This stuff is SO funky! When I saw the name “coconut tea” I was not expecting something that looked like ivory-colored brown sugar! The consistency of this is a powder that is thick and caked like brown sugar. It looks like a bag of powder, not tea. I went onto CaCafe’s website to see what all this is about, and apparently this is coconut and green tea all ground together. It is alleged to help with metabolism, weight loss, hair loss, and skin health. I was immediately intrigued, especially after seeing the consistency! What a funky and unique product.
I mixed 4 tbsp with 12oz of water (directions say 2 tbsp per 6oz of hot water). I let it cool for a bit and mixed it up a little more. I did not add sweetener because I wanted to taste it first, I wasn’t sure whether this was a pre-sweetened variety or not. It smells a little astringent/chemically. I’m not sure if it is a flavoring or ingredient used, but it tastes a little that way too. It is also reminding me of those Necco Wafers. Remember those when you were a kid? I used to eat them all the time. I thought they were so cool. There’s a powdery mouthfeel and that strong taste in this drink that I am associating with Necco Wafers. There is an underlying coconut-y/nutty flavor here that is present in the aftertaste. I can tell there is coconut, more like a coconut milk because it’s milky and creamy. What I can’t tell, though, is that there is green tea. Neither the drink nor the powder is green. So, i’m not sure where in this the green tea is hiding but it isn’t present aesthetically or taste-wise. Now, I don’t want you readers to think that this is bad. Especially if you are interested in the health benefits, it totally is not a bad drink. I keep sipping it because its so interesting and intriguing. I think that I have the sweetened variety because it doesn’t need sweetener. It’s definitely worth a try if you are interested or intrigued about this mix, and I am curious to see how I feel after a few days of drinking it. Who knows, maybe my hair will be shinier! Definitely worth a try.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: CaCafe
Description
Gourmet U.S.A.-made coconut-infused drinks combining the best of taste and health with cane sugar added
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Mint Sencha Green Tea from Pique. . . . .
This tea is interesting. It comes in a little packet, and it’s been crystallized so it’s a powder. But it isn’t a powder like Matcha that needs to be whisked or stirred vigorously. It dissolves immediately in hot water, I barely had to stir!
Right away I smelled mint and it immediately woke up my senses. I love mint tea so much for it’s ability to wake up my senses and make me ready for the day. It’s both stimulating and relaxing.
What I really like about this particular tea is that while the mint flavor is definitely front and center, I can still taste the earthiness of the sencha tea. I really appreciate that since I do love green tea.
I don’t drink caffeinated tea often these days, but when I do I really want to enjoy and savor it, and this tea was very enjoyable. I’ve been dealing with some minor stuffiness brought on by sinus issues, and the mint really helped first thing in the morning. I feel much more clear headed and alert.
According to Pique’s website, the ingredients are 100% organic, and batch tested to ensure antioxidant levels and no heavy metals. The polyphenol antioxidant level is high for this tea, so not only is is delicious but it’s very good for you. I would imagine that this would make a really amazing iced tea on a hot summer day.
This tea needs no sweetener or added anything, it really is very tasty all on it’s own. It’s perfectly balanced, the mint is not too strong or bitter, and it is definitely one of the best mint teas I’ve ever tried. My body is thanking me for drinking it!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Pique
Description
Minty. Refreshing. Welcome to your newest obsession.
Caffeine: 
Polyphenol Antioxidant Level: 236mg
- 14 sachets (servings) per carton
- Organic, premium tea leaves brewed and crystallized for a perfect cup of tea
- Simply open, pour in cup, and add water
- Free of artificial flavors, preservatives and sugar
The perfect pairing of our exquisite Sencha tea with fresh organic Oregon spearmint. A perfect climate of abundant sunshine combined with lush rainfall produce this highly prized mint that is potent in both flavor and essential oils.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Rooibos Masala Chai from Blue Lotus Chai
“Ready to savor in a moment” says the packaging, and it’s true: this tea is in a finely ground powder form, just mix it in your mug with hot water or milk and it’s ready to drink. I used the recommended ratio on the packaging, using a teaspoon of sweetener, and 50/50 hot water and hot (almond) milk. I used a stronger serving of the tea powder because I like my chai extra spicy. The powder is a rich, dark brown, smelling strongly of cloves and cinnamon. In the hot brew, the ginger brings its trademark heat and cardamom adds a pop of herbal warmth. It’s everything I want from a chai: the warm and spicy Christmas flavors, and since it’s rooibos, it’s decaf so I can drink it any time of day.
For future brewing, I would treat this like I do matcha, sifting the powder first for the smoothest blend, and whisking it to add a bit of foam on top. I always feel like it’s a challenge to get a chai spicy enough for my tastes, and this powdered tea style makes it easy to bring the heat. I might give this a try with hot water, no milk, and a slice of orange as an alternative brewing style. I just got a sample size of this tea to try it out, but I’ll have to order a full bag of rooibos masala chai from a Blue Lotus Chai sometime soon!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Red Rooibos (ground)
Where to Buy: Blue Lotus Chai
Description:
100% Certified organic and caffeine-free, our Rooibos Masala Chai appeals to a broad cross-section of customers. It has a similar taste profile to our Traditional Masala Chai, but with the delightful base of naturally sweet and nutty rooibos. Those who cannot or wish to not drink a caffeinated chai, can freely indulge in their favorite BLC drink.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sangria Matcha from Red Leaf Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green/Matcha
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tea Description:
Sangria Matcha is the perfect answer for those adults looking for a fruity platter treat that has a dash of exotic Matcha and tastes of refreshing spices. This delectable treat is a perfect after hours drink that brings its well rounded charm into the palate. It can be taken with a fine assortment of many snacks and meals to add to their overall flavor and also make things more exciting. This fine treat is great for adults who love the tangy tasty combination of many fruits on their palates.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m adding Sangria matcha to the many flavours under my belt because I thought it would make for a really great summer flavour to have stock up; and obviously it’s not a flavour that screams “try me in milk” like how I normally prepare my matcha so I made it as a Matcha Soda instead.
This is the ‘recipe’ I used:
– 1 tsp of matcha whisked into approx. 2 ounce of hot water
– Dissolve approx. 1 tbsp. of sugar into the concentrated matcha to create a ‘matcha syrup’
– Cool down the syrup, and add a can of Club Soda
Just being perfectly honest, as soon as I took my first sip I knew that I didn’t like this flavour of matcha. There was a lot that I personally felt was wrong/off about it – for one the fruit flavours are incredibly muddled on top of tasting really artificial. I know Sangria is a combination of different fruits but I couldn’t pinpoint any of the individual fruits that traditionally make up Sangria. In addition, the vegetal/grassy notes of the matcha were far too pronounced for my liking (despite this being Distinctive flavour level) and took on a ‘swampy’ kind of flavour when compared with the weird/chemical tasting fruit notes.
I’m definitely disappointed by this flavour; it’s nothing like I’d hoped it would be and if you’re looking for an accurate Sangria flavour I think you’re best off looking elsewhere. The worst part is that I’m almost certain that Robust flavouring would taste even more chemical/artificial since that’s the way fruit flavoured matcha tends to go but, while delicate level flavouring might reduce the fake fruit flavour, I think it’d make the Sangria flavour even less distinct than it already is.
Using the rest of this will certainly be a challenge for me.
Yerba Mate from Chi Whole Leaf
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: Chi Whole Leaf
Tea Description:
A perfect addition to your morning routine, Yerba Mate is beginning to catch on as a extremely healthy substitute to coffee. This tea has a sweet, earthy taste that will keep you coming back for more!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The last of five samples from Chi Whole Leaf!
I’ve been on a bit of a Yerba Mate kick these last few weeks, so I’m both very excited to try this blend but also kind of feeling like I’ve overdosed on yerba mate and need to take a break from it for a few weeks. What’s better than a powdered caffeine buzz though? Hell that’s half of why I love matcha so much – so I’m ignoring those feelings of being all yerba-d out, and excitedly trying this!
The dry leaf doesn’t smell anywhere near as fragrant as the other four samples have been; just subtly grassy. My observation thus far is that the blends from Chi Whole Leaf fall on one side of a spectrum, either “very intense” or “surprisingly muted”. I’ve yet to really find a blend offered by them that rides the middle, and if I had to guess I’d wager this is going to be a bit more muted.
Like anticipated, this is pretty mild as far as Yerba Mate tastes; it’s grassy and earthy with a touch of natural sweetness. However, the licorice root and ginseng are definitely stronger – actually, they do a great job of finding a happy medium between tasting mild or robust. The combined sweetness of both begin to creep in at the end of the sip in a typical licorice root fashion. It almost has a honeycomb taste to it. However, if someone dislikes licorice root, ginseng or both they’re really going to be turned off by that taste.
Interestingly, I found that of all five samples I had the biggest issue with the dry powder for this one. It was really, really clumping together but it wasn’t as sludgy at the bottom of the cup as I was drinking it.
Again, I have to really thank Will from Chi Whole Leaf for the samples! I had a really fun time exploring them, and while I definitely didn’t love them all I was surprised by a few which I thought I’d dislike but where really, really good. Namely Floral Herb!
Oh, and just an FYI; right now you can check out the Chi Whole Leaf website and click the “free samples” button there, fill in your address and you can receive a free sampler to try out as well! Since you’re not even paying for shipping it’s definitely worth checking out!
