Two leaves and a bud TEA COMPANY--Product Review and Giveaways

 


Those who know me well should know that I’m a tea lover.  Many of my afternoon treats go perfectly with a cup of tea. However, I still love my French Roasted, rather strong coffee in the morning. That’s about the only thing that can really wakes me up (besides my baby' girl’s crying).  But throughout the day and especially around tea time, I really prefer a cup of hot tea.  Until I tried the tea sachets from two leaves and a bud, I didn’t know what I’ve been missing.  Their organic tea tastes like nothing I’ve ever had before.  They are rich, complex, fragrant, and simply unforgettable. 



Two leaves and a bud sent me a box of Complete Sachet Sampler to try (see above picture).  It contains one of each two leaves and a bud tea, a total of 18 sachets.  It’s a genius way to try out which flavor you love most before you place an order for a specific flavor.  I think it’ll also make a great gift for a tea lover and the like.  The only issue I have is that it’s impossible to pick just one favorite.  All of them are unique and flavorful in its own way.  For instance, take a look at the Organic Chamomile sachet picture below.  Do you see those generous amount of delicious little flower in one sachet?  I couldn’t resist but to sniff it right after I opened the package.  The sweet scent came right through along with a rich apple scent.  It’s the best chamomile tea I’ve ever had, by far.  Besides the sweet floral and apple scent, it came with a hint of honey taste as well.  I sure did enjoyed a relaxing afternoon with a cup of hot Organic Chamomile tea in my hands.



If you’re new to tea drinking and don’t know much about tea, hop on to two leaves and a bud’s website to learn more.  They are truly passionate about tea and focus on providing their customers with the best quality of products.  There are simple instructions on how to brew each tea and there’s a knowledge center link on the site.  However, if you’re lazy like me and don’t like to read too much, no big deal. The brewing instructions are printed on each sachet!  See the package below, suggestion brew time is 4 minutes, this Organic Chamomile is caffeine free, and the water temperature for brewing should be a full boil.  Informative, right?  Plus, there’s a list of ingredients on each package as well.  Don’t you love that?  Last but not least, the tea sachet and sleeve are biodegradable too!



Up next, I tried the Organic Orange Sencha.  I love green tea and this particular one is delicately blended with Italian red orange that gives it a hint of citrus flavor.  It really did perk up my taste buds and my spirit.



Another beautiful sachet is the Organic Pomi-Berry (see picture below).  Do you see the lovely chamomile and forest berries in it?  When you can see the whole tea leaves, petals and herbs inside the sachet, you know these are quality ingredients.  I love it, especially, you can make iced-tea from the Pomi-Berry. Yes, you heard me right, iced-tea.  So perfect for spring and summer. 



It’s naturally sweet with a lovely berry flavor that isn’t too herbal.  You can add a little bit of sugar or agave to sweeten it up.  For me, they are perfect as it is with its natural sweetness.  Look at the vibrant color.  So festive to serve at any parties or celebrations.  It’s refreshing, slightly tangy and smooth. 



I only named a few and the rest of the sachets are just as wonderful.     

***This giveaway is closed.  The winners will be announced shortly.***

Moving on to the giveaways.  Two leaves and a bud is so generous.  They are giving out 2 Complete Sachet Samplers to 2 lucky uTry.it readers.  Here are the rules on how to enter the giveaway.  This giveaway is open to anyone with an U.S. mailing address.  It will be closed on May 2, 2011, PST midnight.  The winners will be announced within 1 week after the giveaway is closed.  Please include your email address on your first entry/comment so I can contact you if you are one of the lucky winners. (For example: amy [at] utry [dot] it)  There are 8 ways to enter this giveaway.

1) Mandatory entry: Please visit two leaves and a bud’s website, browse around and let me know which tea you would love to try and leave a comment on this post. (gets 1 entry)


Optional entries (feel free to do any or all of the following to get extra entries):

2) Follow two leaves and a bud on Facebook (gets 2 entries) and tell me in the comment section that you did.  Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Sample comments:  “I am following two leaves and a bud on Facebook, entry #1” ; “I am following two leaves and a bud on Facebook, entry #2”


3) Sign up T-mail on two leaves and a bud’s website (gets 2 entries) and tell me in the comment section that you did.  Leave a separate comment for each entry.  (See sample comments above.)

4) Sign up as an uTry.it follower and leave a comment to let me know that you did.  If you’re already my follower, thank you for your supports and leave me a comment to let me know you’ve already signed up. (gets 1 entry)

5) Subscribe to my RSS feed so you won’t miss out on future giveaways, and leave a comment to let me know that you did. (gets 1 entry)

6) “Like” uTry.it on Facebook and leave a comment to let me know that you did. (gets 1 entry)

7) Share this giveaway on Facebook with your friends including a link back to this post, come back and leave a comment to let me know that you did. (gets 1 entry)

8) Write a blog post about this giveaway, come back and let me know that you did (gets 2 entries).  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  (see # 2 above for sample comments)

If you can’t wait to try two leaves and a bud’s wonderful tea, here’s another good news for you.  Two leave and a bud is offering the first 25 uTry.it readers a 20% off on your entire online purchase!  Just use the promotional code UTRYIT2011 at check out.  (Please note that the promotional code cannot be combined with other promotions on their site) What are you waiting for?  Hop over to two leaves and a bud and try them today.  You’ll be glad that you did.

Thank you for stopping by today and have a wonderful weekend.  Cheers (raising my tea cup)!    
 



*Disclaimer: I received the free samples for the purpose of this review and I am not compensated in any way to write this post.  All comments and opinions are 100% my own.




This post is linked to:
Hearth and Soul Hop

The winner of the Culinary Smackdown Battle--Cookies

WOW is exactly what came to my mind when I saw all the amazing and delicious cookie entries from the Culinary Smackdown Battle—Cookies!  I want to thank everyone of you who participated in this contest.  However, as you all know, only one person can win!  It’s truly hard to just pick one winner because, to me, all of you are truly talented and generous in sharing your delicious cookie recipes.  All of you are winners to me.  Out of 120 entries…there are quite many that stand out and make it even harder for me to pick just one winner.    Before we go to the winner announcement, here’s a recap on the prizes:

1) Giada De Larentiis Embroidered Apron – a $15 value

2) Home brand Potholder – a $5 value



And the winner is……

Strawberry-Nutella Thumbprint Cookies from Sinfully Spicy

Picture from  Sinfully Spicy

Congratulations to Tanvi from Sinfully Spicy!  Check out her post on these cookies.  I love her notes and her detail pictorial on the recipe as well!  Well done, Tanvi! 

So, Tanvi, please grab the badge below and be the host for April’s Culinary Smackdown Battle.  Have fun and enjoy!  I look forward to the theme that you’re going to come up with for next month’s contest.       

Before we go, here are a few recipes that I selected as Honorable Mentions.  They are (in random order)…

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies from My Five Men

Picture from My Five Men

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies have the classic flavors combination and they are so much fun to eat!  If you haven’t check out My Five Men’s blog and her recipes, you should.  I really enjoy reading her blog and the little stories that she shares with us…and all her mouth watering recipes!


Apple Jacks Cookies from Sweet as Sugar Cookies

Picture from Sweet as Sugar Cookies

What a creative use of Apple Jack cereal to add flavors and colors to these cookies!  Lisa from Sweet as Sugar Cookies hosts a linky party every Saturday called Sweets for Saturdays and it’s a great success.  Link up your recipe and  meet other foodies and bloggers for fun.  You’ll be glad you did.  Did I tell you yet?  Lisa is a really sweet person, sweet as sugar cookies!  ;)

Chocolate Chip Goodness from Could I Have That?

Picture from Could I Have That?

Boy oh boy, I don’t think anyone can resist these Chocolate Chip Goodness!  They are simply mouth watering.  Samantha from Could I Have That? has a beautiful blog.  She is talented.  I love her photography and her modeling of wonderful outfits she picks each week.  Her blog and recipes are fun to read.

Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies from You Made That?

Picture from You Made That?

These Lemon Curd Thumbprint cookies are just too cute to eat.  Each one is unique and looks like a beautiful daisy to me.  Suzanne from You Made That? is creative and artistic.  Her recipes and crafts are always amazing and beautiful.  If you want your guests to ask you the same question “You made that?” because they are amazed by the wonderful products or treats you created, you’ve got to try Suzanne’s recipes and crafting tips. 

Double Vanilla Delights~Rainbow Cookies from Munchin Munchies

Picture from Munchin Munchies

Looking at these colorful Rainbow Cookies makes me feel happy! I’m sure I’ll be even more happy if I can have a few bites!  If you haven’t visit Munchin Munchies, you don’t know what you’ve been missing out!  I love her creative and beautiful recipes.  They are always fun to make and fun to eat.  Her munchins are super adorable too!   

Thank you again for everyone who participated in this contest!  Hopefully, we’ll have another fun event like this real soon!  :) 

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day you all.

Friendly Reminders

Just a quick note to remind you that the deadline to submit your entry to the Culinary Smackdown Battle—Cookie is 3/29/2011.  You still have 1 day left to submit your recipe if you haven’t done so.  The winner will be announced on 3/31/2011.  So, don’t forget to hop back here to check out the winner announcement.  The prizes for this contest are:

1) Giada De Larentiis Embroidered Apron – a $15 value



2) Home brand Potholder – a $5 value




Another reminder is the Virtual Bake Sale to benefit the Japan earthquake victims.  The auction for the bake sale will be held at The Tomato Tart’s Blog on 3/30/2011.  Please visit her blog to check out all the goodies available for the bake sale.




Thank you for stopping by today and have a wonderful week ahead.

Matcha (Japanese Green Tea) Mousse Cheesecake with Pistachio Crust

I’ve purchased this square mini baking pan for a while but haven’t had a chance to put it to good use.  In my mind, I’ve created recipes using this pan, recipes such as mini cheesecakes or individual quiches for future parties or gatherings (yeah, I day dream about food all the time! LOL).  When I found out the theme on Dessert Wars for March, I couldn’t be happier!  To celebrate St. Patty’s Day, the theme for March is GO GREEN!  Matcha (Japanese green tea) is one of the flavor I’ve always wanted to incorporate into a cheesecake.  While matcha might not be a popular ingredient in western desserts, it’s commonly used in Asian cuisines especially baked goods. 



Japanese bakery shops are one of my favorite places to visit.  They always infused western desserts with a unique twist of their own.  I love Japanese bakeries especially their cakes.  Japanese cakes are known for their moist, creamy, light and airy texture, and not overly sweet taste.  This Matcha Mousse Cheesecake with Pistachio Crust is definitely a delightful creation that fits into all of the descriptions above.  In addition to that, the pistachio crust certainly enhance the over all flavor and texture of the cake.  This crust is crunchy and slightly crumbly with a lovely nutty and buttery flavor.  I can’t wait to make these Matcha Mousse Cheesecake with Pistachio Crust again and serve them in our next family gathering. 

If you haven’t check out the Virtual Bake Sale to benefit the Japan earthquake victims, please click here for more details.  Thank you for those who helped spread the words or signed up to donate a baked good, or plan to bit on some products.  I truly appreciate your help and supports. 
   



For now, I need to hurry up and submit this recipe to Dessert Wars!  It’s my first time participating their contest and I’m really excited about it.  Look at the prize package for March below and you’ll know why.  They do have many generous sponsors.  If you have a wonderful recipe to share, jump right in for the fun.  Be sure to read the rules here before you enter though.




The March prize package includes:

Whisk  and cupcake necklace from Moon & Star Designs
Beanilla  Sampler Pack of Vanilla Beans
Lenox Personalized Musical Cupcake
1,000 ideas for Decorating Cupcakes, Cookies & Cakes
Unlimited Layers: A Recipe for Turning Your Passion into Profits
Organic Valley $50 Gift Certificate
Organic Prairie $50 Gift Certificate
Theme Kitchen $50 Gift Certificate
BEKA Cookware Crepe Pan
 

 
 
***Update*** I’m so thrilled and honored that I’ve won the Dessert Wars contest for March.  I enjoyed creating the recipe, making these treats and meeting other bloggers through Dessert Wars.  Thank you for hosting such a fun contest.  Click here to see the Winner Announcement post. 

A Virtual Bake Sale to Benefit the Japan Earthquake Victims

It’s devastating and heartbreaking to watch the news and videos about the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  I can’t quite comprehend what the Japanese are going through now.  How frighten and helpless to watch their houses, their towns, and their families being swept away by the waves and nothing much they can do about it.  It reminds me how fortunate I am to sit comfortably at home, sharing a hot meal with my family and loved ones.    

Picture from National Geographic Daily News

 
Instead of sitting here, thinking of another recipe and cook up a storm, I want to ask something of you, my readers and friends.  My fellow blogger Sabrina from The Tomato Tart is organizing a virtual bake sale to help the victims over in Japan.    

All proceeds will go to Second Harvest Japan. There will be an auction for items over at her website on March 30, 2011, and the winner will have their baked goods shipped directly to them from the producers. Won’t you help her out by participating in the bake sale?

You don’t have to be food blogger or baker to participate. You can either bid on an item or donate a baked good. Just contact Sabrina over at The Tomato Tart and tell her that you want to help out. She’ll send you the details. Or simply by spreading the words about this bake sale, I truly appreciate your help.

To participate, please contact Sabrina at the address below.

 
I’ll be baking the famous Triple Chocolate Almond Cookies for the bake sale.  If you’re interested in the recipe, please click here.



It’ll be a long journey for the Japanese to recover.  My prayers are with the victims and those who are affected by this natural disaster in any way.  Yes, they might have lost their personal belongings and properties, but let’s not lose hope.  Please lend a helping hand and show that we care.  I hope you’ll join me in the bake sale.  Thank you for stopping my today and have a wonderful rest of the week.