Restore and Reset and the two Bridgerton collection flavors I mentioned).

According to the label on the back of the tin, the strawberry chocolate flavor is an "Herb Tea for Sweethearts" with an equally fanciful description: "Chocolate mingles with a hint of ripe strawberry atop the rich flavor of rooibos in this delicious, aromatic and romantic cup." After highlighting rooibos's high antioxidant content, it invites us to "Enjoy a lovely cup of dessert with your sweetheart." The copywriters' creativity failed to persuade me, but it did amuse me. My husband doesn't much care for tea and, if I were to offer him a cup of this magical romantic potion, no doubt he would look at me quizically before politely declining!

Imaginary romantic associations aside, I hoped I would find this brew pleasurable to sip, whether alone or in my husband's company. What I never expected was that it would become my new current, go-to hot beverage!

Rooibos, with its gentle, smooth, nutty and slightly sweet (as well as somewhat earthy) flavor makes a perfect base for the chocolate and strawberry in this blend. To me, those two are more like "topnotes" or supporting players for the rooibos, but even though I'm usually not as fond of earthy teas, the rooibos flavor plays nicely with others and doesn't dominate. There is also a hint of vanilla that adds to this delightful cuppa.

Many customers find the natural sweetness sufficient for their tastes. I like mine a bit sweeter, especially since I often enjoy it in place of a dessert, so I stir in a spoonful of BochaSweet. You may prefer it with a little sugar.

What's In It?

Here are the ingredients in this delicious Strawberry Chocolate Tea:

Rooibos, carob, cocoa kernels, sweet blackberry leaves, natural chocolate and strawberry flavor, and bourbon vanilla beans.

Using all-natural flavors with nothing artificial helps to give this delightful tea its smoothness.

Naturally Low in Caffeine

Since I enjoy sipping tea in the evening as well as during the day, I always include some decaf, caffeine-free or low caffeine options. Fortunately, The Republic of Tea's Strawberry Chocolate Tea contains very little caffeine. Since both rooibos and carob are caffeine-free, I'm guessing the small amount of caffeine comes from the cocoa kernels.

A Sweet Treat That's Also Good For Your Health

Although it is marketed to appeal to romantics, anyone watching their calories, carbs or gluten will be happy to know that the lovely tea, with its natural sweetness, contains 0 calories and 0 carbs and, like all the company's products, is gluten-free.

As this 2020 WebMD article about the health benefits of drinking rooibos tea explains, rooibos is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that have important potential health benefits such as fighting inflammation, lowering blood sugar and reducing blood pressure.

So, while you're sipping your delicious cuppa, you're also doing something good for your body and your health.

Refill pouch of 250 strawberry chocolate tea bags

Save Money With Tea Bag Refills

I love The Republic of Tea's products and commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible use of natural resources, such as its signature round, unbleached tea bags that don't use unnecessary envelopes, strings, tags or staples and the air-tight, light resistant tins that can be refilled over and over or repurposed.

I always buy one of the 36-teabag tins when I want try a new flavor. If I don't love it, I always find an alternative use for the empty tin. For example, I have a couple next to our kitchen sink that hold dish/bottle brushes, and plan to cover a few others with decorative paper to hold some of my small jewelry making hand tools, pens, brushes, etc.

If I like the contents but am still on the fence, I can order a 36-teabag refill for the tin. When I fall in love with a flavor, as I did with the Strawberry Chocolate Tea, I buy the larger, more economical 250 teabags refill to replenish the original tin over and over.

Steeping Tips

The Republic of Tea recommends using one teabag per 6-ounce cup, and for herbal varieties like this one, to use boiling water (200–212 ℉) and steep for 5–7 minutes. I steep mine in my tall, insulated stainless steel travel tumbler, using two bags and 12 ounces of boiling water.

When I followed the recommended steeping time, the flavor a bit too weak for my liking. Fortunately, I remembered that herbal teas, unlike the black variety, don't become bitter when "over-steeped." So, after experimenting a bit, I found that I much prefer the taste of my strawberry chocolate cuppa after letting it steep for 10 minutes (or even a bit longer).

An Unusual, Delicious Strawberry Chocolate Tea With 0 Calories by Margaret Schindel

Posts About My Keto Diet Journey

My First Year on The Keto Diet

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part One

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part Two

Low Carb Muffins & Cupcakes: Treats to Enjoy on a Keto Diet

Low Carb Keto Chocolate Yogurt Granola Chip Pudding Recipe

Good Dee’s Keto Cookie Low Carb Baking Mix Review

Hamama Microgreens Growing Kit Review & Success Tips

My Favorite Hamama Microgreens Seed Quilt Accessories

Keto Cheddar Cheese Biscuits With Chives Recipe

The Ultimate Keto Hot Chocolate Recipe

The Best Low Carb Keto Gift Ideas: Keto Gift Guide

The Best Low Carb Keto Cinnamon Muffins

Wholesome Yum Keto Bread Mix and Yeast Bread Recipe

The Good Chocolate 100% Organic No Sugar Dark Chocolate Review

The Best Advice to Maintain Your Keto Diet Weight Loss

My New Irresistibly Delicious Keto Cheese Crackers Recipe

Luscious Low Carb Keto Triple Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Quick & Easy Livlo Blueberry Scones Keto Baking Mix Review

Snack Better With The Best Healthy Keto Cookie Dough Bites

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe

Comparing the Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads - No Added Sugars

The Best Low Carb Keto Sandwich and Burger Buns Mix

Blueberry Biscuit Scones — New, Easy, Low Carb Keto Recipe

The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs

An Unusual, Delicious Strawberry Chocolate Tea With 0 Calories

Delicious Sugar-Free Keto Cookies That OREO Fans Will Love

Healthy Pistachio Cherry Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cereal Treats Recipe

Easy, Decadent, High Protein, Sugar-Free Rocky Road Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

The Best Quick & Easy Low Carb Sausage and Ricotta Calzones

How to Make Refreshing Vanilla Italian Soda (With or Without Cream)

Reviews of the Keto Diet by Barbara C. (aka Brite-Ideas)

My Personal Keto Testimonial

How I Stayed Committed to the Ketogenic Way of Eating

Monday, December 18, 2023

Reviewing The Republic of Tea Ginger Peach

I recently purchased Ginger Peach full-leaf loose tea from The Republic of Tea and enjoy it so much that I had to make sure to share a review with you. As I am trying to make the move away from soda and toward more natural drinks, I have purchased several different teas and this, by far, is my favorite new tea.

Delicious Ginger Peach Tea

I am not a tea connoisseur. Far from it. However, I know what I like and what I don't like. I do not like sugary, syrupy teas or teas that have what seems like an artifical flavor. Most of the bottled teas that I have tried seem to fall into those categories. So I have been experimenting with herbal teas, such as Mullein, that I have harvested from my yard. I also enjoy Chamomile and plan to grow and harvest my own. In the meantime, I've purchased a large tea cup with a lid and infuser and have begun ordering small amounts of loose leaf tea.

The Republic of Tea -- Ginger Peach

I purchased a 3.5 oz bag (steeps 50 cups) of full-leaf loose Ginger Peach Black Tea. The packaging describes it as:

"This full-leaf tea offers the natural flavors of a lush, juicy peach seasoned with the tingle of spicy ginger, creating a fresh and flavorful cup"

I believe that description to be accurate. The peach flavor is wonderful, much like eating a fresh peach on a late summer day balanced with the earthy, spicy flavor of the ginger.

The ingredients list is: Black tea leaves, natural flavor, and ginger.

The packaging is a waxy-like, foil-lined, recloseble envelope. This envelope has kept my tea fresh and at my fingertips on the shelf.

I chose the Ginger Peach for the possible health benefits and flavor of Ginger. Because I am not a medical professional I will not repeat the alleged benefits of Ginger, Turmeric, and other herbs and roots. You may have already heard some of the reported health benefits. If not, there is a ton of opinions to be found with an internet search. I do believe that there are likely some health benefits and if not, I do enjoy the spicy, earthy, or peppery flavors that these herbs and roots provide. I especially like the sweet peach and peppery ginger flavor combination.

Making Loose Left Tea for One

I use my Mueller electric pot to boil the water quickly (and without fear of leaving the stove on as I leave for work in the mornings) and my new tea mug with infuser to steep the tea. Because I prefer iced tea, I then pour my tea into a mason jar filled with ice with top with one of my mason jar lids and a straw. The Ginger Peach tea is delicious warm or iced. I just prefer iced tea.

I ordered my Ginger Peach tea from Amazon. But the Republic of Tea website is great place to shop also. Whether you are shopping for yourself or a gift from someone else, there is a large variety of teas, sweeteners, mugs, and brewing accessories to choose from

Additional Links:

I bought my Mueller Electric Kettle in January 2021 and I still use it on a frequent basis. This Kettle is a quality small appliance and hasn't given me a bit of trouble. If you'd like more information you can see my review here.

I have tried a variety of infusers off and on over the years. My new mug is my favorite by far. I chose the Sweese ceramic 20 oz mug with lid and infuser. The infuser is durable with very small holes; not allowing the tea leaves to end up in my drink. The 20 oz size is great for making my single cup of iced tea. This mug would make a great gift.

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Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Review of Lifestyle Awareness Teas

Lifestyle Awareness Organic Teas

Last time I shopped for tea, I noticed a new brand on the shelf: Lifestyle Awareness Teas. I noticed they were organic and that they appeared to support specific aspects of health. I also noticed the introductory pricing that made trying a new brand seem less risky. Since it was the beginning of a new year and flu season was well underway, I decided to purchase two of the teas: Immunity Now and Serene Slumber.

I have to admit that the artwork on the packages helped sell me on these teas. I had just finished reading Elderberry Croft: Complete Collection. This novel of healing hurting souls spoke often of the virtues of elderberries, and especially elderberry tea.

Although I have an elderberry tree, I've never taken the trouble to find out how to capture its healing powers by learning to make the teas and syrups talked about in the book. When I saw Immunity Now on the shelf, I decided it was time for me to try elderberry tea the way Willow served it to her friends -- with honey and lemon juice.

Immunity Now Tea Supports Healthy Immune Function

About a week after I bought Immunity Now tea, my husband came down with the flu. Although we take supplements that support the immune system year round, when you have the flu, your immune system needs all the help it can get. I decided it was time to make a pot of the Immunity Now tea. I used a small, three cup pot.

All Life Awareness teas are best made with boiling water steeped in a covered pot or mug to keep all the goodness of the herbs intact. I'm lazy, especially when I don't feel good. I'd rather make one larger pot of tea and reheat when I need more than to make tea cup by cup as needed. It works for me. Of course, if you want to keep switching your variety of tea, a single covered cup or mug may work better. Find some of each below. Tea price shown is for a multipack of six boxes. That's the deal I chose when I reordered after trying my first package of this tea. I found Amazon's price lower than the regular store price.

Lifestyle Awareness Organic Immunity Now Tea with Fortifying Elderberry, Caffeine Free, 20 Count (pack of 6)Check Price

My Experience with Immunity Now Tea

I started drinking Immunity Now the minute I knew Hubby had the flu. (Of course, I gave him some, too.) I don't usually sweeten my tea, but I knew that honey and lemon juice are helpful when one has a cough, so I added them to my tea. It so happened that I had a jar of raw organic honey left from the days when my husband kept bees, so I used that. Adding the honey and lemon juice made the tea much tastier than I expected. It was also soothing.

I kept drinking it after I got the flu myself. It made me feel better, though I have to admit it didn't seem to discourage my flu too much. I'm quite sure, though, it was a beneficial hot fluid that kept me more comfortable.

Next, I Tried Serene Slumber

Organic Serene Slumber Tea 20 Bags 2 PACK

I have a terrible time getting sleepy at night. Even though I was tired and sick, I knew I would need some help relaxing enough to get to sleep. I made myself a pot of Serene Slumber. It has a number herbs that support a good night's sleep, including lavender, avena, rosepetals, chamomile, and catnip. After the tea had brewed, one sniff made me sleepy. I drank a cup, went to bed, and slept. I'm going to add this to my bedtime routine.

A Bit More Information on Lifestyle Awareness Teas

Lifestyle Awareness teas are medicinal. For this reason, you should pay attention to recommended dosages, or the number of cups to drink a day. The manufacturer recommends, for example, five or six cups of Immunity Now per day. Before you take a medicinal tea, you should check with your doctor if you have a medical condition or take prescription drugs. Medicinal herbs can interact with prescription drugs, just as those drugs can sometimes interact with each other.

Although drinking a medicinal tea may work with your body to make you more comfortable, these products are not intended to prevent, cure, or treat any disease. These teas have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Lifestyle Awareness Teas are certified organic by the USDA. They are also Fair Trade, Kosher, gluten-free, and vegan. The tea bags are manufactured using totally chlorine-free methods. Packaging is also environmentally friendly and recyclable.

Most of all, these are some of the best-tasting medicinal teas I've tried. Each tea supports a different bodily system or function. You will want to explore all the varieties to find those that will best meet your own needs

See all Lifestyle Awareness Tea varieties here.

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Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Review of Cuisinart Aura Tea Kettle

Why I Bought the Cuisinart Aura Tea Kettle

I am absent-minded. I make a lot of tea. As I start each day I put the water on to boil for my morning pot of tea. Then I go to my office to check my email or Twitter. I always mean to take my digital timer with me, but even when I remember to take it, I sometimes forget to set it.

My old stainless steel tea kettle had no whistle. You can probably guess what happened. Yes! I forgot all about the water. Hubby wasn't home. A couple of hours later I finally went to the kitchen to get something, but it was too late. The kettle was not only dry, but the bottom was black inside and out. I knew the pot was beyond hope.

I should have learned after letting the kettle burn dry a couple of other times that I should not leave the kitchen when the kettle is on. I was able to salvage the pot before because it was dry but not yet black. This time I knew I needed a new tea kettle -- one with a loud whistle.

Unpacking my Cuisinart Aura Tea Kettle

I Order the Cuisinart CTK-S17MR Aura Kettle

Before I ordered the Aura Tea Kettle, I read so many reviews of stainless steel tea kettles my head was swimming. Not a one of them had all five-star ratings. But this one had a four-star rating out of over a hundred reviews, and as I looked before I started writing today there were 151 reviews.

Cuisinart CTK-S17MR Aura 2-Quart Teakettle, Make 2-Quarts of Boiling Water in this Classic Tea Kettle, Metallic RedCheck Price

I needed a kettle that would heat at least two quarts quickly. It had to be heavy enough to take a bit of abuse. I had to be able to fill it easily from the reverse osmosis faucet. The handle had to stay cool when the kettle was hot. The top had to be easy to remove and the kettle had to work on my glass-top electric stove.

In addition, I wanted the tea kettle to look happy in my kitchen and be reasonably priced.This model comes in many colors, and I picked the red tea kettle because it looked best in my kitchen. Most important, of course, the tea kettle had to have a whistle loud enough to hear from my computer room.

Directions for Using the Aura Tea Kettle

After unpacking my new tea kettle, I read the directions and followed them.

Wash with warm soapy water and rinse before first use.
Don't fill past the fill line.
Use a medium high setting on the stove.
After the kettle reaches a full boil, let it sit for 20 seconds before pouring.

Getting My New Tea Kettle Ready to Use

My Review

I have now had my tea kettle for six months. The finish is still shiny. There is no sign of rust on the inside or outside. No plastic has melted from the handle or spout lid. I have followed the directions to use only medium high heat, so I have used a seven setting on my stove instead of the highest setting that I used with my old kettle. I have found that a full kettle heats in about ten minutes. I'm wondering if those who gave this tea kettle bad reviews followed the directions.

The one thing I would change would be to put the fill line where it is visible from the inside of the kettle when I'm filling it. It's under the spout on the outside. I now know where that line would be if it were on the inside, and I've had no problems. I just think it would be more convenient to have the fill line on the inside under the spout instead of on the outside.

The whistle is very loud, but I can still get distracted if I'm on the computer. For this reason I also take a portable timer set for ten minutes with me into my computer room. When the timer goes off or the whistle screams at me, I head back to the kitchen. I let the boiling water sit for 20 seconds, as per directions, and then pour it into a large teapot. After it steeps for five minutes I'm ready for that first cup of morning tea.

I highly recommend this tea kettle. The timer also helps keep me focused. When I'm concentrating on writing I can forget almost anything unless it's ringing on my desk a foot from my ears. If I step away from my desk, I will hear the whistle from wherever I go and head for the kitchen.

If you need a new tea kettle or want to get one as a gift, I believe you should consider this one. And while you're at it, get the timer, too. You will find lots of uses for it since you can set it for hours, minutes, and seconds.

Cuisinart CTK-S17MR Aura Kettle, 2-Quart

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Friday, March 18, 2022

Adorable 15 Piece Kids Toy Tin Tea Set & Carrying Case Reviewed

My parents have a new family that just moved in next door. There are two little girls in the family and my mother wanted to give them a special gift for Christmas this year. Plus, it was the perfect way to welcome them to the neighborhood.

She selected a tin tea set and asked my opinion. I loved the idea! After all, I still have pieces of a small tin tea set that I had as a child. The little plates and cups certainly evoke wonderful memories and I wish I still had the full set.

The tea set my mom chose came with a carrying case. How awesome is that! I couldn't help but think how I wish my set had come with a carrying case. Perhaps, I would still have the full set if the case was included. I carried my set around in a brown paper lunch bag, which is most likely why some of the pieces are missing.

I also loved the design on the set my mom gave the girls. It has kitties on it. My set has a sweet floral design, but the kitties are adorable.

This leaves me wondering, am I too old to start a collection of delightfully decorated children's tin tea sets? Nope! I am not. My husband better prepare to participate in my upcoming tea parties. I think we will ask our dog, Merlin, to attend too if he promises not eat all of the teacakes.

15 Piece Kids Tin Tea Set & Carrying Case
Several Designs Available

Jewelkeeper 15 Piece Kids Tin Tea Set & Carrying Case - Cat DesignCheck PriceThe tea sets include a lidded teapot, tray, 4 plates, 4 tea cups, 4 saucers, and the fabulous matching carrying case. The tea set can be washed by hand and used for many delightful tea parties.

The tea pot and the cups will hold a small amount of liquid, which is perfect for young children who wish to entertain.

The real benefit to using a tin tea set is that they will not break.

I am featuring a few of my favorite designs below, but there are others also available. You can choose the kitties, dogs, unicorns, llamas, horses, or even a ballerina. There are also jungle and safari sets. The designs and colors are all awesome! Now you understand why I said I would like to start my own collection of tin tea sets. It is hard to choose just one.

Jewelkeeper 15 Piece Kids Pretend Toy Tin Tea Set & Carry Case - Llama DesignCheck Price Jewelkeeper 15 Piece Kids Pretend Toy Tin Tea Set & Carrying Case - Horse DesignCheck Price Jewelkeeper 15 Piece Kids Pretend Toy Tin Tea Set & Carrying Case - Rainbow UnicornCheck Price Jewelkeeper Tea Set for Little Girls - 15-Piece Safari DesignCheck Price

Check Out More Toy Reviews
ReviewThisToyReviews.com

Adorable 15 Piece Kids Toy Tin Tea Set & Carrying Case Review Written by:

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Friday, July 15, 2022

Pride and Peppermint NovelTeaTins on Etsy Reviewed

For Mother's Day last year, my daughter sent me a Pride and Peppermint Novel Tea Tin, which came with a Mr. Darcy bookmark. What an awesome gift for a Pride and Prejudice fan who loves tea. Plus, the peppermint tea is fabulous!

The Jane Austen books, Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility, have long been my favorites. In fact, the two movies based on those books are my favorite movies. I have often thought the movies made me more fond of the two books because they brought the characters to life. They provided faces to the fictional characters.

My daughter and I spend many wonderful afternoons watching the two movies together when she was in high school. Those memories are another reason why I love the movies so much. Just hearing the opening theme songs beckoned us to the television. It was almost worth being sick just so we could take a day or two off to watch. Whenever I watch either of the movies, I think of my daughter and our precious time together.

Sending a related gift that evoked those wonderful memories was the perfect Mother's Day gift from a beloved daughter who now lives in a different state.

Pride & Peppermint Novel Tea Tin

NovelTeaTins on Etsy

The tea comes in a collectable tin. I love collectibles which is just one more reason this was the perfect gift for me. The tea tin keeps the tea fresh and dry. It could also be washed and reused if you are careful to not mess up the label while washing

The blend is a loose tea, so you either need a disposable tea bag, a separate tea infuser, or a mug that comes with an infuser.

Peppermint tea has several benefits for some tea drinkers. Those benefits include easing digestive issues, headaches and even sinus problems. Some claim it even improves their energy level. These benefits are enough to recommend peppermint tea, but it is also delicious and smells wonderful.

The tea is a blend of rooibos, peppermint & camomile. It is caffeine free, therefore you can drink it anytime.

Loose Tea refills are also available by clicking here!

Sense and SensibilityCheck Price Peter Rabbit Tea TinCheck Price Classic Literature Tea BundleCheck Price Anne of Green GablesCheck Price

See More Gift Suggestions Here or Tea Recommendations Here on Review This Reviews!

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Friday, June 3, 2022

McIntosh Van Gogh Fine China Tea Mug with Lid & Infuser Review

I love my new Van Gogh fine china lidded tea mug that my son gave me for Mother's Day this year. Not only is it beautiful, it is quite serviceable.

The mug came with an infuser which allows me to steep my loose tea leaves in the mug, plus a lid to cover it while it steeps.

The infuser basket fits right inside the top of the mug. The lid has an opening that allows it to slip over the basket tab and completely cover the mug. The lid can be used with or without the basket inserted.

The basket could also easily accommodate a tea bag, but I was thrilled to be able to simply pour my loose leaf tea in the basket, pour water over it, put the lid on, and let it steep. It is nice to eliminate the need for a tea bag. I enjoy being able to purchase loose leaf tea blends that allow me to add or mix flavors as desired.

The mug and lid are made of fine bone china, therefore it is very lightweight even when it is filled with tea. The lid could also be inverted to use as a coaster.

Previously, I have always covered my tea mugs with a saucer while the tea steeps. It is wonderful to have a perfectly fitted matching lid with this beautiful tea mug, which I will, no doubt, use every day.

Van Gogh Designs on Fine China Tea Mugs

McIntosh Van Gogh Almond Blossom Fine Bone China (15 oz) Tea Mug with Lid and Infuser in Matching Gift BoxCheck Price The design on my mug is the Vincent Van Gogh "Almond Blossoms". Since blue is my favorite color, it was the perfect gift choice for me.

Thanks to Van Gogh's style, the Almond Blossoms painting looks a lot like my favorite flowering tree, the dogwood. Thus, when I look at the lovely blue mug with the ivory blossom tree, it all represents my "favorites" to me, especially since it was a gift from my favorite son. Okay, you got me! He is my only son, but he is still my favorite son in the whole world.

The mug, lid and basket are all dishwasher and microwave safe. I did wash them in the dishwasher before and after the first use without any issues. While I may choose to wash them by hand, it is nice to know they can be washed in the dishwasher.

The mug, lid and infuser set are available in several Van Gogh designs. Each comes in a matching gift box. They are all lovely! I do believe my son has hit on a new collection that he could add to each year for several years to come.

McIntosh Old Masters Vincent van Gogh Starry Night Fine China Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid (MC020088), 450 mlCheck Price McIntosh Van Gogh Irises Fine Bone China (15 oz) Tea Mug with Lid and Infuser in Matching Gift BoxCheck Price McIntosh Van Gogh Almond Blossom Fine Bone China (15 oz) Tea Mug with Lid and Infuser in Matching Gift BoxCheck Price McIntosh Van Gogh Sunflowers Fine Bone China (15 oz) Tea Mug with Lid and Infuser in Matching Gift BoxCheck Price

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Reviewing Twinings Chamomile, Honey & Vanilla Tea

I absolutely love my tea which is why I thought I would review another tea staple in my life - Twinings Chamomile, Honey & Vanilla.

Photo from Pixabay

I am a big fan of Twining's teas and have actually written about their peppermint tea previously. As much as I enjoy a good coffee, tea is the staple drink of my life.

Every day starts with a mug (I don't really do tea cups unless I have a pot to top it up from!) of Arbonne tea and when I get home from a busy day at work nine times out of ten I'll have a mug of Twinings Chamomile, Honey & Vanilla tea. I usually also drink this tea before going to bed, except for the odd nights I made myself a Milo.

Chamomile as a herb is known for it's relaxation properties and I do remember the first time I tried it, it was made from actual dried chamomile flower (like the photo above) and it had a back taste that I really didn't like at all. I have tried various brands several times over the years both as a loose tea and in a tea bag form and I haven't been able to stomach the after taste of the Chamomile.

A couple of years ago I tried a Spiced Apple and Chamomile blend from Twinings which I didn't mind so when the Twinings teas were on special again I thought I would try the Chamomile, Honey and Vanilla - I haven't looked back!

I don't know if my taste buds have changed as I've gotten older or if it's the addition of the honey and vanilla flavours, but I thoroughly enjoyed this blend and, as I've said, it is now a staple in my life - in fact I think I have four boxes in my cupboard as I write this!

If you want a caffeine free tea (complete with relaxing properties) to drink before going to bed I can really recommend this one.

There are quite a few tea drinkers that write for Review This Reviews and you can check out their reviews right here - Tea Related Reviews.

Have you tried this tea blend before?

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Friday, May 19, 2023

Lipton Cold Brew Iced Black Tea Bags Review

A few months back, my husband's uncle invited us to dinner. He is an excellent cook and we thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

He served delicious tea with the dinner, which I drank without adding any sweetener. However, I did sweeten my second glass of tea. It was tasty both ways.

The brew was the perfect strength. When he told us how he made it, I was shocked. I couldn't believe it was cold brew, meaning it was made in cold water and not boiled.

When the uncle came to dinner at our home a few weeks later, he was sweet enough to gift me with a box of the Lipton Cold Brew Iced Black Tea Bags. I have made it several times since and my husband loves it.

The one thing I, personally, miss is the smell of brewed tea, but the taste is still delicious.

Iced tea is always a welcome and wonderful compliment for meals.

Lipton Cold Brew Iced Black Tea Bags

The 4.8 oz box contains 22 large (family size) tea bags. The box states that you use 2 bags in 8 cups of cold water. However, my glass pitcher only holds 6 cups of water and I still use the 2 bags. It is the perfect strength when made that way.

Allow it to "cold brew" for 5 minutes. My husband's uncle did tell us that he has left it for 15 or 20 minutes and can tell no difference for the longer time.

Cold brew tea does contain caffeine, but is generally considered to only have about half the caffeine of boiled black tea. There are no artificial flavors or sweeteners added to Lipton Cold Brew Tea.

It is also available in decaf.

Lipton, Cold Brew Family Size Iced Tea Bags (Pack of 4)Check Price Lipton Black Tea Bags, Cold Brew, Decaf, 22 ctCheck Price