Tea Time in February 2025 Box
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Come along on a flavorful exploration with our latest subscription box. This month, we offer three teas and four pastries, each combination selected to bring you a taste of something new.
Our Origins choice is Sơn La Wild Tree Raw Pu’erh from Vietnam, complemented by a sweet Hazelnut Chocolate from Japan and a hearty Sweet Potato Bar from South Korea.
Next, our Fruity or Floral pick, Banana Bread & Coffee Pu’erh from the USA, pairs perfectly with playful Banana & Marshmallow Chocolate Pie Cookies from Vietnam and rich Coffee Butter Cookies from China.
Finally, our Explorer tea, Vedic Rooibos, was mixed in the USA and should help you expand your palate. We hope you savor every sip and bite. Happy tasting!
Follow our My Tea Time blog series to explore your monthly tea experiences. Without further ado, let's start our January tea experience!
Table of Content
Travel to Vietnam with us and Make Your Own Tea
Origins
Discover the vibrant world of Vietnam’s Raw Pu’erh tradition with our Sơn La Wild Tree Raw Pu’erh . Grown at an elevation of 1400 meters in the lush, ancient tree gardens of Tà Xùa, this tea is crafted by members of the H’Mông ethnic group in Bản Bẹ village. Traditionally known for producing wok-roasted green tea, these skilled tea artisans have ventured into making Raw Pu’erh, resulting in a uniquely bright and fragrant cup.
Tea Name: Sơn La Wild Tree Raw Pu’erh – Vietnam
Teamaker: H’Mông Tea Farmers, Bản Bẹ village, Tà Xùa, Sơn La
Origin: Bắc Yên district, Sơn La province, Vietnam
Elevation: 1400 meters, providing a mild climate and mineral-rich soil
Cultivation: Carefully handpicked from ancient Camellia sinensis var. assamica trees; 1 bud with 2-3 leaves for optimal taste
Harvest Date: 2024
Flavor Profile: This Pu’erh infuses into a gold-green liquor with delicate floral, fruity, and honey-sweet notes, finished by a hint of citrus. Expect medium bitterness, balanced astringency, and a pleasant minerality that leaves a refreshing huigan and focused qi.
Brewing Instructions:
- Gong Fu Style: Use 5-6 grams of tea per 100 ml of water. Rinse the leaves briefly and steep at 195°F (90°C) for 20-30 seconds, adjusting time and temperature to your taste. Enjoy multiple infusions as the flavor evolves.
- Western Style: Use 1 teaspoon of tea per 8 oz (about 240 ml) of water at 200°F (93°C). Steep for 2-3 minutes, then adjust brew time and temperature to personal preference.
Tea Aroma and Taste
Our Sơn La Wild Tree Raw Pu’erh offers a bright, floral fragrance underscored by subtle citrus notes and a delicate honey sweetness. Infused, it reveals a gold-green liquor with medium bitterness and light astringency, balanced by a pleasant minerality. A gentle orchard-fruit sweetness lingers on the palate, complemented by a focused qi and a refreshing huigan that stays with you long after the last sip.
- Appearance: The dried leaves showcase varying shades of green, with silvery buds and slightly twisted leaf sets, reflecting their origin from ancient tea trees.
- Smell: Once steeped, the tea exudes a gentle floral and fruity aroma, supported by honeyed undertones and a mild hint of citrus freshness.
- Taste: Expect a lively and nuanced flavor that begins with floral, fruity, and honey-sweet notes, developing into a smooth yet mildly bitter profile. The satisfying minerality and lingering sweetness round out the experience, inviting multiple infusions.
Pastry Pairings
Pairing our Sơn La Wild Tree Raw Pu’erh with distinctive treats from Japan and South Korea creates a balanced and memorable tasting experience, highlighting both the tea’s floral, fruity notes and its honey-sweet, subtly bitter undertones.
Hazelnut Chocolate – Japan
Indulge in the creamy richness of hazelnut-infused chocolate, known for its smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture and delicate nuttiness. This sweet yet lightly toasty profile balances the tea’s medium bitterness and citrusy brightness, letting each sip bring out deeper honeyed and fruity layers in the Pu’erh. The result is a harmonious interplay of velvety chocolate, warm hazelnut, and the tea’s lingering sweetness, elevating both elements with every bite and sip.
Sweet Potato Bar – South Korea
Roasted and dried to concentrate its natural sweetness, this sweet potato bar offers a gentle earthiness and a soft, chewy texture. When enjoyed alongside the Raw Pu’erh, it highlights the tea’s refreshing astringency and floral notes, providing a mellow counterpoint to its hint of citrus. The mild starchiness of the sweet potato complements the tea’s minerality, making each nibble and sip a comforting, well-rounded pairing that lingers pleasantly on the palate.
Palate Cleanser (for taste testing): Saltine crackers are provided in our tea box to cleanse your palate, whether you're experiencing spicy, bitter, or sweet flavors.
( Read more about Tea J Tea’s recommended way of tasting: Sip-Bite-Sip )
Fruity or Floral
Indulge in the warm, comforting notes of gooey banana bread alongside the robust essence of freshly brewed coffee. This energizing Pu’erh blend, complemented by cinnamon, red rooibos, and natural flavors, is perfect for fueling both body and mind. The result is a dessert-like fusion that supports longevity and even helps break down a heavier meal. Enjoy this decadent tea with a spoonful of honey and a dash of cream for an extra treat.
Tea Name: Banana Bread & Coffee Pu’erh
Processing: A blend of Pu’erh tea, roasted flavored coffee, cinnamon, freeze-dried banana, red rooibos, natural flavors, and calendula
Year: 2024
Caffeine Content: High
Brewing Instructions: For a comforting cup, use one teaspoon of tea per 8 ounces (240 ml) of water at 212°F (100°C). Steep for 3–5 minutes and savor the dessert-like flavors. Feel free to add honey or cream to enhance the sweet, indulgent notes.
Tea Aroma and Taste
Banana Bread & Coffee Pu’erh combines the soft sweetness of fresh banana with the rich, earthy notes of Pu’erh and roasted coffee. This fusion delivers a dessert-like fragrance reminiscent of warm, freshly baked banana bread. The taste reveals layers of cozy cinnamon, smooth coffee, and a gentle hint of fruit, making for a decadent yet comforting sip.
Appearance:
The infusion presents a deep, amber-brown hue characteristic of Pu’erh, lightly accentuated by the reddish tones of rooibos and flecks of calendula petals.
Smell:
A warm, inviting aroma dominated by roasted coffee notes, cinnamon spice, and the subtle sweetness of bananas—just like enjoying a fresh slice of banana bread.
Tasting Notes:
Indulgent coffee flavors intertwined with banana sweetness and a gentle touch of cinnamon spice. The Pu’erh’s earthy undertones provide a sturdy base, while the rooibos add a smooth sweetness. The result is a full-bodied, comforting brew reminiscent of a hearty breakfast treat and a warm dessert.
Pastry Pairings
Enhance your Banana Bread & Coffee Pu’erh with Banana & Marshmallow Chocolate Pie Cookies from Vietnam or Coffee Butter Cookies from China for a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The sweet and creamy notes of these pastries perfectly complement the robust, dessert-like profile of the tea, creating a harmonious and indulgent tasting experience.
Banana & Marshmallow Chocolate Pie Cookies - Vietnam
These playful treats feature soft banana-flavored cookie layers filled with fluffy marshmallows and enrobed in a delicate chocolate coating. The mellow sweetness and subtle banana undertones accentuate the cozy notes in the Banana Bread & Coffee Pu’erh, making each bite and sip feel like a warm, comforting dessert.
Coffee Butter Cookies - China
Delight in these crisp, buttery cookies infused with aromatic coffee flavor. Their rich, slightly sweet taste pairs seamlessly with the tea's earthy Pu’erh and coffee undertones. The gentle crunch of the cookie provides a satisfying contrast, elevating the tea’s warm cinnamon and fruity banana notes for a well-rounded, flavorful pairing.
We travel to Vietnam to pick the Finest artisan teas.
Explorer
Try Something New
Discover the unique flavors of our Explorer tea, Vedic Rooibos , a robust and deliciously spiced chai blend. Crafted with premium Rooibos, Ashwagandha, black pepper, cinnamon chips, cloves, lemongrass, ginger root, green cardamom, and natural flavoring, this full-bodied infusion captures the warmth and exotic allure of the East—no passport required. Perfect for those looking to expand their tea horizons, this caffeine-free blend balances bold spices and gentle herbal notes, offering a comforting experience any time of day.
Tea Name: Vedic Rooibos
Processing: A meticulous blend of Rooibos, Ashwagandha, black pepper, cinnamon chips, cloves, lemongrass, ginger root, green cardamom, and natural flavoring, artfully combined in California to deliver a well-rounded, spicy infusion.
Year: 2024
Caffeine Content: Naturally caffeine free
Brewing Instructions: For the perfect cup of Vedic Rooibos, use 1 teaspoon of tea for every 8 ounces (240 ml) of water. Heat the water to 212°F (100°C) and steep for 5 minutes to unlock its full, aromatic flavors. This chai blend is best enjoyed hot—add a spoonful of honey or a splash of cream to enhance its comforting warmth. You can also try a second infusion for a milder yet still captivating taste.
Tea Aroma and Taste
Discover the warm and inviting character of our Vedic Rooibos , a caffeine-free blend that beautifully marries the robust flavors of black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, ginger root, and green cardamom with the gentle sweetness of rooibos and ashwagandha. Lemongrass adds a refreshing, citrusy note to round out the profile, resulting in a full-bodied and comforting infusion.
Appearance:
The brew showcases a vibrant, deep amber-red liquor, characteristic of rooibos. Specks of spices, such as cinnamon chips and cloves, are visibly suspended, adding an enticing visual depth to each cup.
Smell:
Aromatic and warming, the blend exudes a soothing, spicy fragrance with earthy undertones from ashwagandha and a bright hint of lemongrass. This inviting bouquet promises a comforting tea experience.
Tasting Notes:
Enjoy a harmonious medley of spice and sweetness—cinnamon and ginger lend a cozy warmth, balanced by the subtle sweetness of rooibos and ashwagandha. Each sip concludes with a light, citrusy lift from lemongrass, leaving the palate both satisfied and refreshed.
Are you interested in previous Subscription Boxes from other months? Check out our last month’s box ( January 2025 — Tea Time in A Box ) for more tea adventures!
