Harney & Sons – Soba Tea, Roasted Buckwheat
https://www.harney.com/soba-tea-roasted-buckwheat.html
vs
Yunnan Sourcing – Himalayan Black Tartary Buckwheat Roasted Tea
http://yunnansourcing.com/en/flower-and-herbal-teas/2508-himalayan-black-tartary-buckwheat-roasted-tea.html
I adore H&S Soba Buckwheat tea. H&S is a bit expensive to ship to Canada. Was looking for another example of this tea. I’ve looked for roasted buckwheat at local health food store but haven’t been able to find any. So, when I saw something that looked similar at YS I was quite excited.
I’ve made a cup of each using the same steep parameters. 1 tsp/8oz 100C 5 min
I used Davids steeping baskets in my Noble cups, so each tea was steeped in the same vessel and I’m drinking it out of the same cup.
Dry – the H&S nuggets are a little smaller and a little darker in color than the YS version.
Dry smell – really they both don’t smell like anything.
Steeped – Again the H&S is slightly darker in color.
Smell – the H&S smells more toasted, the YS is similar but not as strong.
H&S is for sure more toasty/roasted. The YS is sweeter and more grainy. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to articulate how I feel about this. I like them both – if I weren’t drinking them side by side, I’m not sure I would think there is much difference. But I am drinking them side by side. H&S is more flavorful – I think it’s more fun, like a kids cereal. YS is more subtle and more natural – it’s more adult.
I think the YS version would benefit from a longer steep time – I think the bigger nuggets need a bit longer steep time.
All and all I am really happy with my YS purchase, I am going to be perfectly happy drinking this, and considering how cheap it is – that’s just a bonus. Do I like H&S better? yes I do, but only marginally better. I’m not sure what I rated H&S – but right now I’m thinking H&S 95 – YS 92.
Both these teas make me happy.
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Awww, thanks for doing this dexter…I will now purchase in confidence the day I finally order from YS! I just can’t live without soba cha :-)
I love my noble cups! :)
Glad that you enjoyed them!
I’m so glad you did this. I wondered myself. I just ordered some of the H&S (because I needed TINZ) and then I saw the Teavivre one. Thanks Dex
Oooops, I mean YS, I was thinking about the Golden Monkey I just recently compared. But yes, I ordered the H&S soba and I’m looking forward to it. And I’m afraid YS might become a new addiction
Thank you Dexter. I love side by side reviews. I like that you made it in the same vessels. I see YS addiction in a near future, haha
Awesome!
Oh, that’s good to know! I like Soba Cha, but don’t have any plans to order from H&S. Alternatives are always nice. Thanks!
I saw the buckwheat tea on YS website last time I ordered but having a bad experience with some local buckwheat tea at the Korean/Japanese market , I was very reluctant. Thanks for testing them. Next time I order from them I’ll be sure to add some buckwheat tea.
Awww, thanks for doing this dexter…I will now purchase in confidence the day I finally order from YS! I just can’t live without soba cha :-)
I love my noble cups! :)
Glad that you enjoyed them!
I’m so glad you did this. I wondered myself. I just ordered some of the H&S (because I needed TINZ) and then I saw the Teavivre one. Thanks Dex
Oooops, I mean YS, I was thinking about the Golden Monkey I just recently compared. But yes, I ordered the H&S soba and I’m looking forward to it. And I’m afraid YS might become a new addiction
Thank you Dexter. I love side by side reviews. I like that you made it in the same vessels. I see YS addiction in a near future, haha
Awesome!
Oh, that’s good to know! I like Soba Cha, but don’t have any plans to order from H&S. Alternatives are always nice. Thanks!
I saw the buckwheat tea on YS website last time I ordered but having a bad experience with some local buckwheat tea at the Korean/Japanese market , I was very reluctant. Thanks for testing them. Next time I order from them I’ll be sure to add some buckwheat tea.