Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Organic Pu erh
Where to Buy: The Persimmon Tree
Tea Description:
The Coconut Puerh Tea is a unique blend of organic pu-erh loose-leaf tea, cocoa nibs and coconut provides a smooth, full, slightly sweet flavor with a mild hazelnut finish.
This loose-leaf puerh tea with coconut flavor can be steeped multiple times.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Coconut Cacao from The Persimmon Tree is a lovely way to experience your daily pu erh intake! I love pu erh for its health benefits but I also simply love the deep flavors of pu erh itself. Some however do not care for pu erh let alone unadulterated pu erh so they may tend toward something like this to get their health benefits.
There is absolutely none of that “fishiness” that many people experience in pu erh. Now as for me, I don’t feel a quality pu erh should taste fishy and an initial rinse usually takes care of any of that unsavory flavor, however Coconut Cacao from The Persimmon Tree is simply a deep base tea with a lovely coconut and chocolate decedent flavor!
I will say that I am not too fond of the initial aroma of this tea in its dry form or its steeped form. I personally find the aroma a bit off putting. As for the taste however, its lovely!
The chocolate notes are strong but do not mask the base flavor nor the coconut flavor, and the chocolate notes are very tasty, not a cheap artificial chocolate at all. I also find that all too often coconut notes seem too oily, or cloying, but again, not in this tea. This coconut taste very fresh and ripe to me.
The combination of chocolate and coconut into a pu erh base is genius! One reviewer on The Persimmon Tree website, and fellow Steepster, calls it their tea latte without milk! I have to agree, it is quite creamy, full, earthy without being too earthy, and just sinfully delicious. I don’t even find it too sweet either which shows what a masterful blend it is!
Another thing I respect about The Persimmon Tree is their committment to our environment. On their “About” page located here you will find the following:
We, at The Persimmon Tree®, contribute to the sustainability of our planet. Where possible, we use recycled and recyclable materials in our shipping supplies and printed materials. Using recycled products increases the demand for recycled material, which increases the rate of recyclability. Our passion is to instigate and experience positive change through the simple things, and we encourage our customers to do the same.
Now personally, this is not my personal all time favorite pu erh as I lean more toward that really earthy, mushroomy, mineral, pu erh flavor found in unadulterated pu erh’s but to be fair, this is a really delicious alternative!
Drink pu erh for enjoyment, or for its health benefits! I tell you in my experience, nothing soothes a hurting tummy like a good pu erh tea!
“Like” them on Facebook here.
On the Seventh Day of Christmas, Della Terra Teas Sent to Me…
We’re past the halfway point in this countdown, and you know what that means, don’t you? The big day is just around the corner, almost here … are you finished with your holiday shopping? We’re not, but we are nearly done, and that’s more than I can say for our usual progress this time of year.
Today’s tea was sent in a beautiful blue, sparkly envelope/box. These little boxes are really cute, and of course, I’m keeping them … hopefully I’ll think of something to do with them that is alter-ish art-y.
Anyway, I’m sure you’re all just sitting there at the edges of your seats, waiting to learn what today’s tea from Della Terra Teas is …
Walnut Brittle
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
On the seventh day of Christmas you’ll be swimming like the swans in delicious tantalizing walnut brittle tea.
A most amazing green tea is the base for this perfect walnut tea. With bits of real walnut brittle within we truly believe you have a cup of nutcrackers Heaven in your tea cup!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This IS a tantalizing treat!
The dry leaf offers a very appetizing sight with the big chunks of walnut, coconut and pineapple blended with the long spears of Chinese Sencha green tea. The aroma is nutty and fruity, and interestingly enough, reminds me very much of the holidays, although I don’t usually associate walnuts, coconut or pineapple with this time of year. Somehow, the way it all comes together reminds me very much of Christmastime – perhaps it is the sweetness of the scent … I don’t know. But it is certainly bringing a smile to my face.
The flavor also brings a smile to my face. The flavor of the green tea is prominent, it is sweet and slightly vegetative, although most of the sweetness I taste is coming from the coconut, I think, or it could be the fact that there is also brittle candy in this blend, and that may have melted during the brewing process. I do taste a bit of caramelized sugar in the cup, and that just may be my favorite part of this tea.
But I also like the walnut flavor. Walnut is not a “usual” nut flavor to find in a tea … almonds – yes … but not walnuts. But I think it is the fact that I don’t often get to experience walnut flavor in a tea that makes me enjoy this rare occasion so much.
Overall, a very enjoyable cuppa. It is nutty and sweet, with just the right amount of fruity essence to keep the cup interesting. A bit unexpected and very nice, indeed!
Honeybush Haze from Amoda Tea
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush & Rooibos
Where to Buy: Amoda Tea
Tisane Description:
Apple Crumble with a hazelnut topping anyone? That’s definitely what this tea smells like. Green honeybush is the main ingredient and brings strong aromatics and a sweet apricot flavour to this blend. Combined with the dried apple this tea offers a lingering sweetness. And yes… there’s raisins in your tea.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
Not too long ago, Steepster decided to put it’s “Steepster Select” program on hiatus. For those of you who do not remember, the Steepster Select program was a monthly subscription, and once a month, subscribers would receive a box of three different teas, all three teas pertaining to a particular theme, like “Around the Clock” or “Migration”. I loved this program because not only was it about TEA but it also enabled me to try some new teas from companies I might not have tried before. Plus, it was a lot of fun to see what theme would be explored and which teas were selected for that theme. Sure, I tried several of the teas that they had sent over the course of the program (I think it lasted for about a year!) but, for the most part, I was able to try quite a few teas that I might not have otherwise tried … or even heard of!
Well, Steepster ended it’s program in August of this year, and I was sad. I wanted another program like this one! Recently, I heard about Amoda Tea, a brand new company that focuses on monthly subscriptions – very similar to what we were getting from Steepster Select! The prices are comparable too!
The one difference: Amoda is in Canada, so I was unable to get the first box as it was limited to Canadian subscribers only. But, for the second box – November’s Box! – subscriptions opened up to the United States. Yay!
The theme of the first box is “The Last Days of Autumn” and this Honeybush Haze is the first tea that I’m sampling from the box. This tisane is blend that was created by a Tea Sommelier and chosen for Amoda Tea based upon the personalities at Amoda Tea! That is exciting in itself, because it’s a chance to try a new tea from a new company.
And this is really, REALLY good. First of all, it smells amazing. It smells like freshly baked apple crumble – piping hot, right out of the oven. And that’s what it tastes like too!
The tisane base is green Honeybush blended with green rooibos. This brings a fruitier flavor with only hints of nutty tones to the cup, which allows for the hazelnut flavor to really shine through and not be masked by the nutty tones of the herbs. The fruitier tones of the herbs also enhances the apple-y flavor really nicely. The raisin notes are off in the background, but, it does add a nice sweetness to the cup.
Overall, this is very much like a fresh apple crumble in a teacup! All that’s missing is a scoop of vanilla ice cream! I’d say that this monthly subscription program from Amoda is off to a GREAT start!
Hazelnut Vanilla Oolong from Zenjala Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Zenjala Tea Company
Tea Description:
Ti Kuan Yin oolong complimented with vanilla and real hazelnut pieces.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I hadn’t heard of this company before, but when I found this tea, I knew I had to try it. Hazelnut + Vanilla + Tie Kuan Yin sounds like it would = HEAVEN! I had to order some!
These flavors seem so perfect for one another, and it is also a perfect flavor combination for my favorite time year: Now! Autumn.
The Ti Kuan Yin Oolong base appears to be a darker Oolong (not a green Ti Kuan Yin) so I suspect that it was a roasted Oolong – and as I taste it, I think my suspicions were on target. There is a pleasing roasty-toasty flavor that goes melds perfectly with the sweet, nutty flavor of the hazelnut. And the natural creamy notes of the Oolong melds perfectly with the sweet and creamy taste of vanilla, and these three components unify very harmoniously to offer a really delicious cup of tea that is so soothing and comforting. Everything goes together so seamlessly, with each ingredient bringing out the very best of its counterparts.
While I do usually prefer my Oolong teas to be pure and unfettered, I must say that this flavored Oolong is certainly a winner in my book. This is really something special.
Hazelnut Matcha from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Matcha)
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
The well loved flavor of popular hazelnuts when combined with oriental Matcha can make a truly delectable treat for its many takers. Since it is has a very close and cosy relationship with chocolate, Hazelnut Matcha can make a very popular treat for many social gatherings for young children. Its sweet nutty yet chocolate-like taste makes it an easy favorite among the younger generations who love sweetening their lives with equally sweet treats like Hazelnut Matcha. This is the perfect treat for those languid days when life should be infused with pure sweetness.
Learn more about this Hazelnut flavored Matcha here.
Taster’s Review:
OH wow! Oh wowie WOW wow!
From the moment I opened the pouch I could smell the hazelnut. I didn’t even have to lift the package to my nose to smell it, it was so strong that the fragrance filled the kitchen as soon as I cut open the pouch! It smelled roasty and deliciously nutty … deliciously, mouthwateringly HAZELNUT! I could feel myself starting to drool as my taste buds started to anticipate the flavors that await me in a frothy bowl of Hazelnut Matcha!
And it is astonishingly good! Much, much better than I expected it to be. It tastes hazelnut-y, of course, and I did expect that, but, I guess I didn’t expect to be as fond of this hazelnut flavored tea as I am. I love hazelnut, sure, it’s one of my favorite nuts, and I’ve been drooling over the thought of Hazelnut Matcha since I noticed this flavor among the many flavors of Matcha on the Red Leaf Tea website. And I figured I’d like it. But I didn’t think I’d love it quite this much.
The hazelnut offers a strong, nutty flavor that is sweet and toasted. Really, all that’s missing is the crunch of the nut and a lightly salted exterior … although I think you probably could remedy the salted part by the teensiest pinch of salt added to the chawan just before whisking. I didn’t do that – didn’t even think about it until I wrote it just now. But next time I have this delicious Matcha, I will definitely try it with a pinch of salt and see how it fairs.
As it is though, using just hot water and about twenty seconds of whisking – this tastes remarkable. It tastes like hazelnuts! But the flavor of the Matcha is not overwhelmed. It is a bit weaker than in previous Matcha flavors that I’ve had – and this was ordered according to the default, go-to settings that I usually order my Matcha: basic/starter grade Matcha and a distinctive level of flavoring. Unlike the other flavored Matcha though, the hazelnut flavor outshines the Matcha (it’s usually my experience that they are pretty evenly matched with the distinctive level of flavoring). But I’m not complaining, because the hazelnut is so delicious here, that I am loving every sip of it. However, if you want a more balanced flavor, you might want to try the delicate level of flavoring for this particular Matcha.
The Matcha is bittersweet and vegetative, but I do notice a bit less of the savory bitterness. The hazelnut cancels out some of the savory notes of the Matcha, but there is just enough in there to offer up some contrast to the bowl. Mostly, though, what I taste is HAZELNUT. It is strong, and it really does meld beautifully with the Matcha. I can even taste a hint of buttery taste to this … just a hint … and it really makes the whole set of notes come together in a really tasty way.
I love this flavor … another winning taste from the Matcha wizard at Red Leaf Tea!