tea and book pairings

Tea Time at Reverie: Plum Deluxe’s Self Care Herbal Tea Blend

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I love it when I find tea companies that impress me so much, I know I’ll be a paying customer in the future. Plum Deluxe has become one of those companies, and partly due to today’s sample. Check out my review of their scrumptious Self-Care Herbal Blend at A Bibliophile’s Reverie!

Also, as I announced back in May, this is my final Time Time for ABR. Thanks again for reading and sharing these reviews, and for talking tea with me there for the past 2 years!

A Bibliophile's Reverie

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Our final sample from Plum Deluxe is the Self-Care Blend, an herbal tisane that caught my eye for two reasons. First, how can you go wrong with a name like that for a tea? Everyone needs a reminder to slow down and take care of themselves, and tea serves as a good reminder of this. Second, this unique herbal blend features apricots and elderberries, two fruits that are known for their healing properties. It’s an intriguing combination – in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen apricots or elderberries paired together before, in tea or in food. So, I’m very curious how they’ll brew up together.

Let’s have a cup or two of Self-Care together and see what it’s like, shall we? 😉

The Basics

self-care-square-477x477 Photo courtesy of Plum Deluxe

Bingley’s Description:“A curious pairing of elderberry (tart) and apricot (sweet), this all-organic tea has mellow flavors and…

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Tea Time at Reverie: Plum Deluxe’s Reading Nook Black Tea Blend

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Here’s my second-to-last Tea Time for A Bibliophile’s Reverie. (This is starting to get a little sad, thinking about the end.) And this first sample from Plum Deluxe out of Oregon (United States) caught my eye the moment that the vendor contacted me about reviewing some of his teas – and it wasn’t just the name. Read on to find out why I enjoyed Reading Nook Black Tea Blend so much. 🙂

A Bibliophile's Reverie

plumdeluxe_logo_straptea

Our next two Tea Time samples come from Plum Deluxe. Since 2008, this Oregon-based tea vendor has been exploring all aspects of the phrase “Making Moments Matter.” From handcrafted organic tea blends and a Tea of the Month Club, to recipes and meditations and other gifts, Plum Deluxe is committed to reminding its customers to be well, mindful, and positive. I can’t say I’ve met another tea company with such an inspiring mission – not to mention the teas in their online shop look delectable!

And what better way to introduce you to Plum Deluxe than with a bookish tea? 😉 Reading Nook blends a cream-flavored black tea with floral accents to create a soothing, stimulating, and truly unique brew. One look at the picture and description, and I knew I needed to review this beauty!

The Basics

Photo courtesy of Plum Deluxe Photo courtesy of Plum Deluxe

Plux Deluxe’s Description:“One needs a…

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Tea Time at Reverie: Mr. Darcy’s Pride Oolong from Bingley’s Teas

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Which male characters come to mind when you think of Jane Austen’s novels? How about Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice? Then maybe you’d like to try Mr. Darcy’s Pride, a unique oolong tea offered by Bingley’s Teas. Check out this bold-scented tea that grows more approachable with each brew, at my newest Tea Time at A Bibliophile’s Reverie!

A Bibliophile's Reverie

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“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
Mr. Darcy in a letter to Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”

Ah, Fitzwilliam Darcy. He may be handsome and wealthy, but at the beginning of Pride and Prejudice his cold, aloof behavior is not the least bit becoming. No wonder Elizabeth Bennet feels slighted by his remarks when they first meet, and later turns down his marriage proposal. His failures and Elizabeth’s pointed criticisms eventually influence Mr. Darcy to see the error in his ways; and by the end of the novel, even Elizabeth sees that he has changed for the better.

Knowing Mr. Darcy’s complexity, I was curious to see how Bingley’s Teas would reflect his character with a tea. Their choice? Mr. Darcy’s Pride, a distinctive…

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Tea Time at Reverie: Tea Maineia’s Peach Apricot Black Tea

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Just in time for the warmer weather, here’s a deliciously fruity black tea that’s wonderful either hot or iced. Check out my review of Tea Maineia’s Peach Apricot Black Tea (and the book pairings I recommend for it) at A Bibliophile’s Reverie!

A Bibliophile's Reverie

Tea Maineia logo

Sometimes the best advice for choosing tea is, “Follow your nose.” In other words, if you like the way a tea smells, you’ll most likely enjoy its taste, too. That principle was a big reason – no, THE big reason – why I bought a packet of Peach Apricot Black Tea from Tea Maineia during my visit last fall. I’ve had several cups of this fruit-packed black tea since then, and I’m thrilled to say… well, you’ll have to read on to find that out.

The Basics

Tea Maineia Peach Apricot Photo courtesy of Tea Maineia

Tea Maineia’s Description:“A tasty combination of mellow peaches and deep full flavored apricots are blended into this classic Ceylon tea.”

Ingredients: Ceylon black tea, papaya pieces, peach pieces, apricot pieces, blackberry leaves, sunflower petals, calendula petals, and natural flavors

Steeping Instructions: Use 1½ teaspoons of tea for every 8 oz of water. Heat water to nearly…

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Tea Time at Reverie: Whispering Pines Tea Company’s Mirkwood Tea

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Time for another Middle-Earth inspired tea from Whispering Pines! And I already know a few readers who might be interested in this one based on the name alone. 😉 Read on to learn more about Mirkwood, a unique pu-erh blend, at A Bibliophile’s Reverie.

A Bibliophile's Reverie

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“But [the company] had to go on and on, long after they were sick for the sight of the sun and of the sky, and longed for the feel of wind on their faces. There was no movement of air down under the forest-roof, and it was everlastingly still and dark and stuffy. [… Bilbo] felt that he was being slowly suffocated.”
J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”

Today’s Tea Time brings us to one of Middle-Earth’s creepiest realms. Home of the wizard Radagast The Brown and the Woodland Elves, Mirkwood was once known as Greenwood the Great – until it fell under the Necromancer’s shadow. So, when Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield’s Dwarf company arrive at Mirkwood during The Hobbit, the once lush and thriving forest is crawling with giant spiders and decaying from dark magic.

Despite its ambiance, Mirkwood has enchanted readers for generations. Now, thanks to Whispering Pines Tea…

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Tea Time at Reverie: Longbourn Wedding Tea from Bingley’s Teas

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Happy first day of spring, everyone! How about we celebrate the start of a beautiful season with a tea of promise – a wedding tea? In fact, Longbourn Wedding might be my new favorite from Bingley’s Teas. Check out today’s Tea Time at A Bibliophile’s Reverie to find out why this sparkling white tea is so delicious.

A Bibliophile's Reverie

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“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”

Ah, marriage. It’s the revolving point of Pride and Prejudice. Many of the unmarried characters in the story, including men like Mr. Darcy, feel some kind of social pressure to make that ultimate commitment. Plus, everyone in the Bennet family has different reasons behind their marriage choices, from lust and convenience (Mr. and Mrs. Bennet) to love (Jane Bennet) and mutual trust (Elizabeth Bennet). But in the end, Lizzie and Jane become engaged to their ideal partners – which means it’s time for not one wedding, but two!

So, how do we celebrate such a special event here at Tea Time? With tea, of course! This brings us to our next sample from Bingley’s Teas. Named after the Bennet family’s estate,

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Tea Time at Reverie: Golden Tips’ Moonlight Darjeeling Black Tea

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Finally had a chance to try a Darjeeling black tea for Tea Time at Reverie! This review goes into a little more detail about how Darjeelings differ from Assams, which more tea drinkers are familiar with. The focus, however, is on Moonlight Darjeeling from Golden Tips. If you’re looking for something less robust and more refined than the usual black tea, this review might pique your interest. 😉

A Bibliophile's Reverie

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When the package of samples from Golden Tips Tea first arrived, I was thrilled to find some Darjeeling teas inside. Though Darjeelings aren’t as well-known as Assam teas, they’re considered some of the finest in the world. In fact, Darjeeling black tea is nicknamed the “Champagne of Teas” because of its distinct aroma and flavor palate. I’ve had a few Darjeelings, and I have to agree – they’re smoother than Assams, more floral and fruity than Ceylons, and wonderfully delicious.

Which leads me to today’s Tea Time. Golden Tips’ Moonlight Darjeeling is a blend of black teas from various plantations across India’s Darjeeling region. All of the leaves were picked during “first flush” (March / April 2015) and are categorized as “Moonlight” due to their superior quality and aroma. In other words, this is one fine black tea blend. Who would like to try a cup with me? 🙂

The…

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Tea Time at Reverie: Tea Maineia’s Cold Comfort Herbal Blend

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Today’s Tea Time comes courtesy of the Maine-based tea shop Tea Maineia, as well as my first head cold of the winter. (No worries, I’m feeling much better now!) But really, it’s funny how your health or frame of mind dictates the kinds of tea you crave. In this case, I tried Tea Maineia’s Cold Comfort, a blend of green tea, fruit, and herbs known for their healing properties. Read more of my thoughts on it at A Bibliophile’s Reverie. 🙂

A Bibliophile's Reverie

Tea Maineia logo

During a recent trip to Maine, I visited Tea Maineia in Winterport, about 25 minutes south of Bangor. What a charming place! Not only does Tea Maineia carry a wide variety of teas (black, oolong, green, white, and herbal / rooibos), but it also sells teapots, mugs, and locally made condiments and other foods that pair well with tea. It also has a bright, welcoming environment inside, and the owner is friendly and wonderfully knowledgeable. If you’re ever in the Bangor area, I highly recommend checking out Tea Maineia!

And of course I couldn’t leave without purchasing some tea. 😉 So, for today’s Tea Time, we’ll cover one of Tea Maineia’s several herbal tisanes. Cold Comfort blends green and rooibos teas with fruit and herbs often used for alleviating symptoms of the common cold. How does this unique infusion brew up? And did I find it comforting during a recent head cold?…

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Tea Time at Reverie: Inspired By Jane’s Donwell Abbey Black Tea

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What happens when you combine black tea with a wine often used in Italian cooking? You get Inspired By Jane’s Donwell Abbey, a black tea with cinnamon and marsala wine. It’s not a combination you see much from your typical tea vendor – and as I discovered, it was actually quite delicious. Read my review of Donwell Abbey at A Bibliophile’s Reverie to learn more.

And yes, Donwell Abbey is another tea inspired by one of Jane Austen’s novels. 😉

A Bibliophile's Reverie

Inspired By Jane logo

“It was a sweet view—sweet to the eye and the mind. English verdure, English culture, English comfort, seen under a sun bright, without being oppressive.”
– Jane Austen, “Emma”

I confess that Emma is one of the few Jane Austen novels I haven’t read. But when Inspired By Jane asked which tea samples I’d like to try, I was immediately intrigued by Donwell Abbey. Named after the the estate owned by Emma’s neighbor (and future love interest) George Knightley, this black tea boasts a unusual yet appealing combination of cinnamon and marsala wine flavors.

Hmmmmm. I do like the sweet, tangy taste of marsala wine sauces in chicken marsala and chicken saltimbocca. So, how will it blend with cinnamon and black tea? Let’s brew some and find out, shall we?

The Basics

Donwell Abbey canInspired By Jane’s Description:“Almost a ‘gentleman’s tea,’ but everyone will love this rich, full-bodied black tea…

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Tea Time at Reverie: Whispering Pines Tea Company’s Rivendell Tea

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I think I know a number of readers who will leap at learning more about this tea! And in my opinion, this unique and delicious oolong blend was a stunning reflection of its namesake. Head on over to A Bibliophile’s Reverie now to read my review of Whispering Pine Tea Company’s Rivendell Tea!

A Bibliophile's Reverie

Whispering Pines logo

“Shadows had fallen in the valley below, but there was still a light on the faces of the mountains far above. The air was warm. The sound of running and falling water was loud, and the evening was filled with a faint scent of trees and flowers, as if summer still lingered in Elrond’s gardens.”
J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”

Oh, have I been itching to introduce our fellow bibliophiles to Whispering Pines Tea Company! This Michigan-based vendor specializing in loose-leaf teas, herbal tisanes, and handcrafted tea blends. Many of Whispering Pines’ offerings are inspired by the wilderness of northern Michigan. A select few, however, are influenced by literature, including three coming from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth.

Which brings me to our first Whispering Pines tea for review. In Middle-Earth, Rivendell is the stunningly beautiful home of Lord Elrond and other Elves, and a…

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