Hello Tea Friends!
I’m guilty of sometimes picking a tea for it’s name and that pretty much describes why I’ve gone for this blend. In the 90’s I was a huge X Files fan and I would faithfully watch every episode when it aired. It was one of the only tv shows that me and my mother both liked so we would spend the time together watching it and I have some wonderful memories. Not to mention some of the gripping, jaw dropping story lines in the show that left me awe inspired. When you’re young the likes of camouflage monsters and brain eating aliens are enough to cause playground chatter. If you’re not an X Files fan or have no idea what this tea has to do with it then let me clarify – The Truth Is Out There was a common slogan used on the show. That same slogan has since been featured on UFO posters and various other merchandise.
This tea is a blend of Green tea with vanilla, orange peel, natural lemon and orange flavour and sunflower petals. At least that is what the website says. So as I open my sample and give it a sniff I can smell an uplifting lemongrass, citrus scent with a creamy vanilla undertone. Looking at the blend it’s loosely chopped with some fine pieces of green tea and notable sunflower petals. In my sample I cannot find any orange pieces that are shown in the picture on the website but I must stress this is a small sample so that’s probably why.
Steeping Parameters: 4g loose leaf, 600ml teapot, 80C water temperature for 2 minutes. Ps. Also using my Ghostbusters mug.
Once steeped the resulting tea liquid is honey in colour and bares a sweet and creamy citrus scent.
The first few sips reveal a toasted grass base with a wave of creamy vanilla and a burst of fragrant lemongrass and citrus. It’s like a fire, once lit it burns brightly and gets more intense until it finally dies out. That is pretty much the strength and character of this blend at first. The tea plants the green tea base before becoming creamy and stronger which leads to a refreshing citrus before it all dies down into a distant memory. I like the combination of citrus and vanilla, it sounds rather odd but it does go very well together. Instead of the citrus being too sharp or sour the vanilla softens and sweetens it, to create a very relaxing blend. I also like that the green tea (which I believe to be Chinese Sencha from it’s appearance) comes through in the blend so that the flavours don’t dominate it completely. It’s also not too strong considering the small, broken down leaf pieces from the green tea (which is why I gave it a 2 minute steep ie smaller leaves usually means shorter steep).
Half way down the mug (with memories of Mulder *swoon* and the X Files theme tune in my head) the citrus has become a little stronger, which could be because it’s also cooled slightly; to a more waxy taste. Also the vanilla has become more neutral whilst the green tea leaves a slight dryness on the tongue with each additional sip. But my mouth is perfumed with the melody of citrus.
I enjoyed this blend. The mix of citrus and vanilla actually match Mulder and Scully in the show. Mulder is vanilla with his sweet yet smooth charm and Scully is citrus with it’s powerful, refreshing and clear essence. The two work well together and each balance the other, citrus stops vanilla from being too sweet and vanilla stops citrus from being too sour. The green tea adds depth and the overall blend leaves a wonderful, perfumed, I said it was perfumed which is because of the dryness and it’s overall strength, but in reality it tasted natural rather than synthetic. I also want to add that this has given me a little energy boost as well.
It’s inspired me to have a re-watch after all of these years, I will have to break out the X Files box sets. For now at least I can have faith, for The Brew Is Out There!
Until next time, Happy Steeping!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea Blend
Where to Buy: Geeky Teas
Description:
Green tea with vanilla, orange peels, natural lemon and orange flavor and sunflower petals, goes great with honey from hybridized bees. Brews up a lovely green color.
I want to believe!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
