I have been thinking over my surprise teas of 2024: the teas that made a big impression on me that weren’t already on my favorites list. The first teas that came to mind were all flavored teas. Historically, I tend to drink a lot more unflavored teas. So, this was quite a surprise!
My surprise standout teas of 2024 so far include:
Tipsy Garden Barrel #2
Volition Tea, in collaboration with KOVAL Distillery and working with the tea farmer, created Tipsy Garden Barrel #2. They describe this offering as “100-day gin-barrel-aged white tea.” Tipsy Garden is the only barrel-aged tea I have ever tried and loved! The juniper berries play beautifully with the white tea and the flavor profile is both fun and sophisticated. I loved this tea hot or iced. I am hoping they will collaborate with more batches.
Bergamot Black
Té Company blends organic bergamot peel with a bug-bitten Taiwanese black tea in their Bergamot Black. It felt different from teas blended with bergamot oil–much brighter. To me, it was a delightful riff on Earl Grey. I woke up many mornings this summer craving this tea.
Yuzu Matcha +Japanese Green
My last surprise teas of 2024, so far, are Yuzu Matcha Sencha (from Sugimoto) and Yuzu Matcha Kukicha (from a Being Tea Tasting Box). They are so summery and delightful. There is something magical about Yuzu Matcha with these two different Japanese green teas. I’ve had these types of blends before, but something clicked for me this summer. They are so bright–in flavor and color! A wonderful summer sip, hot, iced, or sparkling.
Final Thoughts & Your Favs
It makes me happy to discover new teas and find a deeper connection with teas I’ve tried before. If I hadn’t taken time to reflect on some (mostly) new teas that I loved so far this year, I don’t think I would have realized that flavored teas were a standout for me this time!
What were your surprise teas of 2024? I’d love to know.
Enjoy favorite tea lists? You might enjoy my Teas of 2023 post, too.
I paid full price for all of the teas above. I always disclose if I get a discount on tea or receive it for a review, etc. Transparency and honesty are important to me.
ChariTEA Fundraiser
I’m running my third annual chariTEA fundraiser, Story of a Teacup, on November 17, 2024. Join online with other tea lovers to sip tea, hear stories, admire special teaware, and more! Learn more about Story of a Teacup at my event page at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.