I steeped 1 tsp of this tea for 5 minutes in one cup of 212 degree water.
First of all, this tea isn’t kidding when it says “hot.” (Currently I’m able to smell the cinnamon flavor through the bag even though I double-bagged it, which means it has about the same strength as lapsang souchong). You can clearly see, when measuring it out, that there’s tons of cinnamon in the tea leaves. The ingredients list says it has natural and artificial flavorings too in addition to the three types of cinnamon–I didn’t know three types of cinnamon existed, did you? But apparently they do.
I don’t expect the black tea flavor to come through much at all at this point (it’s probably mainly there for caffeination purposes.)
It smells very spicy and strong as it steeps, too. After steeping I note that it has a very dark brown, fittingly cinnamon-ish color. It’s nearly opaque and has bits of dissolved cinnamon in it. Kind of like spiced cider. It also has a faintly sweet cider-ish smell, but of coursewithout the apple factor. (It does have clove and orange peel though, so that’s probably why it’s reminding me of cider.)
First sip: yes, it’s quite sweet and quite spicy. And no, I don’t really taste the black tea at all. There is a slight bit of astringency, but I’m not sure if it’s from the black tea or from the cinnamon. There’s a depth to the cinnamon flavor, which is probably caused by the blending of several types of cinnamon and cinnamon flavorings to create a more complex cinnamon blend rather than one that hits you all in a wave. It’s very effective, too. It’s like a tour of cinnamon.
With milk (no sugar needed as it’s already sweet): it’s creamier, of course, but the milk doesn’t really bring out the tea flavor the way it usually does with spicy teas (though maybe there’s a hint). The excellently warming, invigorating cinnamon flavor isn’t quelled by the milk either, though perhaps a bit tamed.
Overall I like this tea very much both with milk and without. I’d recommend trying it both ways to see which strikes your fancy the most.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: New Mexico Tea Company
Description
.This blend brews very sweet even though no sugar is added. A cinnamon lover’s dream come true. A combination of hearty Chinese and Indian black tea and invigorating cinnamon.
Many cinnamon teas have a watery aftertaste due to the use of low grade teas. The black tea here has the stamina to last through the whole tasting process
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Checking out Genmaicha from New Mexico Tea Company. . . . .
I have had very little genmaicha. The first I tried was a sample that came with an order, and since I didn’t know anything about genmaicha, I thought I had done something terribly wrong and burned it!
The second was a flavored genmaicha, and it was great. But, it had lots of added flavors.
So this is only my third genmaicha, and it is my first time tasting unflavored genmaicha while knowing exactly what it is! This is Japanese bancha, usually harvested in June after the Sencha has been harvested around May. There may be little bits of twig in the mix to sweeten the tea. And the critical addition is rice – brown pellets of heavily toasted rice, tiny but numerous.
The smell of the steeped tea made say, “Whoa now! Back that up!” My daughter looked at me in trepidation before sipping hers. We both sipped, and….
Aaaaaaah. This is pretty good! Way different than what we usually drink. Hearty. Roasty. No sour taste, no grassiness, no astringency. In its own roasty toasty way it reminded me of Lapsang, a tea dear to our hearts.
I can see this becoming a tea that one craves, that one associates with certain foods or places. If you grew up drinking it, I think it would be the Japanese tea equivalent of comfort food. I will never face a cup of genmaicha with trepidation again. I may even start craving it!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: New Mexico Tea Company
Description
Made with a little bit of luxury, ObubuÕs Genmaicha (玄米茶) or Brown Rice Tea is made with sweet mochi rice (also grown in Wazuka) combined with Yanagi Bancha.
The strong, sweet flavor of the roasted rice fills the air as the tea steeps and mixes with the sweetness and bitterness of the sencha to produce a delicious tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Long Ding from New Mexico Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: New Mexico Tea Company
Tea Description:
The tea is bright and lively with a unique sharpness accented with bouquet and a slight touch of herb. The body is deep and long for a baked green tea. Its character differentiates it well from other varieties in this region and adds an unmistakeable breadth in the taste spectrum of Chinese green teas.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I have loved New Mexico Tea Company for some time. Their teas are fresh and vibrant. The packaging is fantastic and the art work on their packages is phenomenal. Everything about them is just brilliant and I have recommended them to so many tea drinkers, newbies and tea enthusiasts alike. They have a tea blend for everyone.
This tea I picked up some time ago, I think from a Steepster Stash Sale. I am always on the look out for new green teas to check out and just hadn’t had a chance to try this one until now. When I first opened the bag, I was in awe of the gorgeous longer leaves that filled the pouch. I scooped a few spoonfuls into my tea pot and poured in the prepped water. I loved watching the tea leaves dance in the water.
First sip in and shame on me for not trying this tea sooner. This tea is one of those green teas that give you everything. Slightly floral with subtle vegetal notes and a buttery finish. Just delicious. One of those teas that you crave more of and hate to see your tea pot empty. I’ve already drank a few infusions out of this first serving and I have to say each infusion delivers that same gorgeous flavor. This is one of those satisfying teas that delivers on the flavor it promises. This one is a keeper!
Witch’s Broom Raw Puerh Tea (2001) from New Mexico Tea Co.
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Pu-erh
Where to Buy: New Mexico Tea Co.
Tea Description:
A bizarre and wonderful tea. This aged green puerh tea is made up of extraordinarily large tea leaves that have been gathered into small bundles (hence the name). It has a marvelous flavor and delivers a lighter, sweet taste with a lingering aftertaste of dark peaches or plums. We recommend six to eight leaves per cup with multiple steepings.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I ordered this 2001 Witch’s Broom Raw Puerh Tea with my last order from New Mexico Tea Company, mostly because I found the tea’s appearance to be so intriguing! It really does look like the bristles of a witch’s broom!
With the leaves on the darker side, I was surprised at the color of the liquid produced when I brewed the leaves. And, I’m used to Pu-erh teas producing a rather dark liquor, but, this is quite pale. But … the flavor is LOVELY!
I decided to take this tea through its paces and go for at least six infusions. However, because of the size of the leaves, I couldn’t fit them in my gaiwan without breaking them … and I just couldn’t bring myself to doing that! So, I brewed them in a larger vessel (my Smart Tea Maker did the job very nicely).
The first infusion (following a quick 15 second rinse) delivered just what I was promised with the above description from New Mexico Tea Company … a sweet, light taste with notes of fruit. I don’t know that I taste peaches or plums just yet, but, there is definite sweet fruit notes here. There are notes of earth, but I’m pleased to report that the earthy tones are subdued and off in the background.
With each subsequent infusion, this tea became sweeter and sweeter. By the third infusion, I began to pick up on more of the fruity notes that were promised in the description … I can definitely taste stone fruit … a sweet plum and hints of peach. Amazing!
By the time I reached my fourth infusion, I was really delighted with how sweet this tea had become. It’s so sweet and mellow and the fruity notes evoke thoughts of a thinned fruit nectar. Very nice, indeed.
I stopped at six infusions … not because the tea was ready to quit on me, but because it was time to go to bed! This is truly an amazing Pu-erh. I highly recommend it to those looking for a unique Pu-erh that is less earthy and more sweet and fruit-like!
Vintage Earl Grey from New Mexico Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: New Mexico Tea Company
Tea Description:
A sophisticated twist to an undeniably sophisticated black tea. Vintage Earl Grey adds the subtleties of rose and lavender to the familiar well-loved tradition of Italian orange bergamot for a smashing afternoon delight. Enjoyed with an intimate circle of friends or in your own personal retreat time, this soothing and lively combination will stir memories of pleasant times well spent.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This Vintage Earl Grey blend from New Mexico Tea Company is a very interesting combination of flavors … a really unusual but tasty twist on a classic favorite!
My first thought when I saw so many floral notes plus bergamot was that this would end up tasting like one of those fancy body washes that you might find in a specialty shop in the mall. And while I’ve not actually picked up a bottle of body wash and chugged it, I think I can still say that this does not taste like body wash … or soap … or perfume!
It is one of the more unique Earl Grey blends that I’ve encountered. The flavor is at once citrus-y/bergamot-y, rose, lavender, and rosemary, with a background of black tea flavor. The black tea base is rather subtle and even a tad overwhelmed by the presence of so many strong flavors … but that does not mean that I do not taste the black tea. It just means that it is not as prominent as it would be in a traditional Earl Grey blend. While it doesn’t stand out and say “Here I Am” to the palate, it comes through in the background. There is only a wee bit of astringency and no bitterness with this tea.
In one sip, I notice notes of rose, lavender, bergamot, resin and pine, plus a backdrop of black tea. The rose is the first flavor that I notice immediately. The bergamot then comes through, offering its distinctive citrus-y, tangy flavor. The lavender takes a few sips to really be recognized … and I think this has something to do with the other ingredients actually “altering” the usually distinguished flavor of lavender … it took me a little while for me to recognize the flavor as lavender … whereas if this had been a straightforward lavender scented black tea, I would have noticed the lavender immediately because of the lack of other ingredients to taint the lavender’s presence.
The rosemary is there too, and I like the sharp, pine-ish flavor that it offers the cup. It really does give this a ‘vintage-y’ kind of flavor together with the rose and lavender. It’s quite remarkable.
I really enjoyed the way this tea came together. It is indeed DIFFERENT, but, different isn’t always bad. In this case, different is definitely GOOD, and it was unique and interesting enough to keep me sipping!