Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Teamotions
Product Description:
Flavor Profile Delicate and bright with just a hint of vanilla.
Ingredients Yunwu Green Tea, Green Rooibos, Lemongrass, Ginger, Lemon Myrtle, Oatstraw, Lavender, Ashwagandha, Natural Flavors.
Taster’s Review:
This is truly a joyous tea!
The green tea flavor is light and smooth. I don’t get a strong “grassy” or “vegetable” taste to this, although there is an overall herbaceous background to this cup. The green rooibos add just enough “sparkle” and lightness to the cup to keep it from being too overwhelmingly creamy.
As you can probably ascertain from my previous comment, this is a very creamy cup of tea. The vanilla tones are sweet and undeniably creamy, but I think that the presence of the lemony tones help to cut through some of the sweetness so that it doesn’t come across as cloying. The result is a flavor that is quite decadent and dessert-like without being too sweet.
The ingredients list ginger as one of the ingredients, but I must tell you that I really don’t taste much from the ginger except for possibly the faintest hint of spice in the distance. It is barely noticeable, and had I not read the ingredient list, it is not something I would have commented on because it is that faint. The same is true of the lavender and the ashwagandha (aka Indian Ginsing).
That being said, I can’t say that this blend would taste quite the same with these ingredients omitted from the blend. Their role in this blend may have a bit more to do with the motto of Teamotions: “Teas for emotional well-being.”
There is absolutely no bitterness to this tea, and no real sign of astringency either. It is sweet and luscious and a bit like what I’d imagine it would taste like if I were to put a slice of lemon meringue pie in the blender with some green tea.
I really enjoyed this tea – much more than I thought I would. It’s one of the better lemon/vanilla or lemon meringue type teas I’ve encountered. It’s so yummy, that I’d recommend this tea based on flavor alone … consider the health/emotional wellness benefits a bonus!
Russian Earl Grey from Culinary Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Culinary Teas
Product Description:
All natural Thai Lemongrass and Spanish orange infuse premium Earl Grey with sultry citrus notes.
Bright, with pleasing citrus overtone and mellow finish.
Ingredients: Luxury black tea, Natural dried lemon Grass, Natural dried Orange, Cornflower Petals, Natural Flavours.
Taster’s Review:
I admit – this tea frightened me. It’s an automatic response to teas that are called “Russian” – usually, that means “smoky” tea (at least, that’s what I’ve been conditioned to assume!). But, this is a happy surprise – no smoke! Nice!
The flavor is a bit unusual for an Earl Grey – the bergamot taste is there, but as it mingles with the lemongrass and orange flavors, it becomes softer and less distinct. This smells and tastes much more like a citrus-y tea rather than an Earl Grey.
Yes, I know that bergamot IS an orange, but, a quick trip through the average grocery store produce section will tell you that it is no ordinary orange. It is not readily available to the average consumer (at least not here in the US). That’s what makes Earl Grey tea so unique – at least to me – is that it doesn’t taste like a typical orange flavored tea.
But, I digress…
The bergamot is present here, it has just been softened somewhat by the presence of the lemongrass and additional orange flavor. But that is not to say that this tastes like a typical orange flavored tea either… it has such an interestingly complex fruit taste.
The black tea is smooth and brisk without being too aggressive. It has a rich taste that compliments the citrus notes. It is a very pleasing harmony of tastes.
This is truly a rewarding cup of tea – one that presented me with such a lovely and welcome surprise. Delicious!
Zest Energizing Tea from Teaquilibrium
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Yerba Maté
Where to Buy: Teaquilibrium
Product Description:
Teaquilibrium’s Energizing Sport Tea contains yerba mate, a South American herb known for its plethora of health benefits. A study of yerba mate at The Pasteur Institute and the Paris Scientific society in 1964 concluded that mate contains “practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life.” Mate is also a natural source of caffeine, theobromine (dark chocolate’s euphoric stimulant) and theophylline (tea’s soothing stimulant) which stimulate the central nervous system to create calm energy and mental clarity.
Yerba Mate fuels your muscles and nourishes your body with 15 amino acids, 24 vitamins and minerals including Vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin (B3), B5, B Complex. Natural phytochemicals stimulate your immune system and boost your metabolism.
Taster’s Review:
OK, when I first saw the name of this tea, I was immediately reminded of “the other” Zest (you know, the bar of soap?)
But I’d much rather use THIS Zest as my “eye-opener” – and it certainly does do just that. The lemon-y flavor is bright and clean… and shall I say it? Zesty! The delicious, lemon-y flavor curbs the earthy notes of the yerba maté. This is not overly earthy or grassy tasting, it is quite smooth for a yerba maté, which sometimes can come off as a little bitter. I’m not getting that with this cup at all!
The lemon-y flavor is not incredibly tart, although there is a faint, tangy note at the finish that lingers a little bit with a tingly sensation on the tongue. This is something that is almost barely noticeable unless you’re focusing on it, though. Mostly what I get from the lemon is a smooth, sweet citrus-y taste that reminds me a bit of lemon curd.
The yerba maté is a green maté (that is, it isn’t roasted), so it has a fresher taste to it which is very fitting with the whole concept of “Zest.” This tastes fresh and bright and lively! It is certainly enough to get you going even on those days when you feel sort of sluggish. This will help rid you of those “sleepyzzz!”
I like to steep this energizing drink in a vessel that I can keep the leaves continually steeping as I sip… so I am using my Libre Mug. I put the loose leaf into the main chamber, and then add the hot water and allow it to steep for five minutes, then I screw on the filter lid and the filter lid strains the tisane as I sip it. Since yerba maté lacks the tannins of tea leaves, it doesn’t get bitter from lengthy brew times – it just gets more flavorful!
I like this!
Lemongrass Tea from Supple Skin Boutique
Tea Type: Herbal
Where To Buy: Supple Skin Boutique
Product Description:
Common name: Citronella
Used for calming effect that relieves insomnia or stress. Also considered as a mild insect repellant.
Used as diuretic for detox as well as antibacterial and antifungal.
Used on dogs to reduce barking and as an aid to retraining
No established contraindications.
This information is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Tasters Review:
Did you know that LEMONGRASS can help dogs bark less? I guess I never knew that!
Another thing I must point out is that my other Lemongrass herbal teas don’t really look like this. This one looks like a pale-tannish-yellow color and has lemongrass but also what looks like root and powder in the mix!
It really didn’t have an aroma prior to infusing but afterwards…it was pleasant but not over the top! It infuses to a VERY clear and clean pale almost completely clear color liquid-wise. It’s a very gentle lemongrass and a gentle herb type taste.
This isn’t too bad! I think it would make a nice base for blending! It does leave a refreshing aftertaste, too! I give this one a thumbs-up from Supple Skin Boutique!
Yerba Maté Mint from Choice Organic Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Yerba Maté
Where to Buy: Choice Organic Teas
Product Description:
Perk up with this refreshing twist on the traditional. Renowned for its natural kick, yerba maté grows in subtropical South America and has been enjoyed by gauchos for generations. We blend ours with peppermint, spearmint and a hint of lemongrass for a bright tea that’s light, cool and exhilarating. [contains caffeine]
Taster’s Review:
Exhilarating is right! The yerba maté is energizing, while the peppermint and spearmint is crisp and refreshing. Put these ingredients together and you’ve got one very exhilarating beverage, indeed!
This tisane is nicely balanced. It is minty, but not too minty. The yerba maté is slightly earthy but the mint offsets it enough so that it is easy to drink and not too earthy or vegetative. The lemongrass offers just a hint of citrus tones to the cup and adds an interesting dimension to the cup. There’s even a light tangy note from the citrus right at the finish that remains in the aftertaste.
And I really like the company. It is one that I really feel good about supporting, because not only are they organic and committed to the protection of our environment, but they also are involved with really good causes, such as the Jane Goodall Institute, a non-profit organization that is committed to the preservation of the lives and habitat of primates.
It is a very good tea and a tea I can feel good about!