Autumnal teas from Bluebird Tea Co

What could be more comforting after a brisk walk in the cold than warming your hands on a hot mug of tea. All senses are involved: sight, smell, touch, taste and even hearing, if you count the jolly whistle of your kettle... Celebrating the golden autumn, Bluebird Tea Co has introduced several new blends to its ever expanding range. I have tried two new varieties: Gingersnap Green and Mocha Chai.

Gingersnap Green tea consists of Chinese green tea, apple pieces, ginger, Hibiscus, mango pieces, papaya pieces, sugar, Calendula petals, Sunflower petals and flavour. The longer you keep it in a pot, the stronger ginger flavour comes through. If you give it no longer than 3 minutes to brew, the peach and fruit come first, while ginger gives warmth and a touch of spice. Flower petals add a splash of colour to a festive autumnal look of the tea.

The green tea unfurls in the hot water, and the tea in the teapot is slowly releasing its pinkness from the depth. The tea tastes fruity, light and refreshing.
The loose tea looks like an Impressionistic painting, and it smells good.

This weather is perfect for chai, hot and spicy, with a spoon of honey and milk. When you are not sure if you want to put the heating on, sitting by the laptop, wrapped in hubby's old jumper, chai is a great belly warmer.

Mocha Chai is another new blend, an inspired trip of coffee, chocolate and chai.

Open a packet, pour the contents in a dish and find all sorts of ingredients: whole coffee beans sit comfortably in Sri-Lankan black tea together with cacao beans, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla. This is a darker brew than Gingersnap Green tea. It is an innovative combination of coffee and tea as well as cocoa, evocative of evenings around the fire.

If you enjoy trying new varieties of tea, Bluebird Tea Co have already announced its new Christmas blends.