Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea Licious LLC
Tea Description:
Our finest Assam estate black tea. Winey and malty.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a very interesting Assam. I don’t think I recall having a strong wine-like character in an Assam prior to tasting this one. It’s quite surprising … but a wonderful surprise!
Of course, this has other characteristics that I would expect from an Assam: a deep, rich flavor and color, a malty tone and a sweet caramel-like undertone, as well as that sort of freshly baked bread kind of flavor in the background that peeks its way into the foreground every now and then.
It is pleasantly full-bodied, and because of the wine-like flavor there it adds smoothness to the cup, and the transition to the astringency toward the tail seems less harsh. The finish is sweet with a tangy note that tastes a bit like black currant, and this flavor lingers into the aftertaste.
Truly a unique Assam, one I’d recommend to Assam fans out there – this one’s quite unusual but delightful in its own way! I think that this would also be a good Assam for those who may have found other Assam teas to be a bit too much for them … this may be the Assam that turns them around!
Yuzu Fruit Sencha from Tea Licious
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Tea Licious
Product Description:
Sencha green tea, safflowers and yuzu fruit.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When I brewed this tea, I did not read the description of it, I just brewed it the way I would any other flavored green tea (low temperature, usually around 170°, steeping for 2 1/2 minutes in my Breville One-Touch). My first few sips were really enjoyable, I could taste the bright, sunny taste of the Yuzu fruit as well as the fresh, slightly vegetative taste of the Sencha.
The Sencha is very light, but with a soft mouthfeel that reminds me of the smooth, creamy sensation of melted butter. Fortunately, the taste isn’t that thick, otherwise, that would be all that was tasted. That might be fine for Paula Deen, but I like green tea to be a little lighter so that I can enjoy the many complex flavors it offers. And, yes, this Sencha is light and complex, not to mention delicious.
There are sweet, fresh notes that remind me of freshly cut grass … but without the bitter grassy aftertaste. It is more like a sweet grassy note. And a creamy taste and texture that is very complimentary to the citrus notes of the Yuzu fruit.
What I think I like best about this particular tea is its balance. It would be hard to determine which flavor is stronger – the tea or the yuzu – because they both seem equally balanced. At times, I think I taste more yuzu than tea… but others, I think the tea is stronger, and it all has to do with which flavor I’m trying to focus on.
A lovely tea. If you’re looking for a flavored tea with a good balance between tea and flavor, this is certainly worth trying.
Jasmine Monkey King from Tea Licious
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Tea Licious
Product Description:
Green tea with jasmine petals.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a delightful jasmine tea – the flavor is so light and sweet. The jasmine essence here is one of the more delicate jasmines I’ve encountered. It doesn’t have a heavy flavor nor does it taste perfume-y or soapy. It is sweet and gentle.
In fact, gentle is the word I would use to describe this tea overall. The green tea does not possess a strong, grassy profile. It is fresh and soft with no bitterness and very little astringency – in fact, I only notice the astringency when I am actually focusing on finding it. Otherwise, the delivery is smooth from start to finish, with a light sweetness in the aftertaste.
This tea has a very light, crisp demeanor. There are vague hints of vegetation, but like the astringency that I mentioned previously, it is really only noticeable when I am focusing to find that vegetal taste.
This is a lovely tea, ideal for someone who has had jasmine teas in the past that were too overbearing or perfume-ish. This tea can offer a taste of the softer side of jasmine.
Pineapple Oolong Tea from Tea Licious
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Tea Licious
Product Description:
Green oolong, marigold, safflowers and tropical flavoring.
Taster’s Review:
Oh wow, this is awesome!
I love the way this Oolong is flavored. The pineapple is very obvious and very there, but, it is not an overwhelming flavor. The flavor of the green Oolong comes through loud and clear, and the pineapple accompanies it. It is a perfect harmony of flavors.
The green Oolong has a very fresh flavor to it, complete with hints of vegetation. It also has a light nutty, creamy kind of taste in the background that works very well with the pineapple flavor. It tastes coconut-y! I don’t know if that is a result of the flavoring (which is listed as “tropical flavoring” on the website), or if it is an effect delivered by the Oolong itself. Either way, it’s quite delightful.
The pineapple tastes sweet and also a little tangy. The overall flavor here is definitely tropical. The mouthfeel of the tea is soft and smooth, and the aftertaste is sweet and pineapple-y … and very YUMMY!
This might just be my favorite that I’ve tasted from Tea Licious. And the second and third infusions are even more flavorful. This is definitely a winner!
Rosie Earl Grey from Tea Licious
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea Licious
Product Description:
Whole leaf tea with oil of bergamot and rose petals
Taster’s Review:
Oh, this is nice. It’s no secret how I feel about Earl Grey, but, I was a little unsure about a rose scented Earl Grey. I’ve tried some that I’ve absolutely loved, and others that have left me feeling disappointed. This one just might be my favorite rose scented Earl Grey that I’ve yet to taste.
What I like about this is that the rose flavor is well-defined. It isn’t just sprinkled with a few rose petals. The tea leaves have absorbed the essence of rose and that is apparent in the taste. It is a strong rose presence. It tastes sweet and floral and very pleasant.
The black tea is a mild black tea. It isn’t what I’d consider to be strong or bold in flavor. It is crisp and astringent. It works well with the flavors of bergamot and rose, providing a solid background of flavor without overpowering the delicious rose and bergamot notes.
The bergamot is a bit softer than I expected. The bergamot is definitely there in the scent, but, the flavor is a little more about the rose than the bergamot, especially in the first couple of sips. As I continue sipping, though, I find that the bergamot develops and by about mid-cup, I can really notice the bergamot. The tangy citrus and the sweet taste of rose contrast each other well.
A very pleasant cuppa … it certainly IS Tea-Licious!