Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Spice & Tea Exchange
Tea Description:
A classic Breakfast tea that is rich and malty with subtle notes of chocolate. This robust and flavorful black tea makes a great first cup to start your day. Contains: black tea. Contains caffeine.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The other day, I managed to talk my husband in to taking me to the Spice & Tea Exchange in Portland, Oregon. It wasn’t too difficult as I had a Living Social Voucher. Normally, though, when it comes to going somewhere to buy tea, my husband balks at the idea, as he is convinced that I have “enough” tea. As if that were possible. Ha!
This is one of the teas that I selected from their pleasing array of teas. They don’t have a dizzying selection, which I actually like, because I think that too many teas in an establishment leads to the possibility of procuring a tea that has been there too long. You know? The selection at The Spice & Tea Exchange is large enough to give a good variety without being so big that you’re choosing between two teas that seem almost identical, and can’t be sure of how fresh your selection is going to be.
I also liked that when I walked into The Spice & Tea Exchange, the air wasn’t overwhelmingly scented by the spices (I like the smell of spices, but, it’s hard to find spices you’re interested in if the air around you is consumed by a heady aroma of spice), and that it was clean and friendly and easily accessible. Additionally, it is nice that the teas and spices are available online as well as in-store.
This is a nice breakfast blend. As the description above suggests, it does have a pleasant malty tone and a subtle note of chocolate. The chocolate is a little difficult to discern while the tea is piping hot, so do let it cool for a moment or two before taking a sip if you’re looking for that chocolate-y note. There is a pleasant earthiness to this tea, as well as a delicious undertone of caramel that melds nicely with the malt.
Overall, a very tasty breakfast blend. I would like it more if it had more of a stimulating effect to it, It is a black tea blend, and as such it does manage to encourage some wakefulness, but it is not as invigorating as some other breakfast blends I’ve tried. It takes the addition of milk and honey well, if you care to add it, but, it isn’t so edgy that you need these additions, as it tastes quite nice on its own.
I enjoyed this, my first sampling of a tea from this company. I am glad I have more to try from them!
ITFA Global Tea Taster’s Club, October’s Shipment, Part 3: Chi-Sin Oolong Tea
Leaf Type: Oolong
Produced By GoeTea
For More Information, visit the Tea Farms webpage
About ITFA Global Tea Taster’s Club:
By subscribing to the Global Tea Tasters Club, you will receive tea from ITFA tea farms 6 times per year. Each time, we will select a different region to feature and as we grow in tea farm members, so will your tea experience.
Your tea will also be accompanied by info about the tea and the tea farms themselves.
To know where your tea is coming from, who has grown and produced it, to taste the difference in teas from around the world…what could be better?
Taster’s Review:
Have I mentioned lately how much I love the Global Tea Taster’s Club? I have absolutely loved every single tea that I’ve tried thus far (all five in the first shipment, and so far, I’ve tried 3 of the four teas sent in the second shipment), and I also love that it not only offers me the opportunity to try these teas that I would likely never have tried otherwise, but it also offers the opportunity to learn more about the teas and the processes each tea undergoes through the literature that is included with each shipment.
With this October Shipment (where we “visit” the tea farms of Taiwan), we received two teas from GoeTea. The first was the Oolong Tea with a High Degree of Fermentation, and in comparison, this tea is much sweeter and less on the savory side. Whereas the Oolong Tea with a High Degree of Fermentation had a consistency and flavor that reminded me a bit of a thin broth, this one has a heady, floral aroma and a flavor to match.
Hints of sweet apple linger in the distance, along with a honey-esque undertone. The floral notes remind me a bit of honeysuckle – so much so it evokes memories of springtime at my gramma’s house … where the honeysuckle bloomed and the Santa Ana winds would come in and sweep that fragrance through the air.
Definitely a lovely tea to sip and to recall fond memories!
ITFA Global Tea Taster’s Club, October’s Shipment, Part 1: SiaoSyue – Winter Jin Syuan
Leaf Type: Oolong
Produced By Dignitea Garden
For More Information, visit the Tea Farms webpage
About ITFA Global Tea Taster’s Club:
By subscribing to the Global Tea Tasters Club, you will receive tea from ITFA tea farms 6 times per year. Each time, we will select a different region to feature and as we grow in tea farm members, so will your tea experience.
Your tea will also be accompanied by info about the tea and the tea farms themselves.
To know where your tea is coming from, who has grown and produced it, to taste the difference in teas from around the world…what could be better?
Taster’s Review:
October’s shipment of teas for ITFA’s Global Tea Taster’s Club brought me teas produced in Taiwan. And when I think of teas from Taiwan, I immediately think Oolong! And, yes, this shipment featured three different Oolong teas (as well as one Black tea). Yay! I do love Oolong!
And of course, my favorite Oolong is Ali Shan! And so what better way to start off these tastings from October’s shipment than with an Ali Shan Oolong?
This Ali Shan Jin Shuan SianSyue Oolong from the Dignitea Gardens is the first tea that I selected from my October package, and it is LOVELY. It has a remarkably light roast to it, giving it a hint of nutty, buttery flavor without a strong roasty-toasty taste. 
It is remarkably fragrant, with a beautiful floral note that reminds me of something between orchid and lily. This floral note translates to the flavor, but while the floral taste is there, it is in keeping with the overall lightness to the cup, and does not overwhelm.
In one sip, I notice not only the delightful floral notes, and the nutty flavor, but hints of buttered popcorn, and a very subtle undertone of spice. For such a light tea, there is a surprising amount of flavor and body to the cup.
This tea is a perfect example of why I adore Ali Shan so much.