Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Choice Organic Teas
Tea Description:
Brighten your outlook with this lush tea hailing from Jeju Island, South Korea’s “Island of the Gods.” From fertile volcanic soil to subtropical forests, this pristine isle offers rich tea-growing terroir. The leaves are steamed, rolled and dried in the Sencha tradition, for a fresh and savory cup.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The first time I drank this, I brewed it, walked away from it for about 45 minutes, and by that time it was completely cold. But even cold, this is really a tasty tea.
Cold, I find the flavor to be vegetative, leaning more toward the savory side than the sweet, but with enough sweetness to keep it interesting. I note a fruit-like note that is juicy and a little sweet, this hits just after mid-sip and carries through to the finish, leaving an aftertaste that is slightly sweet with fruit tones, and pleasantly savory. It is smooth without bitterness, and an astringency that seems to build as I continue to sip.
But, I didn’t want to leave it with just a cold cup review, so I decided to brew another cup at a later date and complete this review at that time.
Revisiting this tea a few days later, I find that I prefer this tea served hot. It was delicious cold too, and would have been even nicer with a thin slice of citrus or perhaps a sprig of mint. But, I digress…
When served hot, this tea has a really lovely flavor that is slightly on the kelp-y side – not a strong kelp flavor because I doubt I would like it if it did, I’m not particularly fond of seaweed – and a warm buttery undertone. Sweet yet savory, which is what I noticed with the cold tea. The creaminess of the butter notes is more pronounced when it is hot, and less astringency now too.
Both were very enjoyable cups of tea, but, I do think I prefer this one hot. This would be a nice tea to have on hand when you want the convenience of a bagged tea but still want that delicious, refreshing flavor. This one offers both!
Premium Earl Grey from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Tea Description:
This soft, highly aromatic bergamot black tea is of the highest quality. The excellent basis of Ceylon and Yunnan is perfectly in tune with the flavoring. A light and pleasant smokey nuance accompanies the typical bergamot citrus flavor. Experience a top-class Earl Grey Tea
Ingredients: Ceylon and Yunnan Black Tea with Bergamot.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Earl Grey Awesomeness!
The combination of Ceylon and Yunnan teas brings a deliciously rich and robust base to this tea. It is full-bodied with notes of spice and earth, a very nicely rounded tea. And I love how the tea interacts with the bergamot. The spice notes are very complementary to the tangy bergamot.
The bergamot flavor might be a little lighter than in some blends – it’s not IN YOUR FACE – but it is not what I’d call subtle either. It is really quite well executed, providing the citrus tones without tasting soapy.
This tea does require a little extra care when it comes to brewing. The first time I steeped it, I did so using the same parameters I would with most other black teas: water brought to a boil, steeped for 2 1/2 minutes in my Breville One-Touch. And while the resulting tea was alright, I just was not satisfied with it. I tend to hold Earl Grey up to a certain standard, and my first infusion of this tea certainly did not live up to that standard.
The second time I infused the tea, I followed the steeping parameters on the package a little more closely, and brought the water to 200°F instead of a full boil, and steeped the tea for just 2 minutes instead of 2 1/2. The difference in taste is remarkable, and elevated the tea from just alright … to ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! If I didn’t make both pots of tea myself, I wouldn’t have believed that they were the same tea!
If you love Earl Grey, you should add this tea on to your “must try” list. It’s really quite remarkable – rich, tangy, slightly sweet and delicious. I don’t know exactly where this Earl Grey would rate in my top tier of Earl Grey teas, but it certainly deserves a place in the top ten, if not the top five! Yes, it’s that good!
Jasmine Oolong Tea from Driftwood Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Driftwood Tea
Tea Description:
Our Jasmine Oolong produces a stunning tea filled with bright, sweet, almost fruity jasmine notes that are tempered alongside light hints of the fresh Taiwanese tea that is used to make this remarkable oolong.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
OH my GOODNESS. This tea is absolutely DREAMY!
As I sip this tea, it is like I can feel my eyes roll back as the liquid rolls over my tongue, I feel myself being transported into some misty, fog-like state where I am lounging in a garden surrounded by jasmine vines.
This tea has such a beautiful jasmine flavor. It is not a sharp or perfume-y taste. It is soft and silky and sweet. There are notes to this that taste somewhat fruit-like, they are so sweet and succulent.
The Taiwanese Oolong is a fresh-tasting tea that has a very pleasing mouthfeel that melds beautifully with the jasmine to help create the soft taste I mentioned earlier. It tastes and feels soft and silky. Very luxurious. Very dreamy.
This is the first tea that I’ve had the opportunity to try from Driftwood Tea … but it won’t be my last. I am so very impressed with the quality of this tea. It is one of the best Jasmine Oolong teas I’ve tried, and it would definitely give some of the best Jasmine White teas I’ve tasted a run for the top spot when considering my favorite Jasmine teas. This one is a contender!
Premium Dragon Phoenix Pearls Green Jasmine Tea from Mandala Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Mandala Tea
Tea Description:
This beautiful green tea is a handmade masterpiece. Premium grade green tea leaves are scented with natural jasmine flowers that create a soothing aromatic experience while enjoying this tea. The leaves are shaped like pearls which are each formed by hand. It is a joy to watch the leaves unfurl as they steep. This is an extremely unique tea that produces a satisfying cup. It is a thoughtful gift and an interesting experience to share with guests.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it many times to come … in fact, I’ll say it right now: I love Jasmine Pearls! And I’m really loving these Dragon Phoenix Pearls from Mandala Tea. They are absolutely sublime!
Dry, the pearls offer the sweet, exotic fragrance of the jasmine flower together with a hint of a lush, leafy scent. The brewed tea is enchantingly aromatic without becoming overwhelming. Instead, it is quite soothing, lulling this sipper into a sense of calm that relaxes my stress and tension from the day.
The flavor is soft and beautiful. The jasmine is perfectly subtle; it is not perfume-y tasting nor does it taste artificial. Such a light, lovely taste that mingles with the buttery smooth flavor of the green tea. The green tea does not taste grassy or even really vegetative, instead, it is smooth and rich, tasting fresh without having a strong vegetal quality to it.
These flavors come together so perfectly! Thank you Mandala Tea for this truly wonderful tea experience!
Green Matcha (Premium Ceremonial Grade Green Tea) from Pure Matcha
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green (Matcha)
Where to Buy: Pure Matcha
Tea Description:
Matcha, which means powdered tea. Has been enjoyed for over 800 years. Our Premium Ceremonial Grade Matcha is stone ground in the ancient way to produce the finest quality Matcha. Unlike regular green tea leaves which are removed after brewing. Matcha is whisked with water and consumed entirely. This ensures that Pure Matcha drinkers consume almost ten times a higher concentration of green tea anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fibers.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!
And what better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with a bowl of Matcha? Well, I suppose since it IS an Irish holiday, a cup of Irish Breakfast might do nicely, or, perhaps a plate of corned beef and cabbage, but that is something I DO NOT eat for reasons that I do not wish to discuss. (Horrifying memories from my childhood, let’s just leave it at that)
So, I guess there are really more appropriate ways to celebrate St. Patty’s Day, but, Matcha works for me.
This is really a beautiful Matcha. It is bright green, and froths up nicely. I like that the froth remains until I’ve finished the bowl … and I also like that the Matcha stays mixed until I reached the bottom of the bowl.
The flavor is outstanding. With most Matcha teas, even the ones that I consider to be top-notch, I’ve experienced a hint of bitterness to the cup. Usually this is just a savory bitterness that I find to be quite palatable and actually nice to help offset some of the sweetness. But with this Matcha, I noticed no bitterness at all. And I didn’t miss it – not at all.
This Matcha has such a pleasant sweetness – it isn’t overwhelming or cloyingly sweet, but it is mildly sweet with a mellow vegetal tone. Delicious buttery taste to it with a smoothness to match. It is rich and thick and very delicious.
If you’re a Matcha fan, you really MUST try Matcha from Pure Matcha. It is certainly one of the best that I’ve tried.