Malibu by Bruu Tea

by kittylovestea

Hello tea friends!

This comes straight from the Bruu Tea Club box from February. It isn’t available to buy on the website but it may in the near future.

The information card from the box mentioned this blend has a Pina Colada charm to it.

Ingredients: Apple, Rosehip, Pineapple, Coconut and Hibiscus.

Opening the packet I am met with a sweet fruit melody that screamed tropical punch as it filled my nostrils. It also had a creamy scent among the sweet and juicy fruit. In terms of blend the pieces are mostly medium sized.

Steeping Instructions: 1tsp – 100C – 6 minutes

Once steeped the tea is red in colour and bares a super tropical fruity scent with a touch of sourness.

The first few sips reveal an insanely sweet and fruity drink with a sour aftertaste. Pineapple and coconut were the dominant fruit flavours and the hibiscus lingered in the after taste with a touch of dryness.

It’s only a fruit blend but it’s very tasty, much stronger than I expected. Though sour, the hibiscus is acceptable and it dies down quickly. I think this would be nice mixed with a mild green tea.

It may not be Pina Colada but it’s tropical and tasty!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Bruu Tea
(This is not currently for sale)
Description: A dreamy fruit tea with lashings of coconut. Works great on its own, blended or as an ice tea.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

kittylovestea

My name is Kayleigh Jade and I was born in Leicester, England, UK. I have always had a love for herbal and fruit tea (even as a child) but my curiosity got the best of me in my teen years and I started to look into other teas. I eventually found some companies in the UK that offered different teas and eBay was an easy source for international (particularly Chinese) teas. I found myself liking specific teas more than others such as Pu Erh and jasmine green pearls (which are two of my favourites still to date) and my obsession kept growing. Now I am in tea clubs and regularly order new products to try and though I have tried a good variety of different teas I still consider myself to be a beginner student. My goal in life is to keep tasting and steeping and learning and hopefully by having this blog I will pass on what I learn and feel. My name is kittylovestea because it combined my two favourite things in the world. Those being cats and tea (of course!). My cats are also interested in some of my teas (especially dessert or sweet teas) and always seem to become excited once they smell what I’m brewing. I have arrived home before to find a few tea packets on the floor with suspicious looking holes which any cat owner know are made from biting. I now have to be careful with the storing of my tea but it’s nice to know my 4 angels have the same interests as me. =^_^=

This post was posted in Bruu Tea, Fruit/Herbal Tisane

Mayfair by Bruu Tea. . .A Monthly Tea Subscription Box

by kittylovestea

This tea came from the February 2017 Tea Club box from Bruu Tea. Unfortunately I got a little backlogged due to a hellish couple of months. While this tea is not for sale on the website, it may be in the near future.

Thanks to the card I have a little more information on this blend:

A careful blend of Assam and Kenyan black teas are mixed with a sprinkle of calming Safflower petals to produce a wonderful, full bodied tasting tea with a slight mellow astringency. It’s a high-class breakfast tea that should be savoured and enjoyed. Origin: Assam, India (2016 2nd flush) and Kericho, Kenya (2016) grown 6500ft above sea level.

Opening the packet I see the leaves are small and loosely chopped with bright red safflower petals scattered throughout. It bares a strong, sour wood scent.

Brewing Instructions: 1tsp – 100C – 3 minutes

Once steeped the tea is burnt red/orange in colour and bares a sour wood scent, similar to it’s raw form.

The first few sips reveal a rich body with some sourness and a dry finish. Pleasant enough without milk nor sweetener.

The dry aftertaste increases to become moderate, which is perhaps the most negative aspect of the tea. The sour wood is nice though and has some natural sweetness.

It’s a nice, strong tea but I think a splash of milk is probably for the best. It’s too dry for me but the strength is desirable so it just needs a little help to be a great tea. This would be perfect for a breakfast tea.

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Bruu Tea (Mayfair is not currently for sale)
Description:

A high-class breakfast tea that should be savoured. A luxury blend of Assam and Kenyan black tea that is produced at over 6500ft above sea level.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

kittylovestea

My name is Kayleigh Jade and I was born in Leicester, England, UK. I have always had a love for herbal and fruit tea (even as a child) but my curiosity got the best of me in my teen years and I started to look into other teas. I eventually found some companies in the UK that offered different teas and eBay was an easy source for international (particularly Chinese) teas. I found myself liking specific teas more than others such as Pu Erh and jasmine green pearls (which are two of my favourites still to date) and my obsession kept growing. Now I am in tea clubs and regularly order new products to try and though I have tried a good variety of different teas I still consider myself to be a beginner student. My goal in life is to keep tasting and steeping and learning and hopefully by having this blog I will pass on what I learn and feel. My name is kittylovestea because it combined my two favourite things in the world. Those being cats and tea (of course!). My cats are also interested in some of my teas (especially dessert or sweet teas) and always seem to become excited once they smell what I’m brewing. I have arrived home before to find a few tea packets on the floor with suspicious looking holes which any cat owner know are made from biting. I now have to be careful with the storing of my tea but it’s nice to know my 4 angels have the same interests as me. =^_^=

This post was posted in Black Tea, Bruu Tea

Congou Mao Jia by Bruu Tea

by kittylovestea

Hello Tea Friends!

This tea comes from the February Tea Club box and though it’s not currently available on their website it may be available soon.

The tell-tale signs of silver tips in this tea signifies selective harvesting that has been plucked every day to ensure only new shoots are gathered. rown in the mountainous region of the WuYi mountains China, the tea is allowed to ferment briefly which results in a slightly dark hue on the leaves. A smooth tasting tea, though surprisingly pungent, it would be a good first green tea to try if you traditionally drink black tea. Origin: Zheijiang Province, China. Grown 5000ft above sea level.

Opening the packet I am met with a dry, sweet grass and wood scent. The leaves are long and thin for the most part, with some silver tips present and a few sticks/stems. For a green tea the leaves are surprisingly dark.

Steeping Instructions: 1tsp – 80C – 2-3 minutes

Once steeped the tea is yellow in colour and bares a sweet and floral, grassy scent. Very green and mineral.

The first few sips reveal a medium strength and fragrant melody of sweet grass, flowers and fresh broccoli. In fact the vegetal factor is part fresh, young cabbage and broccoli. There is some dryness in the after taste too. Some bitterness but in a nice way.

As it cools the flavour thickens and develops thick mouth feel and richness.

Super fragrant and flavourful, this is a delicious green tea. Perhaps too dry for my personal taste but this would make a delicious iced tea.

Happy Steeping!

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Bruu Tea (This tea is not currently for sale)
Description:

A smooth tasting green from the WuYi mountains of China, hand picked and fermented to give the leaves a darker hue.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

kittylovestea

My name is Kayleigh Jade and I was born in Leicester, England, UK. I have always had a love for herbal and fruit tea (even as a child) but my curiosity got the best of me in my teen years and I started to look into other teas. I eventually found some companies in the UK that offered different teas and eBay was an easy source for international (particularly Chinese) teas. I found myself liking specific teas more than others such as Pu Erh and jasmine green pearls (which are two of my favourites still to date) and my obsession kept growing. Now I am in tea clubs and regularly order new products to try and though I have tried a good variety of different teas I still consider myself to be a beginner student. My goal in life is to keep tasting and steeping and learning and hopefully by having this blog I will pass on what I learn and feel. My name is kittylovestea because it combined my two favourite things in the world. Those being cats and tea (of course!). My cats are also interested in some of my teas (especially dessert or sweet teas) and always seem to become excited once they smell what I’m brewing. I have arrived home before to find a few tea packets on the floor with suspicious looking holes which any cat owner know are made from biting. I now have to be careful with the storing of my tea but it’s nice to know my 4 angels have the same interests as me. =^_^=

This post was posted in BRUU, Green Tea

Yunnan Imperial from Tea and Tins

by kittylovestea

Hello Tea Friends!

Anyone who knows me is aware I adore Yunnan teas, that is why I jumped at the chance to review this one. I’m going to jump straight into the review so I c an get my ‘drink’ on.

Opening the packet reveals dark brown leaves that are long and thin with quite a few golden tips among them. The leaves appear to be good quality ie no discolouration or holes, and they were 3/4 in length for the most part so pretty full leaf with a few broken parts here and there.They have a slight smoky wood scent that is also dry.

Steeping Parameters: 1 tsp. Boiling Water. 3 minutes.

The resulting tea soup is mahogany in colour and bares a malt scent with a touch of smoke. Not as wooden nor dry as it’s raw state.

The first few sips reveal a rich, malt flavour that is sour and with a soft smoke aftertaste. Little astringency considering there is no milk nor sweetener. As it cools it becomes thicker and the smoke increases though remains in the aftertaste. Wonderful mouth feel as it cools a little more, filling my mouth with sour malt and smoke. Beautiful.

This had good flavours and was easy to drink, even without milk or sweetener. The ‘gulpability’ of this tea is a good! I recommend this for other Yunnan fans, or anyone looking for a good straight tea.

Happy Steeping!

 

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea and Tins
Description:

The principal growing regions in Yunnan are located in altitudes of 4,000 to 6,500 feet. At annual average temperatures between 53 F and 73 F, high-grade, black and green qualities are produced.

The very large portion of large, golden leaf tips gives the full sweet-spicy taste and malty, soft aftertaste to the Yunnan Imperial. The large leaf is dark, matt green and contains many bronze-colored tips, the infusion is heavy and dark.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

kittylovestea

My name is Kayleigh Jade and I was born in Leicester, England, UK. I have always had a love for herbal and fruit tea (even as a child) but my curiosity got the best of me in my teen years and I started to look into other teas. I eventually found some companies in the UK that offered different teas and eBay was an easy source for international (particularly Chinese) teas. I found myself liking specific teas more than others such as Pu Erh and jasmine green pearls (which are two of my favourites still to date) and my obsession kept growing. Now I am in tea clubs and regularly order new products to try and though I have tried a good variety of different teas I still consider myself to be a beginner student. My goal in life is to keep tasting and steeping and learning and hopefully by having this blog I will pass on what I learn and feel. My name is kittylovestea because it combined my two favourite things in the world. Those being cats and tea (of course!). My cats are also interested in some of my teas (especially dessert or sweet teas) and always seem to become excited once they smell what I’m brewing. I have arrived home before to find a few tea packets on the floor with suspicious looking holes which any cat owner know are made from biting. I now have to be careful with the storing of my tea but it’s nice to know my 4 angels have the same interests as me. =^_^=

This post was posted in Black Tea, Tea and Tins

Superior Sencha – Compass Teas. . . . .

by kittylovestea

Hello tea friends,

It’s always nice to drink something with the word superior in it’s title. From what I understand; superior Sencha is one of the highest grades of Sencha. It is also more refined and elegant in general, from those that I have tried anyway.

This tea is no longer sold by Compass Tea but it may be something they restock in the future, or have something similar to.

The leaf is dark green with a high shine and a sweet, floral scent with a touch of grass. The leaves are of medium size with some broken pieces present, overall it looks as expected ie no discolouration or holes.

Steeping this at a lower temperature around 65C for one minute to try and draw out some of the umami and sweetness.

A golden brown/green liquid is produced (again typical of Superior Sencha) and it bares a toasted grass and seaweed scent, also slightly vegetal.

Flavour is medium strength with sweet grass highs and toasted peony lows, with a salty seaweed and kale type mineral after taste that lingers and becomes dry.Only a touch of astringency but some umami is present. Half way down my yunomi and it becomes so sweet and floral it’s picked up a perfumed quality has real mouth feel to it. Also slightly bitty at the bottom of my bowl.

A second steep of the same parameters reveals: less sweetness but more umami, mimicking soup broth in this steep. More mouth feel and dryness in the after taste and less perfume. Still it bares little astringency as such and it remains vegetal. It reminds me of Matcha, has a similar sort of flavour and feel about it in this steep. Just a very watery and non foamy Matcha.

Overall I was impressed. The quality was expected (average for a Superior Sencha) but it steeped well and had wonderful characteristics and flavours. A nice example of Sencha and pleasing to drink. I recommend low temperatures if your an umami fan though, at least to start with, I’m an umami fan at heart.

A nice introduction to Compass Teas for me and while this is no longer sold I will certainly keep my eyes open to see what line of Sencha it has in the future.

Happy Steeping!

 

 

Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Compass Teas
Description: This tea is no longer available for sale but they have many other teas for sale.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

kittylovestea

My name is Kayleigh Jade and I was born in Leicester, England, UK. I have always had a love for herbal and fruit tea (even as a child) but my curiosity got the best of me in my teen years and I started to look into other teas. I eventually found some companies in the UK that offered different teas and eBay was an easy source for international (particularly Chinese) teas. I found myself liking specific teas more than others such as Pu Erh and jasmine green pearls (which are two of my favourites still to date) and my obsession kept growing. Now I am in tea clubs and regularly order new products to try and though I have tried a good variety of different teas I still consider myself to be a beginner student. My goal in life is to keep tasting and steeping and learning and hopefully by having this blog I will pass on what I learn and feel. My name is kittylovestea because it combined my two favourite things in the world. Those being cats and tea (of course!). My cats are also interested in some of my teas (especially dessert or sweet teas) and always seem to become excited once they smell what I’m brewing. I have arrived home before to find a few tea packets on the floor with suspicious looking holes which any cat owner know are made from biting. I now have to be careful with the storing of my tea but it’s nice to know my 4 angels have the same interests as me. =^_^=

This post was posted in Compass Teas, Green Tea, Uncategorized