Teahouse Matcha/Rishi -skysamurai-

Everyone once in awhile I will drink a tea or have a matcha that is the unfortunate victim to poor packaging.

The grey unassuming bag looks like it would be well suited for the job of protecting this matcha but I fear it failed. The dry aroma is nil.

It’s part of matcha that I love, so smelling a staleness, a sort of packaging type of smell was disappointing. Surprisingly the wet aroma immediately filled my nose with vegetal and slight nori notes. Gave me hope.

But that was dashed with the flavor. It tastes like the aroma. Not at all what I expected.


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Leaf Type: Green Tea/Matcha

Where to Buy: Rishi

Description

Our top grade of organic matcha is made from the first springtime harvest of tencha, savored for its umami sweetness, creamy taste and enlivening energy

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Masala Chai Organic Black Tea/Rishi -TeaEqualsBliss

I’m doing my own personal sipdown during COVID that’s for sure! I’m flying thru a lot of the teas I have had on hand for a good-long-while including Masala Chai Organic Black Tea from Rishi Tea.

To be honest, I thought I already reviewed this one, but apparently I did NOT.

I drink chai like I drink tea…plain…straight-up…with nothing else in them. The spices are BOLD in this chai. The ingredients consist of Organic Black Tea, Organic Cardamom, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Black Pepper, and Organic Cloves. I almost typed GLOVES. Now…THAT would have been a tea I have never tried – hahaha!

As you can see – the ORGANIC theme runs thru this offering. It is certified USDA Organic and also Certified Kosher and both labels are clearly shown.

This is a bold chai and it reaches high standards. It’s a GOODIE!


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Rishi Tea

Description

Tasting Notes
A robust, full-bodied black tea blended with aromatic traditional Indian masala spices
organic black tea, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, organic ginger root, organic black pepper, organic clove

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Peppermint Rooibos (and bergamot!) from Rishi Tea

Sometimes you need a clean and fresh cup of tea to help you relax or clear your mind.  When I needed something like that, I reached for Peppermint Roobios from Rishi Tea. This was a new tea for me, though it didn’t feel out of my comfort zone.  Peppermint and roobios: I know both of these ingredients and I know they make a fine combination.

When I brewed this tea, I read the packaging and noticed that there was another flavor in the blend as well: bergamot oil.  Bergamot is what provides the citrus flavor in earl grey blends. This little citrus pop is what makes this blend appealing for me.  It adds a brightness to the earthy red rooibos and a nice counterpoint to the cool peppermint.

This is a great naturally caffeine-free flavor for a day when you need something soothing.  The citrus-mint combination makes this much more complex and enjoyable, with lots mouthfeel sensations from the sharp citrus, cool mint, and sour rooibos.  This is a great all-purpose blend to brighten a grey day or help bring some cooling inspiration to a busy day.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Description:

Peppermint Rooibos makes a deep red infusion with a smooth, rich mouthfeel and fresh minty sweetness that underlines the finer points of peppermint. The slightest touch of bergamot harmonizes these herbs, highlighting the soothing aroma of peppermint with the sweet and silky character of rooibos.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

A Trio of Peach Teas from Beleave, Rishi, and Teavana. . . .

Who knew I had so many peachy teas in my cupboard?  Let’s look at a spontaneous peach tea trio!

Pinkies Up Peach from Beleave Teas

Leaf type: white tea

This is a white tea with peach pieces and added flavors.  The dry leaf smells fruity and juicy without being artificial.  When brewed, the white tea base is smooth and buttery and pairs perfectly with the bright sweet peach overtones.  White tea and peach are a winning combination.  Black tea blends tend to get too tart or overbearing against the sweet fruit.  Pinkies Up Peach from Beleave would make a great summer iced tea.

Peach Blossom White from Rishi Tea

Leaf type: white tea

Wow, blossoms indeed!  There are plenty of buds and petals in the dry leaf, and the blend smells a flower box.  Brewed, the fragrance is even stronger with jasmine and peony.  The peach takes a back seat in this blend, and taste a bit more peach candies than fresh fruit.  The peach tones pop up in the aftertaste, alongside citrus notes like mandarin orange.  This wasn’t a very peachy tea, but it was a unique floral blend that surprised me.

Peach Cran Tango from Teavana

Leaf type: black tea

Even before Teavana closed its online shop, I believe the Peach Cran Tango blend was discontinued.  So it’s a bit of a moot point for me to review it now.  To help soothe the Teavana ache, I tried to replicate this blend on Adagio’s custom tea builder.  Give my Peach Cran Tango and try and see how it stacks up.

The last of the Teavana sample I tasted was simple but enjoyable.  Sweet peach is balanced with a bit of tart cranberry, all atop a solid black tea base. This is technically a peach blend, though it also features a good dose of cranberry. Cranberries are sweet, tangy and versatile, and seem to tango with just about any fruit partner. The red-berry tartness help the peach from being too cloying and make for a balanced fruit blend.

Well I’m feeling just peachy after all these peach teas.  All this sweet fruit makes me feel like warmer weather is on its way already…

 

 

Turmeric Ginger from Rishi. . . .

Ginger tea is one of my favorite things to drink, and I’m always trying to find ways to get turmeric in my diet so this tea is right up my alley!

This tea has ginger and turmeric, of course but it also has licorice root, lemongrass which is another favorite of mine, and also orange and lemon peel and orange and lemon oil. The taste of the ginger and citrus is there, but it definitely takes a back seat to the turmeric.

Turmeric can be very overpowering if too much is used as I’ve learned when I experiment with making golden milk with turmeric and coconut milk. But Rishi Tea knows what they’re doing. The turmeric is there, but it’s the perfect amount. When you take a sip you get the zest of turmeric, with a little hint of ginger and citrus.

This is a caffeine free tea, but I noticed I felt very energized and zippy after drinking this. This is also a very warming tea, so I will be adding this to the winter tea rotation. It would be great to have before or after being out in the cold. I enjoyed this tea warm, but I plan on trying it iced next. It seems like one of those teas that are great hot or iced.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Description

The awesome, centering energy of golden turmeric root is enhanced by strengthening licorice root and zesty ginger in this Ayurveda inspired blend. Fragrant lemongrass and citrus peels create a lemon drop candy sweetness that balances the pungency of the roots. The combination of turmeric, ginger, lemon and honey is an ancient herbal recipe for longevity, stamina and balance.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!