[Traditional Medicinals] Ginger with Chamomile

Brand: Traditional Medicinals
Purchased at: Whole Foods
Tea: Ginger with Chamomile
Link: [click]

“Gets the digestive juices flowing, relieves occasional indigestion and nausea.”

Suggested Steep: 8 oz. freshly boiled water over 1 tea bag. Cover cup & Steep for 10-15 minutes.
My Steep: Hot, no sugar.

As soon as I took the first sip, I remembered I don’t like ginger. I had a headache, so I wanted to try it because ginger is supposed to help when you have one. I got past the taste and was able to drink some of it down, but I realized I was getting nauseous…which is curious because this tea is actually to relieve nausea!
I’m going to give it one more try another time, and steep it for longer, but if I get the same feeling from it, I’ll have to take it out of my collection.

[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] Hufflepuff House Blend

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: Hufflepuff House Blend [now called “For the Loyal”]
Link: [click]

“A steady blend that is loyal and true. Sweet and unassuming but still ready to give your taste buds all it has, this blend is best served to those who are just and patient enough to wait for the perfect cup of tea.”

Teas: apricot, white peach, vanilla
Blended with: black tea, white tea, apple pieces, natural apricot flavor, apricots, natural peach flavor, marigold flowers, natural vanilla flavor
Accented with: apple pieces and cinnamon

Suggested Steep: 205° for 3 mins.
My Steep: Hot with rock sugar.

This tea is very warm and light. All of the elements have a sweet, airy feel to them that creates a warmness that fills your stomach. Definitely represents my house wonderfully, and I plan to buy more of it!

[Basilur] Tea Book Volume II

Brand: Basilur
Collection: “Tea Book” Tin Caddies
Tea: Tea Book Volume II
Link: [click]

Black loose-leaf tea grade FBOP from the lower elevations of Ceylon with natural papaya, marigold, sunflower, safflower and flavours orange, cinnamon, clove and vanilla.

My Steep: Hot with rock sugar.

This tea was a gift from my best friend! She said she has trouble brewing it dark, but wanted to share it with me. The smell of it is very light, but comfortingly sweet. The first thing I tasted was a sharp cinnamon and clove flavor, followed by black tea mixed with the floral parts of this tea. I do very much like this tea! It’s good for when you want something spicy (from the cinnamon), a great morning tea.

[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] Dark Prophecies Draft

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: Dark Prophecies Draft
Link: [click]

“What dark visions lie in your future?”

Teas: almond, tiger eye, oriental spice
Blended with: black tea, natural spice flavor, cinnamon bark, orange peels, natural almond flavor, ginger root, natural caramel flavor, cloves, cardamom, cocoa nibs, natural chocolate flavor, natural vanilla flavor
Accented with: red peppercorn and cocoa nibs

Suggested Steep: 212° for 3 mins.
My Steep: Hot with rock sugar.

What a delightfully dark tea. It tastes like a good black tea, with a slight hint of sweet cocoa. I wish the other flavors were a bit stronger, because it tastes a bit plain to my tongue.

[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] Butterscotch Beer

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: Butterscotch Beer
Link: [click]

“Yummy!”

Teas: caramel, vanilla, rooibos caramel
Blended with: black tea, rooibos tea, natural caramel flavor, natural vanilla flavor
Accented with: ginger and cocoa nibs

Suggested Steep: 212° for 3 mins.
My Steep: Hot with rock sugar.

My goodness this tea is sweet….and I love it! Right from when you open the tin the sweet aroma hits you, filled with caramel and vanilla. While brewing that same smell gets stronger. The taste is lovely and warms your insides, just like Butterbeer would! I also love the crisp, sharp after taste it leaves on your tongue.

[Tiny review update made on 4/26/16.]

[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] Peppermint Toad

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: Peppermint Toad
Link: [click]

“Fresh, bright, and just enough kick to get your stomach hopping!”

Teas: candy cane, peppermint, vanilla
Blended with: black tea, peppermint, natural vanilla flavor, candy cane pieces, natural candy cane flavor, peppermint leaves
Accented with: candy canes and cinnamon

Suggested Steep: 212° for 4 mins.
My Steep: Hot with rock sugar. Cold with pure cane sugar.

Hot: This tea is so deliciously warm! The peppermint leaves hit your tongue first, and is followed up by a warmth from the peppermint candy cane. Feels like holiday time ♡

Cold: The mint flavor is fantastic cold! It’s very light and refreshing, and the follow up of the vanilla and candy cane leaves a pleasant taste on the tongue.

Review updated 4/26/16.

[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] Cauldron Cakes

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: Cauldron Cakes
Link: [click]

“Magic with every mouthful! This delectable blend of witchy goodness will explode your taste buds with a sweet, chocolatey delight.”

Teas: chocolate chai, caramel, almond
Blended with: black tea, cinnamon bark, ginger root, natural caramel flavor, cocoa nibs, natural almond flavor, natural chocolate flavor, natural cinnamon flavor

Suggested Steep: 212° for 3 mins.
My Steep: Hot with rock sugar.

The chocolate chai in this is super yummy! It’s got that strong chai flavor, but with a perfect sweetness to it that takes away that sharpness. Will definitely keep this one in my collection.

[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] Sherbet Lemon

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: Sherbet Lemon
Link: [click]

“Unlock doors with this tart, sweet, and creamy flavor!”

Teas: cream, fruit medley, rooibos lemon cloud
Blended with: black tea, rooibos tea, rose hips, hibiscus flowers, apple pieces, natural creme flavor, lemon grass, marigold flowers, natural lemon flavor, natural vanilla flavor, natural strawberry flavor, strawberries, orange peels, natural wild cherry flavor
Accented with: orange peels and lemon verbena

Suggested Steep: 212° for 4 mins.
My Steep: Hot with rock sugar.

I think this tea is just a tad too subtle for my taste. The lemon and creme taste fairly good, but it’s too light. None of the flavors really stand out, so it ends up tasting like a simple black tea. Maybe when I try it again I’ll brew it a little stronger with a bit more sugar.

[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] Pumpkin Spirits

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: Pumpkin Spirits
Link: [click]

“Magic with every mouthful! The smooth sensation of cream helps round out the temperamental pumpkin spice for a nice, sweet pumpkin flavor. Apple adds the springy, bright tang to complete this tea.”

Teas: pumpkin spice, candy apple, cream
blended with: black tea, cinnamon bark, apple pieces, natural pumpkin spice flavor, cloves, ginger root, natural caramel apple flavor, natural creme flavor, marigold flowers, cardamom

Suggested Steep: 212° for 3 mins.
My Steep: Hot with rock sugar.

I generally don’t like pumpkin teas….but I think this one may grow on me! It’s a tad bland, but that also means the pumpkin isn’t overpowering. May not be my top choice in tea, but I will likely have another cup.