Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Le Palais des Thés
Tea Description:
This green tea blend was inspired by a trip to Morocco. It is flavored with exotic fruits (mango, yellow peach and citrus) and Damascus rose, a famous variety that grows on the slopes of the Atlas mountains. Like a flower petal jelly, this tea is both fresh and sensual, and it is beautiful either hot or iced.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This Thé des Sables from Le Palais des Thés is an enjoyable tea. It’s certainly not my favorite offering from this company, but, I am finding it to be calming … soothing … this evening.
The fruit notes of mango and peach taste a tad … artificial, especially in the first couple of sips, but by the time I’ve reached mid-cup, the artificial notes seem to have softened and make way for a more true-to-fruit kind of experience. This ‘artificial-ness” can also have something to do with the citrus tones, which sort of tingle on the tongue in the aftertaste similar to the way my tongue tingles after I’ve sipped a tea that tastes slightly chemical-y or perfume-y. But this tingling sensation sort of wanes by mid-cup, and the artificial taste is less noticeable.
But even with the artificial taste, this tea doesn’t taste horrible. I think it is the floral tones that save the tea from being dumped, really, because the floral tones are so soft and pleasant. Sweet and exotic tasting, like baklava that’s been flavored with rose water. When served warm, this is what this tea reminds me of. I sometimes even think I can taste the pastry notes, which is kind of odd for a green tea … so it might all be in my head … maybe this tea just enchants me so that I think I taste things that I don’t. It is interesting to me, though, that the floral tones here seem so soft and pleasant, not at all perfume-y, while the fruit tones tasted so off at the start … reminiscent of perfume.
As I said, it’s not my favorite tea from this company, but, I’ve tried several teas from them that I’ve really quite enjoyed so I’m not going to allow this one experience to taint my opinion of Le Palais des Thés. Not every tea is going to prove to be a winner, after all, and this one isn’t so horrible that I’d call it a loss … it’s something I enjoyed alright, and something that I’d drink again if I were offered it, but I doubt that I’d order it for myself if I’ve other choices.
Chocolate Orange White Tea from sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Description:
Chocolate Orange Loose Leaf White Tea is a Delightfully mild citrus spice with a creamy touch on the tongue. The mild loose leaf white tea is the perfect vessel for this spectacular combination of creamy, tangy with a delicate touch of spice.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I was a little skeptical about this blend, to be honest, because it’s a white tea … and I generally prefer chocolate-y teas to have a black tea base. I was also skeptical because I felt that with the chocolate and orange notes to be strong enough that the white tea would end up being overwhelmed.
Well, the white tea is not overwhelmed. It has a light, fresh taste to it … somewhat vegetative, with a creamy note that is accented by the vanilla. I find that this creaminess highlights the chocolate and adds some much needed emphasis to the orange flavor.
The chocolate comes through nicely, as does the vanilla. I wish the same could be said for the orange. I taste the orange, certainly, but it isn’t as bright or vivid a taste as I think it should be for a tea called Chocolate Orange.
My favorite part of this tea is the touch of cinnamon, which adds a very pleasing, autumnal taste and a sense of warmth to the cup. I like that the cinnamon is a gentle, sweet cinnamon, just enough to spice up the tea without adding an overpowering amount of flavor (something that cinnamon often does in a blend – I’m glad that’s not happening here).
Overall, this is a very enjoyable blend. A little weak on the orange, but, the other flavors are very pleasing – I like that the chocolate comes through, and I love the little touches: a touch of vanilla, a touch of cinnamon. It makes for a very delicious cuppa.
Orange Spice Cake from sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black – Darjeeling and Yunnan
Where to Buy: sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Description:
Organic Yunnan Black TeaThis is a wonderful citrus tea with subtle spice notes playing through it. This Organic Yunnan Black Tea with it’s rich orange liquor in both color and flavor make the perfect vessel for creating a warm inviting orange spice cake tea. With notes of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg to give this tea depth and warmth inviting you in to take another slice of cake.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a really nice tea. Maybe it is the cold weather and the holiday season but it makes me feel festive. I am sure this tea would also be amazing in the summer, cold brewed.
On first sip it reminded me a little bit of Constant Comment but trust me there is no comparison! This is by far and above better and has far more layers to it than a simple orange spiced tea.
The spice is balanced so perfectly and does not take over the wonderful citrus.
Often a tea will be named with “cake” in the title, or something indicating it should taste like cake, but this one really does and you won’t be disappointed in the bake-y goodness of this cup.
On the other hand, the sweetness is not over done and the cocoa nibs offer a perfect amount of chocolate goodness. I really love the way that sTEAp Shoppe handles the chocolate flavor in their teas, it tastes like good chocolate.
The aroma is intoxicating and the color of the cup is delightful to look at.
A tea that could be served at parties to please everyone.
All of the ingredients in this tea blend perfectly to make a well balanced delicious dessert or any time tea.
Mango Green Tea (Decaffeinated) from Spice & Tea Exchange
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Decaffeinated)
Where to Buy: Spice & Tea Exchange
Tea Description:
Chinese green tea leaves are combined with flowers & natural mango for a nice fruity flavor. This is a naturally decaffeinated green tea that is great hot or iced. Contains: organic green tea, safflower & marigold petals, natural mango and citrus pieces & flavoring.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
From the moment that I took a sip, there was something a little different about this. I could tell it was decaffeinated, although I did not put my finger on that right away. It wasn’t until I read the above description that I said “ah… that’s it, it’s decaffeinated.”
That’s not to say that it tastes bad. It doesn’t even have the chemical-y taste that some decaffeinated teas have, nor is it terribly thin the way some decaffeinated teas can be. It is slightly thinner than a typical Chinese green, but, it is not an obvious thinness.
But I do notice a slight metallic twinge toward the end of the sip, a twinge that lingers into the aftertaste. It isn’t a disturbing twinge, but it’s there, and it tells me that this is, indeed, a decaffeinated green.
It is still a tasty tea, though. The green tea is sweet and vegetative, and the mango has a sweet, tropical flavor that evokes thoughts of warm summer breezes which is kind of a nice thought as it is very cold outside! I like the level of flavor here, it isn’t strong or artificial tasting, it tastes like real mango. I can also taste a very subtle note of citrus, which brightens the cup, but I think it also accentuates the metallic tone.
A tasty decaffeinated tea, nice for when you’ve had more than enough caffeine for one day but you’re not ready to switch to a caffeine free tisane, a decaffeinated tea like this one makes a nice alternative.
Oolong Formosa from Utopia Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Utopia Tea
Tea Description:
The name speaks for itself, Formosa meaning “beautiful” tea. Our Oolong Formosa is semi-fermented with copper red leaves and have silver tips. The tea leaves offer hints of vanilla and citrus for a smooth and spicy taste. Oolong Formosa got its name from the Portuguese explorers that called the island, Formosa. Oolong Formosa contains a large amount of natural plant-derived antioxidant compounds called polyphenols that fight off cancer and a variety of diseases. Oolong tea leaves have been proven to protect the body, lower cholesterol, promote healthy blood vessel functionality, and strengthen the immune system. Small amounts of Vitamin C and K, potassium, and calcium have been found in Oolong tea leaves. Try this tea hot or over ice!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Utopia Tea’s Formosa Oolong is a nice daily oolong. Its not the most mind blowing oolong by any means but this is a tea for when you don’t want to nor have the time to sit paying attention to your steep. It is a forgiving oolong that can take mishaps well. It has a good flavor although to me, there is slightly a black tea flavor here as well. It does not strike me as an all out oolong.
Now I admit, I am an oolong snob and for me, having an oolong is a time for relaxing, meditation, and sitting with my tea contemplating. I prefer to have oolong when using my gaiwan and usually I spend more on oolong than any other tea for that reason. However this is a really solid oolong for sharing with company that drops by, making cold brew, or when you just don’t have the time or want to sit and pay close attention to your steeping session.
When I took my first sip what came to mind is that of an oolong I have had a Asian restaurants before. Good but nothing that was mind blowing.
In all fairness though, 4 ounces of this tea from Utopia Tea is only 10.00 so I really do not think that Utopia is trying to claim this is the best oolong on earth. I feel the price is by far fair for what you get here!
What this tea does offer is just what the description says, slight hints at vanilla with slight citrus notes, and a nice background of some spice and nuttiness. I added the note on nuttiness. There is the typical roasted flavor of oolong but it would fall on the lighter side of roasts.
A good tea for the price, excellent for serving cold or to guests who are not tea perfectionists. Great to serve with meals or drink by the tons while working.