Teavana Loose Lea Oolong Tea 'Six Summits Oolong'

Tea Information:
Tea: Six Summits Oolong
Type: Oolong Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Teavana Company
Purchase: Here *Discontinued*
Description: This is an exceptionally handcrafted Oolong tea with a luscious natural berry aroma and taste. Good for multiple infusions.
Ingredients: Oolong tea with a natural berry flavor

Steep Information:
Amount: 7 tsp
Water: 1200ml at 195°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: vegetal
Steeped Tea Smell: berry, toasty
Flavor: berry, bitter, toasty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: berry, astringent
Liquor: translucent orange-brown

It seems to have had it's recipe altered over time and then gotten discontinued.
I believe I purchased it because it was nice iced. It's not bad, but not remarkable.

Resteep:
1200ml at 195°F for 6 minutes
slightly bitter raspberry, still nice and toasty, smooth, a little nutty

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing

I purchased this product. All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

Starbucks buys yet another tea company

I have thoughts, no feelings yet, on many aspects of this

Starbucks just sent me a (welcome) marketing message (11:30pm) about going to Tazo.com to buy loose leaf tea. The new site is vastly superior to the old one. They used to push you to StarbucksStore.com to buy Tazo, I guess that is over?

Yesterday I found out via Starbucks Gossip that “Starbucks buys Teavana for $620 million in cash“

Starbucks Newsroom

I was a little surprised because Starbucks had already purchased Tazo from Steven Smith (who went on to make another tea company)

Bloomberg

Yahoo

WSJ

NBC news

And was/is planning to make stand alone Tazo store(s) Article at Starbucks Melody

Why two tea brands? Are they going to combine them? Or have them stand independently like Seattle's Best vs. Starbucks

Did they fail to innovate Tazo appropriately? Was it easier to buy more tea knowledge? I would have loved to be head of tea product for Starbucks! (My two loves, combined!)

I do think this makes sense, tea is on an upswing in the US

Starbucks grew through education (good coffee is enjoyable!), before they got large most people had diner or instant coffee in the US. Yes there were independent shops, but it wasn't ubiquitous and mainstream – only certain people appreciated good coffee. Starbucks pushed education, and a third place (they had failures along the way). By making people expect more/better, providing a third place, and making it a chain, it grew!

Teavana is the gateway drug to tea. Much like the early days of coffee in the US, tea is coming along, people are learning there is good tea out there, and that preparation matters. They have been educating (and pushing like used sales people, as well as spreading health misconceptions) helping educate and commoditize good tea. They don't have the best tea, and they company THEY purchased (specialteas.com ) did have some nicer tea but that has since gone below the radar.

So, I wonder what Starbucks will do, but I feel that this is the right time to apply Starbucks knowledge of education, consistency, marketing, and expansion to explode the US tea market. The Starbucks effect allowed local coffee shops to INCREASE business as a result of people having more of an appetite for better coffee, I think the same will happen for tea. I hope this is the beginning of a new age of tea.

Other people's thoughts:
From Starbucks to Star Wars

Teavana Loose Leaf Oolong Tea ‘Phoenix Mountain Dan Cong Oolong’

Tea Information:
Tea: Phoenix Mountain Dan Cong Oolong
Type: Oolong Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Teavana
Purchase: (affiliate link)

Description: Hailing from the fantastic Phoenix Mountain range, this rarefied top ten honeyed beauty was originally for Imperial consumption only. Coming from centuries-old tea trees that have been carefully selected and bred into a single trunked variety; each tree produces a unique one of a kind fragrant leaf. With a honey floral sweetness and a light nutty flavor that is brought out from the painstakingly precious hand plucking and gentle roasting of this gold-edged famous oolong tea leaf. IMPERIAL RESERVE

Roasted and nutty infusion with honey and floral undertones

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 12 ounces, boiling
Tool: kati loose tea system 12oz
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: vegetal, toasty
Steeped Tea Smell: vegetal, slight toasty
Flavor: toasty, vegetal
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: slight astringency
Liquor: translucent dark brown-green

I know I should not use boiling water, but I am at work and busy / lazy / distracted

Resteep:
2 minutes+, boiling, 12 ounces

Usually a little better (less astringency)

This tea puts up with 2+ steeps, boiling water, irregular steeping times and is still consistent and a great drink at work.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing

first:




second:



I purchased this product. All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

Teavana Samurai Chai Mate Tea Cookies

Tea Information:
Item: Samurai Chai Mate Tea Cookies
Company: Teavana Tea Gifts
Purchase: Here
Description: A crisp, flavorful cookie to awaken the warrior spirit within! With bold spices, invigorating fruits, revitalizing citrus and a touch of herbs, chai has never tasted so sweet. Perfect for tea time! 2.75oz tin.
(salem baking co) 360 calorie tin

spiced teddy grahams

delicious, sweet, addictive

Rating: 3/4 leaves


Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing







I purchased this product. All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

Teavana Loose Leaf Black Tea and Mate Tisane 'Himalayan Majestic and Raspberry Riot Lemon'

Tea Information:
Tea: Himalayan Majestic Black Tea and Raspberry Riot Lemon Mate Tisane
Type: Black Tea and Mate Tisane (Tea is technically only from the camellia sinensis plant)
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Teavana

"Himalayan Splendor Black Tea"
Description: This exquisite tea originates from the pristine hills of Nepal, at the foot of the majestic Himalayan Mountains, at a 6000 ft elevation. The beautiful, tippy leaf yields a coppery-orange brew that is rich and complex in flavor. Excellent hot or extraordinary as an iced tea, it will quickly become the most beloved addition to your black tea collection.
Ingredients: Pure black tea from Nepal
Purchase:


"Raspberry Riot Lemon Mate Tea"
Description: Get all-day energy from the invigorating fusion of tart raspberry and lemon, with a high-octane jolt of pure Argentinean Mate. The brisk lemon and tangy raspberry give this green Mate the character and flavor you're craving.
Ingredients: Green Mate tea, raspberries, apple bits, rosehips, hibiscus blossoms, lemongrass, and pink rose buds.
Purchase:


Steep Information:
Prepared in store, iced, in a Perfect Tea Maker with 3 tsp rock sugar and poured over ice
Served: Cold

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: berry
Flavor: lemon, berry, sweet
Body: Full
Liquor: translucent hot pink

A delicious treat while wandering the mall on a hot day. It tasted like a juice not a tea.

Rating: 2/4 leaves


Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing

Teavana Loose Leaf Oolong and White Tea Blend 'Snow Geisha' and 'Six Summits'

Tea Information:
Tea: Snow Geisha® White Tea and Six Summits Oolong® Tea
Type: White Tea and Oolong Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Teavana Gourmet Teas
Purchase: Click the link below

Description: Delicate rose petals upon snow-white tea leaves are punctuated with luscious cherries and a hint of tropical fruits. Combined together they convey traditional grace, beauty and discerned taste.
Ingredients: White tea, cherries (with pits), rosehips, hibiscus blossoms, orange peel, apples, lemon peel, mango bits, pineapple pieces and rose petals.

Purchase: Click the link below

Description: Our most exceptionally handcrafted Oolong tea combined with luscious red raspberries plump from the vine. Great for multiple infusions.
Ingredients: Oolong tea and ripe raspberries.

Steep Information:
Prepared in store, with 2 tsp Rock Sugar, unknown parameters, using a Teavana® Perfect Tea Maker
Served: Cold

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: cherry, floral and raspberry
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet berries
Flavor: vegetal, sweet, berry
Body: Full
Aftertaste: sweet, vegetal
Liquor: translucent bright pink-purple

Rating: 3/4 leaves


Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing

Teavana Loose Leaf Rooibos Tea 'Tahitian Limeade'

Tea Information:
Tea: Tahitian Limeade
Type: Rooibos Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Teavana
Purchase:

Description: Sit back and let your taste buds transport you to glistening white beaches with invigorating ocean breezes. Refreshing citrus plays with sweet apple, while relaxing floral tones lift away your troubles. This tea is caffeine-free.
Ingredients: Green Rooibos, lime pieces, orange slices, apples, lemon peel, rosehips, yellow rosebuds, marigold petals, and sunflower petals.

Steep Information:
Amount: ~ 8 tsp
Water: 1000ml 205°F filtered water
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL (custom, custom)
Steep Time: 6 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Limes, very strongly of limes
Steeped Tea Smell: limeade, sweet and sour and citrus
Flavor:
MilitiaJim: pine, lime
AmazonV: sour lime citrus, floral
Body: Full
Aftertaste: fuzzy apple orange lime
Liquor: translucent orange-red

This was a gift from SoccerMom.

Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar, didn't help much

Having it hot tasted like a potentially god drink, but a little off. It was floral, I don't want flowers in my limeade.

Having it hot steeped then iced in the fridge was odd, it tasted warm, the liquid was cold but it tasted warm...

Rating: 2/4 leaves


Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing

Teavana Loose Leaf Rooibos and Mate Tea 'MatéVana and Rooibos Chai' or 'Mate Chai Tea Blend'

Tea Information:
Tea: MatéVana and Rooibos Chai or Mate Chai Tea Blend
Type: Rooibos and Mate Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Teavana
Purchase: Click image:

Description: The coffee lover's favorite. This a rich, full-flavored blend of MateVana herbal tea and Rooibos Chai rooibos tea with a chocolately, spicy taste. And it has the caffeine kick you need in the mornings! Full of vitamins and minerals, it is a smart, delicious choice.
MatéVana A deliciously smooth herbal tea that is perfect for coffee lovers. It does contain caffeine, but many people have a different reaction to this stimulant since it is blended with the other natural xanthines found in Mate (theophylline and theobromine). Together they create energy without jitteriness or addictive tendencies. This tea is also a wonderful diet tea, since it curbs hunger. MateVana does contain nuts.
Rooibos Chai This delicious chai is made from Aspalathus linoaris, a South African plant that gives it a rich, red color. The red Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free and filled with vitamin C, minerals, and proteins. And combined with cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, and lemongrass, it makes a wonderful herbal tea.
Ingredients: Roasted Mate leaves, cocoa kernels, rooibos tea, chocolate chips (sugar, cocoa mass, cocoa powder), flavoring, white cocoa butter splits (sugar, cocoa butter, dextrose), almonds, cactus blossoms, sunflower petals and cornflower petals.
This tea contains nuts.
and
Red Rooibos with ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, lemongrass and cardamom.

Steep Information:
Amount: 4 heaping teaspoons
Water: 750 milliters filtered 212°
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL (Herbal, Strong, Auto start)
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Chocolate, nuts, spices, wood
Steeped Tea Smell: Chocolate, nuts, spice
Flavor: spice, hints of chocolate
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: cinnamon
Liquor: translucent orange-brown

Gift from SoccerMom!

This is a delicious combination, if you enjoy Teavana's Mates I highly suggest this.

Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar, sweeter and more / stronger flavors overall

Rating: 3/4 leaves


Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing

Teavana Loose Leaf Rooibos Tea 'Zingiber Ginger Coconut'

Tea Information:
Tea: Zingiber Ginger Coconut
Type: Rooibos Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Teavana
Purchase: Click the image below:

Description: The exotic blend of ginger, coconut and spicy black pepper complement our robust red rooibos in this caffeine free Ayurvedic blend. It provides a delicious departure from the ordinary.
Ingredients: Red Rooibos, coconut chips, ginger bits, cinnamon, apples, cardamom, black pepper and almonds. Contains nuts.

Steep Information:
Amount: 4 or 5 heaping tsp
Water: 750 ml filtered water brought to 212°
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet, spice, nutty
Steeped Tea Smell: spice, nut
Flavor: apple, wood, almond, cinnamon
Body: Light
Aftertaste: sweet, then a bit of spice
Liquor: translucent orange-red

Gift from SoccerMom, a while ago, and I am just getting to it! (One would find it hard to believe but I am behind on tea drinking!)

Disappointed I wasn't getting more coconut or ginger flavor as I enjoy both flavors. I am pleased it is reminiscent of amaretto (I adore Disaronno) - which is why it ended up on my shopping list to try in the first place.

I think it would need to be steeped longer to get more of a kick from it.

Overall a very enjoyable and only slightly rooibossy tea, but not one I think I will keep in stock, but I might pick up occasionally.

Rating: 3/4 leaves


Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing