Haul: Republic of Tea, February 2016

I have done tea hauls from Republic of Tea for a couple of years, usually getting two or more tins, mostly of tea bags, not loose tea.  I did one a couple of years ago when I tried out a few that I know buy refills from, and others I have not repurchased.  Mostly I have a good idea of what I like and look carefully at reviews before deciding.  This time I went for three tins of tea I had not tried before: the classic Vanilla Almond black tea, which is a best-seller (in a pack of 50), the Orange Ginger Mint herb tea (pack of 36), and the Ginger Peach red tea (the black version of this is a best-seller, in a pack of 36).

I received the package earlier than expected, as it was supposed to take at least a week according to the shipping information.  I didn’t choose the expedient shipping, but the one after that.  The order was received on Monday and arrived on Friday.  I am used to Zappos and Amazon, so this isn’t super speedy by my standards, but it’s tea, not a pair of shoes, and I have enough other teas to hold me over anyway while waiting.

  

The package came with two extras this time: a Raspberry Rose Hibiscus tea sample and a Get Lost Herbal tea sample.

I tried one of the teas yesterday and two today, the Orange Ginger Mint last night and the other two this morning and this afternoon.  I found the one I was most nervous about based on a smattering of reviews, the Orange Ginger Mint, to be my favorite.  I had seen reviews stating the customers tasted more of an anise-licorice flavor that was stronger than the other flavors.  I don’t personally like licorice much, but decided to try it anyway because the other reviews were so high and I needed another nighttime tea.  I admit to the anise flavor definitely being a player, and not so much the ginger and orange.  I still really enjoyed the tea, and would re-purchase.  I thought the combination was just what I need at night when I crave sweets.  Keep in mind I almost never put honey or sugar or any sweetener in my tea, and I found it naturally sweet because of the anise and mint.  I think it should be renamed Anise Mint tea, but would still give it five stars.  Word of warning: DO NOT keep the tea bag in too long (more than five or so minutes) or it will really taste overwhelmingly of anise!  A little heat and sweetness is fine, but only in small doses.

This morning I opened the tea I most wanted to replace the Christmassy chai teas I had been having so long in the mornings, the Vanilla Almond black.  I love the scent of almond, and amaretto is one of my favorite flavors for things like coffee.  I was a little overwhelmed by the smell though.  This tea also had a strange drying sensation in my mouth, which I account for the almond pieces in the teabag itself.  Unfortunately, this tea smelled weird to me, and I love most things that are almond-flavored (I love amaretto).  I will continue to use this tea, but I probably will not repurchase like I do some of the other best-sellers.  I give this tea three and a half stars.  It's better with a splash of milk, and I don't keep the teabag in too long.

The last tea I have having at four in the afternoon as I write this, and it is the red version of the best-seller Ginger Peach.  I have tried the original black version in a sample, and would buy it, but wanted to try another red (or rooibos) tea, as I am obsessed with Republic of Tea’s Cape of Good Hope Vanilla, another red tea.  I wanted another red tea because it is caffeine free, and great anytime of the day.  The smell is almost more lemony than peachy, but that may be the ginger mixing with the peach.  On a second try, I think it tastes a teeny bit like lemon cleansing solution, which I can only attribute to the strong peach flavor being too overwhelming to the rooibos compared to the original black.  This might have been that I had a cold at the time, and since I think it is much better.  I would give this tea four stars, and again, probably wouldn't repurchase, in favor of the original black version of this tea, which is slightly better in my opinion.

So, I unfortunately am not ecstatic about the majority of the teas from my haul, which I have to say, usually does not happen.  I love many of Republic's teas, and have repurchased many of them in the past.  I think because I drink so much tea, I have higher standards than general, and want good money worth it in the teas I drink.
  
Has anyone else tried Republic of Tea’s products?  I have plenty of others I have tried, with my all-time favorites being the Blackberry Sage, Comfort and Joy, and Pumpkin Spice.  Let me know what yours are, or if there are other varieties you think I should try out!

(Note: I bought these products myself and am not being sponsored.)

Baking: Lemon Tea Cookies

(I just loved the that the snowman on the plate looked like he was holding the cookie!  The book I am reading is Poldark.)

I love chocolate anything, but I also love a twist on a basic sugar cookie, especially if it is meant to be consumed with tea and a book.  These lemon cookies are easy, don’t make too many, and can be pulled together quickly with basic ingredients.  I can just picture Piglet inviting his friends over to sample his little sweet treats by a cozy fireplace.
 

This recipe is supposed to make 3 dozen, but I only got 21 cookies (with a smallish cookie scoop).  I suppose they are supposed to be a little smaller than I made: think Piglet.

Ingredients:

Cookies:

½ cup (1 stick) softened butter

¾ cup sugar

1/3 cup milk (whole is better)

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 egg

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon lemon zest (fresh is always better)

Lemon-sugar glaze:

2 tablespoons lemon juice

¼ cup sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.

Beat sugar and butter together until fluffy. 

   

Add the egg and mix.  Mix two teaspoons of the milk into the lemon juice.  Add this mixture to the wet ingredients as well as the remaining milk.  (It is fine if the mixture curdles somewhat, as it will look much better as the dry ingredients are added.)

Mix together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder (sift, if possible), and add the mixture to the wet ingredients in small batches.

Use a spoon or cookie dropper to drop even cookies onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms and a tiny bit of the edges of the cookies are golden brown.

Cool each batch for a couple of minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool before glazing with the lemon glaze.

Directions for the lemon-sugar glaze:

Mix the lemon and sugar in a small bowl, and use either a spoon or a pastry brush to glaze the cookies.  The glaze will be sticky, so allow it to cool and harden before storing in container lined with wax paper at room temperature.

  

These cookies have a tendency to get dry if not eaten within a few days, but I don’t know of anyone who would have that problem.  Enjoy with a cup of tea and good book!

(I have found many recipes similar to this one; this is from the Winnie the Pooh Cookie Book.  I wrote five stars in the book years ago.  Copyright Dutton Children's Books, 1996, and the drawing is by A.A. Milne.)

Tea Review: Enjoying Tea’s Lady Baroness Grey Loose Tea

I can’t believe I haven’t done a tea review yet, as I love tea more than any other beverage (yes, more than coffee).  I grew up on Bigelow and Celestial Seasonings and have since branched out into more brands, and including those that do loose tea rather than tea bags.  Loose tea comes in all the varieties of bag tea (often even more), such as black, green, white, oolong, and rooibos (I haven't yet tried puerh).  Sometimes the tea is plain, and sometimes it includes pieces of dried fruit, flower petals, spices, and other ingredients.

The first order I made from Enjoying Tea was a few of years ago in late summer to buy a cast iron Asian-style teapot.  I had been seeing them everywhere, and they were just too expensive for what you get at places like Teavana (I can do a separate review on why I’m not so crazy about Teavana in another post).  I ended up getting a red and gold cast iron teapot with images of a Chinese dragon and phoenix on the sides of the pot and top of the coaster (for a lot less than Teavana).  I also decided to get a package of their Lady Baroness Grey tea, as I love earl grey tea, and needed more loose tea for my new pot (it’s specifically for loose tea).  I have the four ounce version, and it has lasted me a long time for an inexpensive cost.

Lady Baroness Tea is a black tea, with pieces of dried orange, some flower petals, and lime leaves (I will include the description from the website below), and of course bergamot (the main flavoring of any earl grey tea).  It is a black tea, so one teaspoon (or 2.3 grams) per one cup (eight ounces) of boiling (212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius).

The tea doesn’t take long to steep, and can get quite dark if left too long.  The recommended steeping time is only 3-5 minutes.  The tea is a medium amber color, like most black tea, and gives off a slightly floral aroma, heady with bergamot.  I think it is best with light sandwiches and dessert (or tea) items, such as coffee cake, cookies, and cake.  I have it without sugar, but it is good with some sugar or your preferred sweetener.

Although I always have to have my favorite Bigelow earl grey, this version is a little more dressed up and feels more luxurious, even though it is hardly more expensive than your average pot or cup of tea.

(Note:  I have not been paid to make this review.)