Zhena’s Gypsy Vanilla Mandarin Tea, reviewed

Zhena’s Gypsy Vanilla Mandarin Tea is one of the non holiday options (as opposed to the seasonal Caramel Apple Tea) from the organic fair trade company. This tea has a black tea base, to which notes of vanilla and mandarin orange have been added. Unlike the Lipton Mandarin Tea, the orange notes are very subtle in this blend. Partially, this contrast stems from the fact that the Lipton tea has a green tea base with a much lighter flavor to it, but mostly it is because Lipton really focuses on the fruit flavor and Zhena really focuses on the tea.

The flavor of black tea is both the first thing you smell and taste when you brew a cup, followed by very smooth, but subtle, vanilla flavor. It really comes through the tea beautifully without being artificial or overwhelming. The orange is also subtle and only appears as of a hint of citrus in the aftertaste of the tea. It adds just enough to brighten the cup, but is definitely playing second fiddle to the vanilla and black tea.

Lipton Green Tea with Mandarin Orange

Lipton’s Green Tea with Mandarin Orange is not a new release, but the holidays really get me in the mood for citrusy flavors, so I couldn’t resist giving it a mention. This tea has a wonderful orange flavor to it, in fact, it is so orangy that you can’t really taste the flavor of the green tea base much at all. This may be a bad thing in some cases, but not here. The orange flavor is smooth and not too sweet on its own (if you add sugar to your tea, that’s a different story!). It doesn’t have the bitterness that is the result of overusing orange zest, and it also doesn’t taste artificial, even though the flavor is strong. I suppose that means there is something to be said for the use of “pieces of real fruit” in with the tea.

I like this tea as a light, orange flavored drink. I think it would be a huge hit with anyone who wants to try out green tea but isn’t a fan of the grassy flavor that can accompany the tea sometimes. I also want to applaud Lipton on their packaging. Their pyramidal nylon tea bags are packed neatly into a small box that doesn’t compress the tea leaves or waste space with a box that is excessively large, like the TJ’s Cranberry Green Tea I tried recently.

Trader Joe’s Organic Cranberry Green Tea, reviewed

Green tea can have such a mild flavor on its own that is easy to layer other flavors on top of it. This is probably why it is used as the base in Trader Joe’s  Organic Cranberry Green Tea, as the added flavors – all natural ingredients – are. The tea is flavored with hibiscus flowers, cardamom, lemongrass, cinnamon, apple, star anise, rosehips, clove and cranberries. It takes on a pinkish hue when brewed and has a very floral scent, almost perfumy. The fruity flavors aren’t strong, but they do add a nice hint of sweetness to balance the floral notes.

One really nice feature of this tea, in addition to the fact that it is organic, is that the pyramidal tea bags are biodegradable. Unfortunately, the bags are also individually packaged in plastic wrappers and the box is very oversized for the number of bags included. Still, the tea is very good, but the over-packaging takes some of the glow away from the the eco-friendly elements of the product.

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea Caramel Apple Tea, reviewed

I love the smell of fresh tea and coffee – and, of course, it can also be a good indicator of flavor – but it’s difficult to get a good whiff when the package you’re looking at is wrapped up tightly. It doesn’t stop me from trying, however, and sometimes the effort pays off. The tiniest hint of scent of the Caramel Apple Tea from Zhena’s Gypsy Tea sold me immediately. The tea, which is sold in stores like Whole Foods and Cost Plus, as well as online, is a blend of rooibos and honeybush, flavored with apples, licorice, cloves and cinnamon. The apples, cinnamon and honey-caramel flavor are the three most dominant elements of this tea, but they’re not aggressive. It smells and tastes like a mild, sweet glass of hot apple cider – perfect for any cold winter night.