Confessions of a tea addict - Bluebird Tea Co | Review
16:30
I said it before and I will say it again - I love tea. Especially when the weather is cold and rainy, I like nothing more than to put on my PJ's, light on a candle and curl in with a hot cuppa (OK, having a piece of cake would be a cherry on top). In the past few months, I was looking to discover new tea blends. The problem I find is that a lot of tea companies mainly carry simple blends like breakfast tea, peppermint and earl grey. There is nothing wrong with these cupboard staples and nation favourites but I was really looking for something more exciting, something I would look forward to trying. After a simple search I stumbled upon Bluebird Tea Co and oh boy, I think I found myself! They currently have 79 tea blends and 10 different matcha flavours (counted on 08.02.2017)! What other company has such diverse range? And more important, the tea is made from quality ingredients so none of that paper bag-dust-nonsense!
Every time you open a bag you get a chance to truly appreciate the beauty of the blend. Every leaf, fruit, herb. It is like a work of art! It is easy to become mesmerised with the content, however, the best is still to come. I prefer to brew my tea in Qunona tea strainer set because I find very little tea (if any) manages to escape the strainer. The smell which comes from brewing tea is simply incredible and the taste is very full and rich.
Please note, not all of the teas available from Bluebird Tea Co are vegan and gluten-free, however, they have a helpful allergens page.
As you can probably guess the high-quality tea comes at a higher price than the usual supermarket counterparts, however, if you like your tea these expenses are truly worth it. Loose tea comes in 20g sample bags (£3.00-3.50), 50g (£4.75-8.45), 150g tin (£14.25-25.35) and 150g refill (£12.83-22.82). While the price range is quite big, the majority of tea blends sit at the lower end and only a few are very expensive. A limited number of blends also can be purchased in tea bags. A monthly subscription service is available for £9.95 (including P&P) for which you get 3 20g pouches and a measuring spoon with your first box. Matcha can be purchased for £15-20 per 30g tin or 5 5g mini pots for £15. The website sometimes have a selection of tea blends at a discounted price and on Boxing day they have a sale of up to 70%!
My first purchase was buying Pick'n'Mix of 10 sample bags for £25 (so £2.50 per bag). Some of these samples were given away as Christmas presents (I was told the tea was thoroughly enjoyed). There is also a similar option for 5 samples (£13.75) and a pre-made selection of different "experiences" (such as British selection).
Below will be my photographs of the teas I have tried from Bluebird Tea Co. This list is not exhaustive and will be updated accordingly!
Nearly Nirvana
This tea won Great Taste 2013 and I can totally see (and taste) why! It features some of my favourite tastes - jasmine, orange and mint. This blend smells heavenly and has a very soft taste. It will send you into a complete nirvana until you are done with your cup. I like to add one spoon of sugar to it.
Ingredients: Chinese white tea, Chinese green tea, jasmine blossoms, spearmint, orange blossom
Vicky's Sponge Cake
This tea blend was inspired by Victoria Sponge cake and I have to admit it is very true to its name. It has a strong raspberry flavour and a delicate sweetness of coconut and vanilla to balance it. Drink it with or without cake but it is fantastic after a meal when you are craving for something sweet.
Ingredients: Ceylon black tea, coconut, strawberry granules, freeze dried raspberries, raspberry leaves
Watermelon Splash
Have you ever had watermelon tea? Well, now you should! This is a delicious fruity blend of green and white tea with interesting citrus and berry twist. This tea is just summer in a cup, very refreshing and playful. While I did not think it tastes 100% like watermelon, I still found tea is incredible. I will have to wait until summer to try this one as ice tea.
Earl's Paradise
Oh yes, the all-time favourite earl grey with a lovely addition of jasmine and papaya. What more can you desire for? Can you see the trend why I love Bluebird Tea Co - they use amazing ingredients and give a fantastic makeover. I love the extra hint of berry fruitiness that was added to the classic. A paradise of flavour indeed. I love Earl Grey and currently, I have about 5 different blends at home, this one is my favourite!
Ingredients: Ceylon black tea, papaya, strawberry, lime, jasmine, bergamot, flavouring
Fruit Salad
As a kid, I enjoyed fruit tea for its sweetness however as I grew up the strong flavouring and synthetic aftertaste found in conventional supermarket brands has turned me away from fruit teas. I am so glad I have finally found a truly delicious fruit tea which tastes exactly like fruit. It has a great sweet and sour balance, reminding me of a fruit sorbet. Inspired my childhood chewy sweets this tea is definitely a much healthier option since it is not packed with sugar, however, the taste is no inferior. Just like watermelon splash, I wonder if it makes a great ice tea for the summer.
Ingredients: Apple pieces, hibiscus, rosehip, freeze-dried raspberry, elderberries, pineapple pieces, lemongrass, orange flowers, orange peel, papaya cubes, strawberry pieces, flavour.
The summary
The good: A cup of tea like you have never tried before
The bad: Not all blends are vegan
The notable: The range is so varied even the pickiest tea lover will find something for their taste
Disclaimer - products are bought by me with my own money. Please check the official website for up to date information regarding every product. All information presented in this article is the opinion of the author and cannot be taken as a fact.
Agave Bun x
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