Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: David’s Tea
Tea Description:
Is there anything prettier than a rose-scented tea? This classic blend is just as romantic as a bouquet of flowers – and a whole lot tastier, too. Rose Congou teas are traditionally made with black tea, but we love mixing rose petals and rosehips with the subtle grassiness of Chinese green tea. The result is deliciously floral and delicately fruity, like walking through an English garden after a spring rain. No umbrella required.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve tasted quite a few black Rose Congou teas. And I’ve even tasted a few green teas that have been scented with rose. But I don’t think I’ve ever actually tasted a green tea that calls itself Rose Congou before … until tasting this one from David’s Tea, that is!
Maybe because it is my understanding that “Congou” is actually a grade of Chinese black tea, and I really didn’t know that there was such a thing as a green Congou tea. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t … it just means that even after studying, learning about, and working with tea for more than ten years, I still have much to learn about the subject.
Anyway … let’s talk more about this tea. This is really quite delightful. The green tea is sweet and smooth and very refreshing to sip. The vegetative tones of this tea are somewhere between “grassy” and vegetable, leaning more toward the grassy than the vegetable. There is a slightly dry astringency to this cup.
The rose is flavorful! Sweet and floral – let me just say this, if you’re not a fan of the flavor of rose … this is NOT the tea for you. I happen to enjoy rose scented teas so this one is right up my alley. But even though it does have a strong rose essence, it isn’t overbearing or perfume-y. There is a careful balance between the lush notes of the green tea and the notes of flower.
This one tastes great hot or iced! And it looks like this is the right time to order this one online – there’s a web special going on right now!
Blue of London (Yunnan Earl Grey) from Le Palais des Thés
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Le Palais des Thés
Tea Description:
Yunnan is one of the best black teas in the world and with a fresh and delicate bergamot from Calabria, it gives a particularly fine and well balanced blend. An exceptional Earl Grey.
Earl Grey is one of the best-loved English teas. It was first created when Charles Grey, 2nd Earl of Falloden and Foreign Secretary of Britain, received an old recipe from a Mandarin Chinese that called for flavoring tea with bergamot.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a tasty Earl Grey from Le Palais des Thés … this Blue of London – or Earl Grey Yunnan. Tasty … but I don’t know that I would call it exceptional as it is called in the above description.
But it is good. The Yunnan gives it a very rich flavor that is sweet with notes of caramel and spice, and the slightest hint of chocolate. It is a strong, invigorating black tea, and I like the way the Yunnan complements the bergamot flavor. The Yunnan tea is the strongest flavor of the cup, but there is a compelling balance between black tea notes and bergamot.
The bergamot here is a softer bergamot. Some teas go for a heady bergamot essence and some go for a more subtle approach. This bergamot is on the subtle side. It doesn’t whack me upside the head with the tangy citrus notes, nor is it so strong that it comes across as perfume-y. It is on the delicate side, but it isn’t so delicate that it is not tasted. I DEFINITELY taste the bergamot here, I just don’t taste a strong, pungent, soapy bergamot that overwhelms the palate with its presence.
And I like that. As much as I love bergamot – and for those of you that have been reading my reviews for a while probably are well aware of my love affair with the distinguished Mr. Earl Grey – sometimes a subtle, smooth approach is better than coming on strong. I like that the way the bergamot comes through here.
This is a really good Earl Grey … and the more I sip it, the more I like it. It isn’t my favorite Earl Grey, which is why I say I wouldn’t classify it as exceptional – I save exceptional for only those I consider my favorites. But, it IS good, and certainly worth a try, especially if you are a fan of Earl Grey. Just because it isn’t my favorite doesn’t mean that it won’t be yours!
Midnight Magic Green Tea from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Tea Description:
It is usually at the strike of midnight that the world begins to unravel into the beautiful and magical creation that it truly is. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this blend while the world’s magical nature reveals itself to you.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The dry leaf of this Midnight Magic Green Tea from Shanti Tea has a strong floral note with a distinct vegetative note and just a hint of citrus. Once brewed, the rose remains strong, and the citrus emerges just a bit.
What I’m noticing immediately with this tea, and what I’m liking best about this particular tea from Shanti Tea, is that it is first and foremost a green tea. That is to say, this tea isn’t a strongly flavored tea where the taste of the tea has to compete with the flavoring.
The vegetative notes of the green tea are strong without tasting sharp. Yes, it is a grassy note, but its not a bitter grassiness. It’s actually quite smooth. It is lightly sweet, but I find that this tea tastes more savory to me than many green teas. It’s pleasantly brothy and my palate finds it very agreeable.
The rose is a faint note – it is much more distinct a scent than it is a flavor in this cup. It offers a touch of floral sweetness, but I’m not finding this cup to be overtly floral. The same is true of the citrus … the orange is delicate … oh, I can certainly taste it and it tastes really nice … but it doesn’t overwhelm the cup. I find that as I continue to sip, the sweet orange flavor reveals itself more, and by mid-cup, there is a really lovely orange-y flavor that accompanies the grassy notes of the green tea. The rose never really becomes more than an accent flavor, but it is quite lovely the way it is.
I found this to be an enjoyable cuppa – sweet, flavorful and one I’d be happy to sip on anytime!
Pomegranate Green Tea from Peter Asher Coffee & Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Peter Asher Coffee & Tea
Tea Description:
The pomegranates magenta color certainly makes them pop and one look at their vibrant skin probably has you expecting a provocative punch of flavor. Well, you won’t be disappointed here. This cup of tea is the perfect package for drinkers who want a pleasing potion in a small package. One cup is enough to win over the pickiest of the picky and keep the coming back for more. So if you’re looking for a palatable pekoe chock-full of natural goodness look no further.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I really love the fragrance of the dry leaf. The combination of the rose petal, Japanese Sencha and pomegranate flavor create a very delicious scent that is fruity and sweet, with lovely floral tones in the background.
The brewed tea takes on a stronger “green tea” aroma, smelling a bit like freshly steamed vegetables. There are still hints of pomegranate in there too, as well as a whisper of rose.
As for the taste: it is wonderful! The green tea is the most prominent flavor, and that’s a good thing. It tastes light, sweet, and slightly creamy with hints of buttery notes. There is a vegetative tone to the overall cup, but I like that it does not overwhelm it.
The pomegranate is tart and sweet. It tastes true to the fruit, although it is a little different because of the strong green tea notes. But, I like this, because pomegranate flavoring in tea can sometimes be too tart, but, because of the sweetness from the green tea, I find that the tartness is softened. It is still a little bit tart, but it isn’t too tart. The rose is not a strong flavor, but hints of the rose can be detected.
A really wonderful pomegranate tea, and it’s delicious hot or iced.