February’s Teas

We made it through January! This month we are sending you a delicious box with our own take on Valentine’s Day. Ditch the chocolate hearts this year for Tisano’s Cacao Tea! Made from the shells of the cacao beans, this tea is a fair-trade product that uses previously discarded shells to make a delicious, heart-warming chocolatey tea without all the calories that come with chocolate hearts and (yes, it’s coming) bunnies and eggs. Aromatica’s Walnut Green shocked us with its sweet, subtle flavours and delicate taste. It won first place in the 2011 North American Tea Championship, and we think you’ll see why. Make sure to carefully follow the brewing instructions to get all the flavour in the tea. Rishi’s Blueberry Rooibos, nicknamed ‘Crackberry’ in the tea industry, is one of our absolute favourite herbals! It’s incredible both iced and warm – drinking it too hot will deprive you of the refreshing fruity taste that will satisfy all you non-fruity tea drinkers, trust us! Lastly, Florapharm’s Apeldoorn’s, our 2nd top rated black tea from the 2014 Tea Sparrow Tea-Off, is such a warming, wintry and delicious black tea that stole the hearts of both co-founder Zeta Newis and my wife Ariella, and is among their absolute favourite teas. So curl up and enjoy! Spring is just around the corner.

Happy sipping,

Michael Menashy

Aromatica Tea’s Apeldoorn’s House Blend

Description: A perfect mellow and comforting black tea. Great for the morning or afternoon.

Ingredients: 2nd flush Assam black tea, ginger pieces, vanilla bean, and cinnamon.

Health Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Zeta, “Wow, a lovely surprise. Dessert, vanilla custard, apple spice black tea.”

Tisano Tea’s Organic Cacao Tea

Description: In the west we are only now discovering the antioxidant power and health benefits of Cacao – the bean that all chocolate is made from. Cacao contains over 300 compounds such as: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, iron, zinc, copper, calcium and magnesium. Our organic herbal tea is made from the delicate fibrous shell around the cacao bean.

Ingredients: Organic cacao bean shell

Health Benefits: We were so happy to discover this tea. It is unique, packed with flavour and boasts a long list of health benefits, including boosting energy and stamina, immune support and promoting a healthy heart.

Michael, “20 out of 10! Tisano has reinvented teas.”

Rishi Tea’s Organic Blueberry Rooibos

Description: African rooibos and real, wild blueberries in perfect balance provide tart, juicy and naturally sweet flavors that taste great hot or iced. Blueberry Rooibos is artfully hand blended in small batches using only 100% naturally caffeine-free botanicals and artisan herbal tea-blending techniques.

Ingredients: Organic Fair Trade Certified™ rooibos, Organic blueberries, Organic schizandra berries, Organic Fair Trade Certified™ hibiscus, natural flavors of blueberry and strawberry.

Health Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

Jenny, “Blueberry Paradise. Sweet, iron berry, earthy, tart, goodness. This herbal tea has it all.”

Aromatica Tea’s Walnut Green Tea

Description: 1st place winner of the 2011 North American Tea Championship, this tea’s sweet nutty flavor is both smooth, simple and satisfying.

Ingredients: Chinese green tea, sencha, brittle, coconut rasps, candied pineapple bits, walnut pieces, flavour, almond pieces.

Health Benefits: By now, the health benefits of green tea have been well-established. Here are just a few of the reasons we love it so much: it’s been shown to fight cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol, prevent diabetes and stroke and to fight infection. It’s tough to beat that!

Ariella, “Sweet, subtle flavours and delicate taste. Love it!”

January’s Teas 

Happy new year! This month we are treating you to some exciting teas and one of our personal favourites. Herbal Republic’s Earl Grey Cream came as quite a surprise to us: it’s the first Cream Earl Grey to ever score higher than 5/10, not to mention to actually be approved at a Tea Sparrow tea party! We were very impressed with its flavour profile and sipping experience. The Gathering Place’s Organic Chai Rooibos is packed with whole, uncut spices and is a very warming caffeine-free cup of chai. And some of you may recognize Tiesta’s Fireberry, our second-top-scoring fruit tea ever in Tea Sparrow! True to its name, it’s packed with berries and fruit! Be sure to keep this tea on hand for immunity-boosting through the rest of the winter. Finally, Mountain Tea’s Black Pearl, a Brandy Oolong, is very dear to our hearts. My wife, after all of the amazing teas we’ve tried over the years, still loves this tea as her everyday satisfying cup of tea. It’s a darker oolong that we could not resist. Please see your tea box for an insert with more information on this tea. Happy Sipping!

Mountain Tea’s Black Pearl

Description: This beautiful black tea is harvested at our third garden in Sumatra, Indonesia. High-grown 1200m above sea level in a temperature climate and mineral-rich, volcanic soil, our tea masters hand-roll and shape this dark oolong until it produces a sweet liquor with a fragrance and taste like Washington Red apples. Great iced or hot.

Ingredients: Hand rolled tea leaves

Health Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Michael, “A beautiful light black tea. So fulfilling on a cold day. The natural scent of apples is so familiar and comforting.”

Tiesta’s Fireberry

Description: Dark, rich, and smooth. Who doesn’t want that? With a combination of all your favorite berries, this charmer will definitely leave you burning for more.

Ingredients: Hibiscus, currants, rooibos tea, rosehips, elderberries, and cranberries.

Health Benefits: The phrase “herbal tea” or “tisanes” usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant. Regarding their benefits, apart from being the perfect refreshment on hot summer days, they are also packed with vitamin C. So it’s a great way to get your vitamin C without having to eat all the sugars that come with whole fruits.

Zeta, “Naturally sweet, slightly tart from the berries. What a great caffeine-free desert tea.”

Herbal Republic’s Earl Grey Cream

Description: A Richly flavoured and full bodied, this tea aims to please even the pickiest Earl Grey snobs.

Ingredients: Black tea, bergamot extract, vanilla bits, blue corn flowers and natural flavouring.

Health Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Jenny, “Marzipan rose love. A warm marzipan childhood memory.”

The Gathering Place’s Organic Rooibos Chai

Description: This indulgent infusion combines the rich taste of South African Rooibos with the warming spice of Cinnamon.

Ingredients: Rooibos, cinnamon, and natural aroma.

Health Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

Jenny, “It’s sweet soulful cinnamon dancing on my tongue.”

December’s Teas

Wow, what a year! This year, Tea Sparrow discovered some amazing new teas, we held our very first Tea Sparrow Tea-Off in Vancouver, and watched our membership triple! This month, we want to celebrate and are sending you a box with some very special teas we think you’ll love. Our black tea is the classic December tea for us: Florapharm’s Snowflake, black tea mixed with coconut and almond flakes that make it like marzipan for tea-drinkers! We also think you’ll be delighted to try Tea Desire’s Market Spice Sweet Cinnamon – unbelievably sweet and so easy to drink! This month’s green tea is Herbal Republic’s Organic Jasmine: light, refreshing and a nice balance to the very flavourful teas in your box. Finally, Santa’s Secret is right in the palm of your hand – literally. Fruity, spicy, unique, this tea is all you want for Christmas. We made these truffles with it last year and they were incredible! We also bet it would be delicious steeped in a pot with apple juice or mulled wine…yum! However you like your tea this month, we hope you have a beautiful, restful and joyful holiday season.

Organic Santa’s Secret

Description: Cinnamon sweet, Christmas citrus spice. No wonder Santa keeps this one a secret. The Perfect stocking stuffer!

Ingredients: Organic: Apple pieces, Hibiscus, Rose hip, Cinnamon Ceylon, Pears, Quince, Essential Oils, Orange, Cloves, Vanilla.

Health Benefits: The phrase “herbal tea” or “tisanes” usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant. Regarding their benefits, apart from being the perfect refreshment on hot summer days, they are also packed with vitamin C. So it’s a great way to get your vitamin C without having to eat all the sugars that come with whole fruits.

Michael, “Christmas in a cup. Apple, cinnamon, and spice – perfect for those that are naughty and nice.”

Herbal Republic’s Jasmine Organic

Description: Sourced from China, this Jasmine Organic tea is floral, smooth and richly flavoured.

Ingredients: Organic green tea, organic jasmine petals.

Health Benefits: Derived from green tea, jasmine has many of same benefits plus more. It has been widely regarded as one of the best ways to natural reduce stress, lower blood pressure and regulate the aging processes. Jasmine has always been very popular among women in China because it protects the skin from harmful UV rays and helps assist in weight loss.

Michael, “So light, so refreshing. This is an easy go-to anytime of day!”

Aromatica’s Snowflake

Description: A great blend of black tea with almond gives this tea a Marzipan flavour.

Ingredients: Ceylon and China black tea, coconut rasps, natural flavour, almond flakes.

Health Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Jenny, “Marzipan rose love. A warm marzipan childhood memory.”

Tea Desire’s Market Spice Sweet Cinnamon

Description: This indulgent infusion combines the rich taste of South African Rooibos with the warming spice of Cinnamon.

Ingredients: Rooibos, cinnamon, and natural aroma.

Health Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

Jenny, “It’s sweet soulful cinnamon dancing on my tongue.”

November’s Teas 

Autumn has officially taken hold and everything seems to be slowing down just a bit as we seek out nurturing comforts: a hot cup of chai, hearty green teas, rich sweet vanilla, calming and comforting licorice mint tea. Does that sound like your cup of tea right about now? Then you’re going to love this month’s Tea Box, where featuring for the first time Tea Desire’s Japanese Treasures. This run-away hit tea is stacked with five kinds of green tea and fruit pieces and is a full-bodied tea that tastes incredible.  This month we are featuring a member favourite, Indian Cinnamon. This is a  black tea mixed with top quality cinnamon, perfect for making that warming cup of chai! We also have Aromatica’s Vanilla Honeybush on the ballot this month. With its rich caramel and creamy taste, this hot treat will warm you to your bones. Our last featured tea is Sonnentor’s Harmony, at once soothing and spicy, calming and healing. This tea nurtures the soul. We have also added some tea blender coupons into this month’s Tea Box, so treat yourself! Please note, there was a printing error and the Aromatica coupons expire on December (not November) 15^th. Thanks and we hope you enjoy this month’s teas.

Sonnentor’s Harmony Tea

Description: This tea is a great digestive. With the fennel and licorice feels very calming and healing.

Ingredients: Lemon balm, fennel bitter dark, rose hips, licorice, anise, quince fruit, cilantro, amaranth shamrocks, alpinia galangal, cornflowers. 

Health Benefits: The phrase “herbal tea” or “tisanes” usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant. Regarding their benefits, apart from being the perfect refreshment on hot summer days, they are also packed with vitamin C. So it’s a great way to get your vitamin C without having to eat all the sugars that come with whole fruits.

Zeta, “Lovely, with the healing taste of fennel deliciousness.”

Bird Pick’s Indian Cinnamon

Description: A bold aromatic tea with spicy and sweet undercurrents. Indian Cinnamon Tea combines a lightly robust black tea with pieces of cinnamon bark for a satisfying brew. Cinnamon has been known to boast antibacterial properties as well as aid in lowering LDL cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Ingredients: Cinnamon Bits, 100% Natural Cinnamon Flavor, CTC Indian Black Tea.

Health Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Michael, “So beautiful, so flavourful and so richly floral. Doesn’t need anything, just perfect!”

Tea Desire’s Japanese Treasures

Description: A refreshing green tea experience with natural lemon oil and a slight ginger note.

Ingredients: Sencha, Genmaicha, Japan Bancha, Kukicha, Gyokuro, red currents, strawberry pieces, natural aroma.

Health Benefits: By now, the health benefits of green tea have been well-established. Here are just a few of the reasons we love it so much: it’s been shown to fight cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol, prevent diabetes and stroke and to fight infection. It’s tough to beat that!

Michael, “This blend is amazing. This maybe one of my favourites from Tea Desire.”

Aromatica’s Vanilla Honeybush

Description: Smooth aromatic vanilla caramel flavour. Delicious hot or as an iced tea.

Ingredients: Honeybush, natural vanilla flavour, vanilla bits.

Health Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

Jenny, “Mellow. Sweet. Gold.”

October’s Teas

Autumn always reminds me of coconuts, lavender and roses. Something about the cold northern air. OK, we are featuring one particularly fall-themed tea: Aromatica’s nut crunch rooibos, a green rooibos and green homeybush tea with apple pieces, raisins and hazelnut pieces. Ditch the pumpkin-spiced lattes and drink this tea to warm your nesting autumn soul. The rest of this month’s teas are just awesome. You lucky members get one of our absolute favourites: Tea Spot’s Coconut Milky Oolong, creamy, coconutty and delicious. The oolong leaves are actually hand-rolled above steaming milk so that they’re infused with the milkiness but still safe for lactose intolerant tea drinkers! Not to be downplayed by Milky Oolong’s big personality, Numi’s Organic White Rose is delicately floral and sweet. Finally, Bird Pick’s Tranquili-Tea (in our home, we like to pronounce it Tranquilité and we recommend you do the same) takes your sleep-inducing bagged chamomile tea and gives it a run for its money. This is one incredible cup of chamomile! So sit back, enjoy watching the falling leaves you will soon have to rake, and happy sipping.

Nut Crunch Rooibos

Description: This tea is deliciously divine. The green rooibos, fruit pieces and hazelnut crunch make this the perfect seasonal blend. With a dash of milk you have warm apple pie à la mode in a cup.

Ingredients: Green honeybush, green rooibos, apple pieces, raisins, flavor and hazelnut pieces.

Health Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

Jenny, “Rich and silky, this tea is deliciously divine.”

Coconut Milky Oolong

Description: One cannot forget this incomparable tea. Our Taiwanese Milky Oolong has a smooth yet fruity and creamy taste. It is blended with roasted coconut to create a delicate and calming experience. If you love sweet coconut, this is your tea! Discover this guiltless dessert for the holidays. Simply extraordinary.

Ingredients: A blend of Chinese Milk Oolongs and pure shaved coconut.

Health Benefits: This tea, known in China as ‘black dragon tea,’ boasts many health benefits such as maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, aiding in weight loss, maintaining healthy teeth and bones, as well as reducing stress and promoting healthy skin.

Jenny, “Rich and juicy, delicate and buttery dessert. A luscious joyful can’t put it down summer drink.”

Organic White Rose

Description: Our enchanted White Rose blends the smoothness of delicate, organic white tea with whole organic rose buds. This sweet and fragrant liaison is as provocative as it is healthy.

Ingredients: Fair trade certified organic white tea and organic rose.

Health Benefits: Because the white tea leaves are virtually undisturbed from their natural state when they are picked, they maintain a higher amount of antioxidants than their cousins, green and black teas. Some other interesting facts about white tea: it helps promote dental health as well as building a stronger immune system.

Darcy, “Light and lovely. I could drink this all day. So refreshing!”

Tranquili-Tea

Description: Tranquili-Tea is a harmony of lavender, chamomile and mint leaves that offers an herbal combination known to soothe and calm the body. Best consumed before bedtime, this tea has a delightfully melody of sweet floral flavors and minty undertones that truly appeases one’s senses.

Ingredients: Chamomile, Lavender and Mint.

Health Benefits: Chamomile throughout the ages has been regarded as a medicinal cure-all. It was considered a universal remedy by the ancient Egyptians, and the Romans and Greeks used chamomile flowers as a compress to apply to wounds to speed healing. It’s no wonder that modern medicine has been able to find so many additional health benefits to this flower as a tea. Here are but a few: chamomile tea boosts the immune system and fight infections associated with colds. It also helps relieve muscle spasms and menstrual cramps, relaxes the nerves, soothes the stomach, reduces inflammation, improves liver function, helps relieve back pain and rheumatism and is most well-known as a sleep aid.

Jenny, “The mint blended in adds such a twist. The lavender blends harmoniously too. Mellow, soothing, enjoyable; a definite yes for all chamomile lovers.”

September Teas 

September has come and with it the north blowing breeze has arrived to welcome us into fall. With that we are featuring our last iced tea of the season, Mighty Leaf’s Green Tea Tropical. Refreshing and crisp iced, and the most satisfying hot cup of tea all year round! We’re also introducing the newest approved blend from JusTea, African Chai. Uniquely spiced, this tea rethinks your traditional Indian masala chai. The soothing combination of sage and lavender makes this month’s rooibos tea, Earth, both a member favourite and one of my own. Tiesta Tea’s Nutty Almond Cream rounds off this month’s box. The sweet almonds with the apple cinnamon spice welcomes autumn into our homes. Enjoy this month’s selection.

JusTea’s African Chai

Description: African Chai is spiced with a unique blend that is sweet, floral, and liquorice-ey. Totally different from an Indian Masala Chai, this has been known to make chai devotees rethink how they drink their chai!

Ingredients: Kenyan black tea, Jamaican pepper, cloves, fennel, cinnamon, licorice, safflower, rose petals, ginger and black pepper.

Health Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Zeta, “The ginger fennel licorice combination is incredible. So alive, yum!”

Mighty Leaf’s Green Tea Tropical

Description: Smooth green tea leaves harmoniously blend with sweet tropical fruits to create a sensation as uplifting as a breeze off the isle of Papenoo. Antioxidant rich!

Ingredients: Green tea, natural tropical flavors, natural flavors, flower petals, pineapple bits.

Health Benefits: By now, the health benefits of green tea have been well-established. Here are just a few of the reasons we love it so much: it’s been shown to fight cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol, prevent diabetes and stroke and to fight infection. It’s tough to beat that!

Michael, “The green tea taste comes through so distinctly. The other blended ingredients are so subtle it does not take away from the tea.”

Tree of Life Tea’s Earth

Description: The soothing combination of sage, lavender and a touch of bergamot in the caffeine free based Rooibos Earth Blend makes for the perfect cup of relaxing stress reducing tea. Find peace.

Ingredients: Organic Rooibos, Organic Lavender, Organic Sage, Organic Purple Carrot and Bergamot.

Health Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

Zeta, “Wow, the Lavender is absolutely perfect.”

Tiesta Tea’s Nutty Almond Cream

Description: Sweet almond with apple and cinnamon provide a nutty finish to the soothing blend. The unique nuttiness is unobtainable anywhere else.

Ingredients: Apple pieces, crushed almonds, cinnamon pieces, beetroot pieces.

Health Benefits: The phrase “herbal tea” or “tisanes” usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant. Regarding their benefits, apart from being the perfect refreshment on hot summer days, they are also packed with vitamin C. So it’s a great way to get your vitamin C without having to eat all the sugars that come with whole fruits.

Jordan, “What? The most beautiful rhubarb pie dessert tea. Decadent with a splash of cream.”

 

August  Tea Box 

We began experimenting with cold brew tea since one of our members, Angie, dropped us a line on how she loves to make iced tea. Her concept is very simple. Submerge 1 tablespoon of tea in 10oz of cold water and place it in the fridge for a minimum of 8 hours. Strain out the leaves and serve. You can leave the tea leaves in for up to 24 hours and it never gets bitter or tart. This is great timing as we are featuring Silver Service’s Quince Green, one of the best iced teas I have ever had. We also have JusTea’s Mount Kenya Estate. Its fresh, malty smooth taste makes it perfect for ice. Mighty Leaf’s Chamomile Citrus is awesome cold brewed and we also love this tea hot! The Tea Spot’s Red Rocks returns as our classic summer time tea. We hope you enjoy this month’s teas!

Michael Menashy

Tea Sparrow Family

JusTea’s Mount Kenya Estate

Description: A sip of our Kenya black tea transports you to the lush, rolling green hills of Mount Kenya. This tea is fresh, malty, and smooth, but packs a serious hit of flavor. Sweet and complex on its own but equally superb with a splash of milk and honey to start the day off right!

Ingredients: Mount Kenyan Black Tea

Health Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Michael, “Bright, tart and rich. A perfect Kenyan black.”

Silver Service’s Quince Green

Description: This is one of our top rated iced green teas. A whole leaf sencha green tea that’s decorated with cornflower and mallow flower, and is flavored with quince fruit. Wonderfully refreshing!

Ingredients: Sencha, cornflowers, mallow flower and quince fruit.

Health Benefits: By now, the health benefits of green tea have been well-established. Here are just a few of the reasons we love it so much: it’s been shown to fight cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol, prevent diabetes and stroke and to fight infection. It’s tough to beat that!

Zeta, “That was one of the best iced teas I have ever had.”

Might Leaf’s Chamomile Citrus

Description: Chamomile Citrus is a refreshing infusion perfected to curl up with and savour by the sip. Made with soothing Egyptian chamomile flowers and subtle slices of citrus fruit, this vibrant blend will rejuvenate the spirit. From intoxicating aroma to sweet flavour, this Mighty Leaf signature blend with Chamomile, fruits and herbs reflects our vision of the artisan tea experience.

Ingredients: Orange peels, chamomile flowers, rosehip peels, lemongrass, lemon myrtle, hibiscus, spearmint, natural flavors, orange petals.

Health Benefits: Chamomile throughout the ages has been regarded as a medicinal cure-all. It was considered a universal remedy by the ancient Egyptians, and the Romans and Greeks used chamomile flowers as a compress to apply to wounds to speed healing. It’s no wonder that modern medicine has been able to find so many additional health benefits to this flower as a tea. Here are but a few: chamomile tea boosts the immune system and fight infections associated with colds. It also helps relieve muscle spasms and menstrual cramps, relaxes the nerves, soothes the stomach, reduces inflammation, improves liver function, helps relieve back pain and rheumatism and is most well-known as a sleep aid.

Michael, “The chamomile is calming but the citrus revives the senses. Absolutely beautiful.”

The Tea Spot’s Red Rocks

Description: Our blend of naturally caffeine–free South African red rooibos, vanilla, and almond bits is an herbal delight! Rooibos is full of antioxidants and healthy minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and fluoride. It has a wonderfully smooth flavor, and is a great cold buster as well as thirst quencher. It brews into a dark red liquor and has a naturally sweet, earthy scent, reminiscent of pipe–tobacco. You cannot over–steep this tea (the longer the better!) and it is fantastic by itself, or with cream and a bit of sweetener.

Ingredients: South African rooibos, vanilla, chopped almonds

Health Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

sommeliers sample and score the teas for look, region, aroma and of course, taste. We take pride in delivering a variety of world-class blends to your door every month – we feel we deserve it, and so do you!

July’s Teas

This month’s box is a pretty special one for us, as Ariella and I got married just 5 days ago. It was hands-down the most joyous and festive day of our lives as we celebrated with family, friends and Rishi’s Iced Blueberry Rooibos and Earl Grey Supreme. To commemorate this special event, this month we feature Tea Spot’s White Wedding Tea. It’s one of our favourites and it seemed like an appropriate choice. J We finish off the box with Mighty Leaf’s Lychee Tea, sweet and smoky; Joy’s Teaspoon’s Lemon Zest, creamy and rich; and Tiesta’s Citrus Sunburst, lively and fun. Which describes my wife perfectly in a nutshell! Enjoy your teas and happy summer.

Michael Menashy, Tea Sparrow Family

White Wedding Tea

Description: White Wedding Tea is a celebration of fresh white tea leaves & caramel notes of roasted chestnut. A sweet bouquet & tiny white flowers adorn this full leaf white tea. These Bai Yun tea leaves impart a great body & flavor which lasts over multiple infusions.

Ingredients: White tea, jasmine flowers and roasted chestnut flavoring.

Health Benefits: Because the white tea leaves are virtually undisturbed from their natural state when they are picked, they maintain a higher amount of antioxidants than their cousins, green and black teas. Some other interesting facts about white tea: it helps promote dental health as well as building a stronger immune system.

Jenny, “Rich chestnut, autumn heaven sunshine. It’s a marriage of caramel and bliss.”

Citrus Sunburst

Description: Its glow is similar to the setting sun over an island paradise. Burning with colors of deep orange, thick reds and bright yellows. Feel like your feet are in the sand and the beach island wind is in your hair.

Ingredients: Papaya cubes, mango bits, apple pieces, hibiscus blossoms, orange slices, pomegranate arils, and safflowers.

Health Benefits: The phrase “herbal tea” or “tisanes” usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant. Regarding their benefits, apart from being the perfect refreshment on hot summer days, they are also packed with vitamin C. So it’s a great way to get your vitamin C without having to eat all the sugars that come with whole fruits.

Darcy, “The perfect balance of citrus and hibiscus. Fruity, fun and bright.”

Lychee Tea

Description: Lychee black tea from China is scented with exotic lychee fruit that yields a full-bodied, sweet and slightly fruity cup. The unique perfumed flavour of the lychee fruit paired with fine China black tea results in a distinct uplifting taste.

Ingredients: Black Tea and Lychee Fruit

Health Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Michael, “The perfect cup of black tea! The Lychee lightly sweetens this slightly smoky black tea. Love it!”

Lemon Zest

Description: Now we realize that many people add a bit of lemon to their tea, but with Lemon Zest, hold the wedge! This tea boasts a creamy, lemon flavor sure to satisfy both your hot and iced tea needs! Naturally caffeine free.

Ingredients: Rooibos, honeybush, lemon bits, flavoring, cornflower blossoms.

Health Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

Michael, “Hands down the best lemon tea I’ve tried.”

June’s Teas

Iced Tea season is here! All summer, Tea Sparrow will be sending you teas that are great hot, but especially delicious iced. Here are some quick instructions on two different ways to make iced tea. The quick way: After you’ve brewed your tea, add sweetener if desired. Allow tea to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Fill a tall glass with ice and slowly pour tea over ice. Continue to add ice until the cubes maintain their shape without melting and fill the glass.

Alternatively, if you have time: Brew the tea hot as normal and then leave it covered in the fridge overnight. Check out our inserts and blog all summer long for cocktail recipes to try!

Michael Menashy, Tea Sparrow Family.

Buddha Bamboo

Description: The taste of currant-strawberry-vanilla. A new favorite with the Tea Sparrow family.

Ingredients: Bamboo leaves, pineapple bits, lemongrass, black currant leaves, flavour, marigold blossoms, mallow blossoms, red currants, strawberry slices.

Health Benefits: Researches shows that, bamboo leaves contain many effective ingredients such as flavone, phenolic acid, anthracene quinone, lactone, amylose, amino acid and trace elements, which have effects on anti-free-radicals, anti-oxidation, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, and anti-cancer, preventing cardio-cerebro-vascular diseases, protecting the liver, widening capillary vessels, smoothing micro-circulation, vitalizing the brain, improving memory and sleep, and improving the texture of skin. Top that!

Michael, “An alchemist’s blend. Pure genius. The strawberry pieces put the perfect finishing touch to this tea.”

Flap Jack Oolong

Description: Remember that excitement of waking up to fresh-made pancakes smothered in maple syrup? Bring back that childlike enjoyment with a nostalgic maple aroma of full-flavored oolong leaves, blended with fresh picked walnuts straight from California.

Ingredients: Oolong tea, walnut pieces and maple syrup.

Health Benefits: This tea, known in China as ‘black dragon tea,’ boasts many health benefits such as maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, aiding in weight loss, maintaining healthy teeth and bones, as well as reducing stress and promoting healthy skin.

Zeta, “It’s the perfect match to a strong oolong. Mmm…love it.”

Mandarin Rose Tea

Description: Mandarin Rose boasts a garden of aromatic, candy-pink petals and rich black China tea leaves that result in a delicate wine essence with hints of chocolate and rose. This exotic Mighty Leaf signature blend offers a fragrant and visually memorable experience.

Ingredients: Black Tea, Longan Fruit and Rose Petals.

Health Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Darcy, “The rose comes through perfect. A heavenly iced tea.”

Thai Chai

Description: The organic rooibos is beautifully spiced with whole ingredients to make sweet spicy uplifting cup of chai.

Ingredients: Organic Rooibos, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, red peppercorns, vanilla bits and cornflower blossoms.

Health Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

Darcy, “I’m not sure what makes this Thai, but it’s really amazing chai.”

May’s Tea Box 

This month we celebrate Moms and the coming of Spring! Here are some fun ideas to spoil your mom, or maybe just yourself. J We are featuring a new blender Bissell, with their Passion Peach tea. This tea is easily the highest scored peach tea we have ever tried with its distinct taste of passion fruit and peach. Brew the tea and allow it to cool, pour over a tall glass of ice and you have the best ice tea ever! Red Rose Rooibos from Tiesta Teas was a hit the first time we featured it 19 months ago. Since then, they have re-blended it to incorporate fruity hints and a floral finish. Hot, iced or mixed with white rum and mint, this tea is the perfect accessory to your patio furniture. Aromatica Teas is featured this month with Treasures of Japan, blending five elite Japanese green teas. Check out Aromatica on Facebook for some delicious ideas for drinking or baking. Sonnentor’s Spring Kiss, with mint, licorice and gentle touch of lemon is a celebration of Spring. Its crisp refreshing taste is soothing on a rainy day or refreshing iced for these increasing sunny days.

Bissell’s Peach Passion

Description: Our premier whole leaf china black tea offers the wonderful flavours and distinct aroma of passion fruit and peach. Not only is this blend visually pleasing, its clean finish and natural balance allows the flavours to rise to the forefront of each sip.

Ingredients: Black tea, peach pieces and natural flavours.

Heath Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Michael, “This is the best peach blend tea I have ever tasted. It’s also my number one favourite ice tea. The peach slices give such a rich natural fruity taste to the tea.”

Tiesta Tea’s Red Rose Rooibos

Description: The delectable South African rooibos is now infused with fruity hints and a floral finish. Control your allergy symptoms with this smooth blend.

Ingredients: Red rooibos, peach rooibos, linden blossoms, rose petals, orange bits, lemon bits, apple bits and hibiscus.

Heath Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

Jenny, “Astringent lemon smell but rooibos smooth. It’s a sweet balance with honey and pure alchemy with milk…yummmm.”

Sonnentor’s Spring Kiss

Description: Mint and licorice with a gentle touch of lemon. Lots of mild flavors balanced so you can taste them all.

Ingredients: Lemongrass, peppermint, raspberry leaf, cardamom, liquorice, cornflowers, roseflowers.

Heath Benefits: Lemongrass tea is known to aid in skin health, and to fight inflammation as well as cancer. It is also known for its detoxifying properties. Did you know that peppermint tea has been used medicinally for centuries? It is known to improve digestive health, reduce headaches, support menstrual health, lower fevers, and reduce inflammation.

Zeta, “Amazing balance between so many pleasant flavours mint liquorice lemon wonderful.”

Aromatica’s  Treasures of Japan

Description: This tea, which is a blend of five elite Japanese green teas, was traditionally served to honour guests.

Ingredients: Sencha, Bencha, GenMai, Cha, Kukicha, Gyokuru, strawberry pieces, red currents.

Heath Benefits: By now, the health benefits of green tea have been well-established. Here are just a few of the reasons we love it so much: it’s been shown to fight cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol, prevent diabetes and stroke and to fight infection. It’s tough to beat that!

Darcy, “I love this tea, rich in flavour without too much tannins. The flavour is complex and elegant, lasts on my tongue. Yummy!”

April’s Tea Box – 2014

This month we are sending you some seriously awesome teas with a special emphasis on properties that will help you get through allergy season. Our herbal blend is Aromatica’s Freedom Tea, a blend of both red and green rooibos. Rooibos is anti-inflammatory and can help reduce histamine release and the allergic response. Next, we have the perfect peppermint tea: Sonnentor’s Organic Peppermint. The benefits of peppermint extend well beyond its digestive properties; the essential oil acts as a decongestant, anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial. The green tea is my personal favourite for this month: Florapharm’s Milk Oolong. This is one of the tastiest milky oolongs I have ever tried! Oolong tea is great for skin allergies such as eczema  while boosting your immune system overall. Lastly, this month’s black tea is Aromatica’s Apeldoorn’s Blend. Great for preventing allergies? No. But it is an incredible black tea and a fan favourite we have not featured for almost two years. Enjoy this month’s teas and let us know how well it aided in the fight.

Apeldoorn’s House Blend

Description: A perfect mellow and comforting black tea. Great for the morning or afternoon.

Ingredients: 2nd flush Assam black tea, ginger pieces, vanilla bean, and cinnamon.

Health Benefits: Most people don’t realize black tea comes with many of the similar health benefits as green tea, including reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, among many others. As well, black tea is said to increase energy, aid in digestive health and to promote healthy skin and hair. Black tea’s tannins are also great immunity-boosters.

Zeta, “Wow, a lovely surprise. A dessert, vanilla custard, apple spice black tea.”

 Freedom Tea

Description: Intense lemon taste in a caffeine free, high antioxidant base. What could be better? Only one thing: proceeds from this tea are donated to International Justice Mission Canada to fight human trafficking internationally.

Ingredients: Green rooibos, red rooibos, lemon myrtle, lemon verbena, and lemongrass, with just a hint of vanilla.

Health Benefits: This incredibly flavoured caffeine-free tea is growing quickly in popularity but did you know that it also contains high amounts of antioxidants? Although the antioxidants found in rooibos tea are different from those in green tea, they are still known to fight off free radicals in the body. Rooibos tea is also known to fight off cardiovascular disease, liver disease and lower blood pressure.

Michael, “Nice variety of lemon used. Very relaxing yet invigorating blend. Make a great ice tea as well.”

Milk Oolong

Description: When the temperature changes close to harvest time these leaves are picked. As we roll the leaves after we steam them over milk.

Ingredients: Fine hand-processed Formosa Oolong

Health Benefits: This tea, known in China as ‘black dragon tea,’ boasts many health benefits such as maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, aiding in weight loss, maintaining healthy teeth and bones, as well as reducing stress and promoting healthy skin.

Jenny, “Wonderful and smooth. Pure heavenly tea of paradise. Marzipan rich, yet so light!”

Organic Peppermint

Description: The perfect peppermint tea!

Ingredients: Organic Peppermint

Health Benefits: Did you know that peppermint tea has been used medicinally for centuries? It is known to improve digestive health, reduce headaches, support menstrual health, lower fevers, and reduce inflammation.

Darcy, “Big beautiful dried leaves, mild crisp flavour. Delightful!”