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!
Elixir of Love from Alice’s Fine Teas
Tea Type: Blooming Tea/Flowering Tea
Where To Buy: Alice’s Fine Teas
Product Description:
Sweeping jasmine arch over a bright lily. This tea is mellow, even buttery, with a hint of sweetness from the jasmine. Absolutely delightful! Ingredients: Lily (said to enhance energy and to have a cooling effect), Jasmine (sweet fragrance, said to moisten the skin) and Silver Needle Tea
Tasters Review:
I’ve said it before and I will say it again…I LOVE Blooming Teas/Flowering Teas. Elixir of Love from Alice’s Fine Teas is no exception.
It’s Relaxing, semi-sweet, mellow, floral, and extremely lovely!
This is a sweeter jasmine than I am used to! And I really like it! I mean REALLY like it…I think I would like all my jasmine’s to be sweet or semi-sugary-sweet from now on!
Yup! Alice’s Fine Teas has raised the bar on Jasmine for me! This is incredible…the key is the naturally sugary-sweet of this Jasmine that makes it special!
Black Matcha from Pure Matcha
Tea Type: Matcha
(Black Tea Base)
Where To Buy: Pure Matcha
Product Description:
During the Song Dynasty in 11th century China, tea was consumed in powder form. Centuries later this innovative way of drinking black tea has been reinvented with our natural 100% Black tea powder or Black Matcha. Consumed just like traditional Green tea Matcha our Black Matcha is made from the finest Darjeeling and Assam tea leaves of India, and has a robust rich flavor. Higher in natural caffeine than a traditional cup of black tea, rivaling that of a cup of coffee. Except with Black Matcha there is no jittery crash. When you drink Black Matcha you get almost ten times more anti-oxidants and vitamins than a regular cup of tea, where the leaves are thrown away after brewing. Black Matcha is great for a healthy morning wake up.
Tasters Review:
I’ve been looking for black matcha powders since having one I enjoyed a few months back! The one I had then was a flavored one. I REALLY wanted to taste – and possibly get hooked on – a non-flavored, plain, black tea matcha powder! I was so excited when I received this one from Pure Matcha!
Pure Matcha’s Black Matcha smells like a creamier-black tea would. After preparing this I thought it looked much like a mocha or latte-type drink.
And…you know what? This tastes JUST like Assam! That, in itself, had me VERY excited! The powder dissolved for me perfectly! There was a natural creaminess to this that I really like. As far as the strength of the black tea – I would say it was a medium strength black tasting type tea.
This is a product that is SURE to be in high demand! I enjoyed this very much!
I also want to say that the correspondence from this company is top-notch! So if you have any questions – don’t be afraid to drop them an email! Their website is very easy to navigate, too!
Stay tuned to SororiTEA Sisters for more reviews on Pure Matcha and their offerings!
Chai from Supple Skin Boutique
Tea Type: Chai
Where To Buy: Supple Skin Boutique
Product Description:
Chai has long been attributed to its healthy properties. With herbs that naturally promote digestion and balance you can’t lose. Our Chai tea is a burst of spice and ginger aromas that you will love.
IngredientsBlack teas, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, peppercorn, star anise, shatavari, natural flavors
Tasters Review:
This is a nice, direct and to the point chai with the addition of Shatavari also known as Asparagus!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus_racemosus
I would classify this as a medium strength Chai…both in black tea strength and in spice strength. I can taste a lemon/orange type citrus hint as well…eventho I do not see citrus in the list of ingredients!
I really like this especially after sitting at room temp for a few minutes! It’s unique!, the leaves have a sweeter-than-I expected aftertaste, and for the simple fact it has Shatavari in it makes it intriguing for me!
If you are interested in different kinds of chai try this one! It’s a good cuppa!
Tippy South Cloud Tea from The Tao of Tea
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: The Tao of Tea
Product Description:
Reddish brown brew, sweet aroma with roasted undertones and full bodied flavor.
Tasters Review:
The dry aroma of this Tippy South Cloud from The Tao of Tea sort of reminds me of a lighter darjeeling type scent. After I infused it – I thought it was a bit flatter in aroma but it had a nut-like smell to it as well. I thought the aroma alone was memorable!
The color is dark and bold.
The taste is well rounded and is a medium strength black tea. It’s fairly smooth and not astringent at all! Even if over infused…which I did put to the test for my 2nd cup of this darling tea!
What a soothing and simple yet tasty black tea!