[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] Dirigible Plum Brew

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: Dirigible Plum Brew
Link: [click]

“Enjoy this fruity beverage and perhaps you will find yourself seeing and believing more of the extraordinary things this world has to offer.”

Teas: apricot, blackberry, vanilla
Blended with: black tea, apple pieces, natural apricot flavor, natural vanilla flavor, natural blackberry flavor, marigold flowers, apricots, blackberry leaves
Accented with: marigold flowers

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

Such a strong smell! It’s sweet and forest-y in a way. It’s got a dark sweetness to it, where the blackberry stands strongest in it. It does require a good spoon of sugar, otherwise it’s fairly bitter. I like its flavor because it still falls in the category of fruity teas, but is different than my usual light fruits! I think I’d like this as a calming tea before bed.

[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] Lovegood Brew

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: Lovegood Brew
Link: [click]

“A little different, fruity, and absolutely fun! (Yes, there are sprinkles!)”

Teas: rooibos vanilla chai, coconut, cream
Blended with: black tea, rooibos tea, cinnamon bark, ginger root, cloves, orange peels, cardamom, natural coconut flavor, dried coconut, natural creme flavor, natural vanilla flavor
Accented with: pineapple and sprinkles

Suggested Steep: 212° for 5 mins.
My Steep: Hot with pure cane sugar.

It’s not too often I find myself picking up a new chai tea, so I’m glad this came in a set. So far I smell the strong chai with the hints of sweetness from the other elements. The taste is a tad plain – by which I mean just a pure chai – but then at the end a bunch of other elements hit your tongue! I think the cinnamon, coconut and vanilla are the strongest notes in this tea.
I didn’t care for how it tasted on it’s own, so some sugar was added. It helped bring out the sweeter side of this tea, but it is still a strong chai. It is quite easy to drink, but wouldn’t be top of my list because I just don’t often care for chai.
I do wonder why Riddle decided to make the Lovegood Brew a chai…maybe to try something different? Maybe it symbolizes the warmth that Luna always gives off? It’s quirky, just like her, and the sprinkles that were added in were a fun touch.

[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] The Quibbler

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: The Quibbler
Link: [click]

“A little bit kooky but deeply satisfying!”

Teas: coconut, hazelnut, peppermint
Blended with: black tea, peppermint, natural coconut flavor, natural hazelnut flavor, dried coconut
Accented with: cocoa nibs

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

It’s sweet, but minty, and just really unique! I’m not used to having these ingredients in my tea, but from the smell so far I like them. I like that the peppermint is the strongest point in this cup. The coconut and hazelnut follow quickly afterward, and stick on the tongue. This tea stands well on its own without sugar, but I always prefer my cup sweet, so I added just a bit to it! I really love the aftertaste of hazelnut that it leaves, and it makes me want to take another sip. I think I’ll find myself drinking this one quite quickly!

[Riddle’s Tea Shoppe] You’re just as sane as I am

Brand: Adagio
Shop: Riddle’s Tea Shoppe
Tea: You’re just as sane as I am
Link: [click]

“This decaf blend is sweet and unassuming!”

Teas: decaf vanilla, wild strawberry
Blended with: decaf ceylon tea, rose hips, hibiscus, apple pieces, natural vanilla flavor, natural strawberry flavor, strawberries, raspberry leaves,
Accented with: strawberry pieces, rose petals and marigold flowers

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

This tea is quite soft and sweet. I love the design of the tin, and it does make me feel like Harry watching Luna calmly pet the Thestrals in the forest. She’s so kind and nonjudgmental, and I think this tea shows that side of her.
I may have brewed it a bit light, but all the delicious flavors are present in the cup. It’s very fruity and floral, which suits my tastes perfectly. I think the strawberry and raspberry are the strongest notes, with the vanilla following behind. I find myself often saying this, but I do love the blends I buy from Riddle’s!

[Disneyland] Lemon Honey Chamomile

Purchased at: Disneyland
Collection: Disney Wonderland Tea
Tea: Lemon Honey Chamomile
Link: n/a

Suggested Steep: n/a
My Steep: hot with rock sugar.

I saved the best for last! I remember when I first got this tea set, I was in love with this tea. It would easily be my go-to pick out of the whole set. Knowing that it contained chamomile, I waited until I was settled for bed before brewing my last tea bag of what I hoped would be a still-delicious tea.
And the verdict is….it’s almost as good as I remember! After adding some sugar, it’s delicious. The honey gives it a sweetness by itself, but the sugar definitely enhances that sweet taste. I didn’t want to make it overly sweet, as I feel like this tea isn’t meant to be strong, it should be something light to calm you before bed.
I think this is the only tea from the entire set that I’d recommend. All the others are bland or nothing special, or just bad. I do still look all the time to see if they’ve made this one in an individual package like they have for Mad Tea Party and Topsy Turvy, but no luck yet!

[Disneyland] Pomegranate

Purchased at: Disneyland
Collection: Disney Wonderland Tea
Tea: Pomegranate
Link: n/a

Suggested Steep: n/a
My Steep: hot, no sugar.

It’s bitter. With a weird smell and a weirder after taste. I don’t think even sugar could fix this one. I had 5 sips before deciding it just wasn’t happening. Just a complete pass. I feel bad that this is all I can really say for this review, but…it just really is no good.

[Disneyland] Topsy Turvy Tea Blend

Purchased at: Disneyland
Collection: Disney Wonderland Tea
Tea: Topsy Turvy Tea Blend
Link: n/a

“You’ll fall head over heels for this premium blend of black tea with a delicious citrus and fruity flavor. Hurry up before it disappears from your cup!”

Ingredients: Premium Blend of Indian Black Teas, Safflower and Calendula Petals, Oil of Bergamot and Orange Flavors.

Suggested Steep: n/a
My Steep: hot, no sugar.

This was another tea that I was hesitant about trying again, because I remember it didn’t suit me well the last time I tried it. (Here is where I added the above ingredients list) Hang on…this sounds familiar:

Mad Tea Party Blend Ingredients: Premium Blend of Indian Black Teas, Safflowers, Calendula Petals, Ginger Bits, Apricot Bits, Peach and Apricot Flavors.

So, you’re telling me that they were so lazy with their two “unique” blends (by which I mean how the other teas are more common types, like English Breakfast or Earl Grey) that they used the same base and  simply changed the fruity/citrus flavors slightly? I’m disappointed, and see why I was originally unhappy with this tea.

Okay, so after writing the above, I finally got to actually tasting it…and it’s completely flat. I’m seriously sitting here wondering if I brewed it wrong because I feel like I’m drinking hot water. Please hold, I’m going to go make another cup.

It’s still flat; there’s no flavor to this tea. It tastes like a plain black tea – none of the other flavors are present – and a poor one at that. I think it may have to do with that they used oils, which really bothers me because why wouldn’t you use actual oranges or bergamot (which I just discovered is a type of orange) in the tea? I’m completely over this tea, and I would not recommend it at all.

[Disneyland] Mad Tea Party Blend

Purchased at: Disneyland
Collection: Disney Wonderland Tea
Tea: Mad Tea Party Blend
Link: n/a

You’ll be simply mad about this premium blend of Indian black teas, ginger peach & apricot flavors. (But no mustard – don’t let’s be silly!)

Ingredients: Premium Blend of Indian Black Teas, Safflowers, Calendula Petals, Ginger Bits, Apricot Bits, Peach and Apricot Flavors.

Suggested Steep: n/a
My Steep: hot with pure cane sugar.

The last time I drank this tea (which was quite a while ago) I remembered I didn’t like it. This time drinking this tea…I still don’t like it. It’s bitter and boring, and I really wish I knew what was in it. (It was at this point that I researched it and added the above ingredients list).
I just don’t get it; it’s not an appealing tea. I suppose it’s a bit fruity from the apricot and peach, but the ginger doesn’t mix well with it, and honestly just confuses my tongue. Overall I’m just disappointed with it and really need to take it out of my collection.

[Disneyland] English Breakfast

Purchased at: Disneyland
Collection: Disney Wonderland Tea
Tea: English Breakfast
Link: n/a

Suggested Steep: n/a
My Steep: hot with pure cane sugar.

Black, sharp, and strong. Because of the name, I always feel like I want to have this tea only in the morning. A “wake me up” tea that likely goes well with breakfast, but I don’t often like to drink hot tea with food. It’s a good tea, but it’s a little plain for my tongue. I will say it’s easy to drink though, once a bit of sugar is in the mix.