Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: The Tao of Tea
Product Description:
Introduction: In Ayurvedic principles, Pitta is the fire element. It is the energy needed for metabolism and heat in the body. Pitta regulates digestion, absorption and promotes balance in vitality and appetite. It is the alert, logical and intelligent aspect of the self.
A Pitta imbalance can have some of the following indicators: generally feel warm, low tolerance to hot weather, prone to inflammatory conditions such as acne, rashes or heartburn, an overly competitive, aggressive or perfectionist nature. When Pitta is in balance digestion and metabolism are strong. You feel alert, focused and at a comfortable body temperature.
Our Ayurvedic Pitta herbal tea can help restore balance to your Pitta energy with cooling flowers and mint.
Taster’s Review:
This tea worried me a little bit. When I first opened the tin, I could see the hibiscus, and I am not particularly fond of hibiscus. When I brewed the tisane, I could see the deep, ruby red color of the hibiscus. I was very worried.
But, I took a sip anyway. And you know what? This is actually pretty good! The hibiscus adds the color and body, but not so much of its signature tartness. That is not to say I can’t taste the hibiscus, because I can, but what I’m not experiencing is that puckery tartness from the hibiscus. And that is a good thing!
This is a very interesting combination of flavors. In each sip, I taste hibiscus, mint, rose and a hint of chamomile. The flavors are there, and it is as though they have all come together to create some hybrid flavor. It is also quite soothing and comforting to sip.
This tisane leaves me feeling somewhat perplexed. I am enjoying what I’m tasting, but, it is a very unusual cup. I don’t think I’ve tasted anything quite like it before, but at the same time, it is so very oddly familiar. It’s like deja vu or something!
A tasty yet unusual tisane!
Dragonwell Tea from The Tao Of Tea
Tea Type: Green Tea
Where To Buy: Tao of Tea
Product Description:
Rich, toasty aroma reminiscent of roasted chestnuts. Smooth, vegetal, earthy flavor.
Tasters Review:
This review is going to be short and sweet because that is EXACTLY what this tea is…it’s straight and to the point…and DARNED GOOD!
The Tao of Tea has a REALLY fantastic Dragonwell! It’s rich and thick tasting yet astonishingly smooth! Just think…Buttered Veggies, Sweet Grass, and semi-Nutty-Goodness! That’s what makes up this flavor.
I’m putting this on the pedestal and saying it’s of my favorite Dragonwells to date!
Wonderful!
Puer Toucha (Xiao Tuo Cha) from The Tao of Tea
Tea Type: Pu-erh
Where To Buy: The Tao of Tea
Product Description:
Mini Puer Tuocha has a characteristic full-bodied and earthy flavor. Can endure long steeping times without gaining any astringency and can be re-infused at least three times.
Tasters Review:
I’m continuing to tinker and try messing around with Pu-erh’s. This one – Puer Tuocha (Xiao Tuo Cha) from The Tao of Tea – is so involved and so complex that the only way I can describe it is to break it down by infusions. Each infusion had a mind of it’s own. This aspect alone intrigued me! So without further a due here are my findings…
For the 1st infusion I went 2 minutes and found that the post infusion liquid color was a Lighter Brown. The aroma isn’t as wormy/fishy as most pu-erhs and I was very happy about that! The taste was VERY velvety and smooth and lighter tasting with slightly earthy yet honey and cocoa type flavors mixed in.
My 2nd infusion I went with 3 minutes and thought it was much darker in color. It had a bit more earthy/wormy scent to it and the taste was a hint sweeter. It was still quite velvety and smooth.
At this point I KNEW this little guy was the “Little Tuocha That Could” and I was eager to taste the differences from one infusion to another!
As for my 3rd infusion I decided to go with 4 minutes. It was even darker than the first two color-wise! This specific infusion did smell earthy but not wormy at all. It was a bit sweeter than the 2nd infusion but there is a ricey-type taste hiding underneath this time. It’s interesting…the aftertaste is a little nutty but malty and more like a bold black tea.
I moved on to a 4th infusion and stuck with the 4 minutes. I found it to be jJust as dark as the 3rd infusion. It smelled like black tea with a hay-like aroma as well. It was more woodsy-tasting and more malty and less sweet but still velvety.
This is a Very Sturdy Tuocha! And darn tasty, too! If you are into playing around with Pu-erh’s – I would suggest you spend some time with this one!
Rio from The Tao of Tea
Tea Type: Yerba Mate
Where To Buy: The Tao of Tea
Product Description:
Native Name: Yerba Mate
Origin: Iguaçu Valley, Brazil
Plucking Season: Summer
Introduction: The forests of the Iguaçu Valley are ideal both in climate and soil for the best Yerba Mate. The Iguaçu, meaning ‘big water’, is home to an amazing array of flora and fauna as well as the breathtaking Iguaçu Falls.
Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate is native to the region around the rivers Paraná, Paraguay, Uruguay and their tributaries. The herb was first used by the Guaraní, an important indigenous tribal people who traditionally prepare the beverage in a gourd (a ‘cuia’ or ‘mate’) and sip through a filtered straw (a ‘bomba’ or ‘bombilla’).Yerba and Health
Similar to tea and dark chocolate, Yerba Mate contains the xanthines theobromine and caffeine known to increase mental alertness, focus and wakefulness. The herb is also rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals and has been used in Guaraní remedies for centuries. Traditionally it has been used as a diuretic, a digestive aid, and to ease asthmatic symptoms. Recent studies have shown Yerba Mate to contain a significant amount of antioxidants.Flavor Profile: Cooling, clear, bitter sweet flavor notes.
Ingredients: 100% Organic Yerba Mate
Certified Organic by: Quality Assurance International (QAI)
Tasters Review:
When I received my package from The Tao Of Tea I was also going thru a Duran Duran Flashback/Kick or should I say my iPod Shuffle was forcing me into a Duran Duran Flashback! This was one of the songs that has been following me around – it seems. Anyhow, it just seemed fitting that I drink this while listening to Rio by Duran Duran, ya know!?
But…on to the actual Tea Review…
Rio from The Tao of Tea is a wonderful plain Yerba Mate or unflavored Yerba Mate. Normally I don’t really get too excited about Yerba Mate’s unless they are wonderfully flavored or have something that really stand outs. For me…this unflavored Yerba Mate was memorable because it was sweet, fresh, and clean tasting! If you are looking for a good go-to or a solid stand-by to always have on hand I would say Rio from The Tao of Tea should be on that list!
I really LOVE The Tao of Tea because they have a really great selection of teas and tisanes! They push organic and they focus on tea education, regions, history, and farmers! Their customer service is really top-notch, too! We have TONS of other reviews on tap for Tao of Teas so stay tuned!
Gui Hua ‘Osmanthus’ Oolong from The Tao of Tea
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: The Tao of Tea
Product Description:
Native Name: Gui Hua Oolong
Origin: Hunan, China
Introduction: Gui Hua (pronounced “gway hwah”) is the Chinese name for the fragrant osmanthus flower, which blossoms in the Phoenix Mountain area during tea season and is used in scenting this oolong.
Osmanthus Scenting
In the final stages of processing, the leaves are baked with fresh osmanthus blossoms “heat-infusing” the tea with the flower’s fragrant essential oils.Flavor Profile: A light, bright, sweet flavor and a fruity, floral aroma with hints of apples and apricots.
Ingredients: Oolong Tea Leaves.
The aroma of the dry leaf is lightly floral, and that delicate scent remains in the brewed product. It is a treat to inhale deeply before taking a sip to enjoy the lovely fragrance.
The flavor is sweet and has beautiful fruit notes. Yes, I can taste the apple and the apricot as described by The Tao of Tea. The melding of these two fruit essences creates a sweet, delicious flavor that is absolutely mesmerizing. My taste buds are experiencing nirvana! Yes, it really is that good.
I think that this is a MUST TRY for all tea enthusiasts. If you like Oolong, yes, you must try it. Even if you aren’t crazy about Oolong teas, try it anyway. It’s so good, it may just change your mind about Oolong!