Join me for a good cuppa - Very Craftea Tea Review

One of the reasons why I enjoy a good cup of tea is the sheer variety available. There's a brew to suit any palate, with a little exploring of the options - which is where Very Craftea's sample bags come in!

I've recently tried four of their teas, so take a break yourself, and find out about them with me.

I found Very Craftea while taking part in Joanne Hawker's #MarchMeetTheMaker on instagram, and instantly fell in love with the teas, and the business concept. Tas is the founder, and her aim is to sell tea and craft kits, so you can take time out, or sit with a friend and spend time together. She is nailing the tea, offering a great range, while working with a single tea supplier who give 50% of their profits to help educational development in and around the tea growing region of Darjeeling.

Thinking about collaboration over competition, I asked Tas if she fancied a creative swap, which saw her gain a teapot necklace, and me four sample bags of tea to try out. Here's what I thought!

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First Impressions

Before tasting notes, an aside that Very Craftea's sample bags are well thought through. It can be a gamble leaping in on a new food or drink, perhaps finding it's not to your taste. Each bag comes with instructions about brewing, and allows you to make roughly three cups, which is nifty to work out your preference of strength, or any extras you may want to dribble in.

It's well worth checking the notes for each tea on the website too, such as Blood Orange being good with Vodka, or Oolong being suitable to resteep multiple times.

Divine Elixir

I was delighted by the complex combination of scents before the water went on, and while brewing it filled the kitchen with a peachy fruit base, with almost "outdoorsy" notes around it.

A gentle tea taste combines with the fruit for a delicate but deeply satisfying drink. The kind of tea you sip, reflexively pause, and say "ahh", feeling genuinely refreshed. This is one I've ordered a full bag of, and plan to relish every cup.

Choco Mint Rooibos

Having tried a couple of chocolate teas, I've found few that balance the tastes to my liking, some tasting thin and unsatisfying.  Instantly this smelt like I'd hoped, and while brewing it I felt hungry!

The peppermint gives a great lift to the deeper chocolate, and you know that you're drinking a well bodied tea, rather than a limp hot chocolate.  It's not trying to kid you, just provide an excellent punch of flavours combined together.

Earl Grey with Orange Blossom

Earl Grey is my go to, my staple, and I am always interested in trying a variant. (There are currently three versions in the house!)

The orange blossom intrigued me, but I couldn't pick up more of an orange leaning or floral fragrance in the tea than I'd usually expect. Otherwise, a good solid cup of Earl Grey, with the usual little citrus pick me up. 

​Blood Orange

Spoilers, I've ordered a bag of this! My husband is a fan of blood orange, which has a distinctive flavour, and this tisane matches it brilliantly.

This tea delivers layers of flavour, a rich orange which warms you, and a tartness which makes it blood orange. There's no unpleasant bitterness which some fruit teas can come with. I feel this will be a great all year round tea, hot or cold.

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I'm now awaiting my order of three different full sized bags (mmm, Coffee Truffle?...) having been either satisfied, or full on delighted with each of these teas.  Very Craftea provides top notch, socially responsible tea, while embracing eco friendly decisions - I utterly reccommend you check out their teas, and see what Tas's notes for them inspire you to create!

​Which of these four would you like to try?

www.verycraftea.co.uk