Thursday 22 February 2018

Bluebird Tea Co | Black Magic Matcha


Company: Bluebird Tea Company 
Name: Black Magic 
Tea Type: Matcha
Loose or Bagged: Powdered 
Rating: 4.75* (Sorry, I just couldn't * it higher than Salted Caramel!) 
Best Served: Hot/Latte
Water Temperature: 80° 
Brew For: N/A
Price:  £20.00 for 30g
Description: This antioxidant-rich potion creates a magical black liquid once made up. Essentially flavourless, activated charcoal further boosts the antioxidant properties of our signature pure matcha rich in umami - the Japanese word for the delicious 'fifth taste', after salt, sweet, sour and bitter.
Warning: Activated charcoal can interfere with medication. We recommend that you wait at least 3 hours after taking medication before consuming the matcha. This also applies to the concraceptive pill.

Ingredients: Activated coconut charcoal, cocoa powder, matcha green tea, Kenyan white matcha.


I was quite dubious when I first ordered Black Magic Matcha but did so for the health benefits and in the name of research for my ongoing #MatchaMission which I've been doing for the last few months. Charcoal is really good for your stomach and suffering from IBS it's something that's really greta to add to your diet. So, I ditched the charcoal tablets for a week and swapped it out for Black Magic! 
*I am on the contraceptive pill so I never drank this first thing in a morning. Ensure you always read the warnings! 

I brewed this with hot water, hot milk and then a mix iced of both to see the difference. 

Hot Water Shot: When I tried this with just hot water I tried it as a Matcha shot! The smell of this Matcha is at it's strongest either as the raw powder or a hot shot, it's an earthy smell but with an underlying sweetness something a bit different to your normal Matcha powder. The cocoa powder gives it the sweeter and creamier flavour and outweighs the earthier notes form the Matcha green tea and white Matcha flavours. Although you do still get it!

Long Milk Latte: It is definitely my favourite way to have this Matcha! It's creamy, sweet and full of flavour. It also looks pretty cool too. This was definitely the best way of drinking this but did taste milky, so if that's not to your liking I suggest you try the half/half option. This as nicer as a longer drink, something to enjoy on a Saturday afternoon with a cake. You definitely taste more of the coconut/cocoa flavour when brewed this way. 

Cold Iced Latte: Wow! This was so good iced. I really enjoyed it, I do still prefer the hot milk latte because I prefer my tea hot but this was really good. I think I'd have enjoyed it a lot more if we weren't still in the snowy season! It's cleansing and creamy, if you add a little vanilla syrup this would be the nicest drink on a cold summer day. 

Overall Black Magic Matcha is definitely one of my favourite matcha's and I'm so glad I have a full sized tub of this. It doesn't quite top the Salted Caramel *not yet* but it's definitely going to be my next go to Matcha once my SCM runs out. It has everything you'd need if you're just starting with matcha. The typical matcha tastes, but with added sweetness, creamy texture to allow it to be more palatable if you're not used to going plain! 
Price wise I think £20 for a 30g pot is really good, it's quite a competitive price amongst competitors (of any matcha flavoured or not). But the quality is good and the flavours are strong. I think for the quality of matcha you get, the intense flavours and in coming in an air tight tin is worth every penny. 



Sunday 18 February 2018

We Are Tea | Moroccan Mint

Company: We Are Tea
Name: Moroccan Mint 
Tea Type: Green Tea
Loose or Bagged: Loose Leaf
Rating: 4.5*
Best Served: Hot 
Water Temperature: 80° 
Brew For: 2-4 Minutes 
Buy: We Are Tea
Price:  £2.99 for 15 bags | £2.99 for 75g
Description: With a refreshing balance of hand rolled green tea leaves from China and peppermint leaf, this blend is delicious hot or over ice.
The green tea leaves are hand rolled before drying out to stop the oxidisation process (this is what makes green tea different to black teas and oolong teas). As they have minimal processing (like white teas) they retain all the taste, antioxidants and health benefits within the leaves. Win win!
Ingredients: Each box contains 75g of loose leaf tea. Green tea, peppermint leaf. 

I mentioned in my We Are Tea Pick n Mix Box review, that I really enjoyed their Moroccan Mint tea. I didn't delve too much because I wanted to shout about it in a full length review. 

Firstly the scent of this tea. This tea smells amazing. It has a strong earthy notes from the hand rolled green tea, and fresh crispness from the dried Peppermint. It smells fresh, which is to me the most important part of defining a good quality, great tasting tea. It brews to a lovely clear golden colour. If you brew it for up to 4 minutes at only 80 degree water. I use filtered water too. 

The flavour is where it's all at with this tea. It's insane, a few years back I spent 2 weeks in Marrakech and had the best time, drinking more Moroccan Mint tea than I had before. The freshest mint, and the greatest green tea you've tasted and nothing has lived up to that until now. 

We Are Tea have created an incredibly great tasting Moroccan Mint tea which near as damn it resembles the real deal. There really are no other words for this tea than it's really something special. It might not have an eclectic name or any 'out-there' flavours but when you come across something that's a standard brew as Mint Green Tea and it's done so well, it stands head and shoulders above the other brews on your shelf. Simple done right, is brilliant, there is nothing else. It's clean, refreshing and beautifully cleansing. Perfect for an afternoon pick me up or a tummy tonic. It really is Marrakech in a cup. 

The Moroccan Mint comes in both whole leaf tea bags and loose leaf pouches. Making it great for anyone who wants this on the go, or in a teapot. I drink tonnes of Mint Tea and Mint Green Tea so I'll definitely be ordering this in bulk and probably on a few occasions too! Also, how cool is it that this tea is actually hand rolled! 
There is only one teeny tiny downfall for this tea, the bag inside isn't resealable which I would love, or for them to start selling this tea in tins. 


Second City Coffee | Signature Blend

Company:  Second City Coffee
Name: Signature Blend
Grind: French Press 
Roast: Medium to Dark
Rating: 5*
Best Served: Hot/Latte
Price:  £7.00 for 250g (Grind options)

Description: Our Signature Blend is a Peruvian joy to the taste buds! From Lambayeque, Peru our Signature Blend has dark chocolate notes and a fine body that you will be hard pressed not to fall head over heels over.

I really love Second City Coffee, I have reviewed quite a few of their blends and the Mancunian Blend, is my favourite coffee. But 2018 is my year of branching out! So I decided to give the Signature Blend a try instead. 

I bought both French press Grind and some whole beans. The smell is just insane, I adore the smell of coffee. As much as I love tea, coffee is the best thing, and the smell is just YES! It has a strong coffee cent with a rich depth of flavours. 

I brewed the coffee in a French Press and let it brew for around 4/5 minutes possibly? I don't time it, ball parking it! Signature Blend brews to dark in colour with a nice cream on top (which I hate in a French Press because you ALWAYS lose it!). 

Black: I drink my coffee white, no sugar. But with every new coffee comes a new black brew. In the interest of research and all. The flavour of Signature Blend untouched, is at it's strongest as is with most blends. But it's a nice medium to dark roast, more on the medium side I think, without a bitter flavour. It's slightly more bitter back than it is white but enjoyable nonetheless. The underlying notes of chocolate is at it's strongest drank like this, it gives it a slightly creamier flavour and with the fruity notes the coffee is something quite special. 

White: The coffees flavour is weakened with the addition of milk, as is always the way of white coffee! But as my favourite way to drink coffee, I still preferred it this way. The fruitier notes disappear when you add milk, but it does lift the chocolate-y notes of the coffee and give you a very nice cup of coffee. 



Best Served: Brew two shots of coffee (I use it my Nespresso), and top with hot frothy milk and a tsp of Vanilla Syrup. The nicest latte you will ever drink. 


Tuesday 13 February 2018

Bluebird Tea Co | Dreamtime Collection


Company:  Bluebird Tea Co
Name: Dream Time Collection (Lazy Boy, Dozy Girl, Cats Pyjamas & Moondrop Dreams)
Tea Type: Roobios & Herbal Infusions 
Loose or Bagged: Loose 
Rating: Various 
Best Served: Hot for All!
Water Temperature:  100° 
Brew For: 4+ Minutes 
Price:  Various 
*I haven't included Dozy Girl, as I didn't purchase this one due to not liking Rose. 

Description: Feline sleepy? You sure will be once you've had a catnap cuppa - a blend of valerian root, chamomile + cinnamon. Valerian root is known for its sleepy inducing holistic history as well as its catnip effect on cats! We've blended this fabby tabby tea with calming chamomile + warming cinnamon- it really is the cat's whiskers! Okay, okay, we'll stop with the clawful puns... TEA-oww!
Ingredients: Chamomile, valerian, lemon verbena, cinnamon.

I was really looking forward to this, being a cat lover! I know valerian has a cat nip effect on cats so I was also looking forward to trying that too! 
This is a herbal infusion, which is perfect for first thing before you go to bed. With the added relaxing chamomile and soothing cinnamon this brew was my favourite of the three for before bed. I'm not the biggest fan of Chamomile on it's own but blended with other flavours it can be a real treat. I really enjoyed it when mixed with the soft flavours of the spices and lemon verbena, it really brings it out as a dominant flavour. 

Description: Dozy Girl has met her match! We thought it was time to add some balance to our tea shelf... Like Dozy Girl, this blend is fantastic for sleeping - infused with calming lavender and a most pleasant compliment of cocoa + coconut. Lazy Boy is a blend that everyone can share + love!
Ingredients: Rooibos, coconut, lavender, cocoa shells, natural flavouring.

Lazy boy is th brew I was dying to get my hands on and my birthday couldn't have rolled around quick enough for me to be sipping on this delightful coconutty, chocolately dreamy brew! I love anything coconut, and Bluebird Coco Chai No.5 is one of my all time favourite Chais because of the coconut! 
I never knew how much of a perfect match coconut and roobios were. The roobios has a sweet flavour, paired with the strong nutty flavour from the coconut and creaminess form the cocoa shells it's like drinking a bounty brew. If that doesn't relax you, nothing will. It's quite a sweet treat so if you're trying to avoid dessert this would make a great alternative too. 

Description: Starry nights and Moondrop Dreams... We always get asked about teas that may help you sleep - with this in mind, we wanted to create a blend to help you rest your mind + body! Ground control to Teabirds - this Space OddiTEA infusion of rooibos, lavender + lemon may just be the answer to your Moondrop Dreams.
Ingredients: Rooibos, apple pieces, rosehip, lavender, lemon peel, fermented lemon peel, orange peel, natural flavouring.

Moondrop Dreams was lovely, it was a tea where you drink it sip by sip savouring the flavour, and you finish it hoping it's a brew that lasted longer. Moondrop Dreams is a little fruiter than the rat of the dreamtime collection with the apple pieces, lemon peel, orange peel and rose hips. I've never had a fruity tea with Roobios before but it was really enjoyable. 



I suffer from Anxiety quite a lot, and my sleeping pattern has more gaps than sieve so I was really hoping these brews would gel combat my constant tiredness. I really think these brews have helped relax me at the end of the day and wind down from the busy day to day life I have. All the teas in the Dreamtime Collection are one the sweeter side, even if they are herbal infusions. But I really like that about them, I often have my worse cravings at night when I've managed to sit down and stop. 

Will you be trying the Dreamtime Collection? Quick though it is Limited Edition! 

Sunday 11 February 2018

We Are Tea | Pick n Mix Box


A couple of weeks ago We Are Tea were kind enough to send me on of their new Pick n Mix box of tea. It's a fabulous box filled with teabag samples s you can find exactly what you like, without buying a full box. I love these and I think they're such a fabulous idea, not only to try new teas but to have a selection in your work drawers or handbag if you're weird like me! The idea of the Pick n Mix box is really good to me, and I do think all tea companies should jump on board.  I'm more likely to try out some teas if I don't have to commit to a full box of 12, 20 or sometimes even 50 bags of the same brew! 

The We Are Tea Pick n Mix box has a range of everything. Form their sleep tea to Tummy Tea, Earl Grey to English Breakfast and Peppermint to Moroccan Mint. There is literally something to match every tea lovers favourite. 

I have finally worked my way through this wonderful box, and here are my thoughts on the flavours: 

  • 2 x English Breakfast: a smooth malty blend of Indian Assam black tea leaves
    • English Breakfast isn't my favourite tea. i actually don't like it, but I gave this tea away and they said it was a really nice Breakfast Brew and anyone who drank English Breakfast would really enjoy this first thing in a Morning. 
  • 2 x Earl Grey: a strong black tea with a delicate, elusive bergamot flavour
    • I'm only just getting into Earl Grey and working my way through the 'upper class' of Earl Grey teas. I don't like floral flavours so I wanted to try a loose leaf option instead. The We Are Tea Earl Grey is really a beautiful brew. It's full of flavour, with a strong black tea flavour and the bergamot isn't too overpowering either. 
  • 2 x Moroccan Mint: a refreshing blend of gunpowder green tea and peppermint
    • Moroccan Mint is my favourite tea above all else. It has been ever since I tried in Marrakech. This is so close to the tea I tried over there, and it's nice to have a go to tea that is full of flavour and really well balanced. 
  • Sencha: refreshing hand rolled green tea, light and mellow in flavour
    • I am definitely trying to branch out my tastes in tea this year starting with plain green teas over flavoured. I brewed this for just two minutes in 80 degree water and I was pleasantly surprised by the flavour. It was clean, crisp and very refreshing 
  • Peppermint: slow dried peppermint leaf with a clean & refreshing flavour
    • Peppermint is always in my cupboard at home, at work and I usually have some on me too. I have a temperamental tummy so this is more medicinal too. Peppermint tea can often be overpowering and overbrewed. But I really enjoyed this tea, it's fresh and minty. Everything you need for a mid-afternoon pick me up. 
  • Sleep: a calming blend of chamomile, lavender & rose
    • This was probably one of my favourites in the box, quite herbal but very soothing and relaxing. I'll definitely be picking up a full box of this to wind down at the end of a hectic day. 
  • Soothe: a soothing digestive tea with ginger and mint
    • The flavour of this tea is incredible. It's zesty, awakening and perfect for first thing in a morning if you don't like the lemon and ginger brews this would be a great swap out. 
  • Alert: natural get up and go effect with ginkgo & ginseng
    • This will be another repurchase option for me. That afternoon slump would be kicked away with this energising brew. 
  • Protect: immune boosting properties with elderflower and echinacea
    • I really enjoyed this, elderflower is one of my favourite flavours and it was quite prominent in this brew. The Echinacea is also great for boosting your immune system and stopping the winter flu getting to you as easily, which is always a bonus! Quite a fruity brew. 

At only £6 for 12 different individually wrapped teabags I think the Pick n mix box is great value for money. Not only the price is good it's also a lot less waste if you don't like a certain flavour too. As well, the box is literally covered in tea puns and they're brilliant! 

You can buy it here from We Are Tea Online Store!

We Are Tea also have Buy One Get One Half Price on all teas through February too! If you don't like placing orders online I found Morrison's have the largest selection of We Are Teas and they even have their SimpliciTEA Infuser. 


Sunday 4 February 2018

Leaves of the World | Valentines Collection



So on Thursday I was over the moon to have received my Leaves of the World Rep Package! Now, I'm not the biggest lover of love or most romantic person in the world, but Valentine's, there's just something about it, isn't there? So imagine my surprise when a bundle full of love was picked up from the Post Office! 

These teas are available 'Year Round' but the two little goodies in the bag are super limited edition. Leaves of the World Valentine's Collection consists of:


I’m the perfect tea to tell that someone you love them. I’m creamy, nutty, and a little sweet too. I have everything you could want in a love tea. You’ll be nuts about me too!
Ingredients: Organic: Black tea, cocoa beans, cocoa shells, almonds. Natural flavour. Organic: rose petals, strawberry slices
I'll be the first at the queue when something to do with nuts is being given out. I constantly have some in my desk drawer, my handbag, I'm always buying things with nut flavours and/or nut milks too! So I did give this tea a try a few months ago but only just ran out. With it being a black tea I have been having this tea first thing in a morning. As much as I adore this brew, and think the nutty flavour stands up very well with the black tea, do not over brew this tea. 

Feeling a little flush in the cheeks? You will be once you taste my rose tea combination with cinnamon, elderberries, and cornflower blossoms. Creamy, floral prettiness in a cup.

Ingredients: Organic: Black tea, Rose tea, elderberries, cinnamon sticks, ginger, cornflower blossoms and rose petals.
I was quite dubious when trying this tea, I've never been a rose lover. not a fan of the smell, the taste or the flowers! So I did under brew this tea quite a bit to allow for the flavours to not fully develop. It's a really nice tea, and I think if you're a rose lover this is the perfect tea for you! A very clean, little floral and fragrant brew. 

Hey there, I’m Mr Bear. Have you seen any honey? I’m sure I’ve seen some ’round here somewhere! Wait, it’s you! Oh, can I be your honey bear, oh please can I, can I? You can even serve me as a sweet latte

Ingredients: Organic: Rooibos, honeybush, carrot bits, cinnamon bits, turmeric (curcuma), red paprika flakes, pink pepper and almonds. Natural flavour.
I don't know why but as soon as I opened my package and saw this tea I instantly thought of Winnie the Pooh, all good tho! It smells spicy and sweet but strong and robust in the same sense. Roobios tea is naturally quite sweet and smooth but this tea smells like an awakening. I'd much prefer this first thing in a morning to kick me up than a smooth night time blend. It tastes really nice, like a sweeter and creamier caffeine free Chai Tea! 

Cherry and coconut in the same cup? You bet ya! I am a bonkers blend of rooibos with rose petals and raspberry too. Here's the best part. You can serve me in a number of ways, and get a different taste each time. Latte me for the most indulgent cup of cherry pie coconutty around, or ice me for some cherry cooling if you're feeling hot, ice latte me for a delicious milky creamy cherry shake, or fizz me up for a sugar free cherry pop - you can even freeze me this way too and use me a Tea-lolly pop!

Ingredients: Organic: Rooibos. Natural wild cherry flavour. Organic: coconut chips, raisins, rose petals, raspberries, blueberries and cornflower blossoms.
This is one of my favourite teas ever, it's such a beautiful blend. I bought this o a whim when I went to their Pop Up Tea Bar in Hull, and I literally bought it on scent alone. I kid you not. It smells like the nicest Bake well if bake well was coconut not almond. Roobios is really high on my t-drink list at the moment due to it's masses of benefits, but the nutty coconut and tart cherry pairs well with this brew. 

Ohh, I am so full of passion. That beetroot… brrr, when we come together we’re just a sweet sensation. My beetroot is a natural aphrodisiac and my fun and fruity flavours are full of delight. I am super refreshing served over ice too 

Ingredients: Organic: Green tea, beetroot, marigold flowers and orange peel. Natural passionfruit flavouring.
I am really intrigued at the more 'out there' tea flavours at the moment. So I've been looking at Beetroot and Charcoal teas, so I was quite happy to have received Beets of Passion in the package this month. When I brewed this tea in my IngeniTEA it brewed really odd, it was a pleasant clear green colour at the top and a strong bold red colour at the moment. It was pretty cool to be fair! I love this tea, the earthiness form the green tea, savoury flavour from the beetroot and sweetness form the passion fruit I was quid surprised, but very enjoyable!

Get ready to romance your night away with these very special Valentines Bath Burst Bundles!
We are very excited to have collaborated with another independent business, Vegan Beauty Cosmetics, to create these very special tea infused bath bombs, using two of our Valentines themed teas, Cherry Pie Coconutty, and Rosy Cheeks, which we bring to you in luscious love hearts.
Using only natural oils and ingredients, the Valentines Bath Burst Bundles come in three varieties, ready to sweep that person in your life off their feet (and into the tub!) Let the tea do the talking!
Please Note: Both bath bombs are vegan friendly, cruelty free, paraben free, and made by hand and with love using only natural oils and ingredients.
These bath bombs smell delightful. I was really excited to have received these in my rep package as I'd just posted about my Bath Melts using LOTW Tea too. The Let's Get Cosy & Rosy has quite a prominent rose scent using the Rosy Cheeks tea, and Be My Cherry Pie, using Cherry Pie Coconut tysmells like heaven. I am a huge coconut and cherry fan so I could have had these in a buckler load. *Bath Bombs are Limited Edition and are available for Pre-Order now. All orders must be placed before Monday 5th February and will be auto-dispatched 1st Class on the 12th.*