Enjoying Tea is a Company for Affordable Luxurious Teas, Tea Sets, and Tea Cups [Review & Giveaway]

I have long enjoyed a nice cup of tea to relax with or to simply warm myself. Tea has been a staple in homes for centuries. There are many types of teas and from many countries.

My personal preferences are varied. I enjoy green tea and spicy Chai. Oolong and black teas are also wonderful. I enjoy my tea hot and I enjoy my tea ice cold. I'm a southerner and for my ice tea I prefer it strong, dark, and very sweet. While I can drink unsweetened tea - hot or cold, I do prefer to add some sugar.

After opening the shipping container, these were the lovely
boxes. Can't wait to open! More on tea!

Since I enjoy tea, the Enjoying Tea company is right on target as a good choice. Their selection is varied and suited for most any taste preference. They also carry a beautiful line of tea accessories - tea pots, tea sets, cups and mugs - there is a plethora of wonderful items.

Just look at all these wonderful choices of
tea I will get to enjoy & tell you about .....

I have the opportunity to review some of their teas and a beautifully crafted ceramic filtering tea mug. This is such a pleasurable opportunity. See this beautiful Ceramic Bird Filtering Tea Mug here.  "It comes with its own lid and a removable infuser that allows ample room for tea leaves to expand and provide full infusion of the leaves. There is a picture of cherry blossom flowers and birds on the body of the mug. Cherry blossom and bird symbolize beauty and peace."

This beautifully crafted and artistic filtering mug is just wonderful! Cherry blossom and bird symbolize beauty and peace.

Jasmine Dragon Pearl steeping
in filtering mug. More on their
lovely tea cup collections!

I began with the Jasmine Dragon Pearl (Imperial Long Chu) tea. "This green tea has a unique shape of a pearl and comes from the Chinese of Fujian. These hand rolled pearls consist of both leaves and bud. This tea has a sweet flavor with a flowery jasmine aroma." This is a very enjoyable green tea!

Jasmine Dragon Pearl brewed

Next, I brewed Vanilla Chai. Oh! This is an absolutely wonderful Chai. The spices are perfectly suited for my taste and the touch of vanilla is superb. "The Vanilla Chai is a top grade Indian tea. This delicious tea includes black tea, ginger, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, black pepper, calendula, and daisy. When brewed this full body tea produces a spicy and creamy vanilla flavor. Superb with milk and sugar.

Chai is so prevalent in India and Sri Lanka that it could be called the National drink. Chai is brewed with milk and a mixture of spices. Each recipe can be different depending upon the spices used. Indian spiced chai is often referred to as Masala Chai. The word chai literally means tea in Hindi. Our chai is mixed from real Indian spices and top grade Ceylon black tea. The quality of the tea elevates this chai to a new level."

Lovely Vanilla Chai. Just right! Most folks drink their Chai with
milk, but I enjoy it either way. Here it is shown sans-milk. 
(Note: teacup was gifted me and is from Vienna.)

Oolong tea is always a treat. This Organic Slimming Oolong is light and refreshing. "The slimming organic oolong tea comes from China. When brewed, this tea offers a smooth taste, nutty flavor, and a sweet lingering aftertaste. This tea is also great served chilled. Studies have shown that this tea has weight loss benefits."

Organic Slimming Oolong

Can you tell I'm enjoying tea time in my house? Next was the interesting Zhejiang Silver Needle. I'd never seen tea in this form before. Interesting! "This white tea with a white downy appearance comes from the province of Zhejiang. The Silver Needle, highest quality white tea, is picked during the spring before the buds open to preserve its tenderness. Exquisite and delicate, Silver Needle has a fresh, sweet fragrance and produces a pale yellow brew."

Zhejiang Silver Needle - Lovely white tea and absolutely delectable. 
(Note: teacup was gifted me by a granddaughter 
and is shaped to see a loving heart.)

As you might have guessed, I'm taking several days to sample these teas and brew them in some of my favorite tea cups. Today's tea is English Breakfast Black Tea. This is tea in a traditional, tried and true form. "This is a classic blend of Sri Lanka Ceylon flowery pekoe (FP) black tea. Although usually served in the morning, it is the perfect refreshing and invigorating tea for any time of the day. When brewed the English Breakfast produces a bright, full bodied, and amber tea." I'm sitting here after dinner, and after cleaning the kitchen, and enjoying a lovely cup of this English Breakfast Black Tea.

This lovely amber tea is English Breakfast Black Tea &
is served in a delicate tea cup brought from England as a
gift to me by my son-in-law.

Ceramic Bird Filtering Tea Mug

I have been enjoying my tea in lovely tea cups of my own, but there are so many lovely tea cups on EnjoyingTea.com. If you love tea and if you love serving it in lovely tea cups (or with a full tea set with pot and cups), be sure you check them out!  NOTE: Ceramic Bird Filtering Tea Mug comes with its own lid and a removable infuser that allows ample room for tea leaves to expand and provide full infusion of the leaves. There is a picture of cherry blossom flowers and birds on the body of the mug. Cherry blossom and bird symbolize beauty and peace.

Delicate in taste and color, the
Dragon Well GreenTea (Lung Ching)
is served in a family heirloom.

Often I find green tea bitter and sometimes "fishy" tasting. I was pleasantly surprised by the  Dragon Well Green Tea, (Lung Ching). I enjoyed this green tea and found it light and aromatic. "This extraordinary green tea comes from the city of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province. The flat leaves are harvested in early spring when the leaves are full of aroma."

Served in a lovely glass mug that showcases
the beauty of this Earl Grey Black Tea.

Today I have enjoyed the Earl Grey Black Tea. "This tea is made from top grade orange pekoe Ceylon black tea scented with the elegant fragrance of bergamot. The Ceylon tea is grown at the altitude of 7000 feet above sea level from the Sri Lanka region. When brewed this tea produces a bright coppery color liquid with a piquant and refreshing taste." Earl Grey Black Tea is always in good taste to serve (pun definitely intended). Often, though, I find that the bergamot overshadows the tea which is a mistake. Tea should taste like the tea it is. Flavors and enhancements should take a quite backseat. The Enjoying Tea Earl Gray Black Tea is absolutely perfect. The color is beautiful. The taste of top quality black tea and not bitter. The flavor and fragrance of bergamot subtle and perfect.

Sencha, (Japanese Green Tea)

The last tea in the sampler is the Sencha, (Japanese Green Tea). "Sencha is a traditional Japanese steamed green tea with a soothing taste and fresh green scent that makes it a perfect everyday treat." I was careful to steep this green tea just three minutes and remove the leaves immediately. For this tea I felt it wise to use a tea infuser that I could easily lift out. I enjoy the health benefits of green tea and this Japanese Green Tea is lovely.

GIVEAWAY 

Ceramic Bird Filtering Tea Mug here &
Top Seller Tea Sampler
Begins July 28 & ENDS August 19 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. 
Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary tea sampler and filtering tea mug to facilitate this review by Enjoying Tea Inc.. Opinions are mine alone. I have not been compensated for this review. The giveaway prize will be provided and shipped to the winner by Enjoying Tea Inc.

"Hey Mama Teas" designed for the pregnant or nursing mother, but delicious for anyone! [Review & Giveaway]

Folks, you've got to hear this story and discover this product for yourself. Well, the story first straight from "Hey Mama"...

This is a short story line of why Hey Mama was created and what we were looking to achieve with the finished product.. 

During my wife Lisa's pregnancy of our one month old baby girl Nya, she realized that besides the herbal tea bags that she was drinking regularly, basically no beverages existed that were specifically formulated to suit the needs of pregnant and nursing mothers. So she sought out the finest ingredients and herbal blends to create an herbal tea experience in the convenience of a ready to drink brewed tea.

All of the herbal ingredients in each Hey Mama Tea were specifically added to provide a safe, distinct, and great tasting tasting herbal brew to provide support throughout three trimesters of pregnancy and while breastfeeding. 

This really caught my attention. You see, although I'm a Southern lady-of-a-certain-age and not of child-bearing age, I am a mother. My children are grown and have given me 13 grand children. I've seen pregnancy close-up-and-personal. Nursing babies has been priority, too. But so has thirst and a desire for something thirst-quenching and refreshing. And of course, something that won't harm that little one.

The Hey Mama Teas are simply good stuff. They are bottled in thick bottles (no risky plastic here!) that really help chill the tea. I have tried four of their varieties. So far my favorite is the peach tea but they are refreshing, light, and delicious. I will say, though, that the Nettle (or something) in the Lemon tea was simply not appealing to me. But the Peach (my favorite), the Raspberry, and Minty were so good and refreshing.

Organic. Kosher. Herbal. No Caffeine. Non GMO. Has Folic Acid. And it also tastes so good! So these will receive the Chat With Vera stamp of approval. I give Hey Mama Teas high marks for taste, convenience, and quality.

Product information (from Hey Mama) - "Hey Mama is set apart by its commitments to bringing joy to moms by providing safe and delicious ready to drink beverages suited to fit their needs. Hey Mama Teas are ready to drink, herbal teas specifically formulated for pregnant and nursing moms. We used the safest, highest quality and best tasting ingredients to provide support during and after pregnancy. Hey Mama Teas are naturally caffeine free, USDA Organic, Non Gmo, Kosher and contain 100% of RDA of Folic Acid.

Organic herbs such as..

• Red Raspberry Leaf-The tannins in raspberry leaf give it astringent properties which make it soothing both internally and externally. It is naturally high in magnesium, potassium, iron and b-vitamins which make it helpful for nausea, leg cramps, and improving sleep during pregnancy. The specific combination of nutrients in Raspberry Leaf makes it extremely beneficial for the female reproductive system. 
• Nettle-The list of vitamins and minerals in Stinging Nettles nearly includes every one known to be necessary for human health and growth. Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur are particularly abundant in Nettles leaves. Nettles are a very high source of digestible iron. 
• Peppermint- Peppermint can help calm your stomach muscles, which can help relieve flatulence, nausea and vomiting that can occur during early pregnancy. Peppermint-herb is an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium. The mint herb contains no cholesterol; however, it is rich in essential oils, vitamins and dietary fiber, which helps to control blood cholesterol and blood pressure inside the human body.
• Ginger- As if easing morning sickness didn't make ginger attractive enough, you'll also get small amounts of key nutrients when you consume fresh ginger. Ginger supplies iron for proper blood formation, vitamin C to help support the formation of your baby's immune system and folic acid, which helps prevent birth defects. composes many essential nutrients and vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5) that are required for optimum health.
• Fenugreek- Fenugreek can increase a woman's breast milk supply because it acts as a galactagogue, a substance for increasing milk supply.
• Fennel- Fennel seeds contain anethole, which is considered a phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens mimic the properties of the hormone estrogen, which is normally involved in the growth of the mammary glands and increased secretion of milk in women.  Fennel is also an excellent sources of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc, manganese, and magnesium. 
• Chamomile- Most people turn to chamomile tea for its nerve-soothing and sedative qualities. 
• Oat Straw- Oatstraw is one of the best remedies for “feeding” the nervous system. It is useful for exhaustion and depression; it strengthens the whole nervous system, making it a preventative and protective herb to enhance your ability to cope with stress. While being stimulating and energy-giving, they are also relaxing and an aid to sleep. Oats is also a uterine tonic, and works on strengthening the thyroid and balancing hormone production. Oatstraw contains protein (gluten), saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroidal compounds, vitamins B1, B2, D, E, carotene, starch and fat. It also contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron and trace elements like silicon and potassium.
• Blessed Thistle- Blessed thistle is believed to be a galactagogue, taken to help make more breast milk. It is an excellent herbal source of potassium and sodium.
• Naturally Caffeine Free Red Rooibos Tea- Rooibos tea appears to contain large amounts of polyphenols and other antioxidants that appear to protect your body’s cells from oxidative stress from free radicals. Rooibos benefits include positive things to do with our stomachs, including improving digestion, relieves nausea and vomiting, and prevents constipation. During pregnancy, the woman’s body produces more blood to supplement for both the baby and the mother. The body needs more iron, folate, and vitamin B12 for blood cell production. If the supply of these is not enough, then anemia might develop. Iron with folic supplements is usually prescribed by the doctor to prevent anemia and congenital defects. Tannins, chemicals which are found in teas, are responsible for its antioxidant properties. This same chemical is also responsible for the decrease in iron absorption by the body. Apparently, rooibos does not contain tannin and therefore, does not hinder the absorption of iron.

Where can you find Hey Mama Tea? Currently sold on http://myheymama.com/ and on http://www.amazon.com/Hey-Mama-Teas in addition to numerous New York City Retailers. Placement should be in major retailers throughout the United States in the coming months.

GIVEAWAY 

A 4-bottle bundle of Hey Mama Teas
& a Hey mama! Baby-bump T-shirt
Begins June 18 & ENDS July 8 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. 

 Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I was provided four complimentary bottles to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.