Look at this for IngenuitTEA – Review and Giveaway #48
The collection of teapots in our house is steadily growing. This suits us fine as we now have the right teapot for every occasion. Or at least I thought we did. When I was sent an ingenuiTEA to try out from Adagio Teas, I realised our collection was by no means complete. This contraption brews loose leaf teas, letting out the steeped tea from the bottom rather than through a spout. Tea leaves are placed inside the pot and hot water added. As soon as the tea is ready, it is placed atop a cup; the valve opens and the clear tea filters through. Once you have finished with your tea leaves, they can be tossed away and the ingenuiTEA washed up – by hand or in the dishwasher.
What I liked
- The see through nature of the container – it’s fun to see tea leaves unfurling and the water changing colour as the brew progresses.
- The non-drip nature of the design – unlike many teapots, you can stop the process at any point and put the ingenuiTEA down without a single drip.
- No need for heat proof surfaces or protective mats – the pot is elevated off the surface with no hot bottom to burn your precious table.
- Neat design – I like the simple look.
- Works with any cup up to 9.5 cm in diameter.
What I wasn’t so keen on
- The material used – I am not a fan of plastic and would have preferred glass. It is, however, BPA free.
- No way of determining the volumes – unless you are using a clear cup, it’s not obvious when to stop the flow. I had tea overflowing all over the place with the first cup I made, though I very soon got the hang of it.
- The capacity is 450ml (16 oz) which is not quite enough for two regular mugs and too much for one. It is, however, perfect for two tea cups. Maybe I just need to be a little more refined in my tea drinking.
- Brand stamping – I would prefer to have the device completely clear of all writing and logos.
Along with the ingenuiTEA, I was sent five sample packs of Adagio teas to try. I do like a bit of tea sampling – it’s very nearly as exciting as chocolate tasting. All of the teas are hand picked and sourced direct from artisan producers. You can read interviews with some of the farmers on their website. The section dedicated to Tea is Good for You is worth a read, though if all the various health benefits of tea are to be believed, I should live to at least 150.
The more teas I sample, the more I’m amazed at just how different they all are. I’d requested a variety of teas, some of which I was familiar with and others I’d not tried before. These sampling packs struck me as a particularly good idea; you can try before committing to a more extensive purchase. Each pack is resealable and contains enough tea to make a good ten cups. They come with instructions which include brewing times and water temperature, although being an American company, this was in degrees fahrenheit rather than celsius.
Chocolate Chip
I had to try this one first, of course. I’m not normally a fan of black teas, but I will partake of chai, Earl Grey and the occasional speciality tea if it’s on offer. This was a black Ceylon tea with cocoa nibs, dark chocolate chips and a natural chocolate flavour. I’ve tried several chocolate teas now, but never one which contained actual chocolate pieces. This is the only one I tried adding a dash of milk to as I thought it would work well with both the black nature of the tea and the chocolate. I was right, although it worked equally well without. The chocolate flavour shone through with fruity notes and a slight astringency.
White Peony
Good quality white tea is my favourite version of Camellia sinensis. This one was a new one on me. The unopened tea buds are harvested along with the two newest leaves. This freshness really comes through. It has a light fruity aroma with a delicate taste. Floral and fruity tones shine through and it isn’t in the least bit bitter. Really it is quite delicious and an excellent accompaniment to afternoon tea.
Ti Khan Yin
I know very little about oolong teas, other than they are complex in both production and flavour and are thus correspondingly more expensive than many other teas. They are a speciality of South China and although they come in many varieties are all oxidised to some degree or other. To my knowledge, this was the first oolong tea I’ve ever tried. Ti Khan Yin being greenish in colour is a lightly oxidised tea. It has both a grassy and floral aroma and a fresh sprightly taste that both CT and I really liked, yet, the notes left lingering on the palate are woody ones. This is a nice refreshing cuppa which works particularly well as a breakfast tea we thought.
Honeybush
This red South African tea, not to be confused with the more commonly known rooibos, has an aromatic fruity scent with honey notes. It is not a true tea, being the leaves of a legume called Cyclopia rather than what we commonly know as tea, Camellia sinensis. It contains no caffeine, is low in tannins so there is no bitterness if over brewed and it is said to lower cholesterol and fight respiratory infections. CT, who has fond memories of his trip to South Africa many years ago, thinks it encapsulates the smell of the bush and transported him back there almost immediatley. The tea is the colour of honey and has a pleasant sweet and fruity flavour, not overpowering, but refreshing. This has been a firm favourite of ours for many years.
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls
Tight clusters of curled green tea leaves form little balls known as pearls. As soon as they come into contact with hot water they unfurl in a rather beautiful way. Also beautiful is the aroma generated from the Jasmine which quickly scents the room. The flavour is prominent, but not overpowering as can be the case with some jasmine teas. We both thoroughly enjoyed this one and it works particularly well as an after dinner refresher.
Thanks to Adagio for the ingenuiTEA and tea samples. There was no requirement to write a positive review and as always all opinions are my own.
Closing date is Friday 20 June 2014
Do take a look at the Chocolate Log Blog giveaway page to see if there is anything else you would like to enter.
FoodNerd
23rd May 2014
It’s got to be a good custard cream! Love when it melts and goes gooey!
FoodNerd x
http://www.foodnerd4life.com
Jane
23rd May 2014
I drink darjeeling!
Laura Denman
23rd May 2014
Good old Yorkshire Tea I think or maybe redbush is my favourite for biscuits or cake.
Higher Fingle
23rd May 2014
Love to try the jasmine phoenix pearls sounds just right after alfresco dinner in my perfect garden (dreaming now!)
Gill
23rd May 2014
White peony sounds fabulous!
Aunt Bee
23rd May 2014
I am from the southeast United States and all I have ever had tea wise is Sweet Iced Tea! So this was really fun to read about!!!! <3
mellysocks
23rd May 2014
The Honeybush,I’d like to drink it in the garden on a nice sunny day.
Miss. Lucinda Fountain
24th May 2014
I would try the Chocolate chip – as a chocaholic & tea lover!!
debbie creasey
24th May 2014
The chocolate chip as i am a total chocoholic id like to drink it on my patio if it ever stops raining!
kj19
24th May 2014
chocolate chip oh yum!!.. sitting in my garden on a sunny afternoon
frances hopkins
24th May 2014
ooo chocolate chip!!
Vohn's Vittles
24th May 2014
Ooh I’ve been thinking about getting a clear tea pot. I have one of those tea “flowers” that unfurls and grows as it brews & I need a clear pot to see its beauty! x
Emma
25th May 2014
Those Jasmine Phoenix Peals look lovely 🙂 Teas that expand are such fun!
Anonymous
25th May 2014
got to be chocolate chip! @msedollyp
Trinity Axelson
25th May 2014
mmmmmm Chocolate Chip would be lovely to drink after a long stressful day!!!
elaine dale
25th May 2014
Yorkshire tea at home
maci234
25th May 2014
chocolate chip
Mary Chez
25th May 2014
Yorkshire tea in the garden
elizabeth ferguson
25th May 2014
Yorkshire, please
Mrs Pauline Wood
25th May 2014
Yorkshire of course
clair downham
25th May 2014
would love to try the chocolate chip
avmartin30
25th May 2014
Yorkshire tea…in bed would be nice 🙂 x
Andrea Williams
25th May 2014
Honeybush sounds lovely x
Anneka Hulse
25th May 2014
i would love to try the White Peony and i would drink it in the garden
laura banks
25th May 2014
Honeybush while having a chill and a biscuit
Amanda Deacon
25th May 2014
Chocolate chip sounds interesting
Julie Fisher
25th May 2014
White Peony
John Jones
26th May 2014
Ti Khan Yin
John Jones
26th May 2014
Ti Khan Yin
Richard Randall
26th May 2014
Yorkshire Tea sitting in the garden.
Neil Graham
26th May 2014
The Honeybush sitting in the kitchen with a good book
Anonymous
26th May 2014
Chocolate Chip for me
Sandra Lane
26th May 2014
chocolate chip tea? It sounds all wrong but I’d love to try it sitting on a comfy sofa watching an old film on tv.
Hekna
26th May 2014
I would have to try the White Peony first when curled up on the sofa with a good book!
IANSMIC
26th May 2014
The Honeybush – sounds like a tea to drink when you are reading a good book sat in the garden on a lovely hot day. 🙂
Charmian Filewood
27th May 2014
Honeybush, on a nice warm sunny day in the back graden.
Hannah Ingham
27th May 2014
I’d want to try Chocolate Chip, perhaps in the garden? 🙂
Rainbowwitch
27th May 2014
I would have to try the Chocolate Chip first, whilst reading
Barbara Handley
27th May 2014
Chocolate chip first. Any mention of chocolate and I am there! Would try it by myself curled up on the sofa.
Tracy K Nixon
27th May 2014
The Jasmine Phoenix Pearls sounds a nice cuppa to enjoy in the garden with a good book!
Jason Lowe
27th May 2014
Honeybush int garden!
A James
27th May 2014
Lovely, would really like to try the Jasmine pearls
Julie West
27th May 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls
emily p
27th May 2014
Ti Khan Yin – in bed with some toast on a sunday morning 🙂
sandra rubery
27th May 2014
i’d love to try choc chip in the garden
princesssmithee
27th May 2014
honeybush, in the morning x
James S
27th May 2014
Honeybush sounds lovely x
gravematter
27th May 2014
Ti Khan Yin, on a relaxing Sunday morning at the breakfast table.
savo888
27th May 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls, I love jasmine tea anyway and would be curious about how this would taste.
Val Swift
27th May 2014
Chocolate chip – instead of reaching for a chocolate bar when I get a craving
sooz
27th May 2014
I’d love to try the chocolate chip one first – curled up on the sofa with a good book
Victoria
27th May 2014
Chocolate Chip, with my elevenses.
Liz Harbron
27th May 2014
Would love to try the Jasmine Phoenix Pearls tea in my back garden on a sunny afternoon.
Lynda Brown
27th May 2014
Couldn’t be any other apart from Chocolate Chip…
prwilson
27th May 2014
White Peony sounds nice.
Isabel O'Brien
27th May 2014
I would try Honeybush, I love honey. I would drink it in bed with my cat Percy reading a book.
Sarah Prightingale
27th May 2014
They all sound delicious but I would like to try the chocolate chip, at home in the evening watching the television.
Ellie-Mae
27th May 2014
Chocolate Chip
Tiddles12
27th May 2014
chocolate chip sitting on the sofa reading a book
Karen Lloyd
28th May 2014
I would have to try the chocolate chip one first.
Karen Lloyd
28th May 2014
Whilst sat in my garden.
Matt Froggatt
28th May 2014
The chocolate chip flavour in my favourite chair
pauline hill
28th May 2014
yorkshire
Alexandra Mercer
28th May 2014
Ti Khan Yin, never tried that one before
Tammy Tudor
28th May 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls in bed 🙂
Sarah Birkett
28th May 2014
I couldn’t resist the chocolate flavour, but I also like the sound of the one with honey
Christina Brown
28th May 2014
Honeybush 🙂 yum
ann clements
28th May 2014
white peony
Jessica Wilde
29th May 2014
I love ti khan yin… I would drink it, while watching the summer drizzle slide down the window pane… It’s a lovely flavour, almost like a hug in a teacup!
Anonymous
29th May 2014
Honeybush in the garden
(Spencer Broadley)
Sue
29th May 2014
White Peony would be the first one I would try, sitting on the bench tucked into the corner of my garden enjoying the sunshine (ideally) and enjoying all the flowers planted in my quiet corner.
Nefir A
29th May 2014
White Peony while sat in the garden ^^
Hassni Malik
29th May 2014
Honeybush sounds lovely. I always add a little honey to my tea.
lizziejayne
30th May 2014
chocolate chip
JaynesDen
30th May 2014
Honeybush – to relax after a long stressful and busy day.
Amy
31st May 2014
It would have to be Chocolate Chip!
kayleighnik
31st May 2014
honeybush sounds yummy!
domesticated
31st May 2014
Chocolate Chip with my feet up and a chocolate cake
kohsamui14
31st May 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls at home first thing in the morning before anyone else wakes up- I just love the peace @kohsamuirosie on twitter
Victoria R Morrison
31st May 2014
chocolate chip every time =]
beckyboo2010
1st June 2014
Chocolate Chip 🙂
Jackie Allum
1st June 2014
Honeybush as it sounds lush
Lix Hewett
1st June 2014
White peony, maybe looking out at the garden!
Megan
2nd June 2014
HONEYBUSH – I LOVE A GOOD RED TEA
Megan Bain
2nd June 2014
Chocolate chip while sitting in the kitchen staring at the sea
Zoe R
2nd June 2014
the honey bush because I like a nice fruity tea
Djembe
2nd June 2014
Honeybush, to get back in touch with my South African expat identity with something that ISN’T rooibos or dried meat.
ponypompom
3rd June 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls – I love teas which you can watch unfurl!
dawn chapman
3rd June 2014
white peony, it sounds lovely
Bianca Franks
5th June 2014
Mmmm the Honeybush relaxing on my new sofa! x
Suzie W
5th June 2014
Honeybush, although I’d probably enjoy all of them
winnie
6th June 2014
White Peony, such a nice name
thrlrds2007
7th June 2014
Yorkshire Tea….on the patio early in the morning
kazza ham
7th June 2014
Chocolate chip mmmmmmmmm
lynn heath
8th June 2014
I would try the Honeybush first
Catherine Harper
8th June 2014
Jasmine Phone is Pearls sounds divine. I would drink it at home once my son is asleep and the house is nice and peaceful.
Michelle Banks
8th June 2014
chocolate chip!!
becskiboo
8th June 2014
Honeybush – on a balcony watching the sunset over the sea
becskiboo
8th June 2014
Honeybush – watching out to sea
sarah brooker
8th June 2014
honeybush – hopefully sweet & tasty
Amy Skinner
9th June 2014
White peony sounds yum
Gemma Clark
9th June 2014
Chocolate chip….in the garden
Teresa Lee
9th June 2014
The Jasmine Phoenix Pearls – feet up relaxing on the sofa
sue
10th June 2014
jasmine sounds good and i would drink it on the patio
sue
10th June 2014
jasmine sounds good, drinking on the patio
Miriam Said
11th June 2014
The Jasmine Pearl would be my first choice and I wouldlike to drink it in Hong Kong, but as that is not realistic then I would like to drink it in my garden on a warm evening at twilight with some candles burning in some storm lamps. Perfect.
angie mummy
11th June 2014
honeybush
Solange
12th June 2014
The chocolate chip…in bed…
dionne
12th June 2014
DEFINATELY CHOCOLATE CHIP-YUMMY 🙂 INFRONT OF A GOOD MOVIE!!
Sam P Toms
13th June 2014
Honeybush, in the front garden with the sun out 🙂
Nicola Lynch
13th June 2014
White Peony
faye huntington
13th June 2014
mm chocolate chip whilst watching a chick flick! 🙂 faye x
Allan
14th June 2014
The white Peony sitting out on the decking.
soozwales
14th June 2014
Yorkshire Tea in my hot bath
TazzyMK
14th June 2014
The white peony in my living room with a good book.
Esme Mccrubb
14th June 2014
chocolate chip
Obe City
15th June 2014
Looks amazing! Chocolate chip – yummy!
Felicity Smith
15th June 2014
chocolate chip
spike1
15th June 2014
Chocolate chip
Lauren Old
16th June 2014
Chocolate chip yummmmy, I’d drink this in my sitting room after a long day at work!
Drusilla
16th June 2014
Honeybush sitting in my garden enjoying the sunshine
Nadawilson
16th June 2014
Honeybush! On the sofa with my feet up as soon as the darling children are in bed! 🙂 x
Diane Jackson
16th June 2014
The Honeybush
cheryl kean
16th June 2014
Chocolate Chip sound unusually nice ! id ike to drink this outside on a summers day x
emma falvi
16th June 2014
White peony please
helen
16th June 2014
chocolate chip 🙂
cheggers2000
16th June 2014
Ti Khan Yin
katie skeoch
16th June 2014
the Jasmine Phoenix Pearls in the garden after work
Csilla Kontig
16th June 2014
The Chocolate Chip tea must be delicious
spooky nat
16th June 2014
White peony please 🙂
J Lawson
16th June 2014
Chocolate chip definitely x
Rachel Davies
17th June 2014
I would love to try the Chocolate Chip one sitting out in the garden on a nice sunny day – @Rcd2129 on twitter
lilaclil
17th June 2014
Mmmmm Chocolate chip is amazing for chocoholics!!I would make a big flask of it and sit on my local beach to drink it watching the sun setting!!(carroll marsh)
Hawthorn
17th June 2014
honeybush sounds lovely, and sitting in the garden with the sun shining sounds like a great place to enjoy it
Kay leigh
17th June 2014
gotta be chocolate chip
kay panayi
Mark Chamberlin
17th June 2014
I love tea!
clairew137
17th June 2014
Honeybush and would drink it out in the garden.
Christina Jarrett
17th June 2014
A nice cup of chocolate chip when I get home would be lovely! 🙂
Angela Paull
18th June 2014
Chocolate Chip is intriguing 🙂
Reg Vandra
18th June 2014
chop chip tea- such a great idea
Angela Wheeler
18th June 2014
My choice would be Chocolate Chip, I would drink it in my living room after the school run and enjoy the peace and quiet!
Claire
18th June 2014
Honeybush!!! Yum
Michael Rattray
18th June 2014
Ti Khan Yin on a relaxing Sunday morning
lisa chappell
18th June 2014
chocolate chip sounds lush <3
krnries
18th June 2014
I’d love to try the Jasmine first, and I’d like to drink it in the garden on a warm summer’s evening 🙂
Kirsty Woods
18th June 2014
The chocolate chip on a sunny afternoon in my garden
Anonymous
18th June 2014
Honeybush
@jamiecomps
sheridarby
18th June 2014
I’d like to try The Honeybush, sitting in my garden enjoying the sunshine
katarzyna b
18th June 2014
White peony in my sunny garden! x
tinkertink2010
18th June 2014
Chocolate chip – while reading a good book 🙂
Lani Nash
18th June 2014
Honeybush
Laura
19th June 2014
Definitely the chocolate chip! I’d drink it in the garden 🙂
Anonymous
19th June 2014
Chocolate chip, at a visit with my Mum. As we both love tea and chocolate. This would be a fine treat for both of us to share.
Rachel Craig
Angie Hoggett
19th June 2014
White peony as a morning starter!
Angela Williams
19th June 2014
honeybush please
Samantha Freeman
19th June 2014
I would like to try the Chocolate Chip, never tried a chocolate tea before and it sounds really interesting, although they all do to be honest
Rich
19th June 2014
Honeybush, sitting in the garden reading the paper :o)
Karen McNay
19th June 2014
That chocolate chip is sooo interesting. I love the caramel teas with a bit of milk.
styles5433
19th June 2014
White Peony- it sounds perfect for the summer evening
elff73
19th June 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls
dwerry
19th June 2014
I’d like to try the Jasmine Phoenix Pearls and the perfect place to drink it would be in my garden.
Robert Price
19th June 2014
The Chocolate Chip
Gillian Hale
19th June 2014
The Honeybush one sounds great
Penny Ford
19th June 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls – Sitting in the garden
Penny Ford
19th June 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls – sitting in the garden
Carlie Bryan
19th June 2014
the Ti Khan Yin, curled up with a nice book after the kids are in bed
Dessallara
19th June 2014
Ti Khan Yin, I would like to enjoy it in our garden 🙂
Chris Fletcher
19th June 2014
Chocolate chip sounds interesting! Probably out in the garden first thing in the morning.
Alison Barker
19th June 2014
Yorkshire tea in the garden
Natalie83
19th June 2014
choc chip. ive had choc tea at work in th past but i would def enjoy this at home in the evening when kids in bed-
Helen M
19th June 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls, sitting in the garden
Hafsa Ravat
19th June 2014
very thorough and informative review
Hafsa
19th June 2014
very thorough and informative review
Anonymous
19th June 2014
Chocolate Chip sitting in the garden
@jaizduck
Alison
19th June 2014
The Jasmine pheonix pearls, at home
patrick moran
19th June 2014
Chocolate chip
jacquelinec
19th June 2014
honeybush in the garden
weir shane
19th June 2014
I drink darjeeling! – leanne w
Clint Howat
19th June 2014
White peony sounds fabulous!
Anonymous
19th June 2014
just a nice cup of tea with a chocolate biscuit
lisa ann tebbutt
jodie harvey
20th June 2014
chocolate chip – whilst relaxing in my garden
tarbs gill
20th June 2014
Honeybush please
Gavin O'Shaughnessy
20th June 2014
Chocolate chip in my sunny back garden
zoe wood
20th June 2014
honeybush tea in the evening sun
tamara
20th June 2014
chocolate chip sounds amazing – love to have this after getting in from work
Gillian Holmes
20th June 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls I used to drink Jasmine tea a lot but I seem to have forgotten about it.
Alison Booth
20th June 2014
Honeybush tea – first thing in the morning at the breakfast bar
Joanne Higgins
20th June 2014
has to be chocolate chip, anything with chocolate in the title has to be a good start, and would sip away at it in the lovely sunny garden xx
Leighanne M
20th June 2014
It has to be the chocolate, tea and chocolate are two of my fav things x
Lucy C
20th June 2014
I’d try the chocolate chip at work (it might make my work day more enjoyable!).
irene Bolton
20th June 2014
Jasmine Phoenix Pearls early in the morning, in my garden.
Amy Jo McLellan
20th June 2014
Chocolate Chip on my sofa 🙂
joanna_kow
20th June 2014
Chocolate Chip
joanna_kow
20th June 2014
Chocolate chip
aaron milne
20th June 2014
I’m new to TEA
Anonymous
20th June 2014
Honeybush tea…bringing my South African roots into my afternoons – on the patio. Anja
Deborah Hambleton
20th June 2014
Chocolate Chip – in my lovely new conservatory
sandy henry
20th June 2014
chocolate chip on a cool autumn night x
Ian Campbell
20th June 2014
I try Honeybush sitting under a parasol in the midday sun set against the backdrop of azure skies 🙂
Angela Bewick
20th June 2014
White peony, just beautiful
Angela Bewick
20th June 2014
white peony, just beautiful!
suewilly
20th June 2014
I’d love to try the honeybush tea sitting out on my patio with my hubby in the evening. We need to bring his cholesterol down so it would be great to try this tea as that’s supposed to be one of the benefits.
jrandrews72
20th June 2014
I would love to try White Peony. It sounds very fragrant and light.
jrandrews72
20th June 2014
I would drink the White Peony in the garden after I have mowed the lawn.
Emma Price
20th June 2014
White Peony
tishist
20th June 2014
White peony in bed