7 New Loose Leaf Teas for a Portland Winter: Fruity, Spiced and Earthy Blends

Portland winters ask a lot of a tea shelf. Gray mornings, wet commutes and long, dark evenings call for something different at every hour of the day. So we added seven new loose leaf blends to the Teatentional lineup, and between them they cover just about every mood a rainy season can bring: bright and fruity, creamy and sweet, warm and spiced, earthy and calm.

Here is a closer look at each one, what it tastes like and when we like to brew it.

For Busy Mornings

Wild Berry Energy Tea (No. 37)

This is the boldest of the new blends. It layers four teas, Japanese sencha, oolong, aged pu'erh and yerba mate, then brightens them with hibiscus, elderberries, blackberries, strawberry, raspberry and a cool hit of peppermint. The berries keep it tart and fruity instead of bitter, and it is certified organic. With a high caffeine level, it is the one we reach for when the alarm goes off in the dark and there is a long day ahead.

Brew it: 1 to 1.5 teaspoons per 8 oz, 205°F, 3 to 4 minutes. If you are cutting back on coffee, see Coffee Alternatives That Actually Work.

Ruby Orchard (No. 43)

A juicy green tea built around tart pomegranate and dark blackcurrant, with red currants for a bright snap and lemongrass to keep it clean. It has a lighter caffeine level than Wild Berry Energy, so it works as an easy mid-morning cup. Brewed strong and poured over ice, it turns a deep ruby red, which makes it a favorite for iced tea on the rare sunny day.

Brew it: 1 to 2 teaspoons per 8 oz, 205°F, 3 to 4 minutes. More iced tea ideas in The Best Teas for Iced Tea.

For Slow Afternoons

Blueberry Bloom White Tea (No. 40)

White tea is the least processed of all teas, and it has a soft, delicate flavor that lets fruit shine. Here it is paired with sweet blueberry, rosehip, lemon and tangerine, plus a little bamboo leaf for a fresh green note. It is light, low in caffeine and gently citrusy, the kind of cup that brings a little sunshine into a gray afternoon.

Brew it: 1 to 1.5 teaspoons per 8 oz, 190°F, 3 to 4 minutes. Cooler water keeps white tea sweet. Curious how white tea differs from the rest? Read The 6 Types of Tea Explained.

Golden Garden Green Tea (No. 42)

An organic blend of Chinese sencha and rooibos with a whole garden of herbs: warm ginger and turmeric, bright lemongrass and lemon balm, soft fennel, nettle and dandelion root. It tastes fresh, earthy and lightly lemony, with very little caffeine, so it fits anywhere in the day. We like it after a big lunch when you want something warm that won't keep you up later.

Brew it: 1 to 2 teaspoons per 8 oz, 205°F, 3 to 4 minutes.

For Cozy Evenings

Royal Spice Oolong Chai (No. 38)

Most chai is made with black tea. This one uses smooth, toasty oolong instead, then piles on cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves and black pepper. Chicory and cocoa nibs add a roasted, almost coffee-like richness underneath the spice. It is lovely on its own, but it really shines as a chai latte: brew it strong, add warm milk and a little honey, and wrap your hands around the mug while the rain comes down.

Brew it: 1 to 1.5 teaspoons per 8 oz, 195°F, 3 to 3.5 minutes. Step-by-step latte instructions are in How to Make a Chai Tea Latte at Home, and the story behind chai is in Where Does Chai Tea Come From?

Tropical Silk Pu'erh Tea (No. 41)

Pu'erh is an aged, fermented tea from Yunnan, China, with a deep, earthy, mellow taste. On its own it can be an acquired taste, so we softened it with coconut, mango and raspberry, then finished it with rose petals. The result is smooth and silky with a tropical sweetness, a little vacation in a cup when Oregon is at its wettest. Pu'erh has long been sipped after rich meals, and this one makes a satisfying after-dinner tea.

Brew it: 1 teaspoon per 8 oz, 195°F, 3 to 4 minutes. New to pu'erh? Start with What Is Pu'erh Tea?

Strawberries & Cream Oolong (No. 39)

This one tastes like dessert. Milk oolong, a naturally creamy, buttery oolong, is blended with freeze-dried strawberries and crunchy strawberry yogurt pieces, plus apple and beetroot for body and a rosy color. It is sweet and comforting, a good way to end the evening when you want a treat that comes in a teacup. Note that it contains milk from the yogurt pieces.

Brew it: 1 to 1.5 teaspoons per 8 oz, 195°F, 3 to 4 minutes. Want to know more about this tea family? Read What Is Oolong Tea?

Which One Should You Try First?

• If you love coffee: Wild Berry Energy Tea for the caffeine, or Royal Spice Oolong Chai for the roasted, cocoa depth.
• If you love fruit teas: Ruby Orchard for tart and bright, Blueberry Bloom for light and sweet.
• If you want something low in caffeine: Golden Garden Green Tea.
• If you have a sweet tooth: Strawberries & Cream Oolong.
• If you want to try something new: Tropical Silk Pu'erh.

All seven come in a reusable tin or a refill kraft bag. Loose leaf keeps best in an airtight container away from light, so your tin will keep these fresh all season. More storage tips are in Does Tea Expire?

Want to smell them before you buy? We bring our teas to markets around the Portland area. See where we will be next on our Find Us In Person page, or shop the full tea collection online.

Steep intentionally. Sip with intention.

Related Reading

Read How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Loose Leaf Tea, Tea & Food Pairing Guide and How Is Tea Made?