Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden
About This Tea:
The story goes that Lapsang Souchong was first created when the Wuyi region’s annual tea drying process was interrupted by army movement. To compensate for the missed drying period, tea farmers hung their tea over pinewood fires, consequently imparting a distinctive smoky flavor and aroma. Our Lapsang Souchong is sourced by Mark Ukra, co-owner of Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden, who comes from a family of Middle Eastern tea merchants dating back 400 years. Drink Lapsang Souchong plain or try it as a spice or rub for cooking.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
January’s Steepster Select box brought teas that to help warm us up from Winter’s Chill. The first tea that I tried from the box was this Lapsang Souchong, which is a little unusual for me since it’s one of my least favorite teas (well, not this Lapsang Souchong, but Lapsang Souchong in general is one of my least favorite teas).
But this is no ordinary Lapsang Souchong. This is easily the best that I’ve ever tried. Now, I can’t say that I’ve tried a lot of Lapsang Souchong teas, as it is one of those teas that I tend to avoid, but I have tried a few, and I’ve even managed to – slowly – get my palate more accustomed to the unique flavor experience of Lapsang Souchong. While I am slowly gaining an appreciation for this strong, smoky tea, it is still sometimes difficult for me to get past it.
This Lapsang Souchong from Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden has been a real eye-opening experience for me. I am not just “appreciating” this tea … I’m LOVING it!
The first couple of sips are quite smoky. But once I get past those first sips, I find wonderful flavors await me. I can actually taste the pine here, and that is something that I didn’t really experience in previous Lapsang Souchong tastings. I may have tasted mere hints of pine in the distance, but, mostly what I tasted was smoke and the caramel undertone. Here, the pine is quite distinct and it is lovely.
The caramel undertones are there as well, giving a very pleasant sweetness to the smoky overtones. But what I find especially enjoyable is the way that the caramel undertones meld with the pine notes. The flavors here are deep and intriguing.
A very unique Lapsang Souchong, and I have Steepster Select for bringing it to me!
Moroccan Mint Green Tea from Earthbound Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Earthbound Tea
Product Description:
Green tea, freshly picked peppermint, and a soothing minty taste. What more do you need?
Taster’s Review:
I have tasted many “Moroccan Mint” teas, but like with Earl Grey teas, just because they have the same name, that doesn’t mean they taste the same. Some are mintier than others, and some are so minty that you think you’re sipping on mouthwash instead of tea. Some have so little mint flavor that you might be left wondering if someone mislabeled the package.
But this Moroccan Mint from Earthbound Tea is just right. It offers a nice balance of both mint and green tea flavor. Earthbound Tea does not indicate what type of green tea is used in this blend, but based upon the appearance and flavor of the tea I would guess it is a gunpowder green. It has a lightly sweet flavor with notes of a buttery/toasted nut flavor in the background, which gives a nice contrast to the crisp, vibrant flavor of peppermint.
The two ingredients – peppermint and green tea – are pretty evenly matched. The peppermint does not overwhelm the delightful flavors of the green tea, which means a clean, minty taste without tasting like a mouthful of toothpaste. It has a uplifting flavor – just right for that boost that we all seem to need at mid-day!
Moroccan Mint from Mhai Diva
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Mhai Diva
Product Description:
Green Tea, peppermint leaf, peppermint extract
Taster’s Review:
When I opened the pouch of this tea, I was taken by surprise! The essence of mint in this tea is strong. Many Moroccan Mint teas out there are generally just green tea and peppermint leaf, but this blend also has the peppermint flavoring, which really amplifies the mint flavor and aroma.
If you love mint, this is the Moroccan Mint for you. The peppermint is exhilarating and leaves my mouth feeling fresh and clean. It is a very bright and crisp mint flavor.
But even though the mint is strong, it doesn’t overwhelm the green tea notes – which saves this tea from coming across as something that you might substitute for your mouthwash in the morning. The sweet hint of vegetative flavor from the green tea accents the herbaceous notes of the mint and create a delicious, restorative cup of tea.
I like this one served hot or iced. I especially enjoy it after a meal – the mint helps to soothe the stomach while also freshening the breath! (And it tastes yummy too!)
Moroccan Mint from EnjoyingTea.com
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: EnjoyingTea.com
Product Description:
This tea is made from top grade Ceylon black tea mix with peppermint leaves. Mint tea is the national drink of Morocco and is truly one of the world’s great tea blends. You will discover that infusing the blend produced a drink that was at once vigorous and soothing, thanks to the therapeutic qualities of mint. True to the spirit of the original blend our tea is flavored with a pungent and refreshing mint. This bright and invigorating tea is perfect any time of day.
Tasters Review:
Black Tea and Mint. Two of my favorite things! I love black tea by itself or flavored – in most cases. I LOVE Mint and just about anything minty! Black Tea and Mint do not always work together but I am always eager to try minty black flavored teas to see who can pull it off! Sometimes they work nicely together and other times not so much. I will say – EnjoyingTea.com certainly pulled it off!!!
Moroccan Mint from EnjoyingTea.com is not ‘overly minty’ but I would say a Happy medium between the black tea and the mint. The aftertaste is refreshing. I am very pleased with this tea and with the minty goodness!
