Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White & Green
Where to Buy: Element Tea
Product Description:
Support your health with this popular blend of Pai Mu Tan White tea, Chinese Sencha Green tea, whole raspberries, and an array of healthful spices. Throw in the crisp taste of ginger, and you’ve got the perfect balance of delicious and palate pleasing flavors!
Brew Time: 3 – 4 minutesIngredients: Pai Mu Tan White Tea, China Green Tea Sencha, Jasmine, Ginger, Cardamom, Cloves, Raspberries, Black Pepper, Star-of-Anise
Taster’s Review:
Wow! This is really good. Very different. It is unlike any tea I’ve ever tasted … but then, it is very familiar too. Not familiar as in I’ve tried a blend like this before (because I haven’t!), but familiar as in each of the ingredients are ones that I enjoy when it comes to tea. But I would have never imagined them all put together like this!
The white tea is surprisingly strong in the midst of all these ingredients. It lends a fresh, sweet and creamy taste to the cup, while the green tea is more of an understated flavor – providing a solid base but without interfering with the other flavors.
The ginger is the strongest note, followed by the cardamom, cloves and star anise. The black pepper isn’t very prevalent in the sip but reveals itself in the aftertaste which is lightly peppery with a whisper of jasmine sweetness.
While the raspberry is not as strong a flavor – or perhaps “not as aggressive a flavor” would be the right terminology here – it still seems to be the star of the show. It’s the scene-stealer! The sweet yet tart berry weaves its way throughout the sip, never letting this taster forget that this is a raspberry flavored tea. It even has that pleasing tingle of tartness in the finish.
If you’re looking for something very out of the ordinary – try this blend! It blew me away!
Organic Ginger Root from Element Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Element Tea
Product Description:
Ginger has been well researched and is known as a common remedy for nausea and indigestion. It is also anti-viral and makes a soothing cold and flu remedy. Our ginger root is a pure and natural ginger root with no added ingredients. Whether you need ginger to heal an ailment or simply want to sip on relaxing cup, there’s nothing like the real thing!
Ingredients: Organic Ginger Root from Indonesia
Taster’s Review:
Over the last couple of days, I’ve been battling a stomach issue. I don’t know if it is a bout with the stomach flu or if it is the result of something I ate (as this did occur after about six hours following a trip to a teriyaki grill place I had never visited before). What I do know is that I feel terrible and have been having symptoms that I am not going to discuss … why? Well, mostly because that’s probably not why you’ve tuned in to this review. Just believe me when I say it has not been an enjoyable couple of days.
One thing that made it a little better is ginger teas. I’ve enjoyed several others that I’ve had in my stash until I came across this package from Element Tea. And now that I’ve found this, I really don’t need anything else. This is just what the doctor ordered! (Assuming, of course, that I’ve seen a doctor, which I haven’t… but just play along, won’t you?)
This is pure, organic ginger root from Indonesia. Nothing else. But then, nothing else is needed. This is delicious just the way it is, and it is incredibly soothing and helps to calm the upset in my stomach. It has that peppery, ginger-y taste that you’d expect, but interestingly enough, it doesn’t taste as strong as some ginger blends that I’ve tasted. There is a mellow sophistication to this ginger that is a welcome surprise.
If you’re looking for a ginger tea to keep on hand during times of digestive distress, I would recommend this one. Infusing this spice for just eight minutes and adding a drizzle of honey makes for a very comforting and delicious cup of relief!
Assam Satrupa FTGFOP1 from Element Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Element Tea
Product Description:
Estate-grown Assams grow at a higher altitude, giving them a depth of flavor suitable for drinking anytime of day. Maltier than other types of tea, the Assam’s strong and weighty flavor goes well with the addition of lemon, milk, or sugar. (FTGFOP1 stands for “Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe – Grade 1”)
Taster’s Review:
This is one of the “heftiest” Assam teas I’ve come across! It has a biscuit-y taste to it, like freshly baked bread and a texture to match. This one would definitely make a great breakfast tea … even if you don’t eat breakfast! (Note: I’m not advising anyone to skip breakfast! I am just acknowledging that some of us do!)
There is a remarkable caramel-like sweetness to this tea and it isn’t just an undertone. It is a sweetness that makes its presence known throughout the sip. It is very malty – one of the maltiest Assam teas I’ve tasted.
It also has a mere hint of savory bitterness that hits just at mid-sip and seems to disappear just as quickly as it appears, making this taster question whether its really there or just my imagination! This is a bold, hefty Assam that is just right for that “first cup of the morning.”
While the brewing parameters from Element Tea suggested a four minute brew time, I only steeped it for three minutes. It is almost like an automatic mindset: Assam Tea? Three minutes. I have found that when I venture into the “beyond three minutes” realm with Assam tea there is bitterness to the cup. I sipped it without any addition and found it to be quite lovely: bold and daring, with a sharp edge that is just right for the first cup of the day. I have also tasted this tea with a drizzle of honey, and it’s quite nice with sweetener. I find it softens some of that sharp edge I mentioned previously. Milk would also be a nice addition.
This is one of those “practically perfect” Assam teas that makes a practically perfect breakfast tea! It’s amazing!
Lilac from Element Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Element Tea
Product Description:
Smells just like the first blossoms of spring. Fresh, yet mild, real lilac petals bring this fragment flower right to your taste buds.
Taster’s Review:
Lilacs remind me of my gramma. She had a big, beautiful lilac bush in her backyard, and every spring as it came into bloom her yard became such a lovely, fragrant place to spend the afternoon. Since that time, lilacs have come to mean springtime to me, and the source of many happy memories.
This tea brings those memories to life right here in my teacup!
The dry leaf of this black tea is alive with color, thanks to a generous sprinkling of lilac petals. They add a beauty and a charm to this tea … not to mention a delightful fragrance!
The black tea base is a brisk, bright tasting black tea. It isn’t an overly aggressive black tea. There is a light, drying astringency to the tea. Overall, the tea is fairly mellow, and adds a smooth tranquility to the overall flavor of the cup, making this a pleasing afternoon tea.
The lilac flavor is rather unexpected! Of course, I knew that it was a “lilac” tea, but I don’t really recall ever having tasted lilac tea before, so, I didn’t know what to expect from it. It has an enchanting, sweet floral flavor to it. In trying to grasp for a way to describe the flavor … the word I come up with is serenity.
It is a very serene, relaxing tea, and I have enjoyed it immensely, as well as the memories it has evoked. Thank you, Element Tea, for this amazing trip down memory lane!
Classic Phoenix Oolong from Element Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Element Tea
Product Description:
Fine, long-twisted, single-stem leaves provide a light amber-yellow cup that carries a highly fragrant aroma of honeysuckle and almond. This Oolong has a smooth, delicate finish that you won’t forget.
Taster’s Review:
This is an excellent Oolong. Of course, I say that often when it comes to Oolong as they tend to be my favorites. Well, my favorite is actually yellow tea, but, I have Oolong a lot more often because it tends to be easier to locate and a little more affordable. So, when considering these factors, I could easily argue that Oolong teas outshine yellow teas.
But enough of that. There is enough room in my tea cupboard (but not much room! haha!) for both yellow and Oolong teas.
This is a fine Oolong. The dry leaves are very dark and twisted, indicating that these are a deeply oxidized variety of Oolong. The leaves unfurl slowly and submit many flavorful infusions (which means more tea and a better value!) But, something else that is intriguing as the leaves unfurl, they reveal themselves to be a little bit more green than the dry leaf.
The first few infusions are smooth and slightly buttery. There is a nutty essence as well as a sweet, peach-like flavor in the background. There is also a floral quality to this tea.
The description provided by Element Tea suggests a honeysuckle-like fragrance and that aroma translates into the flavor as well, with a pleasant honeysuckle-esque taste and even a whisper of delicious, savory bitterness that introduces itself to the palate at about mid-sip and then seems to be quickly washed away by the sweet, nutty taste. That savory bitterness peaks out right at the finish too, and it is rather enticing!
By the third infusion, I taste a little less of the buttery taste and a little more of the floral note. The nutty flavor is still there, but, it is a little less sweet than before. These changes in taste are what I would call “transitions” – they are gentle and not in stark contrast to the previous infusions.
The later infusions are much like the third. I managed six very flavorful infusions from one measurement of leaves. I chose to brew this tea in my gaiwan, and I think that this is the best vessel for brewing a good quality Oolong such as this.
If you like Oolong … this one is an absolute must try! It has such a lovely, silky texture to it that treats the palate to so many wonderful layers of flavor. I love this tea!