Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Product Description:
Earl Grey is a British tea classic and the most popular tea of the Western World. This citrus-scented tea blend dates back to the 19th Century Sino-British trade of opium, tea, silk and porcelain. Our bestselling Organic Earl Grey blends bold-flavored Yunnan Dian Hong harvested from antique tea trees with natural Bergamot citrus from Southern Italy. It is the perfect organic blend of America’s most popular tea and is frequently complimented as the best Earl Grey ever.
Taster’s Review:
I was smiling before I even started brewing this tea. The delightful bergamot aroma is strong. I love that scent! And when I went into the kitchen after the tea was finished brewing, I was still smiling – the bergamot fragrance had FILLED the kitchen.
The flavor of this one is a little surprising for me. The black tea used as a base for this Earl Grey is a strong Yunnan Dian Hong rather than the standard Ceylon base so many other tea companies use for their flavored teas. And what a lovely difference the change in tea makes here.
The tea is a pleasantly even-tempered black tea (much the same as a Ceylon would be), but, it has a richer, stronger flavor than most Ceylon teas (although I have encountered some Ceylon teas that have really surprised me). There are light malty tones in the background. Overall, a very delicious black tea serves as the base for this Earl Grey; one that is not content to just let the bergamot get all the attention.
The flavor of the bergamot is a bit less distinct than its fragrance might lead one to think, especially in the first few sips. Yes, I can definitely taste the bergamot, but, it doesn’t overpower in this cup. It is somewhat mellow, with a delectable tangy citrus flavor and some floral low notes. As I continue to sip, the flavor of the bergamot develops, but it never overwhelms the cup or attempts to take on the stronger taste of Yunnan Dian Hong.
A very pleasant surprise, this Earl Grey. If you love Earl Grey, this is one that should be on your shopping list!
Organic Golden Yunnan from Rishi Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Product Description:
This certified organic black tea is harvested from Yunnan’s ancient tea trees. Its deeply flavored infusion has notes of peppery spice, chocolate, sweet raisin, and a malty finish. Golden Yunnan has expertly fermented, even graded leaves and big, golden buds. Its wonderfully full-flavored and rich body is a treat for black tea lovers.
Taster’s Review:
When I first started sipping this tea this morning, I could really get a taste of the raisin-like taste. As the tea cooled slightly, more of the other flavors began to present themselves.
The sip starts with the aforementioned sweetness, contrasted with a warm note of spice. By mid-sip, a bittersweet cocoa has arrived to add more depth to the flavors. The sip finishes with hints of fruit and a cleansing astringency. The malty tone, while lightly present throughout the sip, is especially pronounced at the tail, giving this tea a very well-rounded presentation. The aftertaste is sweet and malty.
This tea is perfect for the start of the day – when you want that sense of wakefulness – this tea will deliver. It is hearty and robust enough to clear the cobwebs from the mind but also has a very agreeable level of sweetness to it that will enchant the senses. Another excellent tea from Rishi!
Coconut Oolong from Rishi Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Product Description:
Creamy, smooth coconut perfectly blended with Bao Zhong oolong.
Taster’s Review:
This is so nice. I’ve tried several coconut Oolong/coconut Pouchong, but this just may be my favorite of those that I’ve tasted. The reason is that the Oolong flavor here dominates, with a lovely coconut tone that rests in the background and lingers in the aftertaste. While the coconut is an obvious presence in this cup, it does not overpower the sweet notes of the Bao Zhong Oolong tea.
The Oolong has a beautiful smooth flavor. While I wouldn’t consider it an overtly rich Oolong, it does have hints of buttery undertones. This isn’t the typical buttery Oolong where it feels like it’s left a thick coat of buttery essence in your mouth. Don’t get me wrong, I like those Oolongs too (yum, butter!) but, I like the refreshing lightness of this Bao Zhong. It has a hint of astringency at the tail that is not so much drying as it is lightly cleansing, keeping the palate clear to enjoy the coconut flavors.
This is a delicious Oolong! I love it!
Green Tea Chai from Rishi Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Product Description:
Green Tea Chai is very uplifting and assertive with a one-of-a-kind, bright green infusion color. This harmonious blend combines pan-fired green tea with ginger, zesty lemongrass and other stimulating botanicals for a well balanced break with tradition. Its spicy undertones and sweet citrus finish provide a delectable diversion from your usual chai.
Taster’s Review:
As I’ve said before, I love chai. And I really like this intriguing take on chai!
While I have tried quite a few green tea based chai blends before, I don’t recall such a fresh, uplifting taste! In fact, if I had not brewed this myself, I wouldn’t have thought this to be a chai at all. That’s not a knock on chai, only to say that this is deliciously different from the typical green chai teas out there.
The lemongrass tastes very bright and refreshing The ginger – which is peppery but not too overpowering – along with the lemongrass create that winning citrus-ginger taste that really stands out in this blend. The cardamom and pepper in this blend are more of afterthoughts. They are there, but, they don’t really stand out too much.
There is a hint of mint in the background, as well as a whisper of licorice. These two ingredients are more of accent ingredients, providing a little bit of complexity to the background without becoming too overbearing.
I do want to mention that I did not brew this according to the steeping parameters provided on the packaging, which called for a stove top preparation, boiling briefly in a combination of milk and water. Because of the lemongrass, I chose instead to steep this the way I would normally steep a flavored green tea, using hot water (but not boiling) and steeping for 3 minutes.
The result is quite flavorful and enjoyable. I do think, after tasting this, that it would stand up well to the milk/water combination, but, without trying it, I do think I would prefer it the way I’m drinking it now. But… as I haven’t tried it… if you have tried it, please comment here! I’d love to hear from you about the results of brewing this stove top!
Sencha Yuzu from Rishi Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Product Description:
A variety of citrus rarely found outside of Asia, yuzu is a classic ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Yuzu has a complex citrus flavor and floral aroma that pairs well with our refreshing blend of first flush green tea and matcha. We developed a unique drying process and blending technique that captures the fresh essence of yuzu without the use of added flavors. This entirely natural blend is refreshing and pleasantly sweet with citron flavor and offers an aroma of roses and geraniums.
Taster’s Review:
As you can see in the above picture, this tea won at the World Tea Expo in 2009 … and for good reason! This tastes tea is superb!
At first glance, the tea looked like a Genmaicha with Matcha tea. The pieces of Yuzu fruit resembled the popped rice, and the leaves were generously dusted with Matcha. Upon closer inspection, it was evident that this is not a Genmaicha … a fact further emphasized by the beautiful fruity aroma.
The flavor is amazing. The Japanese Sencha has a light, fresh taste. Together with the Matcha, it is a sweet, only lightly vegetative taste. There is no bitterness to this cup, and very little astringency. It is a pleasure to sip.
The Yuzu offers a strong, sweet, citrus-y tangy taste to the cup. It is so bright in flavor and I love the way the fruit and the tea come together in this cup. Sweet, fresh-tasting, and alive with flavor! This is awesomeness in a teacup!
This is delicious hot or cold. The Matcha gives the tea a more opaque coloration and when left sitting a while the Matcha particles will settle to the bottom of your vessel, so if you choose to ice this tea (it is DELICIOUS iced!) I would recommend stirring (or shaking) before serving to redistribute the Matcha.