After losing track of this tea in my stash for a while I finally found a bit of it again and it was due to an honest mistake on my part! I mislabeled it! Shame on me! I forgot to write down the full name of this tea company! I had it as “Tea In” but in fact that is only part of the website URL. This tea, Gokuzyo – First Crop Japanese Green Tea – Limited is from Japanese Green Tea Company, LLC!
This exact tea is no longer listed on their website but they do currently have a High Grade Crude Japanese Green – Gokuzyo Aracha.
As for this specific – Gokuzyo – First Crop Japanese Green Tea – here were my thoughts, feelings, and findings…
This loose leaf is very coarse, broken tea leaves with very fine powder. So fine, that I didn’t even know it was there until I infused it. The tea water infused to a grey-green liquor and offered a semi-mild aroma and flavor. The flavor was a tad grassy and I was careful to not over infuse because once I saw the color I knew it had the potential to turn a bit bitter if I wasn’t careful.
I have to admit that Gokuzyo is not one one the green teas I have had LOTS of.
Gokyuzyo translates literally to “The Highest Grade” in Japanese. Among all the green tea harvested, Gokuzyo is the section of the best tea leaves based on taste, water level, aroma and the quality of the leaf itself. Trained masters (called chya-shi in Japanese) pick the best tea leaves by hand, one leaf at a time.
As I sip, I give thanks and positive vibes to all of the tea masters who made this lovely cuppa possible!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Japanese Green Tea Company
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Bold Breakfast/Dunkin Donuts -TeaEqualsBliss-
Sometimes even the most loose leaf tea-loving fan gets lazy from time to time. That’s why I recently sipped on one of the packaged Dunkin’ Donuts Bold Breakfast Black Teas.
There were two reasons for this. One – was because I was overly lazy. Two – I wanted a black tea I didn’t have to think much about. Enter…Bold Breakfast from Dunkin’ Donuts!
I’ve been known to roll my eyes at some bagged teas that claim to be ‘bold’ only to find out that they aren’t bold at all or even close to being so!
With this tea – I have to say I was pleasantly surprised! For a bagged tea – this WAS pretty bold! It brewed really dark and the black tea flavor stood up to the test, too! Even the 2nd infusion wasn’t too shabby!
A mighty fine way to start your day or kick your butt back into gear during that midday lull!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Dunkin Donuts
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
No. 12, Le Hammeau/Bellocq Tea Atelier -Ashmanra-
I have purchased a few herbal tisanes in the past year for those nights when I want to avoid caffeine. I wanted something that isn’t thin and pale beside my beloved tea but is also delicious without resorting to fake tasting additives or sweeteners. This offering is all organic.
First, the aroma really knocked my socks off. It is so lemony and sweet smelling. And then the taste holds up to the aroma! It’s a miracle! The texture is rich and broth-like.
The lemon flavor is coming from lemongrass and lemon verbena, and since the last ingredient listed is natural essence, I am guessing it may be lemon oil, but I could be wrong.
I grew lemongrass last year and I made a tisane from it, but it had a much thinner body than this, and since it was lemongrass alone, there were no layers of flavor as we have here.
Lemon is at the forefront in aroma and taste, but mint comes in midway and then lingers for quite a while. The rose is adding sweetness with the peppery rose notes and also is surely the source of the rich, creamy body that fairly coats the tongue.
I offered a cup to a family member standing by and promptly had to make another pot. Fortunately, this tisane resteeps well so I can enjoy it with abandon as often as I like.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Bellocq
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Rose Lemonade/Taylors of Harrogate -Just Tea-Zen-
I love when I find a bold, caffeine free herbal! This is another one of those teas that I have to remember to sip instead of guzzle. If I had to describe it in one word, I’d have to say it is “LUSCIOUS”.
I am one who normally shies away from floral blends because they’re just not my thing. I’ve had some rose blends that were just too heavy on the rose. I love roses…I love the way they look and smell; I have just never found a rose tea blend that I love. Well friends, that just changed!
I have to admit, I was skeptical. When I opened my little sachet, I could very distinctly smell roses. Again, I love the smell of roses and that aroma is coming through as my cup is steeping.
I take my first sip with an open mind and I am beside myself! It’s not just delicious…it’s astonishing (well, it is for me since I wasn’t expecting to love it). It’s bright, it’s cheery, it’s smooth, and like I said…it’s just luscious.
The rose aroma and flavor is very noticeable but the lemon peel and lemongrass “cuts” it just enough so that the rose is not overpowering. It’s a simple but bold blend of rose and citrus. I sweetened my cup with a little agave. I’m finding that I get better flavor notes on herbals by adding a tiny bit of sweetness.
I wasn’t looking for a favorite floral, but I definitely found one. Lucky for me, I have extras; this one will be next up to try iced and I can’t wait!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Taylors of Harrogate
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lemon Vibration/Wise Ape Tea -Skysamurai-
Are you familiar with the song Good Vibrations by Marky Mark feat The Funky Bunch?
If not or if you need a refresher go take a listen then come back. This tisane definitely has lemon vibrations.
To be honest I don’t drink herbals unless I’m sick but seeing as this was in the review pile I didn’t want to wait till I was sick to drink it. Plus when your sick your sense of taste is messed up. Everything about this cuppa shouts spa. It smells like you walked into a high-class spa. The flavor isn’t overly lemony.
So it’s perfect for relaxing and winding down. Everything blends well, with a unique sweet after taste.
Also want to give a shoutout to the company for sending 10% profits to charity.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Wise Ape Tea Co.
Description
An herbal blend of lemongrass, lemon balm, and st. john’s wort harmonize to realign your vibration and recenter your psyche. Sip slow and reset with delicate hints of lavender, lemon peel, and rosemary as they soothe your senses and brighten your mood into a state of inner utopia. Designed to recenter, reset, and realign.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
