Chai Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Blue Lotus Chai
Chai Description:
Our new Star Anise Masala Chai is absolutely delicious! It has all of the signature BLC spices, with star anise contributing deep, but subtle licorice notes.
Learn more about this chai here.
Taster’s Review:
OK … do you guys remember when I first reviewed the Original Masala Chai from Blue Lotus Chai and I suggested in that review that they add some Star Anise or Fennel to the chai for some licorice-y notes? Well, guess what? They took my advice! (Those people at Blue Lotus Chai … they’re smart cookies!) And they contacted me after they perfected the blend … and sent me some of it to try! And I’m sure it’s no great surprise: I love this stuff!
I like this Star Anise Masala Chai from Blue Lotus Chai even better than the original Masala Chai, and I’m not just saying that because I suggested the Star Anise. I’m saying because I love that hint of licorice-y snap that the additional spice adds. It’s just a hint of licorice-like taste. It doesn’t attempt to compete with the other spices, instead, it blends in there harmoniously, creating a very enjoyable, exceptionally well-spiced cup of chai!
This is delicious iced too. Instead of adding the full 4 ounces of water to the chai, I’ll add some ice cubes to the blender along with the chai mix and milk, and blend until the ice cubes are obliterated. It’s like a frosty cool, iced “frappe/freddo” type of beverage you might get from the local coffee shop without having to pay five bucks a cup for it. YUM!
The spices here are good and strong – just like in the original Masala Chai from Blue Lotus Chai – spicy, peppery and sweet. I love the balance of spices in this chai because one spice is not stronger or heavier than the others … I taste a little bit of cinnamon, a little bit of clove … a little bit of ginger, black pepper, nutmeg and cardamom too. And then there is that delightful licorice-y tone from the Star Anise! LOVE!
This is the PERFECT chai … I love love love it. I might … even like this better than my Masterpiece Chai. And that’s saying something … because … well, that was a masterpiece! (Even if I do say so myself.) Next suggestion for the brilliant minds at Blue Lotus Chai: How about a Chocolate Rose Chai!
Mocha Flavored Matcha from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Matcha)
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
Mocha Matcha with its chocolate undertones and grassy essence can turn any ordinary day into a rare trip for their palate. Its fine coffee taste with the promise of sheer enjoyment make Mocha Matcha a favorite treat for all hours of the day and night when a person needs to relax and recline. Its understated hints of chocolate also make it a great choice for special occasions when people are looking for a smooth and even flavor that will be perfectly satisfying for them.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Yummy! This Mocha flavored Matcha from Red Leaf Tea is quite a treat for this former mocha maniac! Every morning before work, my indulgence used to be a cup of tasty chocolate-y, creamy mocha. That is … until I realized that it was the coffee that was making me feel nauseated at around 11 am. Once I cut out the mochas and the coffee … I didn’t get that 11 am icky ill feeling.
But this Mocha Matcha allows me to enjoy the deliciously creamy, chocolate coffee-ish flavor of a Mocha without the side effects that I’d otherwise experience with a cup of Mocha. In addition, I get the health benefits – all the antioxidants and the minerals – of the green tea leaf from the Matcha! That sounds like a win-win for me!
For this batch of flavored Matcha from Red Leaf Tea, I went with my usual specifications: the classic grade of green Matcha with the distinctive level of flavoring. And it’s just PERFECT! This tastes a lot like something I’d buy at the corner coffee shop, but at a fraction of the price! I prepared it “latte-style” today, using milk instead of water which enhanced the “mocha-esque” qualities of the flavoring. The result is a sweet, creamy, coffee shop treat!
The distinctive level of flavoring here gives a good balance between mocha taste and matcha. I taste the grassy/leafy taste of the Matcha – the notes of vegetation – but it’s not an overwhelming grassy taste. The natural cacao undertones of the Matcha meld beautifully with the chocolate notes of the mocha flavoring. The chocolate notes … well, of course, the chocoholic in me wants MORE chocolate always, but, I like the level of chocolate flavor here. It s chocolate-y but it doesn’t overpower the coffee notes.
This is a sweet, creamy, delicious mocha like beverage. There is just enough bitter taste from the coffee to keep it interesting. The chocolate and coffee notes complement each other very well, and I like the way they entice the best flavors from each other. The matcha tastes smooth, with a lovely creamy texture.
Another HIT from Red Leaf Tea. This is one I’d recommend to someone who – like me – can’t enjoy that morning mocha because of the 11 am discomfort. This has the flavor of the mocha without the pain! Like I said … it’s a win-win!
Organic Green Tea Powder from Shi Zen
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Powdered)
Where to Buy: Shi Zen
Tea Description:
Our organic green tea (sencha) is grown on family farms located in small villages in the foothills of Mount Fuji where farmers pride in their commitment to only harvest crops grown in the way Mother Nature intended. Due to its high elevation, this remote Isagawa-Izumidaira and Kawane region of Shizuoka Prefecture enjoys the perfect combination of clean air, pure water, and fertile soil only found in this area of Japan, which allows for pesticide-free farming.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I was surprised at how much this Organic Green Tea Powder from Shi Zen frothed up when I prepared it! I had not expected this kind of performance from a powdered Japanese Sencha tea. From a high quality Matcha – of course! But not from a powdered Sencha! This frothed up as much as a very high quality Matcha, and that froth stayed atop the liquid until I reached the bottom of my bowl! My last sip of this tea resulted in a tea foam mustache!
And I really enjoyed this powdered Sencha. Sure, it’s not Matcha. And it doesn’t taste like Matcha. It tastes like a creamier version of a high quality Japanese Sencha tea … but with perhaps more of a vegetal edge to it. It is sweet, grassy, smooth and creamy. A hint of bitterness hits the palate right around mid-sip, providing a contrast to the sweeter tones. There are some notes of a buttery-like flavor to the bowl that are reminiscent of Matcha.
And it tastes good … even though it isn’t Matcha. It is tasty and it’s invigorating; nice for that mid-day slump when you need to recharge! It’s tasty prepared as a traditional Matcha would be – whisked in a bowl with hot water – and it also tastes great in ice-cold smoothies (or milkshakes! I had some of this in a rich, chocolate-y milkshake the other day and it was so yummy!)
This is a really great product … and I love that it’s organic!
Sakura Komachi Green Tea from Shi Zen
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Matcha)
Where to Buy: Shi Zen
Tea Description:
Ceremonial Grade “Matcha” Blended with Cherry Blossom Leaf
Our green tea is grown on family farms located in small villages in the foothills of Mount Fuji. This remote Okabe region of Shizuoka Prefecture enjoys the perfect combination of clean air, pure water, and fertile soil only found in this area of Japan. This premium Matcha is the 1st harvest Matcha, which is considered one of the finest grade Matcha in Japan.
These cherry trees grow on the Izu region of Shizuoka Prefecture, and their cherry blossoms leaves are hand-picked in the spring and ground with a traditional Japanese stone mill.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Wow … ok, so this Sakura Komachi Green Tea from Shi Zen is different! But, different is good!
The Matcha here is very beautifully, BRIGHT green – the way a high quality Ceremonial Grade Matcha should be. The Matcha been blended with stone ground cherry blossom leaves to impart a pleasant cherry blossom flavor.
The Matcha froths up really beautifully, and produces a liquid that resembles some of the finest Matcha teas that I’ve had the opportunity to taste. The color is bright jade green … and the powder remains incorporated as I drink … I didn’t experience the sediment at the bottom of my chawan!
Having never actually tasted the powder from a cherry blossom leaf before tasting this powdered green tea blend, I have no experience with which to compare what I’m tasting now. However, I have had quite a few experiences with very high quality Matcha – and so I’m going to pick out what I’m tasting now that is different from other Matcha I’ve tried and work under the presumption that these “new” tastes are from the cherry blossom leaf.
The overall flavor is vegetative. It has a very “spring-time” like flavor to it – evoking thoughts of trees covered in pretty pink blossoms and the air filled with their scent. It has a creamy texture and taste, slightly buttery and very smooth on the palate. The Matcha flavor stands out over the flavor of the cherry blossom leaf, which is not what I’d call “delicate” but, it is softer than the flavor of the Matcha. There is a slight sharpness from the cherry blossom leaf – it’s slightly “floral” tasting, and I find that this floral note rests upon the palate in the aftertaste.
It’s quite an enjoyable experience, this Sakura Komachi, and I’m really glad I had this opportunity to try it. It’s a bit like drinking the splendor of spring-time!
Berry Flavored Matcha from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Matcha)
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
For the ultimate experience with Mother Nature’s bountiful offerings, Berry Matcha makes the obvious choice. Filled with the unique goodness and sweet taste of selected berries combined with the unforgettable Matcha essence, Berry Matcha lends its wonderful taste into the palate. It can be the most natural choice to enliven favorite snacks or deserts like ice creams, smoothies, or syrups. The added flavor of choice berries gives these everyday treats a new exciting flavor and enhanced tanginess.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m taking an iced Matcha Latte break with this Berry Flavored Matcha from Red Leaf Tea! It’s a great way to beat the heat!
This Berry Matcha has a really refreshing flavor that works well as a latte (either hot or iced!). To make a latte using cold milk, I’d recommend using your handy kitchen blender – just add milk, maybe an ice cube or two, and a couple of scoops of the Berry Matcha and blend until smooth. If you’re wanting a hot Matcha latte, just heat up the milk and whisk it (I’d recommend using a metal whisk or a hand-held frother for this job, because I’d fear bacteria build up on my bamboo whisk!) until smooth and frothy.
It also tastes great non-latte. (Hint: For a cold Matcha drink, just add some Matcha to your water bottle and give it a good, vigorous shake until incorporated, and enjoy.) I like it latte better, I think, because the creamy milk really lends a “berries and cream” kind of taste to the beverage. But when prepared traditionally, the berry flavor really pops! So, I guess it’s really all about what sounds best to you.
This particular Matcha was crafted by Red Leaf Tea using my “go to” specifications: the classic grade of green tea Matcha with the distinctive level of flavoring. And this works perfectly for this Matcha – the berry flavor here is very bright and vibrant. There is just the right amount of sweetness to the berry tartness. A really nice balance.
I don’t know that I can necessarily pick out a distinct type of berry with this blend. I definitely notice a blueberry-ish tartness and the sweet notes of a strawberry, but, it’s not really well-defined. It tastes like a medley of berries, sort of like a berry juice … but with Matcha instead of all that syrupy sweetness that you’d get from a juice drink.
The Matcha here is sweet and creamy and adds just a hint of vegetative flavor. Mostly what I notice, though, is a buttery note. It’s a very enjoyable Matcha – and it would make a perfect addition to a smoothie too! Another winner from Red Leaf Tea.