Plum Deluxe Loose Leaf Teas

Plum Deluxe sent me a collection of teas for my thoughts and review. 

All opinions are my own.  Thank you Plum Deluxe for the beautiful collection!

I started drinking tea about seven years ago, when I was deployed to Iraq for the second time.  I don't drink coffee, and at the time, I didn't drink tea.  But I learned quickly that black teas, like chai, are basically the national drink of Iraq!  You just don't sit down with a group of people to discuss  anything without cups of tea passed around.  It definitely got me into the habit of drinking tea, and when I got home I became a super-fan: chai lattes, iced tea, you name it!

Andy, the founder of Plum Deluxe, reached out to me and sent me a collection of his teas.  He started the company is a tribute to his mother, who never forgot to enjoy "the little things" in life, despite battling breast cancer.  His story of building Plum Deluxe, choosing to create a line of premium, loose leaf teas that support local and USA farmers wherever possible.  The teas are also organic, non-GMO, and free of chemicals and sulfites.

I told Andy that loose leaf tea was a bit intimidating to me.  I usually grab my tea at Starbucks, or I make it myself with our pod coffee machine or tea bags.  But once he walked me through it, and I bought the cutest little diffuser ever, I was making both hot and iced teas like a pro.  For iced tea, I did a cold brew overnight in a pitcher, so I could have it in the morning.  For hot, steeping in hot water was my usual method, so I could have a single mug.

TJ Maxx had the cutest little diffusers!

The first thing I noticed about my Plum Deluxe teas?  The aroma!  Even before brewing, they were so fragrant.  I tried the Oregon Breakfast Black Tea, Portland Rose City Chai, A Dark Night Spice Puerh (AMAZING!), and a little sample of Rejuvenation Blend Herbal Tea.  All of them were more flavorful that anything I've gotten from a teabag.  There's something even more satisfying about loose leaf tea.  It's so pretty, and it adds to the ritual of tea in general.

If you're looking to start a monthly tea subscription for as low as $10/month, or simply stock up on some tea for your own collection, Plum Deluxe is a fantastic choice.  The website and booklets are stocked full of information, recipes, inspiration, and more.  Andy has put a lot of time and care into his business, and it shows.  I love supporting small businesses, and this one reminds me to take time to have a cuppa and lean back a little.

Thank you Plum Deluxe for the beautiful collection!