I fully expected to be disappointed. In fact, I secretly hoped not to like it......
I am not a fan of Starbucks. I think what the company sells is mostly sugar and fat, with a little coffee thrown in. It's nothing personal. Just not my cup of tea - literally. (I don't like coffee, tho I love its smell!)
Even so, I recently found myself in possession of a Starbucks gift card (a kudos from work). The DH (dear hubby) and I headed out on a chilly winter night for a date. We walked to the library and then to Starbucks. It was an adventure, can't you tell? I wanted to check out the new campaign, "Tea Time at Starbucks."
Starbucks has expanded its line of Tazo teas to include whole-leaf tea pouches. This definitely gets a thumbs-up from me! I'm not sure, actually, if it's an expansion or a replacement. Either way, this is a step in the right direction.
Now to the sugar and fat. Being out for an adventure, I decided to try the London Fog. I fully expected to be disappointed. In fact, I secretly hoped not to like it. But the truth is, I did like it! A London Fog is a mix of steamed milk, earl grey tea, simple syrup and lavender. The trick to enjoying this beverage, in my humble opinion, is to remove the tea pouch after it has steeped, about 3 min for my taste.
The DH had the apple chai. It did not impress either of us. My spiced cider is better.
Have you had any of the new Starbucks tea lattes, or the new tea pouches? What did you think?
21 comments:
Oh no. Oh dear. What have you done to me?
I don't WANT to go to Starbucks ....and now I fear that I HAVE to. A London Fog? It was so much better when I didn't know about this.
To make matters worse, it is incredibly easy for me to go there too. They are a few floors below where I am sitting right now. A few floors below this terrible craving....
Oh crap. I'll be right back. :)
mmmmmm.....thankyoy...
it is so delish!
Oh, I am soooo glad you tested this out for me. I found a Starbucks flyer with coupons for their Tea Time in the recycler at work so I took it. I looked at it about 10 times today wondering if I should venture it. Maybe I will now. Thanks!
Occasionally Jason and I will go out for coffee or tea before he goes to work, and Starbucks is about the only place open that early. I oftentimes will get the chai latte, which isn't bad, but I've found that I can buy the Tazo chai concentrate at the grocery store and make it at home a lot cheaper...or even cheaper yet, make it from scratch. We haven't tried the apple chai, but Jason enjoys the caramel apple cider, which is less expensive than most of the coffee drinks and chai.
Which Starbucks did you go to? I actually do enjoy going to the one on Indiana Ave. I like the energy of the place and it has big roomy couches and arm chairs. A couple of times we have enjoyed a hot beverage there before walking to the art museum.
I guess if you were walking from the library, that's the one you went to. :)
Tanana - Thanks for the real-time report!
Yep, that was it Amanda!
I tried two of their new tea lattes with the opposite hopes as you - I really wanted to like them. I really, really wanted them to have made an actual effort to have done tea right. But I was disappointed. First, I didn't like that they left the black tea bag in the cup and second, I was disappointed by the amount of sugar they pumped into the tea. I tried the black tea and the vanilla rooibos; maybe the London Fog was different. I thought the rooibos was better than the black tea, but that just might have been because the black tea was incredibly sweet.
Melanie - That's my concern with most of their drinks. They are SOOOO sweet. It wasn't so bad in the London Fog (for me), but I would recommend asking for them to go lightly on the syrup!
Oh, how interesting. I can so imagine my sister loving that London Fog. I'm going to suggest it to her immediately!
And thank you for coming by my blog and digging the Wonder Woman tunes :) It's great to connect.
Very interesting... Normally I avoid Starbucks, but it is good they are trying to appeal to the tea folks out there.
I am one of those coffee lovers...but mostly it's a morning thing. In the afternoon and evening, I LOVE my tea! As a family we enjoy tea most nights after dinner.
Last weekend, I went shopping with my husband and son. My husband asked if I wanted to stop at Starbucks. For me it's easy to answer yes. As it was the afternoon I went for my usual Chai Tea. Both my boys surprised me and ordered the London Fog tea...and they really liked it too! I was lucky to taste theirs. Yummy! But I too could do without the tea bag in there.
Tanaya, I am sooo relating to your post! ha ha Here at work in Charleston [SC] I am surrounded by a couple of Starbucks' and never give them a passing glance. But now ....... hmmmm ..... if they were within walking distance, I would nip over there right now. The London Fog. What a great name. Thanks for this info, Steph! I'm going to give it a try soon -
Thanks for the good info. Now when girlfriends want to meet at or run by Starbucks, they will have something that truly interests me! Must try that London Fog, and soon!
I have many vices and mini-addictions and count myself fortunate that Starbucks is not among them. That being said, I have enjoyed a chai latte from there on a few occasions and been pleased (though well aware that is is not a "healthy" drink).
Sounds like a pleasant evening.
If you had to design "The Bloomington Winter" tea drink, what would it involve?
I almost ordered the London Fog today, but instead order just the regular Taso Chai. I do like the Taso Chai and love the smell of coffee. I must go back now and try the London Fog, it sounds good.
I love that you have your signature square acre of rice crispy treat in this photo! That's fabulous! :)
I haven't tried the new Tazo's. I do really like their "Berryblossom white"- I would love to try that in this new way.
I don't typically get tea when out because (as my british mother says) americans baptize the tea bag and call it good. You really do have to let it sit and steep for several minutes. Like good coffee, good tea is worth waiting for! :)
If this bad weather ever breaks I'm heading straight to B&N for a London Fog...earl grey is my favorite and I'm fond of lavender too!
Just found your blog and am enjoying reading here!♥
I will have to try this, as anything with lavender is adored by me! LOL!
Here's my Starbucks 'usual' tea --- I ask for a hot tea made from one bag Tazo Awake and one bag Tazo China Green Tips --- topped off with soy (cheaper than steamed soy). Then I carry a packet of NuNaturals Stevia (sweet herb) in my purse and add it myself. Delicious!!!!! During the holidays I do the same but use the Tazo Joy tea.
I haven't been there for awhile. I'll have to try out their new tea line. Although Starbucks has it's issues, it is nice to be able to get a cuppa tea in 'any town' when traveling our out and about. It beats the alternatives, usually. At least in 'small town' America.
Enjoy a wonderful day!
LaTeaDah
I haven't had tea at Starbucks but I'm glad you were so pleasantly surprised. Those are the best surprises! :)
I'm a tea drinker, so I rarely have Starbucks, but when I want a coffee, they are the best. Tall latte, no sugar but the lactose, 2%--their standard milkfat mix--is a reasonable compromise. In addition, if you NEED decaf, theirs is the most thoroughly decaffeinated around. Sneering at Starbucks is waaaaaaaaaaaaay too easy. Glad you were pleasantly surprised!
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