Holiday Tea Sampler Pillow Box

Company/Brand Name: Art of Tea

Collection Name: Holiday Sampler includes Cran Marnier, Butterscotch, Santa’s Little Helper and Pumpkin Pie

Category: Various Organic Blends – White, Black, Puerh and Rooibos/Honeybush

Form: Loose Leaf

Origin of the Leaf: Various

The Leaves: Various

Overall: At first I was a bit disappointed with the four Holiday Sampler teas, because the flavors were quite different than what I was used to, being the black tea lover that I am. So, I had to remind myself that I had purchased the sampler set to step outside the box and try something new.

To fully enjoy the experience, I had to let go of my preconceived taste preferences and allow each tea to speak to me in its own distinctive way. That is when I really started to enjoy each sample and appreciate the nuances of the four unique blends.

As the Art of Tea website states, “This is a great way to expand and engage your palate on teas and beyond.” I have to say that I whole-heartily agree.

Tea Review:

Sample 1

Name: Cran Marnier {Available Year-Round}

Category: Tisane; Organic South African Honeybush and Organic South African Rooibos

Cran Marnier

The Leaves: Red rooibos shreds with visible chunks of dried apple and cranberry, plus various spices

Additions: Organic Cinnamon, Organic Licorice Root, Organic Apple Bits, Organic Cranberries, Organic Cloves, Organic Nutmeg, Natural Flavors

Flavor: When I first opened the sample pouch, I noticed that the leaves smelled like orange and spice; I just had to brew up a cup right away.

This caffeine-free rooibos blend had a subtle spiciness that was reminiscent of chai tea, but with a smooth-creaminess that was a bit of a welcomed surprise. Speaking of surprises, if the creamy-spiciness wasn’t enough there was also refreshing, citrusy finish that made for a brilliant cup.

The overall flavor reminded me a bit of Tang Spice Tea Mix that my mom made for us as kids. This mixture had Tang and instant tea in it, plus cinnamon and cloves (if I am remembering correctly). Anyway, it was a tasty treat. But, the Cran Marnier is a much healthier option!

I have to say that out of the four holiday samples, I most enjoyed the Cran Marnier. My cup had plenty of character and each sip was a new delight. Luckily, this tisane blend is available year-round as a dessert tea.

Preparation Tips: As recommended by the Art of Tea website, I used nearly boiling water and let the leaves steep for a full 5-7 minutes. For best flavor, be sure to use one full tablespoon (not teaspoon) of rooibos per cup of water. Also, I Finum Brewing Basket will come in handy to keep all the tiny rooibos shreds separated from your brew.

Sample 2

Name: Pumpkin Pie {Seasonal Only}

Category: Tisane; Organic & Fair Trade South African Rooibos and Organic South African Honeybush

Pumpkin Pie

The Leaves: Red rooibos shreds with bright yellow marigold petals and noticeable chunks of spices

Additions: Organic Cloves, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Ginger, Organic Marigolds, Natural and Artificial Flavors

Flavor: This caffeine-free blend is quite delicate tasting, so much so that I could barely detect any flavor at all at first, except for the rooibos itself.

Once I quieted my mind and focused on my cup of tea, that is when I tasted real pumpkin pie. However, the flavor was quite elusive. Each cup seemed to reveal just one brilliant sip and then the brew became just a gentle swirl of sweet-spiciness with a hint of creaminess.

Overall, I liked this rooibos blend because it made me concentrate on the taste and nothing else. I will often drink a cup of brew will working, only stopping to take a sip, experience the flavor and move onward. But this tisane, demanded my full attention and for that I am grateful.

Preparation Tips: I used one heaping tablespoon (three teaspoons of rooibos) per eight ounces of boiling water and let steep for 5-7 minutes. Due to the elusive tastes in this tea, filtered water is a must. In addition, to keep all the tiny rooibos shreds from sneaking into your cup, consider using a Finum Brewing Basket. I really love mine!

Sample 3

Name: Santa’s Little Helper {Seasonal Only}

Category: Organic Puerh, Organic Black Tea

Santa's Little Helper

The Leaves: Dark chocolate colored leaves punctuated with tiny candy cane and pine tree sugar confections

Additions: Sugar Confections, Natural Flavors

Flavor: When I opened the sample pouch the leaves smelled of mint and dark chocolate, so I was pretty excited to brew up a cup. But, when I took my first sip, there was a musty taste that caught me off guard. If I hadn’t been willing to investigate further, I would have poured the rest of the concoction down the sink because I found the initial flavor to be quite displeasing to my untrained palate.

During my second attempt, the musty taste became more of an earthy flavor, which I assumed was the puerh talking to me. Not entirely dissuaded, I took a third sip and that is when I noticed the bittersweet dark chocolate note, the subtle sweetness and the cool minty finish.

After several more sips, I began to enjoy myself and started to notice the complexity in my cup. Each taste experience was slightly different and as the tea cooled the cocoa note became quite pronounced.

However, the musty-earthy taste continued to linger to the very last drop. This key taste is what will keep me from purchasing the Santa’s Little Helper in the future. But, I’m glad to have given it a try for something different.

Overall, this is a high quality blend, but for my personal tastes it wasn’t a winner.

Preparation Tips: As recommended on the Art of Tea website, I used water at 206F (just under boiling) and stepped the leaves for about 3-5 minutes. In addition, I found one-teaspoon per eight-ounces of water sufficient for a quality cup.

Sample 4

Name: Butterscotch  {Available Year-Round}

Category: Organic White Tea

Butterscotch

The Leaves: Beautiful green leaves with bits of yellow marigold petals, punctuated with round, pink peppercorns

Additions: Organic Cinnamon, Organic Pink Peppercorn, Organic Marigolds, Natural Flavors

Flavor: The leaves have an intriguing aroma, quite similar to butterscotch. I was expectant of a fascinating cup. But, I just never found it. Instead, I got a slightly sweet, light tasting tea that was satisfying, but not extraordinary.

The butterscotch flavor did play the leading role in each cup, but I could find little depth. I have to admit that I am not a connoisseur of white tea and perhaps someone with a better trained palate may find the complexity I was missing.

Although, there were moments when I had steeped the leaves just right and a nuance of creaminess was present. This added some character to the infusion.

I also discovered that if the leaves are steeped too long or in water that is too hot, this resulted in a bitter tasting brew. While it wasn’t displeasing, it was a tad bit annoying because I was trying to find that perfect cup that kept eluding me.

I’m not sure I would purchase this tea again, only because I would want to try other white teas first. But, for a white tea lover this may be a wonderful treat.

As with the other teas in this holiday sampler set, I am glad I stepped outside my comfort zone I gave something new a try, especially since I’ve tried so few white teas this past year.

Preparation Tips: Since there were no directions on the sample pouch other than a steep time of 3-5 minutes, I went to the Art of Tea website for more thorough instructions.

The website recommended a water temperature of 175-185F and a steep time of 1-3 minutes. I followed these instructions, playing around with variations. As suggested, I also used one heaping tablespoon per eight ounces of water; you’ll need this much Butterscotch for maximum flavor.

Art of Tea Sample Packaging

Due to the delicate tastes in this blend, filtered water is a must.

Packaging:

Each blend is packed in a resealable, foil-lined pouch. The four pouches come together in a kraft pillow box with decorative label and brown ribbon.

I love this packaging because not only does it make for a stunning presentation, but it also makes it perfect for gift giving any time of year.

Each sample contains around 1-2 ounces or 15-20 servings.

I Want This Tea!

If you’d like to purchase this holiday sample pack, or any of the other unique tea blends from Art of Tea just click the link below, it will take you directly to the Art of Tea main web page. Enjoy!

Art of Tea

For a limited time only the Art of Tea is offering a Special Closeout Price of $15.20 (regularly $24) for the Holiday Sampler, click the link below to be directed to this web page.

Holiday Sampler

Vendor Provided Sample: No

Affiliate Links: Yes

Photo Credits: A Girl With Tea

This is “a girl with tea” signing off once again.

Remember to live, laugh, love and drink plenty of tea.

And The Winners Are...

Before I announce the two winners of my Holiday Tea Sample Giveaway, I want to take a moment and thank each and every one of you who commented on my blog to enter my first giveaway!

It was a lot of fun to see the entries come in over the last couple of weeks.

In fact, I had so much fun with this giveaway and had such a wonderful response, that I plan to do more giveaways in the near future!

So, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

Without further ado…

The Two Winners Are:

1. Marcelina Ziemnick

2. KarenZ

Congrats to both of you!

You’ve won a free sample of each flavor in the Holiday Cheer collection by Adagio!

You’ll both receive an email from me momentarily, so you can tell me where you would like your tea samples shipped. Enjoy!

Vendor Provided Sample: No

Affiliate Links: No

Photo Credits: A Girl With Tea

This is “a girl with tea” signing off once again.

Wishing all my readers peace, joy and love this holiday season.

The Du Hamman

Company/Brand Name: Le Palais Des Thés

Name: Thé Du Hammam

Category: Flavored Green Tea

Form: Loose Leaf

Origin of the Leaf: China

The Leaves: Long, flat green leaves sprinkled with large flower petals

Additions: Flower Petals (Rose, Sunflower, Mallow), Aromas

Flavor: A light, floral green tea with sweet notes of exotic fruit

Overall: A scrumptious, flavored green tea that inspires the imagination and tantalizes the taste buds. I think we’re going to be long-time friends!

Tea Review:

When I first opened Thé Du Hammam I was briefly mesmerized by the glorious perfume of the leaves. The smell reminded me of luscious strawberries with a touch of vanilla, wrapped in a flowery bouquet.

It’s the kind of fragrance that lifts the spirits and excites the senses.

Because I was so fascinated by the smell of the leaves, I brewed up a cup straight away!

As the leaves and petals blossomed in the hot water, I detected a faint aroma of berries and vanilla in the air. My anticipation was nearly unbearable.

Then, to fully enjoy the moment, I settled into a comfy chair and took my first sip and it was simply divine.

On the nose there was a sweet, almost sensuous scent with hints of vanilla bean, exotic flowers and berries. Then as the green tea cascaded into my mouth, the intoxicating fragrance lingered.

At first, I detected a flavor that prompted a memory of marshmallows; fluffy, light and sweet. Then notes of orange blossoms and exotic fruits engaged my senses before the underlying vegetal note made a subtle and refreshing appearance.

Next, a slight tanginess on my tongue left the final impression before the last bit was swallowed.

The finish was graceful and soft like a delicate flower.

One of the key pleasures of this green tea was the fragrance, so inhale deeply and slowly before each sip for maximum enjoyment!

Packaging:

The Du Hammam Packaging (Silver Pouch)

Thé Du Hammam tea came in a foil-lined, silver pouch with label that was printed in both French and English.

Upon exploring the Le Palais Des Thés web page, I discovered that there are several packaging options for the “Les Créations” collection.

For instance, if ordering Thé Du Hammam you have the option of a large silver pouch (like the one I received), a slim silver tin, gourmet tea bags, or a colorful tea canister.

I just love having options!

Preparation Tips:

The directions on the bag where straightforward, just use a water temperature of 170F and a steep time of three minutes.

However, I found that I preferred the taste of Thé Du Hammam when infused for about two-three minutes in water that was about 163F. By reducing the water temperature, there was less bitterness and I was able to enjoy all the subtle flavors more fully.

Lastly, I only used filtered water to sample this lovely, flavored green tea. The flavors are too fine and elusive for tap water.

Additional Notes:

Iced Tea: I really enjoyed this green tea iced; the sweet-berry-fruitiness really stood out when the tea was chilled. There was also a slight creaminess to the overall taste, that made Thé Du Hammam a delightful and uplifting chilled drink.

I Want This Tea!

If you’d like to purchase this tea just click the link below, it will take you directly to Thé Du Hammam web page. Enjoy!

Le Palais Des Thés: Thé Du Hammam

Vendor Provided Sample: Yes

Affiliate Links: No

Photo Credits: A Girl With Tea

This is “a girl with tea” signing off once again.

Remember to live, laugh, love and drink plenty of tea.

The Des Songes

Company/Brand Name: Le Palais Des Thés

Name: Thé Des Songes

Category: Flavored Oolong Tea (Wu Long)

Form: Loose Leaf

Origin of the Leaf: Unknown

The Leaves: Twisted black tea leaves with noticeable pieces of lemon peel and flower petals

Additions: Flower Petals (Safflower, Lavender, Mallow), Lemon Peels, Aromas

Flavor: A medium-bodied, calming tea blend that has notes of dark chocolate, citrus and lavender

Overall: I was simply captivated by this tea. I’ve never tasted anything quite like it. Overall, I unique blend that is perfect for quiet, contemplative moments.

Tea Review:

When I opened Thé Des Songes tea canister and inhaled the aroma of the dried leaves, I was met with an enchanting fragrance that was both lovely and exotic. My senses detected a delicate floral scent with notes of citrus and lavender.

Although, I have to admit that before I even opened the tea canister I had been feeling a bit wary of what I might find inside. For when I saw lavender on the list of ingredients, I feared that I would not enjoy this tea at all. I’ve sampled other teas that included lavender, all of which were entirely undrinkable.

But, no worries with this tea blend; the lavender was subtle and didn’t overpower. Rather, it complemented the other aromas, which made this blend absolutely splendid.

Of course, you’re probably wondering what I actually thought of the taste and I have to say that it didn’t disappoint.

The fragrance of the leaves was a good indicator of the flavor of this oolong tea, except for one intriguing taste that I wasn’t expecting: dark chocolate.

My first impression of Thé Des Songes was an enticing note of cocoa. Then hints of lemon and lavender made their way to my awareness, giving my brew a rich and satisfying taste. But that was only the beginning!

As my tea cooled, I discovered even more depth in my cup. Not only did a slightly creamy texture evolve, but I also noticed a touch of spice and even a slight minty-ness, making the whole experience feel rather decadent.

Before I swallowed the last drop, I let the tea wash over my tongue and there I found a slightly bitter, grassy taste. This added yet another level of depth to this flavored tea that I wasn’t expecting.

Lastly, the finish was smooth and slow with notes of lavender. Before it was all said and done a final note of minty-coolness lingered on my tongue teasing me to take another mouthful of goodness.

This is one of those teas that you want to drink unhurried to savor each and every sip; otherwise you may miss some small nuance. It is all the little sensations that make this oolong tea so entrancing. It’s definitely worth exploring!

Packaging:

The Des Songes Tea Canister

Thé Des Songes tea came in a beautiful and striking red canister decorated with a delicate flower print.

I appreciated that the tea canister had been encased in tear-away plastic wrap to keep the tea secured inside the tin during shipping. Plus, it kept the canister from getting nicked and scrapped, so it looked divine upon arrival.

This is the kind of tea tin that you don’t want to tuck away in the cupboard; instead, you want to have it on display for all to see.

As I explored the Le Palais Des Thés web page, I realized that many of the teas in the “Les Créations” collection came in their own uniquely decorated colored canister.

However, you do have a choice of how you would like to have your tea packaged. For instance, if ordering Thé Des Songes you have the option of a large silver pouch, a slim silver tin, gourmet tea bags, or the colorful tea canister.

I love having these packaging options; this tells me that Le Palais Des Thés puts their customer’s preferences first.

Preparation Tips:

The directions on the tea canister were quite helpful. A recommended brewing temperature, amount of tea to use and infusion time were all written in English, as well as in French, on the bottom of the tea tin.

I experimented with different brewing times within the range suggested (5-7 minutes). I really didn’t detect much variance in taste with the longer or shorter steeping times.

In fact, this oolong tea seemed to be quite forgiving; there were several instances when I wasn’t watching the time at all and I still had a very drinkable cup.

I tried a variety of filter methods for brewing, such as my mini-glass teapot, a tasting cup and a Finum brewing basket; all of them resulted in an exceptional cup of tea.

Lastly, I only used filtered water to sample this oolong tea.

Additional Notes:

Evening Time Tea – This oolong tea is perfect for after a late supper or as an evening indulgence. Not to mention that the soothing fragrance and flavor of this tea invites the mind and body to relax. A true comfort tea. Plus, it has a low caffeine-level according to Le Palais Des Thés website.

I Want This Tea!

If you’d like to purchase this tea just click the link below, it will take you directly to Thé Des Songes web page. Enjoy!

Le Palais Des Thés : Thé Des Songes

Vendor Provided Sample: Yes

Affiliate Links: No

Photo Credits: A Girl With Tea 

This is “a girl with tea” signing off once again.

Remember to live, laugh, love and drink plenty of tea.

Holiday Cheer Six-Sample Giveaway

I am so in the holiday spirit today!

If you happened to read my last post from earlier this week, which was a review of the Adagio’s Holiday Cheer tea collection, you’ll know that I enjoyed the entire collection so much so that I purchased a second box!

I had originally planned to keep the whole box, of six different holiday teas, all to myself.

But, I’ve decided, rather than be a Scrooge, I’d give some of the sample packets away, so you can try them too!

~ Holiday Tea Sample Giveaway ~

What I Am Giving Away:

Just to be super-duper clear on what I am giving away: One tea sample of each flavor in the Holiday Cheer collection. That’s six, individually wrapped, pyramid bags. You’ll get to sample each of the six flavors: Candy Apple, Chestnut, Cranberry, Pumpkin Spice, Candy Cane and Gingerbread (see photo above).

How To Enter:

If you would like to be eligible for my mini-giveaway, just post a comment below stating that you’d like to win the six tea samples. That’s it! Super simple.

How to Find Out if You’ve Won:

I will randomly choose two people to win all six holiday tea samples on December 9, 2011. The two winners will be announced the same day here on this blog.

Both winners will receive an email from me to let them know they have won and to ask where they would like their tea samples shipped.

~ Legal Stuff ~

Sorry, but only those 18 years or older and who live in the United States are eligible to enter. Also, no duplicate entries allowed; only one entry per person please.

Vendor Provided Sample: No

Affiliate Links: No

Photo Credits: A Girl With Tea

This is “a girl with tea” signing off once again.

Remember to live, laugh, love and drink plenty of tea.

P.S. Good luck everyone! Thank you so much for reading this blog. I appreciate you!

Adagio Holiday Cheer Sampler Collection

Company/Brand Name: Adagio

Collection Name: Holiday Cheer

Category: Flavored Black Teas

Form: Loose Leaf in Pyramid Tea Bags

Origin of the Leaf: Unknown

The Leaves: Midnight black tea leaves that are chopped into half-inch pieces

Overall: I really enjoyed Adagio’s Holiday Cheer tea collection. In fact, I went through all the individually wrapped teas from my original order so quickly that I have already ordered another box!

It was fun to try all the different flavors. I definitely found a couple of new favorites for the holiday season!

Each tea is highly flavorful. However, if you don’t like flavored teas, then this sampler set probably isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you’re a bit adventuresome and like to try new tea flavors, then this holiday tea collection may be just perfect for your inquiring tastes!

Tea Review:

I’ve listed the following six holiday teas in order. My favorites are listed first.

Tea Name: Cranberry

Cranberry Pyramid Tea Bag

Additions: Cranberries, Raspberry Leaves, Cranberry Flavor

Flavor: Initially, while the tea was steeping, there was a faint fragrance of cranberry that floated through the air. The first sip had a note of cocoa and then the fruity-sweetness shined through. I have to say that I really didn’t taste cranberry much at all; it was very subtle, if it was there at all. The overall experience reminded me of Cella’s Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries for some reason. It was love at first sip.

Tea Name: Gingerbread

Additions: Ginger, Cinnamon, Orange Pieces, Gingerbread Flavor

Flavor: There was a warm-spicy fragrance to this Gingerbread tea. When I took the first sip I noticed the spiciness, but it wasn’t chai-like. Rather, it reminded me of the subtle spice you would find in a spice bread. There was even a subtle hint of rum flavor, which added a little extra something to this holiday tea. Lastly, a tangy, almost tart taste rounded out my cup giving this tea plenty of depth and character.

Tea Name: Chestnut

Additions: Sunflower Petals, Chestnut Flavor

Flavor: I’ll admit that I have never eaten a chestnut, so I can’t say how close this comes to the real thing. For some reason, the taste did remind me of amaretto liqueur, which I haven’t had for years, so I can’t vouch for accuracy. The overall taste was sweet and nutty. There was just a touch of creaminess that brought all the flavors together harmoniously.

Tea Name: Pumpkin Spice

Additions: Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Pumpkin Flavor

Flavor: The Pumpkin Spice tea was quite flavorful with a touch of spice and a hint of sweetness. The saying, “Sugar and spice and everything nice,” came to mind when sipping this blend. The pumpkin flavor can be a bit “fakey” tasting, as if it was trying too hard to be pumpkin. Nonetheless, I was captivated and wanted more. I even discovered an ever so faint dark chocolate note that added some extra character to this holiday tea.

Tea Name: Candy Apple

Additions: Apples, Cinnamon, Caramel Flavor

Flavor: There was just an ever so slight touch of apple and cinnamon flavor in the Candy Apple tea. I really didn’t get a caramel flavor at all. Rather, my first impression was an almost too sweet, candi-like taste. It wasn’t overpowering by any means, rather it nestled in the background to add a flavorful touch. Overall, a sweet tasting tea that somehow grows on you.

Tea Name: Candy Cane

Additions: Candy Cane Pieces, Peppermint Flavor

Flavor: I have to admit, that I am not a big peppermint fan, so this was not my favorite tea of the bunch. Although, I did find that the Candy Cane tea had a nice warm-vanilla flavor that was punctuated by a touch of peppermint. Overall, a sweet tasting, peppermint tea that reminded me of the holidays.

Holiday Cheer Package

Packaging:

The presentation of this Holiday Cheer tea collection is simple yet elegant. The box is well-constructed and once you open the lid you are rewarded with a beautiful display of individually packed teas. Each tea flavor is gathered together in its own little, perfectly sized, compartment! This would make a wonderful gift for that special someone who loves seasonal, flavored teas.

Each individually wrapped tea comes in a foil pouch and the tea itself is encased in a silk pyramid bag, which gives the leaves plenty of room to unfurl. Not to mention the convenience! All you have to do is pour boiling water in a cup and plop in a tea bag for a delicious holiday treat!

Preparation Tips:

On the back of each individually wrapped tea package are the steeping recommendations. I found these instructions to be quite accurate in producing the best tasting tea. Although, I do suggest using filtered water for a premium experience.

Additional Notes:

Dessert Tea – I especially enjoyed drinking all these  scrumptious teas after a meal because the flavors where interesting enough to keep me from raiding the holiday cookie stash! In fact, I found myself enjoying a lovely cup of Holiday Cheer tea even more than a high-calorie treat. Win for me! Especially since I’ve been trying to cut back on desserts and other goodies!

Holiday Cheer – Why not spread some joy around to co-workers, family and friends! The individually packaged teas (one pyramid tea bag per pouch) are perfect for the office, holiday parties, tucking into a holiday card, or handing out randomly to people who might need a little holiday cheer!

I Want This Tea!

If you’d like to purchase this tea straight away, just click the link below, it will take you directly to Adagio’s Holiday Cheer web page. Enjoy!

Holiday Cheer

Vendor Provided Sample: No

Affiliate Links: Yes

Photo Credits: A Girl With Tea

This is “a girl with tea” signing off once again.

Remember to live, laugh, love and drink plenty of tea.

Enjoy this lively, quick video that will walk you through the six types of tea. Plus, a few tisanes too!

Watch it in full-screen mode to get the total, awesomeness effect from the types of tea video. Have fun!

Fotolia.com/Standard License ~
White Tea: Esolheim
Yellow Tea: Delphimages
Herbal Tea: KateP

Wikipedia/Free Art License ~ Guayusa: Anna Premo
Wikipedia/GNU Free Documentation License ~ Oolong Tea: Lateasquirrel

A Girl With Tea ~
Green and Black Tea

This is “a girl with tea” signing off once again.

Remember to live, laugh, love and drink plenty of tea.

Cafe Latte

Company/Brand Name: The NecessiTeas

Name: Cafe Latte

Category: Black Tea/Coffee Blend

Form: Loose Leaf

Origin of the Leaf: Unknown

The Leaves: Twisted black tea leaves with noticeable whole coffee beans and chunks of cocoa beans

Additions: Barley, Coffee Beans, Chicory, Cocoa Beans and Natural Flavors

Flavor: A medium-bodied tea that tastes like java with a hint of sweetness and cocoa flavor

Overall: I love the smell and taste of coffee, but coffee and I don’t get along. As a result, I’ve avoided coffee for years. Until now.

This interesting blend of black loose tea and coffee beans allowed me to enjoy the robust taste of java without the jittery side effects. Plus, the touch of cocoa really rounds out the cup nicely. I would definitely purchase this tea and coffee blend again.

Tea Review:

When I opened the sample package, the first fragrance to hit my senses was the uplifting smell of coffee. Then, I took another whiff and I noticed a sweet aroma, similar to fine tobacco leaves with notes of chocolate. I was definitely intrigued!

As the tea steeped, a sweet-smelling, java-like aroma encircled my teapot tantalizing me to take that first sip.

When I finally poured my steamy brew into a cup and took a drink of the Cafe Latte, I was surprised to find that my tea tasted like coffee. The coffee beans seemed to add just the right amount of java flavor to give my teacup an extra-special zing.

I also discovered a sweet, cocoa note that was malty tasting like Whopper’s Malted Milk Ball candy or instant malted chocolate milk. To bring it all together, there is a slight creamy mouth-feel that makes this tea blend live up to its name.

As I was mindfully drinking my tea in solitude and trying to grasp all the taste sensations I was experiencing, something interesting happened. I had a ghost taste memory. All of a sudden Bailey’s Irish Cream came to mind. But, I wasn’t sure why.

I couldn’t seem to remember ever having consumed Bailey’s Irish Cream. Perhaps, I had smelled Bailey’s in coffee at some point, or had a sip of an “adult drink” during my formative years. Wherever that recognition memory came from, it stuck with me for the rest of my tea session, which made for an intoxicating experience!

Once I reached the last drop of Cafe Latte, I found a lingering aftertaste that was a mixture of java and cocoa with just a touch of tanginess. This final moment reminded me of my premium coffee drinking days.

After my first cup, I indulged in several more before depleting my Cafe Latte sample. I was disappointed it was gone, yet comforted by the fact that I could always order more.

The NecessiTeas Cafe Latte Packaging

Packaging:

I had ordered a sample size of the Cafe Latte from The NecessiTeas, which came in a thick, silver bag with foil-lining and a clear-plastic cover.

The front of the sample package included a sticker that listed the name of the tea, content ingredients, tea preparation instructions and the vendor’s web address.

Preparation Tips:

On The NecessiTeas loose tea sample package it recommended using one and a half teaspoons of tea with eight-ounces of boiling water. The suggested steeping time was 4 minutes. I followed these guidelines, except that I used my mini-glass teapot, which only holds about six-ounces of water.

In addition, I only used filtered water to brew the Cafe Latte because I didn’t want to run the risk of ruining the taste. I only had a small sample to experiment with, so I repeated the instructions above and didn’t vary from them. Although, I did allow my tea to steep to almost 5 minutes a couple of times.

Additional Notes:

Dessert Tea – I enjoyed drinking this tea after a meal to satiate my craving for some sugary treat. I think this tea and coffee blend would be delicious chilled and mixed with milk, but I didn’t have any milk in the house to give it a try. Maybe next time!

I Want This Tea!

If you’d like to purchase this tea just click the link below, it will take you directly to The NecessiTeas web page. Enjoy!

The NecessiTeas

Vendor Provided Sample: No

Affiliate Links: No

Photo Credits: A Girl With Tea

This is “a girl with tea” signing off once again.

Remember to live, laugh, love and drink plenty of tea.

© Kati Molin - Fotolia.com

These last two weeks of Yoga Month have flown by as if life were merely a good fiction novel that I didn’t want to end.

As I continued to explore the world of yoga on physical level, I found my body feeling leaner, stronger and more flexible.

On an emotional level, I felt more relaxed and focused during the day. And on an intellectual level, my desire to learn more about yoga was deepened.

But, let me step-back for a moment and share with you what I did that allowed me to have such notable results.

Two Weeks in Review: Finding My Flow

First, I discovered in Week Three that I was able to do most of the poses from the Yoga Workout for Dummies YouTube videos on my own. I no longer needed the videos to help guide me.

In fact, I developed my own series of yoga poses that I enjoyed doing several times per week while listening to relaxing music. Needless to say, my confidence really started to soar once I was able to start doing the asanas (just another term for yoga postures) without additional direction.

Although, I have to admit, that I still struggled with Child Pose and the Lunge due to having sensitive knees. Ugh!

Yoga for a Healthy Body

I also dived into the Yoga for a Healthy Body book I had purchased during Week One and added some poses from the book to my routine. Plus, it was fun to mix things up a bit!

Lastly, during Week Four I gave the Crunch: Candlelight Yoga video a try (currently streaming on Netflix).

The instructor is Sara Ivanhoe, who also did the Basic Yoga for Dummies videos. I really like her teaching style; it is down-to-earth and encouraging. No judgments here! She encourages her viewers not to be too hard on themselves. Rather, she recommends focusing on the moment.

Overall, I enjoyed the Candlelight Yoga video; it is definitely relaxing. But, don’t be fooled by the name; this is a solid yoga workout!

Sara starts by concentrating on breathing exercises while sitting on the mat. Then she moves gently into the yoga postures. Before you know it, you’re standing-up and doing some challenging poses, including the dreaded Lunge! Yet, this is all done in a tranquil, peaceful way that makes the whole experience seem more like a retreat than an exercise class.

This 45-minute video also has someone doing the poses with modifications, making the instruction fairly easy to follow for even the inflexible. I would recommend this video for someone who wants a relaxing yoga experience with a touch of physical effort.

Discovering Types of Yoga

As the end of Yoga Month approached, I found myself wanting to know more about this thing called yoga.

After a little research, I discovered that the two types of yoga I had been practicing this past month were Hatha and Vinyasa.

I seriously, I had no idea that there were different types of yoga when I first started this journey a month ago. Of course, I guess I really didn’t care at that time because I had just wanted to jump into action.

Anyway, here is a little of what I learned about Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga.

Hatha yoga, according to my Yoga for a Healthy Body book, should be practiced slowly and mindfully, focusing on each breath. The aim of Hatha Yoga is to stop the inner chitter chatter of our mind so that we may see our true selves more clearly.

I also discovered that Hatha Yoga is considered the building block to all other forms of yoga because of its focus on the breath.

After learning about this, I felt grateful that I had somehow started my yoga practice on the right path without even knowing it. I had blindly approached yoga with a beginner’s mind and was miraculously led in the right direction.

As for Vinyasa Yoga, it is a combination of Hatha Yoga (breathing) and flowing, dance-like movements that can provide a solid aerobic and toning workout. This type of yoga focuses on breath-synchronized movement. The emphasis is on concentration and attitude (like laughing at yourself when you topple over from Tree Pose!).

Next Steps: Continuing the Journey

Yoga Anatomy

There are a variety of types of yoga to explore, from Bikram (hot yoga) to Raja Yoga, but I am pleased with where I am right now. I plan to continue to practice a combination of both Hatha and Vinyasa yoga.

In addition, I hope to explore and study Hatha Yoga more thoroughly to feed my intellectual and spiritual curiosity.

I also want to become more familiar with the muscles that are used for each pose. I’ve already begun to study my new Yoga Anatomy book and learned that there is a lot more to breathing than I had originally thought!

Plus, I am already considering yoga training. I can totally see myself teaching others yoga. But, I am jumping ahead by at least a few years!

Yoga Month Wrap-Up:

Originally, I had started Yoga Month with the simple wish of learning a few yoga poses that would help me to become a little more flexible and toned. But, as my body began to ease into each pose a little more gracefully and my monkey mind started to relax, I discovered the awesomeness of yoga.

I don’t think anyone could have explained the benefits of yoga to me a month ago, I would have been quite skeptical.

Yoga Girl Mug

Now that I have explored yoga for myself these past four weeks, I can see the power yoga can have to transform lives.

It is quite fascinating how taking time to do a few soothing and dynamic poses each day can open up a different world. In other words, yoga gave me the ability to see life from a different perspective. Not only can I see new possibilities, but I also feel focused enough to make positive changes.

I can’t wait to see what occurs in my life in the next few months by continuing to practice yoga most days of the week. I’ll be sure to let you know!

Well, I am off to sip some tea in my new Yoga Girl Mug and quietly celebrate all that I’ve learned and achieved this month.

Namaste.

Vendor Provided Sample: No

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Additional Photo Credits: A Girl With Tea (Yoga Books and Mug)

This is “a girl with tea” signing off once again.

Remember to live, laugh, love and drink plenty of tea.

Week Two of Yoga Month: Recovering from Failure

Week One of Yoga Month: Starting from the Beginning

Introduction: Yoga Month: Getting Started with Yoga

© Scott Griessel - Fotolia.com

The second week of Yoga Month flew by really quickly, too fast in fact, because I only got in two days of my beginner yoga practice. My original plan was to do five days.

I find myself sitting down to write this update and wishing I had made some different decisions over the last seven days, but I can’t go back in time.

Since I don’t have a time machine, I guess all I can do at this point is look back over the last seven days, reflect on what went wrong, learn from my mistakes, and update my yoga plan.

A Week in Review: Mildred Takes Over

During Week One I had completed six days of yoga and ended the week on a high note. I was feeling pretty proud of myself!

Then as Week Two started, a voice in my head told me that I should be doing more yoga. I’ll call this voice Mildred.

Mildred, the perfectionist side of me, started whispering in my ear that I wasn’t doing good enough. She told me that I really should be doing at least twenty minutes of yoga every day because I had been so successful my first week.

The more I listened to Mildred, the more I procrastinated. I found lots of excuses to not practice yoga.

Before I knew it, four days had past and I started feeling really deflated. I knew I had failed to achieve my goal of doing ten minutes of yoga five times per week.

I felt like a big loser.

Looking Deeper and Giving Mildred the Boot:

One thing I’ve known about myself, but seem to keep repeating, is that I always start off strong. Then, I falter once a little success is achieved.

However, I’ve never really explored why I do this…

I’m thinking that it’s all about fear, fear of leaving my comfort zone—that small little world I’ve built for myself to protect me from hurt and pain. And that’s what the perfectionistic Mildred is there for, to keep me from venturing outside the glass box.

Luckily, on day five, after some self-reflection, I was able to give Mildred the boot. Of course, she did drop-in unexpectedly once in a while during the rest of the week, but I swiftly told her that she wasn’t welcome any longer.

Renewed Energy for My Updated Yoga Plan:

After having two successful days of beginner yoga practice, my energy and determination were renewed.

I’m glad I took the time to examine what went wrong, so I could move forward again.

In fact, by re-focusing on my original goal—to practice yoga for just ten minutes—I found myself exceeding my own expectations. Not because Mildred was there to berate me, but because I was having fun.

My plan is to re-commit to my original goal of doing yoga five times per week for ten minutes. And if Mildred rings my doorbell again, I’ll tell her I don’t accept solicitations!

Here’s to another week of yoga!

Oh, and my apologies if your name is Mildred!

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Affiliate Links: No

This is “a girl with tea” signing off once again.

Remember to live, laugh, love and drink plenty of tea.

Week One of Yoga Month: Starting from the Beginning

Introduction: Yoga Month: Getting Started with Yoga