Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha Green Tea from California Tea House is the tea of the moment here at SororiTea Sisters and what a tea moment it IS!
Genmaicha Green Teas fascinate me. There are so many different looks, feels, sniffs, tastes to them eventho they only have 2 ingredients (unless you throw matcha in there then there are 3 ingredients but you know what I mean!) This particular Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha Green Tea from California Tea House is really somethings special!
The dry aroma isn’t overly powerful. I was kind of surprised at that but didn’t pre-judge it and was rewarded with an AMAZING aroma that was incredible and strong once infused. The post-infusion liquor of this Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha Green Tea from California Tea House was terrific, too! It was a mellow yellow shade.
Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha Green Tea from California Tea House was HEAVY on the popped rice and I enjoyed that fact. It infused VERY clean. The texture of the Genmaicha was near broth like. Again, I appreciated it! It was extremely easy sipping, was completely crisp and clean, and didn’t leave a roasted or bitter after-taste. It’s comforting, soothing, and pleasant in EVERY WAY!
I would classify Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha Green Tea from California Tea House as a daily drinker! YUM!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: California Tea House
Description
Genmaicha tea is a traditional Japanese green tea. It is believed that the development of Genmaicha was by monks in using rice as a filler to save money. This tradition quickly caught on as the blend of toasted rice and green tea (typically Sencha or Bancha) has a very soothing, pleasant flavor.
Jump forward a few thousand years and you find California Tea House’s gourmet, Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha. You’ll find our twist on Genmaicha to be an amazing upgrade to this tradition as we spared no expense in creating the finest Genmaicha on the market. Instead of Sencha we use Imperial Gyokuro green tea to provide a very clean, crisp green tea flavor without the bitterness. Also, we use sticky rice as the base of our toasted rice for a slightly sweet and very flavorful, nutty blend. There’s no turning back to old style Genmaicha after you’ve tried this one! Buy our Imperial Gyokuro Genmaicha with our 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Bring your mineral or filtered water to a boil, then let the water settle back down to around 180oF before steeping about 1 heaping teaspoon of tea per cup. Never steep more than 3 or 4 minutes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Vanilla Bean Honeybush from California Tea House
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: California Tea House
Tisane Description:
Honeybush is made from the Cyclopia sessiliflora plant from the mountains of the South African Cape. It is very similar to Rooibos in taste and health aspects, yet it is naturally a little more sweet. We took the highest grade Honeybush and blended in vanilla bean pieces and marigold petals to create our naturally caffeine-free Vanilla Bean Honeybush.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
I had my doubts, but this Vanilla Bean Honeybush from California Tea House is really tasty. It is sweet and it is loaded with real vanilla flavor. I love that the vanilla notes here don’t taste artificial. This tastes like true vanilla. It’s sweet and creamy deliciousness!
The vanilla is the strongest flavor that I’m tasting here. And like I just said, it’s deliciously sweet and creamy. But the honeybush can be tasted too, and it adds a hint of honey and a nutty tone to the background.
I love the simplicity of this blend – it’s just vanilla and honeybush (plus a little bit of marigold petals to add some pretty color to the blend.) But it’s also a really smart pairing, because honeybush – as well as it’s South African cousin, Rooibos – tend to produce a somewhat thin textured liquid, but with the creaminess of the vanilla … it doesn’t feel thin. This feels pleasantly soft and smooth to the palate.
To get the most out of this tisane, I recommend steeping it at a just below boiling point (195°F) for 10 minutes. I go with the slightly lower temperature because this helps to avoid the sour wood taste that sometimes accompanies rooibos and honeybush … while still achieving the maximum amount of flavor out of a honeybush (or rooibos) blend.
Vanilla fans … this is your answer for those late at night cravings! This will satisfy those sweet tooth cravings without any caffeine!
Vanilla Bean Honeybush from California Tea House
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: California Tea House
Tisane Description:
Honeybush is made from the Cyclopia sessiliflora plant from the mountains of the South African Cape. It is very similar to Rooibos in taste and health aspects, yet it is naturally a little more sweet. We took the highest grade Honeybush and blended in vanilla bean pieces and marigold petals to create our naturally caffeine-free Vanilla Bean Honeybush.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
This tisane brings back memories! Back when I flavored and blended teas, I had a delicious organic vanilla honeybush, and this tastes quite a bit like that one did. The naturally sweet, nutty flavor of the honeybush seems to marry very well with the creamy tones of vanilla. The result is a sweet, smooth cup that is delicious any time of day.
While I am enjoying this (and it is good hot or iced!) I think it would be even better with a bit more vanilla flavor. As it is, it has a pleasing vanilla note, but, I think that a little more vanilla would help to tone down the slightly sour wood note that I taste toward mid-sip. It isn’t what I’d call “off-putting” but, I think it would taste better without it. In addition, I think that the additional vanilla flavor would give it a little more body, and I’m finding this cup to be a wee bit on the thin side.
Overall, though, this is enjoyable. Makes a sweet, cozy cup to enjoy later in the evening when you might want something a little on the sweet side, this can help curb those cravings. A nice, relaxing cup.
Organic Darjeeling from California Tea House
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Darjeeling
Where to Buy: California Tea House
Product Description:
Introducing our new 2nd Flush, Organic Darjeeling, also known as the champagne of teas… This USDA organically certified Darjeeling is a very fancy, high-end tea and we are doing everything we can to keep it at a nice price. It has a natural aroma of fruit and muscat for those who love dessert wine.
Taster’s Review:
More than any other tea, I think that Darjeeling reminds me of a fine wine. Yes, I know that Darjeeling is referred to as the “champagne” of teas. And there are certain qualities of a Darjeeling that are quite champagne-like, especially that crisp, almost sparkling quality to a Darjeeling that you won’t find in other teas. But it is the fruity, muscatel notes that inspire comparisons to a top notch wine.
This Organic Darjeeling from California Tea House is an outstanding Darjeeling. It tastes crisp and vibrant and full of flavor. I taste strong notes of black currant and sweet grape. For those somewhat new to teas (or more specifically, to Darjeeling teas), this is one of those Darjeeling teas that could be used as an excellent example of what that mysterious muscatel note in Darjeeling really is. Sweet, fruity, and even possessing hints of sharp floral notes, this is truly a remarkable Darjeeling.
The astringent note at the end is dry, readying the palate for the next sip. While I often consider a Darjeeling to be very autumn-esque, I am finding it to be a perfect tea to enjoy on an early spring day as well. It needs no additions – I think Darjeeling teas should be enjoyed without sugar or milk because I think they interfere with some of the delicate nuances of the tea. However, I do think that the wine-like qualities of this Darjeeling make for a perfect pairing with Blue Cheese and Fig Crackers from O Pair. The sweetness of the muscatel notes bring the more elusive flavor of the fig in these crackers to the surface, while the savory notes of the blue cheese highlight some of the more savory tones of this tea. This is a perfectly delightful afternoon snack! YUM!
Lemon Drop from California Tea House
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: California Tea House
Company Description:
Chamomile Lemon Drop is a smooth blend of very healthy Sencha green tea with fresh-cut ginger root, lemon myrtle, a few citrus peels, lemon grass, orange preserves and English chamomile. This is a very refreshing green tea that we like to drink in the early afternoon.
Taster’s Review:
I reviewed this tea previously, but, it’s so good that I feel like writing about it again!
This is a really delicious blend. The flavors are very well balanced. Nothing overpowering or competing with anything else. Just a refreshingly light tea experience that is pleasantly sweet.
The Sencha is light and offers a hint of buttery taste to the cup which is further complimented by the lemongrass. This tastes lemony, but it isn’t sour. It is lightly tart, and leaves a citrus-y tingle on the tip of tongue in the finish.
The chamomile is delicate in this blend, as is the ginger. It is incredibly relaxing to sip, and it is one that I’d recommend for early evening when you’re at that point in your day that you want to wind down but aren’t quite ready to pack it in yet.
Cheers!