“Arthur blinked at the screens and felt he was missing something important. Suddenly he realized what it was.
“Is there any tea on this spaceship?” he asked.” ~ Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
I’ve never really reviewed anything I was sent before, apart from a period of critiquing sex toys a decade ago for a friends’ website (writing experience is writing experience), but I was recently (and very kindly) sent a gorgeous box of tea time treats by The London Tea Company.
I love tea more than anything, you might have got that about me. I often take it for granted in the hustle bustle of a working day but brewing the perfect cup of tea is a ritual I cannot live without, and refuse to.
My tea drinking habits are somewhat tame as a rule. While my colleagues are steeping nettle and dandelion, cherry root or something solely for digestion, I’m more of a mug of builder’s kind of girl. I love a spicy Chai though and occasionally something berry based. Almost always black tea though.
So it is very nice to be coaxed outside of your comfort zone with promises of pear tatin, rhubarb, fresh peppermint and fruity rooibos. My pretty box of tricks is almost too lovely to disturb but these things are here to be enjoyed and enjoy I will. My work colleagues are also most grateful for the pleasure injection.
I’ve been pretty impressed I have to say, enjoying the process of really tasting each cup. As a former Barista for a huge coffee company (green aprons), I am familiar with the ‘tasting rules’ so I took this very seriously.
I feel it may take me forever to taste them all, as I was lucky to receive a bounty, so I will go with a few of my favourites.
- As mentioned, I’m a spicy Chai girl but I also have a sweet tooth, so Vanilla Chai is everything I need. Like a hug in a cup it’s my Monday morning comforter, with its blend of cinnamon, vanilla and a wee bit of chilli for a warming kick. I’ve tried a lot of chai in my time and this is a good one. Yummet.
- I love a minty fresh tea and Pure Peppermint is great. There’s not much more to say about it other than it does the job, refreshes the palette and smells amazing (I’m not that inventive at the tea adjectives, clearly!)
- Hello White Tea, Pear Tatin! Now I don’t know that much about white teas but my super healthy (but annoying) boss tells me it’s really good for us, so I’m game. I have to say that in the packet it has an almost sickly scent, but turns out it’s really good. There’s something dessert-y about it, and I was put in mind of a yoghurty taste. A pleasing concoction of ginger, pear and all sorts of other goodness, it’s a real joy and I’m ready to come over to the lighter side (for a bit).
I was then send a range of the Pyramid bags plus a few other exotic tasters and this is where I get really popular in the office! The Rooibos Chilli Chocolate was a firm favourite for us brave souls with Jasmine Green for the non-believers (both came with rave reviews).
All in all I am pretty taken with The London Tea Company. They’re the whole package as far as I’m concerned, offering interesting taste combinations and beautifully packaged product, while supporting Fairtrade, growers and their surrounding communities. Read for yourself here.
It’s also made me think a lot more about what I’m drinking. Sometimes, in the midst of a crazy day, it’s nice to take a little time out to appreciate the clever marriage of Raspberry and Rhubarb for instance. Builder’s Tea might be my poison, but it’s an open relationship, ifyouknowwhatimean.
Have a little look for yourself and appreciate the really lovely branding, the care and attention that has gone into the blog and the really rather reasonable price tag.
Oh, and look what else I have… a little giveaway! So you don’t just have to take my word for it, you can try these lovely teas for yourself (if you’re lucky enough to win)! Simply follow the rules below and let the God’s decide…
A Voluptuous Mind 