Tee & Ton

A gift from my friends over in Europe – they are the best! Creamy, milky, caramel flavored black tea that is comforting and dessert-y, especially with milk. I shamelessly have it with breakfast often. Once the weather gets warm enough I may look for less rich fare, but this is a favorite, and such a treat as it comes from a small teashop in Berlin that doesn’t do online orders or ship (the proprietor doesn’t speak English at all, my German is nonexistent, and so I’d need my friends to translate!). Makes it that much more special.

Whenever I see a Ceylon Nuwara Eliya, I usually jump on it, as it’s one of my favorites. Broke this one open from my Berlin trip – I was excited to see that Tee & Ton carries it, so of course I had to buy some! This one’s definitely got the subtle refreshing brightness I expected, but much more toned down, more gentle. It’s a solid, great tea and I’ve been having it for breakfast lately with milk. It could be that the milk is affecting the perceived strength of the tea. Ceylons shouldn’t be bold, anyway, but this one may be better “naked” – no sugar, milk or any other additives. I may try it plain, but I tend to drink Ceylons with milk regardless. It’s very pleasant, but doesn’t beat my fave Nuwara Eliya from Lupicia. That being said, if I ever get back to that little shop in Berlin, I’ll definitely get more.

While visiting my friends in Berlin recently, they introduced me to a tiny tea vendor in their old neighborhood of Prenzlauer Berg. Tee & Ton sells all kinds of tea and accessories like teapots and teasets (the “ton” is German for “clay”). There was so much to choose from, I almost couldn’t make a decision! But when my friends pointed out the marzipan tea, and I took a sniff, I knew I had to have it.

Fast forward to today’s morning cup of tea. Dry leaf aroma is one thing, but I was still not sure of the brewed flavor. I put in some milk, took a sip, and, well, this is awesome! Beautiful almond flavor for days! I’ve been looking for a decent almond-flavored black, and this delivered. Perfect balance of sweet almond that doesn’t overpower the taste of the black tea. It’s dessert-y enough without being cloying. I find that it doesn’t have that artificial flavor that’s so common with this kind of scented tea. I’m so happy with it I just might have to pester my friends to ship some more over to me when I run out of it!