This is my first time brewing matcha powder and leaves together, and I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. I didn’t want to whisk fibers out of the leaves, but I also didn’t want to lose out on any matcha goodness in a filter bag. I settled on using a gravity brewer to trap the leaves but let matcha through.
This Endurance citrus mint brewed a unique opaque army green. We start with a definite mint smell, but I don’t taste it…and it’s subtle on the green tea … perhaps my tastebuds are too busy with the strong lemongrass flavor? There’s a soft aftertaste tingle on the tongue that travels down the throat with a gentle ginger zing – hello, I’m awake now! The density of the particles in this tea causes a heavier, fuller mouthfeel, to the point where I felt as if it were starting to coat my tongue. This was especially true on those last, sediment-rich sips.
I love the idea of matcha teas as a midday or workout time pick-me-up. I’ve seen some brands who sell pure fine-ground matcha, who also sell this hybrid with larger flavor bits at a lower cost. Though I am frugal, I’m too much a traditionalist at heart to be able to fully embrace this ”best-of-both-tea-worlds” bag and powder offering from Sportland Tea Co.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea and Matcha
Where to Buy: Sportland Tea Co.
Sportland Tea Co.’s Endurance Blend is a unique mix of matcha green tea and herbs. With ginger, mint, and ginseng. This blend is an invigorating option any time of the day.
Drink approximately 15-30 minutes before a workout, run, or when you are having a long day at the office. Try it over ice for an even more refreshing and hydrating option!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
White Chocolate Tiramisu from Fava Tea. . . .
I accidentally left this in the steeper far too long — which you aren’t supposed to do with green — but it’s still really tasty, so that’s a sublimely positive thing for us scatterbrained tea enthusiasts.
This tea tastes like white chocolate, nuts, and caramel. It’s supposed to taste like Tiramisu, but I’m not sure I’m getting that. Tiramisu, to me, mostly has coffee notes. That said, who cares, a tasty tea is a tasty tea. This is SO creamy and delicious and sweet. It’s a slick mouth-feel (ew, the phrase “mouth-feel” is horrible) that really coats the inside of the mouth.
I feel like I’m in a French patisserie with this tea. Everything is Marie Antoinette pastel. I have a tiny purebred dog upon my lap. My pinky is up. I’m with all of my friends. We’re wearing blush and having a scintillating conversation that focuses on fine arts and gossip.
We might enjoy ourselves so much that we oversteep the tea. But that’s okay. This tea doesn’t mind.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black & Green
Where to Buy: Fava Tea
Description
This is a green and black tea blend with almonds, coconut, and cocoa pieces. If you like the darker, creamy, savory teas, this is one for you! A popular dessert tea. Blends well with rock sugar. Try Vanilla Rocks, Chocolate Cream Rocks, or Strawberry Rocks, for starters!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Dragon Well from Enjoying Tea. . . .
Teas have characteristics that make them better under certain circumstances. Some teas are great in the morning as a pick me up, some are better as a mid-afternoon brew, and others are better for healing specific ailments. The Dragon Well Tea from Enjoying tea is a perfect afternoon tea and provides a milder version of traditional green tea.
My initial impression of this tea was an excitement of the large flat leaf that this loose tea presented. It was refreshing to be able to truly see the tea leaf rather than have the small processed leaves that are familiar to me in black teas. The leaves themselves had a musky scent and even from the aroma of this tea, it was easy to see that it was a high quality green tea.
When brewed, this tea produced a gorgeous light tan color. Rather than the brew keeping its musky flavor, the tea had a mellow-sweet taste and was exceptionally smooth. There is a nutty overtone that lingers on the palate and keeps you looking for the next sip. I happily brewed two cups of this from a single serving of leaves
I will admit that I over-brewed the leaves at one point and was concerned that the flavor would be damaged or burnt; however, I was happily surprised that I did not distort the flavor! I was so impressed, that I wanted to do a bit of research on the leaves. One of the characteristics of this tea is the mellow flavor keeps the flavor from turning bitter, even if you over-brew or brew at a higher water temperature.
In addition, during the production of the tea, the leaves are dried under a wood-fired wok which explains that musky aromatic experience when you open this tea. I would happily brew this tea again!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Enjoying Tea
Description
This tea is not available on the site but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Easter Egg Nests from Bluebird Tea Co.
I had to try Easter Egg Nests blend from Bluebird Tea Company as soon as I heard about it: marshmallows, puffed rice, cacao shells? It’s the dessert tea of my dreams! This blend is based on an Easter dessert of rice krispie treats with chocolate, shaped like bird’s nests with a few mini chocolate eggs or marshmallow peeps for good measure.
Springtime and puffed rice or marshmallow teas are all the rage. There are lots of sweet and festive peeps-inspired teas available this time of year. This blend from Bluebird Tea Co. is a slight rarity, in that it is a puffed rice tea with a half black tea half green tea base instead of the full green tea base more traditionally found in genmai cha.
This tea tastes like equal parts marshmallowy rice krispie treat and sweet and creamy milk chocolate. The natural nuttiness of the cacao shells is a perfect match for the toasty puffed rice, and I’m glad for the bolder black tea to provide a solid base for all these delightful dessert flavors. I love this tea just as it is, without sugar or milk; it has a tasty balance of starchy rice with smooth vanilla that isn’t overwhelmingly sweet, like salted caramels.
However, I’ve seen some amazing pictures of this tea as a latte, complete with whipped cream and Easter candy and that might just have to be my next dessert concoction! Happy Spring!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black tea and Green tea
Where to Buy: Bluebird Tea Co.
Description:
The best Easter treats to make as kids: crispy, gooey, chocolatey, goodness! Whether you decorate with chocolate eggs or fluffy chicks we’re all fond of a home-made Easter Egg Crispy Nest (or two!). That’s why our limited edition Easter tea blend is packed with crispy toasted rice, chocolate pieces and (vegan) marshmallows!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Winter Pine from Tea & Tins. . . . .
My favorite thing about this tea is how beautiful it is!! It could make a beautiful decorative centerpiece with the vibrant red peppercorns and orange pieces. It says Christmas season all over it.
The flavor is predominantly green tea, followed by orange, with a very subtle hint of almond in it. I was unable to pick up any of the peppercorn or safflower flavors. This would be a delightful cup of tea next to a fireplace on a winters eve, or a holiday break morning tea with scones.
I would suggest using an open tea basket to see the beautiful collage of mixture. I’d hazard a guess that this could also make a refreshing iced-tea on a steaming hot summer day, when you long for winter days!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Tea & Tins
Description
Loose leaf green tea: a festive combination of sweet almond and refreshing orange invokes the warm times of holiday season.
Ingredients: green tea, orange slices, planed almonds, flavoring, pink peppercorns, safflower.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
