Ever once in a while, I will come across a tea that will awaken my test buds and remind me of exactly why I love tea so very much. This blend will wrap me in a warm cozy hug and delight my tastebuds all while soothing my ever stressed out soul.
Today, this particular green tea did just that.
Brewed up with a tea spoon of leaves, 6 oz of water prepped at 170F and allowed to brew for 3 minutes, this tea gives you such a simple yet complex variety of flavors in each and every sip. Each and every sip you are greeted with a lovely sweet note that doesn’t overpower but brings a smile to your face with a subtle melon/floral note coming not far behind. Then the sip takes you on a different direction with a more vegetal feel. Every once in a while, I do pick up this adorable nutty flavor that I really adore. With this tea you are greeted with both the sweetness and vegetal feel that only a green tea can provide.
I have brewed up the sames leaves three times and still am greeted with this gorgeous sweet yet vetegal melon floral beautiful brew that is making my heart sing. Exactly what I needed to start my day off right. This tea is for sure is a recommended delight. I don’t believe I have ever had an Upton Tea Import tea before but I am so happy to finally have enjoyed their offerings. I have already placed an order and am looking forward to placing several more. I may actually need to pick up another oz or so of this tea since I don’t know if I’ll be able to share this particular delight with the rest of the Sisters. I may be a little stingy with this one!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Upton Tea Imports
Description
This selection has an interesting pedigree, being a mix of two special varietals. The result is a cup somewhat akin to a Kenyan purple tea, with its lavender-brown colored liquor. The aroma has a toasty/nutty sweetness. The cup is delicate and smooth with sweet herbaceous notes and hints of flowers and melon.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Anhui Maojian from Tea Runners. . . . .
This is a green with a bite. It has a pleasant, slightly sweet vegetal tartness that’s surprising and unexpected. The description on the tea’s site describes this exciting sensation as “a lively and vibrant piquancy,” a phrase that I am bitter about not having created myself. The person who wrote it is a scholar.
This isn’t a neutral, pleasant green that fades into the background. It has a distinct personality. It won’t take no for an answer. It’s in charge of your attention. Every time I sip it here at my desk, I glance over at my mug in surprise. Aha! Yes! THIS GUY! STILL DELIGHTING THE SENSES.
When Jewel Staite (Space Cases/Firefly actress) started up Tea Runners, I wanted to be hype about it. I loved this actress — but did I love her taste in tea? Obviously, she probably has advisors and experts that help her with the company. But still. I wasn’t sure. My brother got me a month to be nice (his personality is a good one), and I’ve loved both of the teas I’ve tried so far. (There are 4 in each subscription). GOOD ON HER. So I’m happy to endorse what I’ve tried of Tea Runners.
I’m ALSO happy to endorse Space Cases and Firefly. They are late 90s/early 2000s science fiction. If you get nothing else from this post, just know: television in the pre-HBO era was a SIMPLER TIME. A delightful, innocent time. Pure, like this tea. Get on board.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Tea Runners
Description
This lovely green tea from the Anhui province in China is not only pleasant to look at– its young leaves are touched with mao jian or “downy tips”– but it also brews to a lively and vibrant piquancy. We love the fresh green grass scent and the slightly sweet umami finish in its taste, a welcome combination that makes this green one to savour.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Dragon Tea from Transcendence Tea. . . .
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I tried this tea. It’s a loose leaf tea with pretty big leafs. It didn’t have much of a smell, so I figured it would be pretty mild. I brewed it in my new little teapot that was gifted to me. It makes tea drinking so much more of an event you know? I was so pleasantly surprised when I took my first sip and it had a slightly sweet aftertaste. I have had it both warm and iced and it’s delicious either way. The sweetness is barely there, it’s just a little whisper after you’ve swallowed. It’s mild and refreshing and needs no sweetener.
This tea does have caffeine so it’s best for morning or early afternoon, and it’s a really nice way to start the day.
According to the company’s website, this tea is full of vitamin C and amino acids that can help energize us when we need the help.
This tea is called Longjing, which translates to Dragon tea is a variety of green tea which has been pan roasted. It’s very beneficial and as I mentioned very refreshing.
This is the green tea for people who want the health benefits but find regular green tea too earthy and bitter!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Transcendence Tea
Description
DRAGON also known as Long Jing tea is almost as famous as the beast it is named after, being one of the most renowned teas in China. Grown close to the West Lake in Hangzhou; Long Jing tea is surrounded by mountains, forests, and creeks – truly a Dragon’s playground. With a sweet taste and little bitterness; Long Jing will make you strong and as resilient, as a DRAGON…..
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Honeyed Apricots and Almonds Chun Mee from A Quarter To Tea. . ..
Honeyed Apricots and Almonds Chun Mee, this green tea came as a sample in the March teabox. It is part of A Quarter to Tea’s Spring Teas and I don’t know why it has taken me this long to try it out.
The dry leaf is quite lovely with the sliced almonds and variety of flowers. The honeysuckle actually seems to bloom when the hot water hits it. Once steeped, the leaf leaves behind an apricot-scented brew.
That apricot scent carries over to the taste. Sweet and clearly reflective of the stone-fruit. However, this tea is so much more than that. As promised by the name, there is a distinct honey flavor drizzled throughout whereas the almond sits on the tip of your tongue. I personally am not picking up any of the jasmine though I prefer it that way.
This tea is an accurately named delight. It’s bright and fresh, sweet and juicy. A daytime snack or nighttime dessert all in one.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
This blend is fruity and sweet with almond, honey, apricot and a touch of jasmine.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Maple Marshmallow from 52Teas. . . . .
When I saw the name of this blend, I was really excited! I had no idea what a ‘maple marshmallow treat’ tasted like, but if it had maple in it, it had to be good! Visually, the dry blend was very pretty, with the yellow calendula petals, green tea leaves, and popped brown rice. The blend smelled earthy, grassy, and slightly sweet.
While the dry blend smelled more earthy and grass-like, a nice roasted brown rice aroma developed after steeping. I’m not sure how, but the pale yellow liquor tasted like maple syrup! It was reminiscent of a sweet flaky dessert that was covered in in the sweet syrup. The roasted brown rice taste surfaced at the tail end and lingered in the mouth.
This tea would be great if you are having a craving for something sweet (or enjoy maple syrup)!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is no longer available. . click below for teas that are.
