Recipe | Mrs Claus' Banging Biscuits Custard

Happy Tuesday! And 'happy-becca-is-3-days-late-at-posting-again' woohoo! This post is in Collaboration with Kim @ Tea is a Wish - more info below.

But we got a rep package again and it contained all the new exciting Christmas blends from Leaves of the World, and I decided to go with a favourite and use Mrs Claus' Banging Biscuits in my recipe.

I absolutely love when LOTW bring out there Xmas blends and I was excited to see this return. I really miss something nice and full of flavour since going Vegan to go with my Christmas puds, so I thought I'd make my own. And Voilà CUSTARD!

What You'll Need:

- 3 tbsp Cornflour/Cornstarch

- 2 tbsp Maple Syrup

- 30g Mrs Claus' Banging Biscuits Tea (or any other Chai type tea, LOTW is the better option!)

- 500ml Alpro Coconut Milk (or any preferred milk)

Instructions:

- Gently heat 500ml of your desired milk, I used Alpro Coconut Milk (the one in a carton not a tin), and add the 30g of tea leaves to the milk.

- Gently heat for around 5-10 minutes until the milk has visibly changed colour and the flavour has started to infuse.

- Pour the milk and tea leaves into a jar and leave to cool for a couple of hours in the fridge

- Once cooled take the milk mixture from the fridge and sieve

- Add your Cornflour to a pan with 3 tbsp of the tea infused milk and whisk until all combined

- When it's all combined add the rest of your milk and whilst continually whisking add the 2 tbsp of maple syrup to the mixture

- Switch to a wooden spoon and continually mix until the mixture thickens. Add more cornflour if you prefer it thicker!

- Either use now or store in the fridge in an airtight jar

If you want to try out this recipe then don't forget you can get 20% off at Leaves of the World by using TEANOMADBECCA20 at checkout. You could also use any of their christmas teas in this recipe! If you try it definitely tag me so I can see!

Mrs Claus' Banging Biscuits is a stunning spicy chai inspired blend and was one of my favourite Christmas teas of 2018. It contains: black tea, ginger, cinnamon, aniseed, peppercorns, cloves and natural vanilla flavouring.

Kim @ Tea Is A Wish has made a beautiful crumble recipe that would air amazingly well with this custard.

Tea \ Chocolate Popcorn by Whittard Tea

Company: Whittard Tea 

Tea Type: Herbal Infusion

Acquired: Gifted for Review

Buy Online: Online

Loose/Bagged: Loose Leaf 

Description: 

Need something to keep the ghouls and goblins at bay? We’ve blended green tea with toasted rice, coating it in matcha and cocoa powder and adding a generous scattering of whole cocoa pieces and coconut. It’s the perfect companion in front of that extra scary horror film…

Ingredients:

Cocoa Husk 20%, Cocoa Beans 19%, Barley Malt, Roasted Chicory Root, 10% Genmaicha Matcha (roasted rice, green tea, green tea matcha) 9% Coconut, Carob fruit, Cocoa Powder 5%, Flavouring

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans

First of all thank you so much to Whittard for sending me this tea to review. I was whole hearted surprised when I was asked. I mean WHITTARD guys! I was super excited for this tea to arrive in the post. Even when the post left it, outside, in the rain. IN THE RAIN. It's ok, it survived! 

I love a flavoured tea. And I love anything that's holiday themed. Be it Halloween, Christmas anything! So these teas had my eye straight away. (Whittard also have an Orange Gingerbread tea as part of their Halloween range)

The cocoa husks had such a strong flavour in this tea, and I was quite impressed by how bold the chocolate notes were. As these are often a softer, more subtle flavour. Along with the addition of the cocoa beans which gave it that extra edge over the normal 'chocolate' teas. The genmaicha matcha wasn't as strong as I expected it to be, it was a slightly lower level of flavour in this tea and used to bind everything else together making a lovely coherent blend. The bits of coconut and carob fruit gave this blend a subtle sweetness and luxury feel to the tea when it's drank hot. 

I think this would make a nice latte, but that's not my thing. I am going to try this as an iced tea though, because doesn't matter if it feels like 0 degree's outside, I still love a cold brewed tea!

Will you be trying these Spooktacular Halloween blends? They also have a lush sounding Pumpkin Spice Coffee in their Halloween range too, which you can find here.

Book Review | Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Author: Jay Kristoff

Title: Nevernight

Series: Book One of The Nevernight Chronicles 

Rating: 5* 

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: Kindle Edition - 448 (I read the ARC which has 642) 

Published: 11th August 2016

Format: Paperback ARC

Bought/ARC: ARC sent by the Publisher in return for an honest review 

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones | Book Depository | Audible UK

Mia Corvere is only 10 years old when she is given her first lesson in death. 

Destined to destroy empires, the child raised in shadows made a promise on the day she lost everything: to avenge herself on those that shattered her world. 

But the chance to strike against such powerful enemies will be fleeting, and Mia must become a weapon without equal. Before she seeks vengeance, she must seek training among the infamous assassins of the Red Church of Itreya. 

Inside the Church's halls, Mia must prove herself against the deadliest of opponents and survive the tutelage of murderers, liars and daemons at the heart of a murder cult. 

The Church is no ordinary school. But Mia is no ordinary student.

It took me so long to pick this book up and I don't know if it was because the hype was so overwhelming that it kind of put me off or because my expectations were so high I didn't think it possible to live up to what I was expecting this book to be. How wrong was I!

It took me quite a long time to finish this book, s it is probably one of the largest books I've read all month and will do all year, at over 600 pages it's something different for me. I usually average books around the 350/400 page mark and that's generally my limit. Mainly because I struggle to keep interested in longer books or series, never mind a book that's both!

Nevernight was such an amazing read. It's intense form the beginning without you actually fully knowing what's going on. You think you do, but you don't. Trust me. You don't. It really is an epic read. 

Mia isn't the most loveable character as most portray. But that doesn't take anything away from what she is as a character. She's well written written and well crafted. Jay Kristoff clearly has a very big talent in character creation and development. 
And Tric, oh Tric! Tric was just the most adorable and loveable character and so underrated in Nevernight. He's my absolute favourite character, and will forever be that. he's that love-to-hate figure in Mia's life which lifts the storyline and stops it being so dark and heavy all the way through. he gives the book those happier and funnier moments throughout which I really enjoyed. 

As much as the book felt a little daunting right from the beginning, and it felt a bit much the first 100 pages or so were a bit tough to get through and felt very world-building, character-building type chapters. But they were short and sweet and to the point. it gave you in insight into Mia and her life and why she is the way she is. i loved the back story, it real gave a greater meaning to the novel. 

The world-building is amazing. It's vivid and imaginative and makes for a better storyline and a better read. It's easier to read because the descriptions are insightful and well read.I loved the descriptions of the school. It felt very ornate and grander. Almost old-school boarding type place. Exactly how I'd picture it to be. A school for assassins should be grand, no? The Red School is fascinating and complex and I loved every bit of it. It's the kind of place you'd love to go. 

There are a few 'oh shit!' moments which I loved to read. Especially well spaced throughout the book that kept you guessing most of the way through Nevernight. I love a book that keeps me guessing and isn't predictable right from the start. Which are few and far between these days! 

Around half way through I really could not get enough of this book and found myself reading whenever and wherever I could. i was reading on the way to work, on my lunches, in the bath, the shower, at night, before bed. Everything. Which is really odd for me. I'd only ever usually read on my way to work and that'd be it for the day. But I HAD to know what was going on and what happened at the end which really added to my enjoyment of the book. 

All in all Nevernight is fast paced and enthralling. everything you want from a (not young adult) Fantasy book. It's really got my reading back on track and left me loving reading again after such a long time. I've found reading a pleasure recently and this was no different. Every page. Every word is well executed and well thought out. It's evident a lot of care and attention went into writing Nevernight and a lot of effort so in that I applaud such impeccable writing. 

Mortal Engines | Philip Reeve

Author: Philip Reeve

Title: Mortal Engines

Series: Book One of The Predator Cities (aka The Mortal Engines Quartet)

Rating: 4* 

Publisher: Marlon Lloyd Books

Pages: 388 pages 

Published: 7th June 2011

Format: Physical and Audiobook

Bought/ARC: Bought via Waterstones 

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones | Book Depository | Audible UK

The first book in the award-winning Mortal Engines quartet.

In a dangerous future, huge motorized cities hunt, attack and fight each other for survival. As London pursues a small town, young apprentice Tom is flung out into the wastelands, where a terrifying cyborg begins to hunt him down. 

Mortal Engines launched Philip Reeve's brilliantly-imagined creation, the world of the Traction Era, where mobile cities fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic future. Now, in time for the film debut, the critically acclaimed Mortal Engines quartet is repackaged with a fantastic and eye-catching cover featuring new artwork.

I originally bought this book because the film looked really good and I noticed it in Waterstones. I went Sale Shopping on Boxing Day and fancied something a bit different. Then when I saw them on buy one get one half price I was initially going to get Book 1 & 2 but then I bought books 3 & 4 as well. Because, why not! 

Mortal Engines is the first book in a set of four which follows the people of London and fellow cities after a war which left cities standing as motorized cities. Let's just say I'm really glad that I picked up all four books in the series. I started reading the physical copy of the book I had just before I went back to work, but then finished it off as an Audiobook. 

The main Character, Tom, is the hero of our story. An Apprentice Historian on the London Movement. After going about his day Tom comes across Hester after an attempted Assassination on his Boss and never-before-met Hero. Hester is seeking revenge on Valentine after she feels he is responsible for the murder of both her Parents when she was younger. After that, Tom and Hester, embark on a journey they'll never forget and meet people they'd never imagined before. 

The concept of the novel and the idea behind the storyline is clever and well thought out. The pace of the book matches the way the storyline moves and the action is fast paced but lengthy enough to feel a part of the novel in itself. 

I really enjoyed reading/listening to this book. I would have preferred different people to narrate different characters in the story rather than the same narrator using different accents and voices. As good as they were. I'll definitely end up reading probably the rest of the series and I am interested in watching the film too. 

Brews I Drink In a Day | #2 (In Collaboration with Tea Is A Wish)

Happy February! Well, It's March and I'm late.What's new? Aso Kim has her post LIVE! Which you can read what she's been sipping lately here. I have no idea how she does it either guys! Whilst i'm over here having meltdown over what to drink after tea she's all organised and efficient. What a woman!

This month (last month!) has actually been quite different for me from January which is refreshing. I've found myself paying more attention to what I'm drinking and focusing on getting through what I have got rather than buying new. 

6:30am (Oh, how I wont miss these early mornings!)

As always my morning starts with coffee. At the moment I've been drinking Beanies Coffee. They're flavoured Instant Coffees which taste delicious. I've been opting for Pumpkin Spice or Cinnamon Hazelnut but I also love the Coconut and Caramel Popcorn versions too! 

Beanies Coffee Pumpkin Spice:

You asked for it, we made it.

Beanies Pumpkin Spice flavour gives you that warm comforting feeling with notes of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and ginger – and it’s so, so good!

2 CALORIES PER CUP

SUGAR FREE

GLUTEN, WHEAT & DAIRY FREE

NUT FREE

SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS

ALCOHOL FREE

Price: £2.50 per jar (but I buy a 'Stitck Stash')
Available in: Online, Sainsbury's, LIDL and ALDI!

I've also had a Can of UGLY on my desk most morning to help wake me up. These sugar free flavoured Sparkling Waters are delicious and quit invigorating too. They are a little pricey but definitely worth it, and I've had one nearly every morning recently to wake me up! (I know this isn't a brew but you know)
Price: £19.99 for 24 pack 
Available: Online, Tesco or Sainsburys 

12pm (ish!) 

My days are a bit all over the place at the moment so I literally drink when I can at the moment and i've found I've been drinking a lot of cold brew tea over hot drinks at the moment. So I've had 2 boxes of the new Lipton Iced Tea Bags in my drawer and adding one a day to my HydrateM8 bottle. They work perfectly in 900ml of icey cold water. 

Price: Currently £2.50 for 15 tea bags

Available: Sainsburys (as far as I know!) I've been drinking both the Black Tea + Strawberry + Rhubarb as well as the Black Tea + Peach + Apricot flavours which are both as delicious as each other. 

4pm

I've really been enjoying a good black tea in the mid afternoon, I don't finish work till 7:15pm so 4pm is around mid afternoon for me, definitely the fall asleep time of the day. So a black tea has been what I've been reaching for but it would normally have been a good coffee. But because I've been focusing more on drinking through my teas I've been trying to incorporate them into my day more and it couldn't have been better than with this stunning tea. Bird and Blend 

Sri Lankan black tea, cocoa shells, hibiscus, apple pieces, elderberies, raspberry pieces, strawberry pieces, blackberries, cranberry pieces (cranberry, sugar, rice flour, vegetable oil (sunflower)), sunflower petals, blackberry leaves, flavour.

Available: Bird and Blend Stores or Online

Price: £5.90 for 15 tea bags (this has actually been taken off sale but there are a few pouches of teabags left online!!)

*Don't get me wrong these aren't the only brews I have in a day but these have been the standout ones for me. I do have the odd cup of coffee throughout the day which is your basic cup of instant coffee with Oatly Barista Mylk. But they aren't really worth talking about and I usually slip in a peppermint tea at the moment too because my stomach has been rubbish. Plus I love a basic peppermint tea. But it's literally Sainsburys own 50p a box peppermint tea. Ill also occasionally have a tea before bed but that has been quite rare this month as I've been far too tired!! 

Piacha | Black and Cherry

Company:  Picha 

Name: Black and Cherry

Tea Type: Black Tea 

Loose or Bagged: Loose Leaf

Rating: 3/5

Best Served: Hot 

Water Temperature: 100°

Brew For: 5 minutes

Buy: Piacha Online

Price:  £6.84 for 75g. £5.58 for 15 tea bags.

Description: This refreshing Ceylon black tea is brimming with creamy, sweet cherry flavour. A beautiful, distinctive flavour combination that will have you coming back for more.

Ingredients: Sri Lankan black tea, cranberry pieces (cranberry, sugar, rice flour, vegetable oil (sunflower)), vanilla pieces, flavour.

I seriously loved this tea, so much! It was actually my favourite of the teas that Piacha kindly sent to me. I am such a fan of Cherry and anything Cherry flavoured generally gets my attention, and even though I don't find myself drinking much black tea I was really excited to give this brew a go. 

The smells that come from this tea are incredible. The scents from the black tea are robust and bold, with a nice strong smell to them. The added cherry flavour really makes you think of Black Forest Gateux, which I adore! 

The flavour from this tea are great. The cherry flavour really mellows perfectly with the flavours from the Ceylon tea. I didn't taste too much of the black tea, which was actually quite a bonus for me. if anything the ceylon tea was a carrier for the stunningly strong flavours of the cherry. The black tea definitely lifts the sweetness of the cherry flavour. But it does have a little bit of tartness right at the end, which balance sour the initial sweet flavours which I really loved. 

It would be perfect for an Iced Tea! Cold brew Black and Cherry, frozen cherries and topped with a little bit of Soda/Sparkling Water or Lemonade would be perfect in the hot weather. 

I probably will end up buying some more of this tea but only when my stash has significantly dwindled. Or when it gets closer to the Summer moths as it's so refreshing! It's a bold, sweet and a bit tart blend thats perfect for those mid day sips. But black tea isn't my favourite and I have SO much tea to drink right now it's a joke... But after I make my collection substantially smaller I actually probably might contemplate picking up a small sachet for iced tea. 

Manga | Alice in Murderland

Author: Kaori Yuki

Title: Alice in Murderland Vol.1 

Series: Book One of 11

Rating: 4.5* 

Publisher: Yen Press

Pages: 176 pages 

Published: 27th November 2018

Format: Physical 

Bought/ARC: Christmas Gift 

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones | Book Depository | Yen Press

Now! Let the "Mad Tea Party" begin!

The Kuonji clan, owner of one of the world's top conglomerates, has a tradition: Once a month, family members attend a "Mad Tea Party." But at the latest gathering, the nine Kuonji siblings in attendance are shocked to hear a pronouncement issue from the lips of their mother, Olga-

"I'd like you children to now fight one another to the death!"

As chaos erupts, Stella, the fourth daughter, loses all reason, and suddenly a whole new Stella, complete with blonde hair and blue dress, comes out to play-!!

This was my first Manga of the year and what a way to start! It's also my first ever hardback Manga that I own too. Mum to it me for Christmas and I was really excited to get stuck into it (and I've just received book 2 as well!). 

Alice in Murderland follows the Kuonji Clan, who once  month host an Alice style tea party. It's always  highlight of the month but this time it's different. Each of the siblings must now fight to their death until one sibling remains alive. Alice in Murderland Vol. 1 follows Stella, the fourth daughter, and her transformation drink the beginning stages of the .. duel? 

I love anything Alice in Wonderland and any different takes on it, adaptations or interpretations I'm always willing to give them a go. So I was super excited to read this and get stuck in. So I waited until I had a full day to read a little and binged the full Manga in one go. It's exciting, fun and very different to the usual cutesy Alice in Wonderland we'er used to. 

I always find Manga fascinating to read due to begin such a different medium to your Average UK style book/comic/graphic novel. But the art work in this particular book was extraordinary. I loved the detailing and the little bits of Alice mixed with Manga artwork, it was just incredible and added so much to the reading experience too. 

I'll definitely continue this series, regardless of how long it is/could be. Because it's a story I'd invest in, purely because of this one volume. 

Brews I Drink In a Day | #1 (In Collaboration with Tea Is A Wish)

Afternoon! So Myself and Kimberley from Tea Is A Wish Blog have been chatting over the last few months and we decided that it would be a nice idea to do a collaboration post. So, we're doing a 'Teas I Drink In a Day' posts, well technically I'm doing brews because I do love a good coffee. The idea of the post is for you guys, to see, on an average day what the kind of drinks are that we have. We're planning on doing this at the end of every month (give or take) and see how our tastes change over the year! 

Luckily for me, Kim, is a lot more organised than me and her post has already gone live, which you can read here. Kim is a fabulous tea blogger and both her Blog and Instagram are amazing! I've followed her for a while now, but started talking to her more since we both became Tea Reps for Leaves of the World and honestly she's such a lovely person you should all follow her. Now, like right now. I'll wait here...  

6:30am.

My first brew of the day is always coffee. Always. I literally will never start a day without one and if I do, my day generally goes to pot. Andy bought me Nespresso Vertuo Machine for Christmas and I love having a proper coffee in a morning before my journey to work. Most morning I have something lighter, this morning I had Melozio. 

8:00am-8:30am.

Last week, I placed a little order with Pure Chimp to get their new Vacuum Flask and I've loved taking Matcha with me on the bus in a morning. I've been sipping it on the bus but mainly drinking it when I get to work and leaving it on my desk. The flask is great at keeping your Matcha hot for hours! Today I had the Turmeric Matcha, and some Oatly Barista Mylk. And yes it's dark outside, and yes it's morning! 

Clear your mind & improve your concentration

Tastes great with your hot/cold milk of choice

Feel good energy without the anxiety

Anti-inflammatory properties & high in antioxidants

Improve your health today with Turmeric Matcha Tea

Buy it: HERE!

2:30pm.

Generally at some point of the day after lunchtime ish I'll have a black tea or another coffee. Today I had a Mocha Chai from Bird and Blend. I need a pick me up and a shot of caffeine after lunch because lunchtime for me is usually 2pm-3pm and it's a long drag before I go home at 7pm! The Mocha Chai is a nice shot of caffeine form the coffee beans, a nice creaminess from the cacao bean and a bold flavour from the Ceylon black tea. 

Three of our all-time favourite beverages combined in this malty black tea blend – Chocolate, Coffee and Chai. Real chocolate drops, heaps of warming spices and whole coffee beans balance brilliantly in this Autumn chai, especially good with milk!

Ceylon black tea, cacao bean, chocolate chips (sugar, cacao, emulsifier soya lecithin), coffee beans, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla pieces, flavour.

Buy It: HERE!

5:00pm.

I'm usually really struggling by now. And today I'd had a really bad tummy! I suffer with IBS and can often struggle when it gets to tea time for normal people, but for me I still have a 2 hour block left at work before I can go home. Today I ended up having the Mint Humbug from my Twist Tea Tin and it was delicious. The Sweet Liquorice and Minty flavours really help settle the stomach and for some reason do give me a little bit of oomph to keep going through what is generally the hardest part of my day. 

A rich and naturally sweet mint and toffee tasting infusion.

A caffeine-free blend of rooibos and mint with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, this Pud Without Sin is a simple, guilt-free pleasure that’s particularly great after dinner.

The Twist

For an even more indulgent treat, add frothy milk to create a Mint Humbug Latte.

Ingredients

Rooibos (65%), Liquorice, Mint (15%) (Spearmint, Peppermint) Natural Flavouring.

Warning

Contains Liquorice. People suffering from hypertension should avoid excessive consumption.

Buy It: HERE!

9:30pm.

Finally sat down! As much as I love my job, finishing at gone 7pm and then not sitting down properly till gone 9pm is beyond crap. The day takes it out of me and I just need something simple and soothing at the end of the night. I'm really not that sensitive to caffeine so I can have a Matcha at night. I love having something sweet and creamy like Ultra Violet Matcha from Bird & Blend. It's sweet, delicious and perfection in a cup. I mix it with some hot frothed almond mylk. 

One of the first floral matchas ever created. Inspired by Pantone's Colour of the Year, Ultra Violet is a nod to our often requested Palma Violet + Purple Rain teas. Classic Matcha lovers will love this. This classy and elegant matcha isn't super sweet, you can still taste the matcha with a floral hint.

Japanese matcha green tea, cardamom, lavender, natural flavouring granules.

Buy it: HERE!

That;s it! Don't forget to make sure you check out Kims post and tell me what you drink in a day! 

Tea | Bird & Blend Ginger Beer

Company: Bird & Blend

Name: Ginger Beer 

Tea Type: Herbal Tisane 

Loose or Bagged: Loose Leaf

Rating: 4*

Best Served: Hot w/o Milk

Water Temperature: 100° 

Brew For: 4+ minutes 

Buy: Bird & Blend

Price: £3.20 for 20g. £5.45 for 50g. £14.72 for 150g pouch. £16.35 for 150g tin. 

Description: This Caribbean classic is here to set your taste buds on fire! Packed with flavour, punch + fruity freshness but with a cooling creamy lime finish. Perfect hot or iced, with a splash of spiced rum and a lime wedge!  

Insider secret: Chief Mixologist and Co-founder Krisi says this might just be her favourite EVER cold brewed tea! 

Ingredients: Rooibos, ginger, lime leaves, lemon peel, calendula petals, natural flavouring.

*My packaging does state Bluebird Tea, this is due to being purchased before a name change by Bird and Blend. 

*REVIEW* 

I love this tea cold brewed and honestly there is a reason Krisi says this too. it is honestly one of the bets cold brewed teas from Bird and Blend. So I' going to review it cold and hot separately. 

Cold: 

This tea I feel, was just made to be cold brewed. Not hot brewed then poured over ice, no no! Sacrilege. Cold brewed, overnight in a Cold Brew Bottle. This works perfectly for me. The taste of ginger is so predominant in this brew it's just amazing. I drink this pretty much through the whole of Summer and always stock up when I'm running low to make sure I've got enough to see me through. It's like a still ginger beer without the added fake ginger flavour. It truly tastes homemade! The Rooibos tea just blends perfectly with the ginger and stops it tasting bitter or overwhelming which Ginger does have a tendency to do. The lime leaves and lemon peel also add a slight zing to the brew making it a very rejuvenating drink. Perfect for cooling down! 

I do also recommend cold brewing it in lemonade too just for an extra bit of flavour if you like. its delicious cold brewed in lemonade, poured over ice on a hot day. Daaaaayum! 

Hot:

I'm not the biggest fan of this tea hot. Maybe because of how much I like it cold? The heat of the boiling water just doesn't bring out the flavours the same way as cold brewing it does. Which I don't like to be honest. I mean I'm not saying I don't like it hot, I do. It's tasty and delicious it's just nicer cold. 

The Rooibos is a little stronger when it's hot bringing out that creamier, slightly sweeter flavour to it. But the ginger comes into something else when it's hot! It's so much stronger and is definitely the strongest flavour in this blend when it's hot. Perfect for an upset stomach or an IBS flare up too. 

Will you be giving this spicy brew a try this Summer?

Tea | Very Craftea Coffee Truffle

Company: Very Craftea

Name: Coffee Truffle

Tea Type: Pu'erh Tea 

Loose or Bagged: Loose Leaf

Rating: 4.5*

Best Served: Hot w/o Milk

Water Temperature: 95° - 100° 

Brew For: 3 - 4 Minutes 

Buy: Very Craftea

Price: 70p for 10g. £5.95 for 100g.  

Description: The best of three worlds combine in a cup to bring you a coffee-chocolate flavoured black tea.

Ingredients: Black tea, Puh Erh tea, cocoa bits(14%), coffee beans(7,5%), flavouring

*Approx between 27- 35mg of caffeine per cup

*REVIEW* 

This tea is quite nice. I picked up a 10g sample at The Great British Tea Festival I went to at the end of last year because as a lover of coffee and tea I always try any blend that merges the two together and it's never failed me before. 

I never really drink Pu'erh tea, mainly because it's usually so expensive. For the price of this blend I think it's really good. Especially the sample size at only 70p! I mean you can't really go wrong for 70p can you. (I also picked up two other samples so expect them soon!). 

The Pu'erh tea is quite a strong taste, and is a much better flavour than if this was a regular black tea. It's isn't as bold but is strong enough to stand against the flavour of the coffee beans. The flavour of the coffee s really strong in this blend and I love that. There are loads of coffee beans amongst the leaves so it's nice to see this isn't a secondary flavour to the tea. They are really blended well together. The addition of the Cocoa Bits to adds a nice sweetness and creaminess to the blend which mellows the flavour to become more soft and soothing on the palette. 

Very Craftea are a company that sell loose leaf teas along with craft kits to complete whilst you're sipping on your brew. So whilst stocking blends such as Coffee Truffle to Divine Elixir and craft kits from Crochet Kits to Cross Stitch. I think this is a brilliant idea and a merge of the perfect Sunday afternoon. Plus it's heat if you want to get your kids into crafting too! 

If you want to check out Very Creaftea then you can check out all their blends here and their Cross Stitch and Chill kits sound BRILLIANT which you can check out here.