Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Georgia Tea Company
Product Description:
Gyokuro, whose name means “jade dew” is Japan’s finest and often costliest tea. It is not uncommon for a pound of the rarest Gyokuro to sell for thousands of dollars. What makes this variety unique? While the young leaves of the spring flush develop, the tea bushes are shaded from sun for three weeks. The sun-deprived tea that grows in the shade is high in chlorophyll, which makes it darker than normal, but lower in tannins, which makes it sweeter and mild tasting.
Taster’s Review:
I really like Gyokuro teas, but, I don’t enjoy them often because they can be on the pricy side. But I consider it an investment in good taste – an investment I am not able to afford to make often, but I enjoy every drop of it when I can!
The dry leaf has a strong vegetative fragrance and while it does soften a bit after steeping, the brewed tea is still smells quite grassy. I am glad that the taste isn’t “grassy” – it has more of a fresh, steamed vegetable taste than that of grass. It also has a pleasing nutty flavor to it. There is no bitterness to it. There is some dry astringency to it, but it is slight.
It is a very soothing tea to sip, one that I find to be perfect for the early evening when I’m ready to unwind. It’s a lovely way to end the day!
Corsley Estate Nilgiri from Georgia Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Georgia Tea Company
Product Description:
An estate team from Assam, India.
Taster’s Review:
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
I have always been of the opinion that Nilgiri tea is an under-appreciated black tea. Assam and Ceylon teas tend to be more popular, however, if given a choice, I’d prefer a Nilgiri to either one. I find that a Nilgiri tea possesses many of the qualities that I find desirable in an Assam, but without the temperamental attitude of an Assam (that is, it tends to grow bitter very quickly when left to steep just a moment or two too long).
This Nilgiri is fantastic. It has a robust, full flavor with a well-rounded quality to it and a pleasant malty character. It is a perfect tea to choose as that all-important “first tea of the day” – because it has the strength to get you going! Even on a Monday (which this happens to be!)
It also has that “chewiness” that is often associated with Assam. It is a hefty, bold Nilgiri, but with an interesting background of complex flavors that is almost wine-like. A very pleasant cuppa, indeed!
It has a little bit of astringency but no bitterness to it at all. Now, I suspect it could become bitter if you left it to brew without setting your timer and then came back eight or ten minutes later, but, after four minutes of steeping in boiling water, I managed to achieve a delightful, full-bodied cup with no bitterness.
An excellent Nilgiri, I highly recommend it!
Rooibos Rainbow from Georgia Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Georgia Tea Company
Product Description:
Fruity with sweet notes, a secret flavoring gives this Rooibos a sweet amaretto like taste.
Caffeine free.
Taster’s Review:
I love the flavor of amaretto. Well, actually, I’ve never actually tasted amaretto liqueur (at least not to my knowledge), but what I have tasted was an amaretto flavored sugar that was sent to me by a friend some years ago. It quickly became one of my favorite sweeteners, and I used it to sweeten (and flavor) many cups of tea. I loved the delicate, sweet taste of almond and the hint of apricot and how well they complimented my favorite teas. Since that time, I’ve tried – and enjoyed! – a few amaretto teas whenever I could find them.
So I was very happy when I received this rooibos blend. The delicious almond flavor mixes well with the naturally nutty flavor of the rooibos. But fortunately, the nutty flavor is the only flavor that I get from the rooibos – it doesn’t taste very woody, nor does the amaretto taste very much like a liqueur (that is, it doesn’t taste like alcohol). The flavor is sweet and nutty, with a lovely apricot like flavor in the distance.
This tisane is tasty hot, and I suspect it is equally as tasty iced (or perhaps even better) – but for a real treat, I recommend making yourself a latte with this tisane! Brew it extra strong (double the amount of dry leaf when you steep it) and add some steamed, frothed milk. Sweet, creamy goodness! YUM!
Black Currant Tea from Georgia Tea Company
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Georgia Tea Company
Product Description:
Black Tea with Currants
Tasters Review:
There are some flavored teas that no matter which company you try them from they seem fake or taste chemically or artificial. I have found this with many Currant Flavored Teas. If memory serves this is only the 2nd Currant Flavored tea I remember tasting real. Georgia Tea Company did well with this one! This is my 2nd favorite Currant Flavored Tea to date!
The aroma is pleasant without being too over the top. It’s juicy but you can still taste the black tea, too!
I have had good luck with many of Georgia Tea Company’s Teas and this is another WIN!
Cranberry Peach Black from Georgia Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Georgia Tea Company
Company Description:
A Chinese black tea with dried cranberries and peach flavoring. For those cranberry lovers!
Taster’s Review:
This is a different flavor combination – I don’t typically see the flavors of cranberry and peach blended together, but, they work together quite well. The tartness of the cranberry is curbed just enough by the sweet, juicy flavor of the peach to make this a slightly tart, pleasantly sweet taste.
The black tea base is strong and tannic in this blend, and is just a little too astringent in my opinion. Not bitter, but, very dry – almost to the point of being what I would describe as starchy. It is not off-putting, though, and I am still quite enjoying this cup, but, if I were to change anything to make it MORE enjoyable, I would soften the astringency here.
The cranberry-peach combination is this tea’s saving grace. The cranberry is bright and bursting with flavor, and offers just a hint of berry tanginess complete with a pleasing berry tingle on the tongue. The peach is smooth and sweet, and hits the palate right up front, and lingers until the finish.
This tea is enjoyable served hot or cold – and perhaps it’s just today’s warm weather talking here, but I found it especially refreshing iced. All things considered, this is a very tasty tea.