Another rainy night with the feeling of winter in the air. I want tea, a tea that makes me go “mmmmmm” and cuddle the cup.
Enter Anji Bai. Flat leaves of brilliant green that steep a golden cup of tea. The dry leaves smell like milk chocolate to me for some reason, which is also true of some Da Hong Pao. But the steeped tea does not.
The steeped tea smells like oh so fresh lightly buttered vegetables with a hint of asparagus and a hint of peas, but also freshly shelled walnuts with the little papery membrane still on. It reminds me somewhat of a Huang Shan Mao Feng.
At first I think the flavor is very light and mild, and I really concentrate on my cup. The creamy texture of the tea coats your mouth and makes you want more. I could really chug this tea but it is so delicious that I try to slow down and enjoy it. Now the green veggie notes are lingering along with the creaminess. Each exhale causes a little rush of flavor.
Note to self – drink this tea during quiet time and meditation. Exquisite.
(Package said steep for four minutes, website said three so I went for three since it is a green.)
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Teasenz
Description
Fresh and creamy soft with notes of citrus and nuts. From Anji, the town of dense bamboo forests and tea cultivation, comes this Anji Bai Cha, one of the rarest of all Chinese teas. With long, delicate, vivid green leaves, Anji white tea is beautiful in every sense of the word. A green tea connoisseur’s dream.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Genmai Cha with Matcha from Sugimoto America
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Tea (with Matcha)
Where to Buy: Sugimoto America
Tea Description:
Ingredients: Tea Leaves, Roasted Rice, Matcha
Special blend of Genmai Cha and stone-milled Matcha, the powdered green tea for traditional tea ceremony. The added Matcha gives Genmai Cha a smooth body and vivid emerald-green color. Genmai Cha is a toasty, nutty tea and is one of Japan’s most popular varieties.
Use 1 tablespoon (5g) for 12 oz of water. We recommend steeping with 175F water or above for 30 – 60 seconds. Yields approximately 100 servings/package.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Genmai Cha with Matcha from Sugimoto America is one of those green teas that I have tried a few times but place in a special section of my cupboard because I don’t want to drink it all at once and run out.
The green tea leaves start very flat and plump up a bit when you add the hot water. The roasted brown rice looks just like popcorn as it stereo-typically would in a tea such as this. The matcha looks and smells fresh and crisp and coat every spec of the tea/popped-rice combo.
After you infuse about a tablespoon of the mixture worth in hot water for about 30 to 60 seconds – the aroma is reminiscent of a nice warm spring day in Florida with nearby neighbors mowing their already well kept lawns. I don’t know if this wicked weather we’ve been having has made me think this way – or if the aroma really DOES take me back to my childhood while visiting my grandparents. Either way…the aroma is pleasant and warming with a bit of sweetness and fresh grass or greens!
Because of the matcha – you will notice the tea water is a cloudy green/gray – but – this just adds to the overall experience of it all! The match flavor is great! The taste and texture of the sip on the tongue is more like a brothy-soup than a tea and it’s more filling that just a regular tea or tisane…it’s more like a meal than a beverage. It’s completely fulfilling and delicious!
This is a tea to savor, a tea to save for when you really NEED it, a tea to have on hand when you need an escape, and a tea to appreciate. This is a pure delight!
Wake Up & Live Tea by Good 4 You Tea
Tea Type: Herbal
Where To Buy: Good 4 You Tea
Product Description:
An enlivening fruity-tart green tea blend for energy, strength & immunity. Turns purple when you brew it! Rich in vitamin C and anti-oxidants too. One of the most popular blends. Recommended for mornings, the office and studying! A tea made for the third eye chakra.
Ingredients: green tea leaves, hibiscus flowers, schisandra berries, jasmine flowers, ashwaganda root (Withania somnifera) & gingko leaves. (CAFFEINATED)
Tasters Review:
I really thought that since this was a WAKE UP tea that the flavors would be overpowering…but they aren’t. Every ingredient is mellow and pleasant and the hibiscus is barely there but just enough to give it that fruity edge. Without the hibiscus I think this would taste medicine-E. But it DOES assist the berries in this case so maybe they are working well together…like I said everything is so subtle – it jives! This is pretty good!
As for some of the ingredients you may not know much about I thought I would include some clickable links for you in case you are interested:
I love stuff I have to google! For example
schisandra berries:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/46183/schisandra_berries_one_of_chinas_most.html
and
Eleuthero Root
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/eleuthero_root.php
AND…I MUST mention other reasons why I like this company…
I love that this company is eco-friendly, focus on health, buy and support local ingredients, and the blender is VERY creative and a nice/gentle soul! 🙂
I’m so excited I was able to try this tea!
