Teas have characteristics that make them better under certain circumstances. Some teas are great in the morning as a pick me up, some are better as a mid-afternoon brew, and others are better for healing specific ailments. The Dragon Well Tea from Enjoying tea is a perfect afternoon tea and provides a milder version of traditional green tea.
My initial impression of this tea was an excitement of the large flat leaf that this loose tea presented. It was refreshing to be able to truly see the tea leaf rather than have the small processed leaves that are familiar to me in black teas. The leaves themselves had a musky scent and even from the aroma of this tea, it was easy to see that it was a high quality green tea.
When brewed, this tea produced a gorgeous light tan color. Rather than the brew keeping its musky flavor, the tea had a mellow-sweet taste and was exceptionally smooth. There is a nutty overtone that lingers on the palate and keeps you looking for the next sip. I happily brewed two cups of this from a single serving of leaves
I will admit that I over-brewed the leaves at one point and was concerned that the flavor would be damaged or burnt; however, I was happily surprised that I did not distort the flavor! I was so impressed, that I wanted to do a bit of research on the leaves. One of the characteristics of this tea is the mellow flavor keeps the flavor from turning bitter, even if you over-brew or brew at a higher water temperature.
In addition, during the production of the tea, the leaves are dried under a wood-fired wok which explains that musky aromatic experience when you open this tea. I would happily brew this tea again!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Enjoying Tea
Description
This tea is not available on the site but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Apple Delicious from Love Some Tea. . . .
The short of it: They weren’t lying!
This was a very pleasing, delicious cup of tea to enjoy on a rainy fall day! The green tea made the perfect pairing for the mild and smooth apple flavor. The apple was strong enough that I did not have to imagine it was there, but subtle enough that the smoothness of the green tea came through. There was a very mild tang at the end of each sip. The website (www.lovesometea.com) describes the tea as having ginger, strawberry, cherry and cranberry notes in addition to the apple. The after note of tartness I would contribute to the cranberry and ginger, but neither are overwhelming enough to overpower the apple and green tea flavors. The strawberry was a bit to subtle for my palate to pickup. The blend is a beautiful mix, with moderate sized fruit pieces visible within. It is very possible that my sample size didn’t contain strawberry pieces (I could see cranberry and apple easily), and I suspect that if you didn’t’ mix the blend before each cup, you’d have a slightly new adventure each go around.
All in all: I’d stock this as a good comfort tea, and name it as my favorite apple flavored tea yet.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Love Some Tea
Description
Green Tea Flavored with deep notes Ginger and Fruits including: strawberry, cherries, cranberry, and apple.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Cucumber Melon from Culinary Teas. . . . . .
Today is my birthday so I’m taking over SororiTea Sisters with reviews today of some teas I’ve recently enjoyed and experienced.
First one up is Cucumber Melon from Culinary Teas. This one had me at cucumber but the added touch of melon and the fact this tea has a green tea base. . .I’m all in!
Brewed up with water right around 190F and allowed to steep for 3 minutes, this tea blend had this wonderfully summery aroma that I couldn’t wait to dive in. The dry leaf really displayed the name of the tea. You could smell, cucumber . . .you could smell melon. . .and the green tea base had this vegetal aroma that made my tea drinking heart happy.
Once I took my first sip, I didn’t stop. As simple as this tea is, the flavors are on point. Fresh crisp cucumbers, lush melon notes that do not come across as artificial all on a bed of this vegetal green base that compliments all the flavors wonderfully. I can’t get enough. Even sitting here with my tea cup across the room, I can still smell this wonderful brew and I’m not going to lie, my mouth is starting to water.
With this combination of flavors, this tea does scream to be cold brewed. Can’t wait for that session tomorrow.
Sometimes the simplest of blends really are the best. This one would be perfect to welcome in the spring or even enjoy on a dreary day when you are wanting some sunshine. That may be what I rename this tea-Sunshine in a Cuppa!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Culinary Tea
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Notes about Pearls of Jade – Bi Luo from Silk Road Teas. . . .
Glorious. . .
The mouth feel this tea gives you is so nice. . . .
Smooth from the tip of your tongue to the back of your throat. Then there is the wet smell.
Oh what a heavenly aroma!
Grassy, nutty, vegetal and slight hints of earth.
One can tell that these leaves have been carefully cared for. Clear, golden amber liquid color.
Flavors range from vegetal and the beginning to slightly sweet and mineral.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Silk Road Teas
Description
Harvest date Spring 2017. A sweet & vegetal flavor green tea that comes out early in the harvest. This lot is pre-Qing Ming – picked as the weather warmed in late March into first days of April. The leaf is a crisp green color, lightly curled and sprinkled with white buds. This is our harvest or select grade Bi Luo Chun. It offers a greener leaf appearance and a wonderful herbaceous taste. An excellent value tea that captures a taste of spring in a sweet, relaxing cup.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Matcha Ice Cream from DAVIDs Tea. . . . . .
There’s no doubt that matcha has been all the rage in recent years. Brewed in traditional ceremonial style, mixed up as a latte, flavoring everything from macaroons to yogurt, you kind of can’t go anywhere *without* seeing it in some capacity. I’ve been a fan of matcha lattes especially for a while now– something about the verdant green-ness of the powder balanced with the creaminess of milk is especially heavenly. You can imagine, then, when I saw David’s Tea’s most recent matcha re-imagining included a matcha ice cream flavor– well, I was all about it.
The dry leaf is beautiful– matcha powder-coated green tea leaves, with big slivers of almond and tiny swirls of what I’m assuming is white chocolate candy (I mean, it’s *ice cream* tea. It was never going to be healthy). What I pictured: dreamy, vanilla-almond creamy green, perfectly balanced with a dash of milk. What I got: kind of vanilla-almond-y, with OMG STEVIA, YOU GUYS STEVIA IS HERE JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, STEVIA. (Isn’t that how stevia always shows up in tea? Loud and proud?) I’m not an across-the-board stevia hater, but here, it just doesn’t work well for me. It’s harsh and takes me out of the otherwise lovely flavors, and leaves that funky-sweet almost aspartame-y aftertaste that’s just not my jam. Now if you’re wondering– why even review this tea if you’re thinking it’s just super not for you, Mary? Let me tell you, friends– the one saving grace of this particular blend is that is *does* work well with milk, which helps temper the stevia taste fairly well– particularly when it’s foamy, latte-style milk. Overall, once this sample is gone, I won’t be re-purchasing. I think I’ll just stick to my matcha ice cream by the scoop, please and thanks.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: DAVIDs Tea
Description
This white chocolate and almond green tea contains a double scoop of healthy matcha.