Wild Forest Tulsi from The Tao of Tea

by liberteas

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Tulsi

Where to Buy:  The Tao of Tea

Tisane Description:

Flavor Profile:Very fragrant, notes of kafir limes, orange, mint and cloves.

Ingredients:100% Organic Wild Forest (Vana) Tulsi leaves and stems.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I often find myself at a loss on how to describe an “unflavored” tea or herb, because, even though the natural flavor of the product has not been altered by flavoring, it is often quite flavorful on its own and therefore I don’t feel the word “unflavored” applies.

Unadulterated?  Unaltered?  Untainted?  These words seem to intimate that the act of flavoring tea is somehow wrong, and I don’t agree with that sentiment, as I enjoy many types of tea, both flavored and “unflavored.”

Unmixed?  This almost seems like the reverse sentiment … like tea and herbs should be blended, flavored or mixed, and I don’t agree with that either.

How about Plain?  This seems to imply that the tea or herb is boring.  Plain.  Dull.  And I don’t agree with that either.

So, after what has seemed a long “inner debate” with myself, I think I may have finally settled upon the word PURE to describe an unflavored tea or herb.

And, I think that the word pure is the perfect word to describe this Wild Forest Tulsi from The Tao of Tea.  The aroma of the dry leaf is quite herbaceous, reminiscent of the fragrance of the air one might experience while taking a hike in the woods of the Pacific Northwest.  (We have a lot of mint growing wild up here!)  Once brewed, the tea becomes extraordinarily fragrant.  I noticed a medicinal quality to the aroma as I poured it, reminding me a bit of vapor rub.

And to tell you the truth, that isn’t exactly what I would consider to be a mouth-watering scent.  But, I still managed to get myself to take a sip … and I found myself taking another, and then another.  At first, it seemed to be more curiosity than anything else, but, by the time I made my way to mid-cup, I found myself really enjoying what I was drinking.

The flavor is incredibly complex for an herb:  I taste hints of mint and a warm, spicy note to it (not “spicy hot” really, but more of an exotic spicy note) as well as notes of citrus.  It has a very satisfying savoriness to it; it is very calming and relaxing to sip.

A lovely, pure herb.  I love how it offers a sense of tranquility to me as I wind down this evening.

 

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Tulsi

Mint Green Tea from Compass Teas

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Compass Teas

Tea Description:

The refreshing taste of spearmint blends perfectly with Green tea to provide a minty pick-me-up that is full of anti-oxidants, helps with digestion problems and may help relieve heartburn. Try it hot or iced.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

When I first tasted this, it tasted a little … different.  Not bad, really, just different than many of the mint green teas I’ve tasted.  Then, I read the description for the tea (provided above) and realized what it was:  this tea has spearmint, while most green teas I’ve had are made with peppermint.  My palate can definitely tell the difference.

And while I would usually select peppermint over spearmint, I’m enjoying the change.  It not only challenged my palate but it also invigorated it, as it was prepared to taste peppermint and sometimes my palate “preps” me for what I’m about to eat or drink… and spearmint was just different enough for my palate to perk up and take notice.

It’s still minty, of course, but, I find that there is plenty of green tea to make this a green tea with mint… rather than a minty green tea.  That is to say, the green tea is stronger than the mint, and I like it that way.  I like that it doesn’t taste as though I’m sipping a cup of hot mouthwash.

The green tea is mildly sweet with a hint of vegetation which complements the herbaceous notes of the spearmint nicely without making it taste too herb-y.  Overall a very pleasant cup:  cool and crisp, but, also calming in its own way.

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Green Tea

Vanilla Mint Tea from Golden Moon Tea

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black & Green Teas

Where to Buy:  Golden Moon Tea

Tea Description:

Vanilla Mint is a smooth and refreshing blend of both green and black tea with fragrant mint leaves and rich vanilla bean pieces. Delicious hot or iced, serve by the pitcher or in tall glasses with a sprig of fresh mint for a naturally sweet refreshment.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Ahhh!  This is really refreshing.

When I first opened the sample pouch, it smelled like a peppermint patty.  Not the chocolate part of the patty, but that creamy smooth center.  My mouth started watering, I could hardly wait to taste it.

The tea base is a blend of black and green tea, so I brewed this at a lower temperature (185°F) for 3 minutes.  This was a sufficient time and temperature to allow the flavor of the black tea to develop enough (not fully, but enough), and still keep the tender green leaves from scorching and becoming bitter.

The tea base has a fresh, earthy flavor that melds quite nicely with the crisp, cool flavor of the mint, and still allows the creamy, sweet flavor of the vanilla to shine through.

What actually inspired me to order a sample of this tea (Golden Moon Tea offers samples of their teas for just 99 cents!) was a recent newsletter post from Marcus at Golden Moon Tea called “Tea Infused Hot Cocoa” where he explained that he uses tea to make his hot cocoa rather than milk or water.  It is rather brilliant, because, it’s been my experience that preparing hot cocoa with water makes it too thin, and preparing it with milk makes it too thick and rich.

Anyway, this was one of the teas that he recommended using to prepare “Tea Infused Hot Cocoa,” and I was intrigued.  Of course, I had forgotten all about using this sample to prepare a cup of hot cocoa and tried it as a tea instead.  So I guess I’m going to have to order more!

But that’s alright, because this is a really good!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Black Tea, Green Tea

Apples and Snowflakes from Kärma Blends

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  White

Where to Buy:  Kärma Blends

Tea Description:

Add romance to your day with our Apples and Snowflakes. Inspired by the season of fall, just the aroma of this tea is enough to put you in another world. Flakes of white mint candy add a sweet touch. We promise you will replace your apple cider with this one!

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Wow!  This tea is WONDERFUL!

The white tea base has a delicate flavor:  soft and sweet.  Not quite what I’d call “grassy” but more like a warm hay kind of flavor that complements the flavor of clove very well.

But what really knocks my socks off about this blend is the flavor combination of clove and mint.  Mint tends to be a rather selfish herb and often overpowers the other flavors in a blend, but, the clove keeps it in check, creating a contrasts in flavors that is both cool and crisp from the mint and warm and spiced from the clove.

The apple starts out quite subtle, but as I continue to sip, I notice the apple more and more.  By the end of the cup the flavors are a little like apple cider with a hint of mint.  The overall flavor is something that is very familiar, but, at the same time, unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before.  Very warm and cozy and absolutely memorable.

I like this one very much!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in White Tea

Ginger Ginseng from The Persimmon Tree

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Herbal Tisane

Where to Buy:  The Persimmon Tree

Tisane Description:

A beautiful blend of ginger, ginseng, chamomile, rose hips, orange peel and mint that soothes with every sip.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I know I’ve said this before, but I’m going to say it again.  I’m apprehensive when it comes to herbal teas (or tisanes).  Most that I’ve tried, I’ve actually quite enjoyed, but there seems to be some programmed automated response built into my hard drive that recoils when I receive an herbal tisane to review. So, I tend to put off trying it, and then when I do finally try it, I end up irritated with myself for not having tried it sooner.

As is the case with this tisane.  It actually tastes really good.  But, as I’m naturally hesitant when it comes to herbal tisanes and I am not all that fond of ginseng, this tisane had already been marked with a double whammy.  But, I managed to talk myself into trying it tonight, and I must say that I’m happily surprised by the flavor of it.

While it does taste herbaceous, it doesn’t taste overly medicinal.  Every ingredient is masterfully balanced here to deliver a flavor that is not only gentle and soothing, but palate-pleasing as well.  The ginger is sweet with just a hint of spice.  That spice tone is mellowed with a touch of mint and chamomile.  I can even taste a note of orange in this which is really nice.  I don’t taste much from the ginseng, which given my dislike for the herb, I consider the lack of ginseng flavor here a real plus.  Additional bonus points should also be awarded to The Persimmon Tree for refraining from using hibiscus in this blend.  It doesn’t need it, and I’m glad that they didn’t add it.

It has a very calm, relaxing flavor, perfect for after a big meal, or later in the evening when its time to settle down and prepare for rest.

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Fruit/Herbal Tisane