Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Tea Description:
Iron Goddess of Mercy and a lightly oxidized, flowery oolong from Taiwan are paired with dried peaches and the fresh essence of peach. A blush of hibiscus and a hint of sweetness from natural roots lays the foundation for one of Rishi’s most enticing, indulgent and fruity flavored blends.
Learn more about this blend here.
Taster’s Review:
I have to be honest, when I saw that there was hibiscus in this blend, I was skeptical. In my opinion, hibiscus has no place in an Oolong blend. And even after tasting this Peach Oolong Blend from Rishi Tea – and enjoying it! – I admit that I am still keeping to that opinion. Hibiscus should not be in an Oolong blend.
So, yeah, I am enjoying this tea. The Oolong notes are lovely: sweet, creamy and slightly vegetative. The peach flavoring enhances the natural fruit notes of the Oolong and I’m really liking that.
The schizandra berries add a touch of berry tartness to the cup – not that it needs it, but it is an interesting dimension to an otherwise very peachy cup. The hibiscus accentuates the berry notes, but it also enhances the thickness to the body of the Oolong, and this is probably my biggest complaint about the hibiscus here. Oolong is already a thick, lush tea, it doesn’t need additions that will add to this. It sort of “ruins” it. Sure … it’s an enjoyable cup, but I can’t help but think that it would be SO much better without the hibiscus.
Fortunately, there isn’t a strong hibiscus-y flavor … and there is something that saves this tea for me and that’s the licorice root. I love that hint of licorice. It is very slight … it isn’t a strong, licorice-y taste. It doesn’t taste sharp or snappy … it just adds a faint licorice note that keeps me sipping just to experience it.
I don’t think this is a bad tea, I just think that Rishi Tea should rethink the hibiscus addition. It turned what could be a really good tea into something that is just average, in my opinion.
Jasmine with Flowers from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Product Description:
This jasmine tea consists of green tea grown in China and is scented with jasmine petals multiple times. A typical grade of jasmine tea will be scented once. The green tea leaves used as the base are young as indicated by its small, slim needle-like leaves.
Our Jasmine tea has a sweet floral scent with green tea undertones, that is very refreshing, with a lingering aftertaste that is delicately sweet.
Taster’s Review:
Ahh… jasmine! (I have probably exclaimed that more than once before while sipping a jasmine tea) And I know that I’ve mentioned before that my three favorite tea flavors are: Bergamot, Chocolate and JASMINE. There was a time when I would only drink jasmine pearls, but, I have finally learned not only appreciate other jasmine teas, but, understand that while they are not the same jasmine teas, they are not necessarily inferior. Just … different.
This jasmine green tea reminds me quite a bit of a pot of green tea that might be brought to my table at a Chinese food restaurant. It is sweet, crisp and light, and it has an agreeable palate cleansing aspect to it as well, making it a good choice to sip with a meal.
The jasmine aroma is light and beautiful. The brewed tea does not have an overwhelming floral fragrance; instead, what this aromatic tea reminds me of is the sweet scent of fresh air and green grass and jasmine flowers. It’s a lovely combination that translates into the flavor of the tea, which is also quite light and has a crispness to it, like the crisp feel of the morning air in the early spring.
A wonderful jasmine that is really quite affordable, making it a great choice for daily consumption.
Field of Purple Flowers from Talbott Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Talbott Teas
Product Description:
Whether it’s ancient wisdom from the Japanese Sencha or the stopping power of the roses and purple mallow flowers, this peach of a green tea makes it easy to appreciate all that you have.
All natural premium ingredients: Full-leaf Japanese Sencha green tea, purple mallow flowers, peach bits, rose petals, peach flavor.
Taster’s Review:
Even though it is now fall, and I am thoroughly enjoying all the autumnal flavors … I still occasionally take time to enjoy flavors that remind me of spring and summer. Today, I am sipping on Field of Purple Flowers … and it is evoking beautiful images of summer. It has such a beautiful, harmonious taste: bright like the summer sun, and sweet like the freshest summer fruit.
The green tea is the strongest flavor. It tastes crisp and light, with a hint of grassiness to it. Not a bitter grassy taste, but more of a sweet hint of greenery. The peach is a very subtle note; subtle, but effective. It is sweet and fruity without overthrowing the gentle balance of this cup.
The floral notes offer a pleasant contrast to the tea. Again, not a strong flavor, but more of a whisper of sweet flowery taste.
This is one of those teas that make for a perfect afternoon tea. It would be nice for a garden party, perhaps, even if it’s just a tea party for one! This one is also quite tasty iced!
Apricot Amaretto Tea from Tea Forte
Tea Type: Rooibos/Honeybush Blend
Where To Buy: Tea Forte
Product Description:
Description: A double delight of sweet apricot and juicy peach with nuanced notes of almond, artfully evoking Saronno, Italy, the birthplace of amaretto.
Ingredients: organic honeybush, organic rooibos, organic marigold flowers, natural flavors
Tasters Review:
I really enjoyed Apricot Amaretto from Tea Forte…both hot and cold…I think the new Herbal Retreat offerings are more my speed! At least the offerings without Hibiscus that is…and even some with Hibiscus, I suppose! More on that in future reviews! The Hibiscus/other ingredient ratio is more pleasing to my palate (as many of you know I’m not usually into overly tarty teas or tisanes).
This is WYSIWYG…Apricot and Amaretto sums it up nicely! I’m appreciating the Honeybush/Rooibos blends very much – thanks Tea Forte! Two thumbs up on this one!
Ti Quan Yin Oolong with Fresh Ginger and Turkish Rose from Aftelier Perfumed Teas
Tea Type:
Oolong Tea
Where To Buy:
Aftelier Perfumed Teas
Product Description:
This organically grown tea starts with a roasted rice aroma and finishes with a fruity taste, blending beautifully with the warm fresh ginger and refined Turkish rose.
My collection of perfumed teas grew out of my love for oolong tea — its complexity and beauty is like a perfume in itself. Essential oils and absolutes are layered onto this exquisite base of first-quality leaves to create a beautiful, subtle taste and scent experience.
Tasters Review:
This is so PRETTY!!! You’ll have to see it or SMELL it for yourself to believe it! Everything about this tea shouts CLASSY! 
Ti Quan Yin Oolong with Fresh Ginger and Turkish Rose from Aftelier Perfumed Teas is a truly unique sipping experience! But the fun doesn’t stop there! This tea awakens ALL of the senses!
The Before Infusion Aroma is very fragrant and beautiful. The first thing that came to mind was…A Rose is a Rose is a Rose!
The Post Infusion Aroma was that of a Rose and Ginger Combo.
The Taste was a nice flavored oolong! The rose and ginger flavors seemed to have met in the middle which I really appreciate.
The Aftertaste was even floral!
This was brilliantly done and very enjoyable -not to mention – memorable! It holds up well to multiple infusions, too!
