Thursday, October 17, 2013

Top 5: David's Tea

As promised, here are my top five favorite teas from David's Tea - I seriously recommend you go find a local David's Tea store or make an online order!

*****

Quick lesson in tea: Pu'erh, oolong, black and green teas are all made from the same plant - the Camellia sinensis. Though the same plant is used, each tea is made using a different process. Black tea is fully fermented, oolong tea is partially fermented, green tea is not fermented at all, and pu'erh is post-fermented. In other words, pu'erh is fermented and then aged in high-humidity. It is said that the longer a pu'erh tea is aged, the better it tastes. Rooibos tea is made from the leaves of the African red bush plant. Herbal teas can be made from fruits, nuts, flowers, and herbs. 

*****

1. Pu'erh Tea: moderately caffeinated; thought to lower cholesterol due to the presence of lovastatin which is also used in prescription medicine to lower cholesterol; recent studies show that pu'erh may also lower certain blood fats (triglycerides)

1st Place: Chocolate Orange
This tea is decadently delicious. The dark chocolatey taste paired with the sweet light citrus makes for a sweet treat that's equally wonderful in the morning, and at night for dessert (if you can handle caffeine before bed!)







Runner Up: Cinnamon Heart
Cinnamon Heart is warm and cozy and sweet - just like cinnamon candies! I love starting my day with a cup, especially knowing that cinnamon is said to kickstart your metabolism.






2. Oolong: lightly caffeinated; used to improve mental alertness, and prevent cancer, tooth decay, osteoporosis and heart disease; some believe that oolong can be used to treat obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and skin allergies, and to boost the immune system.

1st Place: Happy Kombucha
This oolong is made with powdered kombucha, another kind of fermented tea that is thought to have many wellness benefits that may include: improved immune system, digestive system, and joints, and a cleansing ability. Happy Kombucha is full of tasty mango and pineapple morsels, making it a refreshing tropical tea.







Runner Up: Citron Oolong
Citron Oolong is a soothing blend of lemon myrtle and jasmine blossoms, resulting in a somewhat floral yet lemony tea. Excellent with a bit of honey! A little birdy (AKA a David's Tea employee) let me in on a little secret - this tea is delicious as a cocktail with gin and a splash of seltzer!



3. Black Tea: Most caffeinated tea of those listed here; common counterpart to coffee; full of antioxidants; some believe that black tea can prevent cancer and reduce clogged arteries.


1st Place: Mint Julep
Having never had a true mint julep, the alcoholic kind, that is, I can't tell you how this tea compares. But I can tell you that's a deliciously refreshing combination of black tea, spearmint, pineapple and coconut and it's great both hot and iced!






Runner Up: Organic Blueberry Jam
The first time I had Blueberry Jam, it was in Tea Pop form. Tea Pop is what David's Tea calls their blend of concentrated tea mixed with seltzer, and boy, let me tell you - SO GOOD! Slightly sweet, and definitely blueberry flavored, this tea is a huge hit for me whether its with bubbles or not. I have a feeling this would be a good tea to try in concentrated form with a little champagne :)




4. Rooibos Tea: not caffeinated; full of antioxidants and minerals; encourages restful sleep; thought by some to prevent cancer and aid with digestion

1st Place: Mint Chocolate
Mint Chocolate tea... It's like a Girl Scout thin mint in liquid form, without the calories. Need I say more? Try it hot or iced with milk!








Runner Up: Organic Cinnamon Rooibos Chai
Like the Cinnamon Heart pu'erh, this tea is chock full of sweet cinnamony flavor. Add to that the cloves and orange peel and you have one tasty cup of tea!



5. Herbal Tea: not caffeinated; promotes digestive health, restful sleep, a calm mind or renewed energy depending on the ingredients; hydrating; aromatheraputic effects

1st Place: Midsummer Night's Dream
This tea is as magical as it sounds. It is as delicious as it is aesthetically stunning. Made from a blend of apple bits, spearmint, gooseberries, marigold blossoms, safflowers, and rose petals, Midsummer Night's Dream is both refreshing and comforting all at once. It's great hot or cold. Not in the mood for tea? Just smelling it will bring a smile to your face!




Runner Up: Bamboozled
I sometimes find it difficult to find herbal teas that I like other than the classic peppermint or chamomile blends. Thanks to David's Tea, I now have a a few favorites! Bamboozled is a fun, flavorful tea full of pineapple, peach, apple and bamboo leaves. Give it a try, and I promise you won't be disappointed!




I could go on for ages about dozens of other teas, but I'll leave you with this list for now. Feel free to comment or tweet me with questions about other teas!

Love,

Sera

No comments:

Post a Comment