Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Yerba Mate & Lapacho
Where to Buy: Townshend’s Tea Company
Tisane Description:
Drink a whole pot of this máte, lapacho and kava root concoction and it may leave you feeling slightly altered.
Learn more about this blend here.
Taster’s Review:
OK, OK, I admit it … the name of this Mátejuana Tisane from Townshend’s Tea Company is what lured me to order it. My curiosity got the better of me.
Fortunately, the dry leaf nor the brewed tisane smell like what the name of the tisane suggests it might smell like. The dry leaf has an earthy scent, with a hint of mint which kind of surprised me. The brewed tisane smells earthy and slightly vegetative.
This is actually really tasty. I taste the earthiness of the Yerba Mate, but I like that it’s not overly earthy. There is a sweetness to this and a warm spice note that is vaguely reminiscent of a cross between ginger and cinnamon. It has the peppery quality of ginger and a hint of warm, sweet cinnamon. It’s not an overpowering spice note; instead it’s quite subtle and it’s a flavor that keeps the taste buds intrigued by what they’re experiencing.
I’m not particularly fond of Kava root, but, I’m finding the flavor not quite so discernible here. I do taste that slight … grassiness from it, but it melds well with the spices to give it more of a herbaceous taste rather than a bitter grass tone.
Overall, I found this tisane to be rather enjoyable. It tastes better served hot/warm rather than iced … although I didn’t mind the iced tisane either. I don’t know if it “altered” me or not … but, I liked what I drank, anyway!
Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong from Townshend’s Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Townshend’s Tea Company
Tea Description:
From the same region as the smoked version, this handmade tea has a very subtle smokiness resulting from the roasting process. It carries a rich, fulfilling flavor that is less overpowering than its smoked counterpart.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
While recently perusing the Townshend’s Tea Co. website, I came across this tea and was instantly intrigued. I hadn’t actually planned on ordering tea from them, but, when I saw this tea … something in me jumped up and said “I HAVE TO TRY THAT!” And … I’ve got to say that is pretty weird for me to actually WANT to try a Lapsang Souchong, as it is one of my least favorite teas!
But what makes it my least favorite tea is the heavily smoked flavor (and aroma!) of the Lapsang Souchong … and since this one is “unsmoked” … well, this Lapsang Souchong was calling out to me!
And I LOVE this! There are some smoky tones to this … it isn’t completely without smoke. But, it isn’t that heavy, pine-y smoke flavor that is associated with a typical Lapsang Souchong. Instead, the smoky tones here are light and meld beautifully with the other flavors that I am just now discovering of this tea grown in the same region as the smoky Lapsang Souchong.
Luscious fruit tones and even some floral notes are in there, now not hiding behind a smoky veil, and the smoky notes marry with the fruit and floral tones to create a very harmonious taste unlike anything I have ever experienced with a tea. There is very little astringency to this, and no bitterness. It is robust and has a delicious roasted taste to it, which gives it a very hearty vigor.
One thing that this tea is missing (other than the heavy smoke!) is the deep caramel-y undertones that I usually taste with a Lapsang Souchong. I am guessing that is because of the lack of smoke, which probably “caramelized” these deliciously sweet fruity notes into a caramel-y taste. And while I love the flavor of caramel, and it was the discovery of those caramel-y undertones that started me on a path of rediscovering Lapsang Souchong and appreciating this tea a little more than I used to … I definitely prefer Lapsang Souchong without the heavy smoke and caramel.
I really, REALLY like this. A very nice alternative to the usually heavily smoked Lapsang Souchong.