Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Tea Chai Té

Tea Description:

This Japanese sencha tea is flavored with bits of strawberry, creating a strong aroma reminiscent of frolicking in the buff, hand in hand with your lover, through a strawberry patch.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

On Tuesday, my dear husband took me out for lunch in the Sellwood neighborhood in Portland, and after lunch, he pulled up directions to the new Tea Chai Té in the neighborhood and asked me if I wanted to go.  Yes, I proclaimed quite enthusiastically!

I have tried teas from Tea Chai Té, but I haven’t actually been to either location (they have another location on 23rd Street in Portland).  So, I was really excited to check out this tea lounge.  This establishment is an old, red train caboose turned into a tea lounge.  This is not one of those fancy tea houses (although I like those too), this is a lounge, complete with a comfortable, casual atmosphere where people were reading their tablets and browsing the internet on their laptops.

I had ordered a 20 oz. cup of this tea iced, as well as purchased a 1 ounce loose leaf package to take with me.  And while I did enjoy the tea that they made for me at Tea Chai Té (and the guy who worked the counter was so pleasant), I have to admit that I’m finding this cup that I made myself to be much better than the one that was made for me.  This tastes stronger than that one did, so I suspect that either they should have made a more concentrated brew before icing it.

This is amazing.  The Sencha tastes and feels smooth and buttery.  The green tea offers a barely-there grassy note in the distance, while allowing the strawberry flavor to be the focus of this cup.

The straberry melds deliciously with the aforementioned buttery tones, giving it an almost berries and cream kind of quality.  Sweet, juicy strawberry flavor that tastes very authentic – like someone had liquified a fresh, ripe strawberry and added it to my teacup.  YUM!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Le Palais Des Thés

Tea Description:

Inspired by the Japanese Hanami tradition of cherry blossom viewing, Fleur de Geisha is a refined Japanese green tea, delicately flavored with cherry blossom.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Without having read the description of this tea and knowing only that it was a green tea, I brewed it and served it hot.  The aroma of the dry leaf was very cherry-like with beautiful floral background notes, making me think that this was a cherry blossom tea.  A spring-time favorite, I couldn’t have “blindly” chosen a better tea to enjoy this afternoon.  (By “blindly” I mean this:  as Le Palais Des Thés is a company based in France and the labels on this gift set are all in French, I didn’t know which tea I was choosing, only that “vert” meant that it would be a green tea)

The brewed tea maintains much of its cherry-like fragrance.  The flavor is delicate, especially when served hot.  As the tea cools, the flavor intensifies.  Served hot, the tea has a very soft balance between cherry blossom notes and hints of sweet cherry flavor mingling with a fresh, sweet vegetative tone.  It is very sweet and evokes thoughts of the beautiful cherry blossom trees.

Once the tea has cooled, the cherry flavor becomes much stronger, while some of the floral tones diminish somewhat.  The flavor of the green tea remains very sweet and lush, balancing out the sweet cherry flavor with a hint of vegetation.

While I personally prefer this tea hot, I can see how this would be a big hit as an iced tea … especially for those who enjoy cherry fruit notes over those of the cherry blossom.  I do like cherry, but I think I like better being able to taste those delicate cherry blossom notes that seem to subside as the tea cools.

A beautiful spring-time treat!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  The Tao of Tea

Tea Description:

Grown near the famed West Lake in Hangzhou, Dragonwell has been honored since the Tang Dynasty. It is said to be at its best when brewed with water from the nearby Tiger Run Spring which is high in natural minerals and sweet in taste. In making the tea, the leaves are hand roasted in small woks. With precise hand movements of the tea maker, the leaves gain a flat, shiny, and jade appearance.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I’d like to think of myself as somewhat of an adventurous tea drinker.  I am willing to try just about any type of tea (with a few exceptions), and I’ve tried some pretty unusual combinations.  That being said, sometimes, I want a tea I can rely on.  One that I know will deliver a flavor that I will enjoy, and one that I know what I can expect from it.

Like this Dragonwell from The Tao of Tea.  I knew – even before I brewed it for the first time – that I’d be getting a delicious tea.  I enjoy Dragonwell tea, and The Tao of Tea has never let me down before.  They consistently – reliably! – offer high quality, delicious teas that never disappoint.

And this Dragonwell is quite what I would expect from a Dragonwell tea:  sweet, lightly buttery, with a sweet, grassy tone and a hint of nutty flavor in the background.

Another delicious tea from a company that I’ve come to trust to deliver nothing but the best:  The Tao of Tea.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Mandala Tea

Tea Description:

This beautiful green tea is a handmade masterpiece. Premium grade green tea leaves are scented with natural jasmine flowers that create a soothing aromatic experience while enjoying this tea. The leaves are shaped like pearls which are each formed by hand. It is a joy to watch the leaves unfurl as they steep. This is an extremely unique tea that produces a satisfying cup. It is a thoughtful gift and an interesting experience to share with guests.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it many times to come … in fact, I’ll say it right now:  I love Jasmine Pearls!  And I’m really loving these Dragon Phoenix Pearls from Mandala Tea.  They are absolutely sublime!

Dry, the pearls offer the sweet, exotic fragrance of the jasmine flower together with a hint of a lush, leafy scent.  The brewed tea is enchantingly aromatic without becoming overwhelming.  Instead, it is quite soothing, lulling this sipper into a sense of calm that relaxes my stress and tension from the day.

The flavor is soft and beautiful.  The jasmine is perfectly subtle; it is not perfume-y tasting nor does it taste artificial.  Such a light, lovely taste that mingles with the buttery smooth flavor of the green tea.  The green tea does not taste grassy or even really vegetative, instead, it is smooth and rich, tasting fresh without having a strong vegetal quality to it.

These flavors come together so perfectly!  Thank you Mandala Tea for this truly wonderful tea experience!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Harney & Sons

Tea Description:

Japan’s capital is the inspiration of this tea. Green Bancha is blended with toasted sesame seeds and caramel flavors. The delightful flavor is reminiscent of some of Tokyo’s best desserts.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

The description of this tea sounded just unusual enough to make me want to try it … sesame seeds and caramel?  Hmm… I’m intrigued!

The fragrance of the dry leaf has a caramel overtone, with a toasted, nutty scent in the background, as well as a hint of grassy notes.  The brewed tea has a stronger caramel-y scent, together with a strong vegetal note (it almost smells like celery… you know that aroma that fills the kitchen when you saute celery to soften it?  Yeah, that’s what it smells like to me… slightly browned butter and celery!)

This is quite tasty!  The Bancha offers a slight vegetal flavor that develops as I continue to sip.  It doesn’t really taste grassy, but more like steamed spinach:  mild and savory.  There is a buttery tone to the cup as well, although not quite as buttery as you might taste from a Sencha.

The caramel offers a pleasing sweetness that melds nicely with the natural sweetness of the green tea, while the toasted sesame seeds give a toasty nut flavor that marries well with the natural nutty flavors of the tea.  The overall cup is very harmonious and deliciously sweet and creamy, with just enough savory tones to keep it interesting.  There is a mellow astringency that is neither too dry nor too tangy, but it does manage to cleanse the palate to ready it for another sip.

This is the kind of tea that keeps me sipping … and I like that!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Ovation Teas

Tea Description:

Panfried green tea with a flat leaf from the Fujian province in China blended with diced pineapples, whole blueberries, marigold petals and cornflowers, with pineapple and blueberry flavoring.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

When I came across this tea on the Ovation Teas website, I knew I wanted to try it.  The flavor combination is one that I don’t see often, but I thought it would make a really refreshing and delicious iced tea.  I wasn’t wrong!

The flavors are a bit subtle when its served hot, but allow it to cool for a while and you’ll notice the flavors really come to life.  When it’s chilled, the flavors are at their best!

The pineapple and blueberry are pretty well-balanced.  The pineapple is present throughout the entire sip, from start to finish and lingering well into the aftertaste, although it is somewhat more subtle than the burst of blueberry flavor that hits the palate just after the start, but then begins to subside and disappear by the end of the sip.

The green tea is sweet and flavorful, with hints of vegetation and a crisp, fresh taste that adds a very pleasant flavor to the overall tea.  This tea is sweet and tart, but not too tart.  It doesn’t need sweetening, but, a little bit of sugar won’t hurt it (but don’t go overboard!)  This is a tea I think the whole family will enjoy!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Dragon Tea House

Tea Description:

A delicate flower blooms inside this ball tea just before tiny flowers slowly cascade upward like Champagne bubbles. The flowers add their enlivening fragrance and strong taste to this delectably smooth green tea. Our Ball offers one of the most artful spectacles in tea. This blooming tea has an original shape of an tiny ball and when put in boiling water a bouquet of tea leaves and flower. The aromas of both flowers and tea leaves are very well preserved and these exceptional teas develop a wonderful flavor and create at the same time a beautiful “table decoration”.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Every once in a while, I like to take a moment to simply watch a tea steep.  There is something so wonderfully relaxing about it.  I think my favorite teas to watch steep are blooming teas, like this Love Game Flowering Tea from Dragon Tea House.  I like blooming teas because they open slowly, taking their time to reveal their splendor, and when they’ve finally fully unfurled, what a breathtaking display!

A better view of the blossom

I infused this tea for six full minutes in 180°F water, and it still had not opened fully … which means MORE INFUSIONS!  Yay!  This first cup is tasty.  The mouthfeel is soft and silky.  The taste is sweet and floral with notes of jasmine, and a slight nutty flavor.  It is very smooth tasting, with very little astringency and no bitterness.

For my second infusion, I set the timer for ten minutes, although it had fully unfurled after about 90 seconds (taking seven and a half minutes total to completely open), but I infused it for the full ten minutes to achieve full flavor for the infusion, and that ten minutes delivered!   The second infusion was even tastier than the first.  The flavor is more focused on the nutty flavors, with hints of jasmine, and a sweet, fresh, slightly grassy tone.

Overall, a very pleasant experience!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Inspired Leaf

Tea Description:

A little sip of summer…sans seeds!

Inspiration No. 11: The next time it rains, jump in a puddle, just because.

Ingredients: Apples, rosehips, organic green tea, hibiscus, pomegranate, carrots, lime leaves, lime pieces, lime juice, watermelon seeds

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

When I first opened this sample pouch, I had to double check to see if it was, in fact, a green tea.  It had so many fruit and herb chunks in it that I thought it was a fruit tisane rather than a green tea … but, it is a green tea … with lots and lots of chunky bits!

One might think that with so many fruit bits, that the green tea flavor would be lost – and it is a little lost.  Beneath the strong fruity tones is the sweet, refreshing flavor of the green tea – it is not a strong flavor, and the tea lover in me wishes it were stronger, but the way the two fruit flavors play together in this cup tastes so incredible that it’s hard to complain!

I do recommend using extra leaf with this one, however.  If you’d usually use 1 teaspoon of tea per cup, use at least 2 teaspoons of this blend.

But, it’s worth that extra effort, because it really tastes delicious!  The lime is the strongest note, and it is tangy … almost to the point of being a bit sour, but then the sweetness of the watermelon comes through and softens the tart lime.  The hibiscus seems to accent the lime flavor without making the tea too tart or syrupy.  It also gives the cup a pretty, rosy “watermelon” colored hue.  The other fruits listed in the ingredients (apple and pomegranate) do not offer strong, individual flavors.  That is, I don’t taste “apple” or “pomegranate” distinctly, but I do think that these two fruits enhance the overall fruity flavor of the cup.

I am definitely going to need more of this tea for summer – it’s AWESOME iced!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Culinary Teas

Tea Description:

Sencha Kyoto Cherry tea tends light liquoring, fresh and smooth with reasonable depth and body. The cherry flavoring and subtle rose hints give this green tea a wonderful exotic character.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Spring isn’t my favorite season.  I have allergies, and while I have learned how to keep them under control for the rest of the year, at the start of the spring season, it would seem that some new strain of pollen has infiltrated my breathing space and for the first few weeks of spring, I’m sneezing, coughing and itchy.  But that’s spring for you … or rather, for me.

But, there is one thing that brings a little sunshine into my springtime:  cherry flavored Sencha teas.  No other tea says “Spring” to me like a cherry Sencha, and this Sencha Kyoto Cherry Rose Festival Tea from Culinary Teas is quite nice, indeed.

The blend starts out as a feast for the eyes with its vivid green tea leaves and the contrasting rose petals.  And fortunately, I’ve gotten past the new spring pollen initiation, so I can smell the lovely fragrance that this tea offers as well:  sweet cherry and a whisper of rose.

The green tea tastes crisp and fresh, but it doesn’t taste real grassy.  It has a light buttery taste and texture, not really creamy, but more of what I’d call “supple.”  The rose is a bit of an accent flavor, offering just a hint of sharpness to offset some of the sweeter notes of the cherry.  The cherry flavor is light and sweet and has a hint of tartness to it as well, and I like that this doesn’t taste like a cough drop.  I’ve had enough of those this season already!

This is one of the best ways to celebrate spring – with a cup of Sencha Kyoto Cherry Rose Festival Tea!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

About this tea:

Green tea with mango bits, papaya bits, pink pepper, flavouring, chili pepper, sunflower blossoms, safflower.

Learn more about Gurman’s Tea and Coffee here.

This tea was imported by Nedas Tea and Coffee Ltd.

Taster’s Review:

A tea friend sent some of this tea my way, and I was only too glad to try it!  I love mango, and I love spicy teas, and this green tea seemed to offer both.  When I first opened the package, I was blown away with how delicious it smelled.  It reminded me of Thai food:  savory, sweet and spicy!  YUM!

The flavor is a bit of a surprise, actually!  It’s spicy, but it isn’t as hot as I thought it might be.  The spiciness is tempered by the sweetness of the mango and also the green tea, to give the cup a savory element.  It’s not a sweet tea which typically a mango tea is.  At the same time it’s not too spicy, instead I’d call it a mild-to-medium heat that builds gradually, and it offers a pleasant kick that lingers in the aftertaste.  I think that the spicy and the sweet have met together somewhere in the middle to provide a surprisingly savory cup that is absolutely mouthwatering!

I really love this.  Unfortunately, I was not able to find it on the Gurman’s website nor was I able to find it on the Nedas website.  That’s a bummer because this one is good, one I’d like to revisit again someday!