More tea, less steep time. Less tea, more steep time. Too much water, less flavor. Each tea has unique steeping parameters. Each steep will be different. Even for the same tea of the same harvest.
Edamame. Very vegetal. Slight astringency. Clean and crisp
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Verdant Tea
Description:
This harvest is picked in the cool autumn air after resting the plant through summer. The result is crisp, fresh flavor with more savory green bean and cream that Laoshan for which Laoshan is famous. The He family’s signature green tea is fed by mountain spring water, picked by hand, and cultivated sustainably using traditional chemical-free farming techniques including growing rows of soybean between rows of tea to restore nitrates to the soil. The extreme northern climate means cold winters and short growing seasons, but the He Family perseveres, protecting their tea in greenhouses over the winter. The result is a deeply sweet and delicate green tea unlike any other in the world.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Raspberry Lemonade/CuppaGeek Teas
Tea friends, I am BEYOND pumped to review this tea for you today. Why, do you ask? Well, our sweet and wonderful SororiTea-Sister, CuppaGeek, has officially launched her OWN line of amazing teas, and this is the first one I’ve had the opportunity to sip! Nichole is far too humble and sweet to ever brag on her own teas, so let me be the first (and certainly not the last) to do so: THIS WAS AWESOME. As soon as I saw Nichole’s teas go up for sale, I ordered a few goodies, and Nichole generously sent me a few extras to try. Seeing as her teas arrived on one of our many unseasonably warm days lately, I picked the one that sounded the most delicious for cold-brewing, and immediately popped a few teaspoons into a glass mason jar with some water overnight.
The next morning, I had a bright and beautifully pink brew awaiting me. Upon first sip, I knew this is exactly what my dehydrated summer self was craving– tart and a bit sweet, fruity and lemonade-esque while still maintaining the integrity of the green rooibos (my fave) and green tea. I loved that the lemonade in this tea didn’t just come from lemon flavor, but from one of my favorite herbs (lemon verbena), and a host of other delicious fruit and citrus combinations. As delightful as this tea was on its own, with a tiny splash of lemonade, it’s absolutely elevated to the next level. The slightly tart raspberry flavor (bolstered by just a hint of hibiscus) really shines, giving me that summer-fruit deliciousness that I crave from May-September.
Overall, I was BLOWN AWAY by Nichole’s first go at blending her own flavors (seriously, if girl is this good right out of the gate, what’s next to come?). I’m dying to try more in her repertoire– a Doctor Who inspired green earl grey and herbal Cotton Candy fruity blend top my list right now– and am so excited to see what’s next for this new tea company. Help me offer a big and happy congrats to our Sororitea-Sister, CuppaGeek!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green/Green Rooibos
Where to Buy: CuppaGeek Teas
Description
This tea is available by request. Contact CuppaGeek Teas for more info!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
misaki / Matchaeologist
This is the top tier of matcha for Matchaeologist. I was impressed with matsu save for the color, so my expectations for this one are definitely higher. So let’s begin!
First the color. Gorgeous! Just what I was hoping. That luscious emerald/jade green. Slightly chocolatey aroma. Very soft to the touch. Likewise with the liquid, a serene green appearance. Wish it was accented with a lovely froth but that is something I find hard to do.
As I poured in more water a unique marine aroma drifted up to my nose. Wish I could explain it but it was gone so quickly. Silky mouth feel. That slightly marine flavor came back again; it’s almost fishy in flavor but it comes and goes so quickly. Do not worry though as strange as it is I’ve only had the sensation a few times in the many sips I’ve taken. Maybe it’s me?
Regardless, if you like umami this has a wonderful umami undertone to it. Slightly grassy , no astringency.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha
Where to Buy: Matchaeologist
Description:
This crème de la crème ceremonial-grade matcha brews an exquisite, buttery-sweet broth of chlorophyll elixir with rich and malty roasted aromas
The crown jewel of our artisan-roasted matcha, Misaki™ uses only the topmost leaves of shade-grown tea trees nurtured for over 30 years before harvest, boasting the sweetest and most luscious taste profile in our range. The captivating aromas of pure umami and roasted caramel can be experienced upon brewing. Packed full of L-theanine and immunity-boosting antioxidants, this rich ambrosia can also be prepared in ‘koicha’ (thick) consistency that can launch you into a transcendent state of alpha-wave nirvana
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Dragon Well Lung Ching Green Tea from Umi Tea Sets
First off, my apologizes, this review is long overdue. Life sort of happened to this admin and I’m slowly getting back on track. An additional review is coming for the lovely tea pot they also sent but for this review is for the tea that Umi Tea Sets graciously sent along.
To kick off this review right, let’s just start off by saying how excited we were to receive Dragon Well Lung Ching Green Tea. Green tea is my favorite tea and always my go to tea to start any day off right or just to take a moment and enjoy, something I was desperately needing to do.
So to steep this tea up properly, I found my always amazing Wall Tea Infuser Mug, prepped up some water, added my leaves and set myself up for a proper cuppa.
I allowed the teas to brew for a few moments and took my first sip. One sip instantly turned into a huge gulp of not so lady like tea drinking. I downed my first cuppa with abandonment and eagerly enjoyed every drop. This green tea is smooth, delicious, simple, yet so alluring and enticing.
The first notes you get are a nutty variety with a hint of a buttery richness. The tea’s texture is so incredibly smooth that you really do need to sit back and take a moment to really enjoy the tea. The more and more I drank this tea and allowed the leaves to steep, the more the astringency notes start to come out but I am finding the charm in those notes. I am adoring how well the astringency, vegetal, and smooth notes combine and provide a fabulous sip-after sip experience.
My next go with this tea is to try the tea as an iced tea and I can’t wait to report back on those details. For my first experience with Umi Tea Sets tea offerings, I’m instantly hooked. Really delicious and teh perfect tea for this green tea loving gal!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Umi Tea Sets
Description
Longjing/Lung Ching tea, also known as Dragon Well tea, is a famous variety of green tea grown in Hangzhou in Zhejiang province. This is the source of the irresistible Long Jing (Dragon Well) green tea, the best of which smells and tastes like an essence of chlorophyll and creamed hazelnuts. The leaves of Dragon Well are broad and flat, no longer than the average finger nail, and is very similar to the Japanese green tea, “Sencha”. When steeped, the leaves open up revealing a very clean taste. Since ancient times, scene of West Lake and Longjing tea have long been described in quotes of famous literati. Su Dongpo said that “Good Tea as Pretty Lady”, a high praise of West Lake Longjing. It is green in color, fragrant, and sweet with beautiful shape, and due to these four splendiferous characters, known in China and other countries.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lychee Jasmine Green / Tealyra
Lychee is one of my favorite flavors. Jasmine is a long time favorite for tea flavoring as well as my first tea I tried. Needless to say this was one I had to try. It has a fairly sweet smell. Nothing overly artificial like some companies and no sugar so my hopes are high. The initial few sips through me for a loop.
The taste reminds me more of artificial flavors at first. Though as the sips progress I find myself enjoying it more. Fruity notes are the core with some hints of jasmine. There is a bit of astringency but nothing too major. This just depends highly on the steep time. This would make an awesome bubble tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Tealyra
Description:
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Inspired by enormous Shanghai; China’s most populous city- it is ever changing, ever growing. It is a booming, fast paced modern city, yet has remained true to rich culture and to tradition- our Lychee Jasmine Green is a celebration of tradition among change! One of the more popular teas in the neighborhood is this delightful blend of Lychee and jasmine. Fragrant, floral and fruity notes of lichee fruit complement the exotic tones of night blooming jasmine flowers; two very distinctly Chinese favorites. Our green tea base has a bright flavor with touches of honey, citrus, flowers, and green apple. This inspired blend stands the test of time; it could have been enjoyed in old tea houses 40 years ago as easily as it could today at a trendy milk tea shop!
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