My Honest Tea with Tae Review Part Two

I wasn't planning on buying more tea, but when Tea with Tae sent me an email promising a 40% discount and two free gifts, I had to jump on that before the deal ended. I added Lemon Creme and Coconut Oolong to my order, then went to the checkout page and saw that Bakeshop Bliss and Rudolph's Delight had magically appeared in my cart.

The last two blends are seasonal varieties, so you might not be able to buy them year-round, but I've included them in this review so that you know what to expect when they come back. Lemon Creme and Coconut Oolong are staples that give your tea collection a summery vibe.

As always, this is NOT a paid Tea with Tae promotion. If you're looking for a new afternoon drink, here are my honest, unfiltered opinions about these blends. Note that I drank these varieties as-is without adding honey, sugar or cream.

1. Bakeshop Bliss

Instead of a pouch, Bakeshop Bliss came in a green tube sealed with a round black sticker. I twisted the tube to break the seal, then lifted the lid to reveal five teabags tucked inside. The label promised the smell of "freshly baked pastries," and the leaves definitely lived up to that claim: a sweet, mildly spicy fragrance that reminded me of cinnamon rolls wafted from the tube.

Sure enough, cinnamon was one of the ingredients alongside rooibos, orange peel, cloves and marigold petals. I've had rooibos before, so I was a little worried that the mossy, earthy flavor would overpower the spices, but the tea was sweet and cozy without being cloying. The flavor reminded me of a sweet-ish pastry with a cinnamon dusting and faint citrus notes.

Bakeshop Bliss isn't quite like drinking a dessert, but it's still one of the best blends I've had in a while. You could easily enjoy this drink without adding cream or sugar. Plus, the tube packaging was a charming idea that made my tea selection more organized.

2. Rudolph's Delight

Rudolph's Delight came in a bright red tube that encased five teabags. On the side, the tube listed the ingredients: black tea leaves, orange peel, cinnamon and cinnamon flavorings. The label also noticed that the plant-based teabags are compostable.

When I opened the tube, the leaves charmed my senses with a fresh, spicy aroma that brought back childhood memories of choosing a Christmas tree from a local farm with glittering ornaments on the shelves and pine needles scattered across the floor. That's a pretty specific memory, so I hoped the brewed tea would live up to the holiday theme.

However, when I took a sip, I noted that black tea was the dominating flavor with subtle notes of cinnamon and citrus. Essentially, this tasted like a standard cup of black tea that you could buy anywhere, although the spices eased the bitterness a little. Another case of a blend not living up to the fragrance.

Unfortunately, Rudolph's Delight didn't provide the nostalgic experience that I'd anticipated, but black tea lovers might enjoy it. For better or worse, it's a relatively simple blend without a lot of frills.

3. Lemon Creme

Lemon Creme arrived in a pouch with a label on the front. A light, refreshing aroma that reminded me of lemon cream pie wafted from the leaves. According to the label, black tea made up the base, with lemon verbena, lemon peel and lemon flavors creating the creamy citrus fragrance.

I expected the brewed tea to taste like a fruity dessert, but even tart lemons couldn't overpower the black tea's bold and slightly bitter flavor. Fortunately, they balanced out the bitterness with a cooling dose of fruit, turning this drink into the hot tea version of lemonade.

Lemons and black tea turned out to be a surprisingly delightful pair, and I enjoyed every sip. This drink would pair well with light, fruity desserts, such as lemon meringue pie or lemon poppyseed muffins. It's also a great midday drink when you're feeling drowsy and need a jolt to the senses.

4. Coconut Oolong

Coconut Oolong also arrived in a pouch with five teabags inside. The leaves offered a strong coconut aroma that was light, refreshing and mildly nutty. On the front of the pouch, the label listed the ingredients: oolong tea leaves, coconut flakes and coconut flavors. Clearly, it was time for a tropical getaway in the middle of the cold snap I'd been experiencing.

Or maybe it wasn't. The brewed tea smelled more earthy than tropical, and when I took a sip, the strong flavor of oolong tea hit my tongue first, followed by light coconut notes. I expected the coconut to stand out, but the overall flavor was woodsy and rustic.

Looking back, I'm not sure if coconut and oolong is the best combination. Tropical flavors pair well with lighter, milder teas, and the oolong overpowered the fruit's sweetness. As a result, this was more of a detour than a tropical getaway. Still, if you're a coconut fan, this blend might give you a new way to enjoy your favorite fruit.

Have you tried Tea with Tae before? If not, which tea brands are your favorites? Share your thoughts in the comments.