Tea Review: S.D. Bell's Darjeeling

Lately I have been drinking a lot of black tea, all courtesy of Best International Tea. My review of Lady Londonderry can be read here and stay tuned for my notes on the Natural Leaf Tea. Today's review is of the Darjeeling.

I prepared the Darjeeling several times.  A just steeped cup smells fresh but is more astringent than I enjoy.  A loose leaf Darjeeling might steep with more of the traditional "fruity, floral" flavors.  Without milk, the tea is complemented by a buttery cookie.  The cookie pictured above is a peanut butter shortbread cookie spread with jam.  With milk added, I really enjoyed this Darjeeling.

Tea Review: S. D. Bell's Lady Londonderry Tea

I received a generous package of tea from importer Best International Tea based in Chatham, NJ.  Today I steeped the Lady Londonderry twice: a large cup with breakfast and a smaller "afternoon cup".  The blend of "fine Assams, a little China and a touch of Ceylon" smells like dried raisins or prunes.

After steeping, the taste, without milk, is astringent but also fruity.  With (lowfat) milk, the flavor is transformed.  It retains a mild fruit sweetness but the main flavor is of dulce de leche!

You can purchase this tea here.

Tea Review: David's Tea Cookie Dough

Between a school benefit bake sale and two birthday parties, I consumed many baked goods on Saturday. Still craving something sweet on Sunday but not wanting to indulge, I prepared a pot of David's Tea Cookie Dough.

In the bag, the tea smells like cookie dough.  It retains that aroma after steeping and adds freshly baked cookie smell.  The sweetness imparted by cocoa peel, caramel pieces, and chocolate chips is not overwhelming.  Nuts (almonds and walnuts) and large white tea leaves balance the sweetness.  This combination provides a lingering nutty, warm taste.  Cookie Dough is a perfect tea when you would like something sweet but know you should not eat another cookie or slice of cake.  Plus, it's healthful drink!

Tea Review: David's Tea Forever Nuts

Forever Nuts and Cookie Dough are the newest additions to my tea pantry.  Both teas are made by David's Tea and were purchased at the Bleecker Street store in NYC.  I have prepared one cup of the Cookie Dough and will review it later.  Today's review is of Forever Nuts.

Forever Nuts is a tisane: it does not contain tea, only apples, nuts, cinnamon, and a surprising ingredient.  The latter colors the tea pink; it's beet.  I can detect a slight earthy sweetness.  The smell of the dry tisane is amazing: it smells like an apple cake or streudel.  The taste of the brew more truly reflects two  of the ingredients -- almonds and cinnamon.  Thankfully the cinnamon flavor is not candy like!

This tea would be refreshing iced.  Also, it's child friendly.

Have you steeped Forever Nuts?