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|  | | | | Articles to enhance your enjoyment of single cup tea making!
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I have a real passion for tea. One of the things that I have been experimenting with for the past year is blending different flavors of tea together. Some blends have been interesting, some not so good, and some have turned out very good. I want to share one of my favorite blends with you.
I have always enjoyed the flavor of cream in many of the black and white teas I drink. I discovered a very nice tasting cream-flavored black tea sold by Adagio Teas. This cream-flavored tea is a Ceylon black tea flavored with cream and a little caramel. It stands on its own as a nice dessert tea, but blends wonderfully with other teas. Some of the blends I enjoy are: blueberry and cream, cherry and cream, apricot and cream, lemon and cream, peach and cream, and strawberry and cream, all of these are themselves flavored black teas also sold by Adagio Teas.
It also blends well with many of the non-flavored black or white teas. When blending, I start with a round 2 cup plastic container and lid, which is also what I will be storing the new blended tea in. I have found a 5-3 ratio to be a good blend. You don’t want the cream flavor or aroma to overpower the other tea you are blending it with. Put 5 teaspoons of your favorite black tea and 3 teaspoons of the cream-flavor tea into the container, put on the lid and shake for a few seconds to thoroughly blend the 2 teas together. Boil your water, steep for 5 minutes and get ready to enjoy your newest creation. The cream-flavored tea from Adagio Teas can make a good blending base for many of your favorite black and white teas.
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It's a raw, snowy, winter day, yet it almost seems like I'm sitting in an open-air beach front cafe on some sunny tropical island. Such is the far away feeling one can get while enjoying a cup of the Green Tea Tropical from Mighty Leaf Tea.
The Green Tea Tropical from Mighty Leaf Tea is a delicious blend of green teas and the sweet tropical fruitiness of guava and pineapple. There is a wonderully light fragrance while steeping that follows to the cup during drinking. The Green Tea Tropical from Mighty Leaf Tea steeps to a beautiful golden color. Each sip carries a slightly sweet taste with absolutely no bitterness.
Try the Green Tea Tropical from Mighty Leaf Tea and see where it might transport you.
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Everyone has been hearing, for a while now, the healthy benefits of drinking green tea. If you have been thinking about trying green tea, I have what might be your perfect introduction: the Citron Green tea from Adagio Teas, a wonderful combination of Chinese green teas and lemon and lime flavors.
The Cirtron Green tea from Adagio Teas steeps to a beautiful pale green color. When you first open the tin, the lemon and lime aromas are very noticeable. However, when done steeping, you notice only a mild citrus scent, with just a hint of the 2 flavors in the background of the green tea taste, leaving a slightly sweet aftertaste.
This is a delicious entry into the world of green teas. I definitely suggest trying the Citron Green tea from Adagio Teas. I think you'll like the taste and I'm sure you'll enjoy the healthy benefits of this very pleasant green tea.
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Herbal teas come in many types and flavor combinations. Because herbal teas are usually made from "non-tea" ingredients, most are caffeine-free. A truly memorable herbal tea is one that combines flavors in a way that makes you just keep coming back for another cup. Such is the Mayan Chocolate Truffle tea from Mighty Leaf Tea.
The Mayan Chocolate Truffle tea from Mighty Leaf Tea combines small chunks of apple, strawberry and chocolate with cacoa nibs and tiny flecks of chilis and red peppers. The resulting taste is really different and really good. It's ideal for anytime of the day, but especially as a dessert tea. The taste of the chocolate really finishes nicely, giving it a sweet aftertaste with just a bit of a spicy bite from the chilis and the subtle lingering fruitiness of the apple and strawberry bits.
I love this herbal tea and I think you'll also enjoy it. I definitely suggest the Mayan Chocolate Truffle tea. It's part of a 6 tin loose leaf chocolate flavored tea sampler set from Mighty Leaf Tea.
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As it steeps, my kitchen begins to fill with the aroma of the holidays. Just like the smell of turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie remind me of Thanksgiving, the smell of an apple pie baking in the oven reminds me of Christmas. So it is with the wonderful aroma of the Rooibos Cinnamon Apple tea from Adagio Teas. Yet, that's only the beginning.
This wonderful blend of cinnamon, apple and South African red rooibos tea almost tastes like liquid apple pie. Add some sugar and you're there. It steeps to a beautiful reddish brown color and tastes like dessert, due to it's sweet aftertaste. Because it's caffeine-free, you can enjoy it anytime. I know I will be serving this with dessert when friends come by for dinner. It also makes a very tasty iced-tea.
You definitely want to try the Rooibos Cinnamon Apple tea from Adagio Teas. I can see this becoming one of our year-round favorites, especially during the holiday season.
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Since saggitarius is the sign under which I was born, I decided to try the Saggitarius Blend, one of 12 blends in the Zodiac Series from Adagio Teas.
It's an interesting blend of Earl Gray Bravo, a Sri Lankan black tea (flavored with oil of bergamot), vanilla beans and cream flavoring. It steeps to a light-bodied, slightly sweet brew that is a relaxing treat in the afternoon or with dessert after a meal.
The vanilla scent is evident with every sip, yet not so overpowering as to intrude upon the pleasant Earl Gray tea. I suggest trying the Saggitarius Blend from Adagio Teas. I look forward to trying the other 11 blends as well in the Zodiac Series.
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As any tea drinker can tell you, Earl Grey tea is one of the most familiar teas in the world. It is the Earl Grey Creme tea from Teavana Tea that takes this classic tea one step further.
Teavana Tea, by adding pieces of vanilla and a light cream flavoring to their Earl Grey black tea blend containing the essential oil from the rind of the Bergamot citrus fruit, has created a smooth, flavorful tea that is delicious anytime of the day. It steeps to a beautiful golden amber color with a slight citrus scent and no bitter aftertaste.
I've been enjoying Earl Grey teas form a variety of sources for years. The Earl Grey Creme tea from Teavana Tea has become my favorite blend.
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The sweet smell of fresh strawberries fills the room as we enjoy a cup of the Strawberry Tea from Adagio Teas .  Combining dried strawberry bits with a fine Ceylon Black tea, this steeps to a full-bodied cup with a slightly sweet taste and a delicate hint of strawberry flavor. You can definitely smell the strawberries more than taste them. I'm looking forward to trying this as an iced tea.
The more often we drink the Strawberry Tea from Adagio Teas , the more we think this will eventually become one of our favorites. Try it. If you like strawberries, it may become one of your favorites also.
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While writing this review, I am enjoying both the taste and the smell of the mangoes in the Mango Flavored Tea from Adagio Teas .
It is a Ceylon Black tea combined with ripened, dried mango bits. It comes as a loose leaf tea and is part of a 4 tin flavored tea sampler set from Adagio Teas .
The color and aroma are very nice. It is a full-bodied black tea that allows the taste of the ceylon black to come through without being over-powered by the mangoes. It also makes a delicious iced tea, now that the warm weather is here again. I recommend it as a nice change of pace flavor. It is available online from Adagio Teas .
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How about a tea that tastes as good as its name? That's how good the Pear Caramel Truffle tea from Mighty Leaf Tea  tastes. This is rapidly becoming one of our favorite teas.
They've combined premium black teas from China and Ceylon with bits of dried pears, caramel and chocolate. The result is a rich tasting, full-bodied blend that is luscious with dessert or anytime you feel like treating yourself to a smooth, delicious, slightly sweet cup of tea. It has just a hint of pear flavor, the scent of caramel and the aftertaste of chocolate. In a word: yummy!
I highly recommend the Pear Caramel Truffle tea from Mighty Leaf Tea . Imagine a fruity, chocolaty dessert anytime of the day.
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If you have never tried a pu-erh tea before, this can be your perfect introduction. Some would say that pu-erh teas are an acquired taste, given their earthiness and hearty, savory tendencies. That is why the Mocha Pu-erh Truffle tea from Mighty Leaf Tea makes a delicious transition into the world of pu-erh teas.
Combining pu-erh teas and black teas from the Yunnan Province of China with chocolate chips, dried orange peels and cacao nibs, the Mocha Pu-erh Truffle tea from Mighty Leaf Tea brews to a beautiful amber color and a smooth, rich flavor. It makes a good dessert tea that I recommend after a heavier meal or with a chocolate or coffee-flavored dessert.
Acquire the taste for Mocha Pu-erh Truffle tea from Mighty Leaf Tea and you'll acquire a tasty change of pace tea.
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Rooibos Tropica tea from Teavana Tea 
I love the fruity citrus scent upon opening the container. Prompting the feeling of a cheerful, sunny day, this scent continues during the steeping process and into the drinking of this delicious herbal tea from Teavana Tea
Rooibos teas, often referred to as "red teas", are actually grown from a South African red bush. They are caffeine-free and can be either red or green teas. The Rooibos Tropica from Teavana Tea is a delicious blend of red and green Rooibos teas, dried peach bits, dried strawberry bits, orange peel, cornflower petals and sunflower petals. It produces a beautiful golden red color with an amazing slightly sweet fruity taste.
The Rooibos Tropica tea from Teavana Tea is a wonderful introduction to the pleasure of drinking Rooibos teas. Iced or hot, we're sure you'll enjoy this fragrant and flavorful "red tea".
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The scent of vanilla always reminds me of days from my youth. I used to love walking into our kitchen when my mom would be baking something wonderful for dessert and the room would be filled with the smell of vanilla.
The Vanilla Flavored Tea from Adagio Teas brings these memories back with each cup that we brew. It combines the delicious flavor of vanilla beans with a Black Ceylon tea, allowing just enough of the taste of the vanilla beans to come through with each sip. This is definitely a wonderful tea to serve with scones or any dessert treat. Try the Vanilla Flavored Tea from Adagio Teas and see what sweet memories it might evoke for you.
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The Oriental Spice Tea from Adagio Teas is a very good change of pace flavored tea. It offers a unique combination of a good Ceylon Black Tea with cinnamon, cardamom and ginger. It steeps to a full-bodied spicy tea that displays nicely and fills the room with the smell of ginger bread cookies.
In addition to being a delicious tea all by itself, the Oriental SpiceTea from Adagio Teas can become the basis for a great Chai Tea Latte(Chai being the Hindi word for "tea"), made by adding heated milk along with honey.
The Oriental Spice Tea from Adagio Teas is a tasty treat anytime of the day. If you try it, you may find youself saying a "latte" good things about it.
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One of our favorite herbal teas is the Mandarin Orange Spice Tea from Celestial Seasonings. It's a caffeine-free blend of orange peel, hibiscus, roasted chickory, rosehips, blackberry leaves, chamomile, hawthorn berries, cinnamon, cloves and coriander.As it steeps, the kitchen fills with a spicy orange scent. It is always a warming, soothing break from the day. I'm happily enjoying a cup while writing this review.
Try Mandarin Orange Spice Tea from Celestial Seasonings for a nice afternoon or evening change of pace. Available from many finer grocers, you can also find it online at CoffeeForLess.com 
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Two of my favorite flavors have always been chocolate and orange, either combined or by themselves. Imagine my delight to see them featured as part of a 6 tin loose leaf chocolate flavored tea sampler set from Mighty Leaf Tea . The 6 tin sampler set arrived today and I couldn't wait to try them out. Of course, the first one I tried was the Chocolate Orange Truffle.
It is a wonderful combination of black tea, green tea, jasmine flowers, vanilla bean bits, orange peels and chocolate and cacao nibs. It is a medium-bodied tea with a slightly sweet taste. The aroma of citrus and chocolate is wonderful, but it is the aftertaste of the chocolate that makes it seem silghtly decadent. It will be an absolute pleasure to taste and review each of the Chocolate Truffle teas from Mighty Leaf Tea .
Tea with dessert just got a lot better!
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The ingenuiTEA Teapot is an ingenious infusion brewing system. Made of food grade plastic that is both dishwasher and microwave safe, it makes brewing tea a simple process.
You fill the mug with water to within an inch of the top. You can either fill it with boiling water or heat the water in the microwave. Once the water is heated, spoon in your favorite loose leaf tea and steep for 3 to 7 minutes. The brewing time is determined by the type of tea you are brewing: 3 minutes for light oolong and green teas, 5 minutes for most black teas and 7 minutes for dark oolong, herbal and white teas.
Place the teapot on top of your cup and the valve in the bottom of the teapot opens to allow the tea to stream into your cup. Lifting the teapot stops the stream and leaves the tea leaves in the bottom of the teapot, leaving you with a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Cleanup is easy, either in the sink or the dishwasher.
The ingenuiTEA Teapot from Adagio Tea is rapidly becoming our favorite way to brew loose leaf tea. Available in both a 32 oz and 16 oz size, it's simple to use, easy to clean and inexpensive.
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The Bodum Assam 17oz tea press is an attractive and very functional small quantity tea brewing system. Although it technically brews more than a single cup of tea, we sometimes like to drink tea brewed slightly stronger and in larger cups. It can be used with either loose tea or tea bags.
Start by inserting the plastic strainer into the pot and putting your teabag or loose tea into the strainer. Boil your water and pour enough over the tea to fill the pot to within about 1/2 - 3/4 inch below the spout. This insures that when you put the top, with the plunger pulled up, onto the pot that the plunger will sit on top of the water. Wait for 3 - 7 minutes, depending upon the type of tea you are preparing, and then depress the plunger, ending the steeping process. Now you're ready to pour yourself a great cup of tea.
Clean up is easy with all parts being dishwasher safe. Treat yourself to a great, inexpensive, attractive, easy to use small quantity tea brewing system - the Bodum Assam 17oz Tea Press.
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This is the product that started it all for us. We received this as a Christmas gift nearly 3 years ago, and not a day goes by that we don't use it. The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Hot Beverage Center makes a great single cup of coffee or tea.
It features a filter basket with a removable permanent filter and pod holder, a removable water reservoir for easy filling and a multi-level cup rest. When brewing coffee or tea, you can use loose ground coffee or the convenient coffee pods, or loose tea or tea bags, in the permanent filter. For larger travel mugs, you can stack 2 pods or tea bags by using the pod holder combined with the permanent filter. We've found the best way to measure water for each cup is to fill the cup to the top and then pour this into the water reservoir. By doing this, it eliminates the chances of having an over-filled or under-filled cup or travel mug.
The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Hot Beverage Center, with it's attractive black and gray colors and small (7"x 7") footprint, has a permanent spot on our kitchen counter. All removable parts are dishwasher-safe. It's fast, inexpensive, easy to use, and makes a great single cup of coffee or tea.
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If you're like most tea drinkers, your first experience drinking tea probably involved making tea using a tea bag. Tea bags offer convenience, easy clean up and a decent amount of variety. However, what if your favorite tea was not available in tea bags? Perhaps you have experimented with blending teas together to create your favorite tea blend. How would you take that blend with you to, say, your office without lugging around different containers, etc? The answer: make your own tea bags.
Introducing the Perfect Pod Pod Maker by Get Organized. We originally purchased this neat little appliance to make coffee pods, using our favorite ground coffees, for our single cup coffee maker. Imagine my surprise when I came home one day to discover my wife making her own tea bags by putting her favorite loose leaf teas into the same empty pods. There is plenty of room for the leaves to unfurl inside the pods and they can be used to steep tea the same way you would use conventional tea bags. Now we both have a great way to make, store and bring our favorite loose leaf teas with us to work or when we travel without needing to bring anything else.
We have been using the Perfect Pod Pod Maker by Get Organized to make our own tea bags for over a year and we love the convenience, flexibility and cost savings.
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