The Persimmon Tree Tea Company Review

Website: http://www.persimmontreetea.com
Facebook: persimmontree
Twitter: @ptreetea





French Vanilla Bean (Black) - My Review
Amore (White)
Jasmine Ancient Beauty (Oolong)
Fruit Fusion (Herbal) - My Review

Melanie contacted me via email and offered to send some samples for review. The samples arrived this week, and I was able to rescue them from the post office on Saturday. They came backed in a nice paper straw which kept them from rattling around. I like how each tin has steeping suggestions.

Arbor Teas Company Review

I wanted to talk a little about Arbor Teas.

Arbor Teas contacted me and then sent me some samples for free in order for me to review it and get the word out about their teas in October as it is Fair Trade Month.

They ship USPS Priority mail, and pack the teas very well, everything arrived in perfect shape.

There was a lovely personalized note to me thanking me for participating in the blog push for Fair Trade Month, as well as telling me a bit about the company. I appreciate hearing about the companies whose tea I try. I so far am enjoying both this company, and their products.

The compostable packages are opaque and have listed suggested steeping parameters and a stapled on paper tag with the specific tea information. They include a note about re-packaging your tea into opaque air-tight containers for longer shelf lives.

From http://www.arborteas.com/the-environment.html
"Our dedication to protecting the environment pre-dates our love of tea, which is why we’ve taken every step we can think of to reduce the environmental footprint of Arbor Teas.

Never ones to rest on our laurels, we’re always looking for further opportunities to "green-up" our company, giving back to the planet whenever we can. Here’s just a quick summary of the measures we take at Arbor Teas to reduce the environmental impact of our business:
• Our entire catalog of teas is certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program.
• We are the first and only tea company to deliver its full line of organic loose teas in 100% backyard compostable packaging. In doing so, we've significantly reduced both the carbon emissions and waste stream associated with our products."

And from their letter to me "every tea in out catalog is certified organic, and nearly two-thirds are Fair Trade certified."






Received this product for free in return for writing a review. The review is as unbiased as possible despite the free product. I receive no other compensation.

Georgia Tea Company Review

Dan from Georgia Tea Company was kind enough to run a tea trivia contest on Steepster. He let me choose my 20 tea samples. I also won an adagio glass tea kettle to go with the samples.

They arrived in a priority mail box, well packaged with those air cushions.

I find the labels on the tea samples to be perfect, they include the company name, tea name, tea type, and steeping directions. I have been informed that the samples that you buy on the web site, or any teas purchased on the site, will come in food safe, plastic lined, kraft bags which keep light out and keep the tea fresh for about 4-5 months. Tea is best stored in tins which are not clear and air tight, since light activates the steeping process and moisture as well. The sample bags I received were about 2-3 cups each, where purchased samples are larger.

The package was mailed on June 11 and arrived June 14.

The website contains descriptions of the teas, pictures, and customer ratings. I think it might do well to also include the steeping parameters in case you repackage your teas.

You can intuit the ingredients from the description, however I did mention it would be nice to list the ingredients as there are some strange allergies (natural but not artificial flavors; grapefruit, milk, mint, cinnamon) that I know people with and it is better to list "assorted black teas and natural cinnamon flavor" or "assorted green teas, natural pineapple flavor, pineapple chunks" than have someone get ill.

Overall I am finding the Georgia Tea Company to have great customer service, good packaging, and good quality teas.

They also have an excellent affiliate program, honestly the best i have had to deal with yet.

Objective Tea Company Review

I purchased a sample pack from Objective-Tea http://www.objectivetea.com/ The samples were no charge but there was a shipping fee of $6.25 that I paid through paypal.

I found out about the offer through Steepster Discussion Post

I got;
1x Silver Needle - 5 g | .25 oz
1x Oriental Beauty - 5 g | .25 oz
1x Jasmine Pearl - 5 g | .25 oz
1x Green Pekoe - 5 g | .25 oz
1x Four Seasons - Sample / 15 g | 0.50 oz

I placed the order on June 13. On June 14 I got a shipping notice via email.

I believe the order arrived June 16 or earlier (the date on the picture).

The website contains a nice amount of information about the teas, their origins and steeping information. In the FAQ there is even a nice visual display of how much is included for the different sizes of purchase.

The samples came in plastic lined kraft paper bags, which worked well to protect them.

I enjoyed the hand written thank you note included in the order.

What I found lacking was that the company, although a one person shop, come off a more of a tea-swap than a company. I feel they should invest, even with samples, in printing up

labels (although the hand done artwork is cute, it isn't professional). There are many other one man or one woman shops out there who print up labels (and even use kraft paper plastic lined bags). I can't speak to the packaging on the full sized packages though.

I hate ripping into little startups, but this one needs to look into their presentation a little bit more.

thepuriTea Company Review

At 8:19 AM Apr 13th thepuriTea asked for bloggers on Twitter @thepuriTea to DM them if they wanted to try some teas and review them. I of course excitedly responded that I would love to. I was told to pick out some teas I would like to try. After reviewing their website thepuriTea.com I choose the Milk Oolong and Mango Tea.

The website was nicely arranged by tea type, and it was very easy to find out about all of their teas. Prices and sizes of each tea were obvious on each page. The items in your cart are visible as you browse the website - which is great for keeping track of what you've already selected. The samples are very reasonably priced, and seem to be available for most if not all teas. The checkout process was very easy to follow, I had no questions about the process as each step was very well worded. Immediately after placing my order I had a very detailed order confirmation in my inbox.

The email and twitter communications were fast, friendly, and helpful. I was promptly provided a tracking number for my packages! I believe this is an excellent indicator of customer service and could not wait to get my samples.

Five samples arrived April 20 well packaged with packing peanuts in pretty pillow boxes along with some business cards. I received: Milk Oolong, Mango Black, Dragonwell, Golden Yunnan, and Royal Lily Bloom.

Since I am drowning in tea currently I am working on getting the reviews for them all together and then will post them when they are ready.

Tea Forte Company Review

Tea Forte Website

I placed an order April 13, 2010

It arrived today, April 19, packaged with brown kraft paper, in a decorative out box containing little rows of pyramids wrapped in cellophane.

Event Box Herbals

Ordered:
Event Box Herbals

12 infusers of each: Ginger Lemongrass, Flora, Citrus Mint & Chamomile Citron

Subtotal: $48.00
Shipping: $7.95

I was inspired to this purchase because MilitiaJim's brother tried Tea Forte Chamomile Tisane while out, and loved it.

Chamomile Tisane is only available in mixed samplers from Tea Forte. I decided to email and ask what the difference was. In less than 40 minutes I got the following response:

"Thank you for contacting Tea Forte. The Citron is a newer blend from
the Tisane. It has the same chamomile but has a bolder taste, with a
slight citrus flavor. I hope that it will not disappoint."

Hopefully B likes these as well (the first Chamomile he has liked)

Teas Etc Company Review

Website

I placed an order on the night of March 31 using a coupon I found on Steepster

On April 1 I got an email with shipping confirmation and tracking information (USPS)

The package registers as arrival April 3 - but I shipped it to work and wasn't there...so I got it today

The package was a USPS priority mail box

It was well packaged, nothing ratting around.

Inside the box was a sales pamphlet listing all their teas and prices, and invoice that was hand signed by the person who checked the shipment, and a colorful postcard telling me I can earn $1 credit per review I write on their website.

Honeydew-Option: 1 oz. Tins
Yerba Mate Organic-Option: 1 oz. Tin
Mango Nut-Option: 1 oz. Tin
Coconut Custard-Option: 3 oz.
Cranberry Cobbler-Option: Sample

Total Shipping Cost (USPS) : $8.00 USD

LiberTEAS Company Review

Website

Warning: store is closing

Purchased: Black Tea Blend Chocolate Rose Romance

ordered and paid via paypal march 24

arrived 3/29
came with a nice hand written thank you note, a chai sample, and tea candies

it was well boxed and padded

bon teavant company review

bon teavant website

I requested a sample set email 3/18 thanks to a Steepster tip that there were samples to be had.

3/19 I received an email letting me know that the sample set I requested was no longer available, but I could have a different set if I was interested.

I paid $6.00 for shipping.

The box arrived 3/24

The samples well packaged in a box with Styrofoam peanuts.

Inside the decorative set box each tea is in an adorable tin.

the phoenix collection:
pomelo puerh
bamboo fragrance
lot 17 lg leaf

also included:
very detailed steeping guidelines
discount card
thank you note

So far I am very pleased with their customer service and can't wait to try the tea!

The Jade Teapot Company Review

The Jade Teapot website

My first real order with them, the website was easy to use, however I had to create an account to use my coupon. That was OK with me, just an FYI.

I ordered on 3/18, and later that day I got an email confirmation that my ordered had shipped along with tracking information.

I paid via credit card

The order arrived today 3/22 well packaged with air bubbles and the tins were wrapped in tissue paper

Contents:
Chocolate Mint rooibos tea 2oz tin
Lavender Earl Grey 2 oz tin
Starry Night 2 oz tin

Also one sample of Caribbean Dream. I requested it in the comments section with my order. They have a policy of including any sample you ask for with your order so you can try flavors. The samples are about 2 cups worth and packaged in cute little sealed bags.

Harney and Sons Fine Teas Company Review

Harney & Sons Fine Teas - Company Review

Website

The website was easy to navigate to find what I was looking for, and simple and straightforward to checkout with. I did have a little wonkyness with an international order I placed the week before but for within the US I had no issues at all.

Order Placed: Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 7:58 PM

I received an email 3/16 with shipping information, which worried me as I wondered if that meant it would be a long while before it arrived.

Order arrived: Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010

It was all packed well in a cardboard box with crumpled kraft paper padding, along with some sliced hardboard to protect the tins.

In this shipment:
2 tins that are gifts so not pictured (Hi mom, almost happy birthday, your gonna love them)
1 tin Florence
Samples;
Herbal Hot cinnamon spice
apple cinnamon
Paris blend
mango fruit tea
white Christmas

Chicago Tea Garden Company Review

Website - http://www.chicagoteagarden.com/

Order placed: Thu, Mar 4, 2010
Large Leaf from Old Trees Pu-erh
Sticky Rice Pu-erh Tuocha
Wild Orange Pu-erh
Tie Guan Yin Competition Grade "Monkey Picked" Oolong

Paid via PayPal

Website was very easy to use, and checkout was simple and clear

I got a confirmation receipt in email: Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 1:38 PM

I don't remember getting anything indicating it had shipped or how to track it

It arrived today 3/8/10

The box is adorable! It tells you your tea is here.

The box was well padded with brown wadded paper.

Each sample was tacked to an information card that was also printed on the back as a tasting note card FABULOUS! These were graphical, informative and helps me tell my samples apart. Bravo and well done.

TheNecessiTeas Company Review

www.thenecessiteas.com

Everyone had been raving about "rootbeer float tea"
Contests had been giving it away
I was NOT going to buy a ton and hate it.

I am browsing the website, and see lots of yummy teas. But I don't see sizing options.

Twitter:

AmazonV: @TheNecessiTeas any chance you'll ever have little sample sizes? or a sampler pack of your favorites? 1:49 PM Mar 4th via web in reply to TheNecessiTeas

TheNecessiTeas: @amazonv email me through my site of a list of samples you want but don't see and I might be able to put some together for you ;) 1:59 PM Mar 4th via Echofon in reply to amazonv

So I go to the website and use "contact us" to beg for sample sizes.

I get an email back explaining there are sample sizes of the teas I want under the samples category! DUH reading fail (facepalm)

So other than not having each flavor that has a corresponding sample size point out such to unobservant people like me the site was easy to navigate and use. The checkout process was simple and clear.

So then I visit the website again use the "samples" to order:
Chocolate Orange
Peppermint Pattie
Root Beer Float
Strawberry Kiwi

I paid via PayPal

I got a prompt confirmation order (Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 6:09 PM)

I also got a follow up (Fri, Mar 5, 2010 at 1:59 PM) to know my order was shipped

It arrived today (3/8) in a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope in 4 sealed zip lock bags (mylar one side clear the other)

Golden Moon Tea Company Review

I placed an order online 2/28 in the afternoon

The website was easy to use and navigate.

I got the Tea Taster's Sampler and one extra Kashmiri Chai sample in case I do like it and want to share with my mother.

Each one only makes one cup of tea the site says, so I guess MilitaJim and my mom won't get to share these with me.

The package arrived today 3/3/10 via UPS, and it had to be signed for, which annoys me because if i were not home I wouldn't' have gotten it.

It arrived as a weaved basket, filled with sealed sample packs, tied with an elastic ribbon, in a box. No padding / stuffing which surprised and worried me. Everything seemed OK.

I can't fit the basket into the cabinet and will likely have to throw it out unless I can validate it's all natural wood and I can feed the basket to our rabbits.

Design a Tea Company Review

Design A Tea - http://www.designatea.com/

I placed an order for two samples on 2/11 and they arrived today 2/18.

I paid with a pre-paid credit card.

The site was easy to use, however I was disappointed at the small list of options for flavors, and the fact you could only choose up to two flavors.

The samples were mailed in a normal envelope, which surprised me. I expected a padded envelope.

The two samples were taped to a piece of paper that provided instructions on how to use the teabag and a coupon for a future order.

Each one was a plastic sealed pouch, with a slip of paper designating which tea it was and listing the ingredients and steeping instructions.

When opening the little sealed plastic pouch you find one of the make your own paper disposable teabags, unsealed, containing your loose leaf tea sample. I was a little disappointed in this, I could have made a mess easily as it wasn't what I was expecting (sealed pouch). Then again this was a sample and may not be reflective of their whole order packaging.

The tea was a fine quality tea, however the flavors were more scent than taste.

I don't think I'll be ordering from this custom blend site again. I am glad for the inexpensive (1$) set of samples, but find the tea not special enough to beat out all the other teas I have found with much more strong, interesting, and varied flavors .

two leaves and a bud Company Review

two leaves and a bud http://www.twoleavesandabud.com/

Placed order 2/14 with a coupon for 20% off and a free gift thanks to a twitter coupon code.

It arrived today, 2/17 in a well packaged box (using paper padding).

I ordered;
Alpine Berry Herbal - 15 sachets
Jasmine Pearls
and got
4 sachets organic English breakfast

cost, including shipping: $29.88 USD which I paid via paypal

I am a little worried about the clear plastic bag for the jasmine pearls, but I think the travel tin is adorable!

The website was easy to use, however the coloring of the sub-navigation was wild and crazy and kind of ugly.

Specialty Bottle Supply Company Review

Tea Storage

On 2/13/2010 I placed an order at Specialty Bottle Supply - http://www.specialtybottle.com/

It arrived today, 2/17

I ordered 7 assorted sizes of tea tins for tea swapping and storage.

The online ordering process was easy and i think the descriptions and images were sufficient that i knew what I was getting.

The package was well packed with wadded brown paper, but it was a box in a box which seemed wasteful.

The 6" high Tea Tin with cap is great
The 3.5" x 4.2" Tea Tin with twist cap is awkward to open for me
The deep and flat tins though sized well seem to have loose lids

So we'll see how these go

Enjoying Tea Company Review

EnjoyingTea.com

Placed order for a sample on 2/11, it arrived 2/16

it was well packed and I enjoyed the pretty little sample tin.

Included were a invoice, brewing instructions, and a discount card.

the website was easy to use, and i was able to pay with paypal.

Teavana Store Company Review

>>Prior Review

Well we finally placed an online order instead of going to the store, thank the snow.

We were considering going to the store this weekend, but placed an online order Wednesday night, it arrived Friday morning.

MilitiaJim had some issues with the website forcing him to repeatedly login, but other than that we were able to easily see the items we were buying, how much they were, what quantities we had chosen and what the shipping would be. We paid by credit card.

Packaging: bubble wrap and wadded paper, teas were packed in sealed opaque 2 ounce and 1 pound baggies that were resealable. Each baggie had the steeping instructions on the back. They also included a nice guide to all their teas, what makes the different teas different and other information - this is a very nice pamphlet.

Order Contents:
Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls
Rooibos Tropica
My Morning Mate - since we ordered 4 ounces it came in 2 - 2 ounce bags, which i guess is nice for keeping it fresh? not expected though.
Azteca Fire
3 pounds German rock sugar and glass jar-i was expecting the sugar in the jar like seen in the stores, instead their was a bubble wrapped jar, and 3 1-pound bags of sugar. It makes sense, but was another surprise.

Overall I'd say it was a nice packaging job, well presented and well protected. The online shopping could have been smoother but we're happy with this purchase and can't wait to drink it.




Order total:~63$
Shipping: free because it was over 50$

Teavana Store Company Review

Teavana Website




I have only purchased items in their store and not online thus far.

Be sure you know how much you want to spend coming in, their sales people can be a bit pushy, however the product is wonderful and you can choose to get one fresh brewed (hot or iced, with or without sweetener) cup of tea first so you can make sure you love the flavor as much as the smell before getting a whole pound.

Teavana was my 'gateway' into wonderful full leaf teas and will always hold a special place in my heart. My favorite is how well the sales people know which items mix well together.

I enjoy the smell wafting, and the huge selection of teas and teaware in our local store.

Perhaps I will try shopping online when i drink more of the items in my cupboard so I can tell you about the shipping quality.