Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Tea & Yerba Maté
Where to Buy: Maté Factor
Company Description:
Ingredients: American Ginseng root, Fresh Green Yerba Mate, Premium Japanese Sencha Green Tea, Echinacea Angustifolia Root and Echinacea Purpurea leaf.
Our most powerful tea ever.
One taste will enlighten you to the delicate but powerful blend of this tea.
Taster’s Review:
I was a little nervous to try this blend. I’m not crazy about the flavor of echinacea or ginseng; I find the flavor of these two herbs to be rather off-putting. So, needless to say, I don’t usually select teas with either of these ingredients, and this particular blend has both!
Fortunately, however, neither of these herbs presents a strong flavor to the cup. The strongest taste to the cup is the green Yerba Maté, which is earthy and vegetative. Less than a year ago, I would have told you that I don’t care for green Yerba Maté because of its strong earthy and vegetative taste, but I really like Maté Factor’s green Yerba Maté! I contribute this change of taste preference to the fact that Maté Factor is dedicated to providing the freshest Yerba Maté possible. It isn’t smoked or aged Yerba Maté, and I’ve come to realize that this really makes a difference!
I can also taste the fresh, bright flavor of the Japanese Sencha in this blend. It lends a sweetness to the blend that is distinctively green tea.
Because of the green tea in this blend, I don’t recommend bringing the water to a boil like you might normally do when brewing Yerba Maté. This may scorch the tea leaves and cause the tea to taste bitter. Instead, I pull my kettle just as the water is producing a good amount of steam and there are tiny bubbles beginning to rapidly form at the base of the kettle – rapidly forming but not yet rising to the surface.
As the tea cools slightly, more of the Ginseng and Echinacea tastes come through, but, surprisingly, it isn’t off-putting because the flavor of the Yerba Maté seems to offset it just “so” and gives it a very appealing taste. That being said, I think this tea is much tastier when it’s hot, served with a drizzle of honey.
I’ve tried quite a few teas from Maté Factor now, and I’ve been very impressed. If you’ve been interested in trying Yerba Maté, Maté Factor is a good place to start. If you’ve tried Yerba Maté in the past and found it not to your liking, I suggest trying it again – but this time try a Maté Factor Yerba Maté! You may just change your mind about Yerba Maté. I know I have!
Skin from Byron Bay Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Byron Bay Tea Company
Company Description:
Beauty begins on the inside, which makes our SKIN tea the perfect primer. The zesty blend of Lemongrass and Ginger is complemented by a purifying punch of Peppermint. So for a naturally healthy glow, and to sustain your internal vigor, sip BBTC SKIN.
Taster’s Review:
OK, I admit it. Herbal blends scare me. Just a little bit. They do!
That’s because even with the finest ingredients, herbal tisanes can go wrong. They can taste medicine-y. Or they can just have some funky off-putting taste. So, needless to say, I was scared to try this blend from Byron Bay Tea Company.
But, this tastes really terrific! If this is a skin regime, count me in! I would be happy to drink this on a daily basis.
This doesn’t taste medicine-y or otherwise off-putting. The peppermint is strong, but not overpowering… and interestingly enough, this tisane doesn’t come off as “minty” exactly, although it does have a crisp and clean mint aftertaste.
I am also enjoying the way the ginger and lemongrass work together in this blend. The ginger offers just a hint of peppery flavor, while the sweet citrus-y tones of the lemongrass cancel out some of the spicier notes of the ginger. There is also a nice peppery accent in the finish that I find rather enjoyable.
But, I think my favorite part of this blend is the very subtle taste of rose. It is a nice touch. It is so soft and sweet. Very nice, indeed.
None of the flavors here are overwhelming… instead, they are very harmonious with one another. It has a pleasant, well-rounded taste. It is a very soothing, relaxing cup – especially nice at the end of the day!