MacchaMan

I usually like Rishi Teas, in fact, I love their Matcha and quality of teas, but their version of Jasmine is a little too heavy on Jasmine, not enough green tea…there is an imbalance.

I am a Jasmine tea lover but this is a little too strong. I like to keep the tea bag in the whole duration of drinking because I like strong tea, but the Jasmine is overpowering.

You can tell this tea is still a good quality tea, but imbalance in taste.

Would I buy again?…probably not.

Again, good quality, but needs to have better blending.

A pleasantly delicious tea and a first time trying this brand and blend of tea; good quality teas, you can tell in the taste.

I am not too familiar with this type of blend, but I expected a heartier flavor profile. It is very tasty but not what I thought it would be; I was expecting a smokier taste, not as much as Lapsang Souchong but at least contributing to the flavor. This Russian Caravan is smooth…actually, this is all I can say about it, there is really no depth or complexity to it. I am aware that this type of blend does have some Lapsong Souchong blended in for flavor and intrigue, but the only time you taste smokiness is in the aftertaste and then it’s only a whisper on the palate. When drinking, Russian Caravan is somewhat malty, again, not as much as drinking Assam alone but noticeable.

Not a hearty tea however, a good afternoon tea.

Would I recommend this blend, yes…for the afternoon or when you don’t feel like a heavy, malty blend. I would like to try this same blend from other vendors for comparison.

I would say try this for something different, quiet and refined.

Simply put, Rishi Tea offers high quality, Organic teas…and this tea is no exception!

Delicious, malty with a good, full mouth feel and yet, very smooth. Instead of the “chocolate” note described, I would describe it more of a soft caramel undertone…a hint of sweetness but not cloying.

This Yunnan Breakfast is so smooth, it does not leave any aftertaste…DELICIOUS!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this tea.

Red Leaf Tea Emperor’s Matcha is very Earthy, green and vegetal. This matcha has a very creamy, thick mouth feel…VERY UMAMI!!!

The only way I describe the flavor profile is a creamy-spinachy taste and vegetal to the palate. The flavor stays with you after finishing your portion; with a slight hint of sweetness undertone.

The matcha whisks up into a very thick, creamy, bright almost fluorescent green crema on top of a beautiful dark Jade green liquor…VERY BEAUTIFUL, exactly what you strive for when preparing and enjoying a bowl of matcha!

Best made as KOICHA, but can add more water to taste if desired.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this matcha if you are a connoisseur or are familiar with the proper preparation of this fine beverage.

FANTASTIC!!!… I love this matcha. Aiya produces high quality matcha; it’s vegetal and grassy with just a hint of sweetness [a natural sweetness that comes from vegetables like carrots so that it is not cloying] to be enjoyable.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this matcha.

Usual matcha characteristics. A very pleasant vegetal, grassy taste; no sweetness but a joy on the palate. This is a “thin” matcha so the mixture tends to be watery, so adjust accordingly.

Overall, I do recommend trying this matcha just for the experience alone. A good starter matcha, not a bad price for good quality.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS MATCHA TEA!!!

Aroma: Vegetal and somewhat fruity [let’s say a little honeydew melon and a little cucumber].

Taste: Oh what joy! Very delicious! Very fresh too! The taste is a palatable persona of the aroma. This matcha has a slight fruity undertone complementing the overtone of grass [but not earthy…let me explain, when I think of “earthy” I taste the minerals from the dirt and maybe a little mushroom…again, the dirty earth…“grass” to me is earthy but as a vegetal characteristic]. The fruit that is playing harmony on the palate is honeydew melon and cucumber [and YES, a cucumber is a FRUIT!]; it is slight but still noticeable…it actually does complement the vegetal aspect rather than overtake the whole flavor profile. You do experience umami (a mouth feel) which is a little drying…but it “fills” the mouth with the extra sensation of taste.

Aftertaste: Well, there is such an experience but not much of one. The aftertaste is a little spinachy, a little fruity and a little vegetal. The drying feel on the tongue still lingers but not for long.

To add to the experience of preparing and drinking this tea, was the color of this matcha…a chartreuse green…nice, bright, vibrant; then it dulled a little when water is added which turns it to a more of a medium-green jade.

I would highly recommend purchasing this matcha! It is offered at a good price for the amount compared to other companies whom offer less at a more elevated price.

A must buy!

SURPRISINGLY!!!, I really enjoyed this tea. I am not a big fan of this brand now that I have tried many others, but this tea I did like.

Aroma: The typical green tea characteristics. A little floral, a little sweet [not cloyingly, but the kind you would expect from a sweet flower rather than cane sugar] and surprisingly, not very astringent or pungent. A light green fragrance/aroma.

Taste: Same as aroma. For a green, this tea is a little floral, a little sweet with the tiniest bit of brightness [NOT astringency, but brightness]…a nicety on the palate. Enjoyable.

Aftertaste: Not much to speak of. It dances across the taste buds with a floral sweetness, a brightness [no astringency] and a slight vegetal accent. Nice and pleasant.

I would recommend this tea for green tea lovers. I am not a big fan of Chinese green teas [except for Jasmine green teas], I am more of a Japanese green tea lover but I do really enjoy this tea a lot!

NOT impressed AT ALL!!!! I bought this tea thinking it might be a superior grade/quality than their other matcha offering but sadly I was wrong.

Aroma: A little vegetal, thin and watery.

Taste: Same as aroma, a very watery, Earthy-spinach taste. Very thin, watery no balance, sweetness, or even astringency and no umami. No mouth feel, no drying…absolutely nothing. A very watery, thin, paleness to the palate. The taste is somewhat palatable; it is very Earthy as if the spinach still possess the grit and dirt from the Earth, not dirty, gritty or awful, but an earthiness that is more prominent than the vegetal aspect. This matcha seemed stale and old…the color is of a dark green almost the olive hue other matcha connoisseurs will recommend staying away from but you won’t know until you open the sealed bag that comes inside the canister.

Aftertaste: None.

To be honest, I would not recommend wasting your money on this one, there are a whole plethora of other brands out there that are far superior than this one. Furthermore, I must defend my somewhat high rating considering such a dismal descriptive tasting note; The Republic of Tea’s matcha, this “newer” version, did have an interesting taste profile, albeit a weak one, but none-the-less, interesting. It was the earthiness that was it’s saving grace.

I was pleasantly surprised from this tea. It reminded me at first sip of an Earl Grey (I must admit, I DO NOT like Bergamot oil), so Earl Greys are my least favorite teas. However, upon finishing my cuppa, I really enjoyed drinking this tea and can’t wait until my next mug.

The aroma is of a nice, mild black tea with a soothing, sweet fruity character.

The taste profile, is as the aroma describes; it is a nice mild black tea which is complimented discernibly by the lichee/lychee/litchi fruit; neither taste facet overwhelms the other, the lichee/lychee/litchi fruit nicely compliments the black tea and the black tea is not too strong as to overtake the palate. Foojoy never mentions what type or blend of black tea(s) they use for this offering but it is exemplary and delicious!

The aftertaste is not much. There is no lingering of any kind, just a sweet whisper of the fruit and a mild reminder of the tea. There is no mouth feel, tartness or bitterness that is leftover.

Since venturing into lichee tea and pleasantly surprised by it, I will be trying this brand’s loose leaf version as well as other brand’s version of lichee tea(s).

I highly recommend this tea…a fun, delicious finding!

I like this tea. This brand is vegetal with a spinach taste profile with a hint of grassiness. The color of the powder is a chartreuse green then morphs into a dark jade when water is added. The aroma of the tea is vegetal and grassy. From opening of the can to first taste, DoMatcha is a high quality matcha tea. Yes, I would recommend this brand’s matcha. As all matchas, this is best enjoyed prepared the traditional way with a whisk and drank from a bowl!

I really LOVE drinking this tea, it is one of my go-to favorites…any time of day!

The aroma of this tea is the typical black tea aroma…somewhat bold, smooth and a little caramel.

The color of the steeped liquor is a dark amber.

As for the taste, it reflects the aroma, it is bold but not assertive, bright but not astringent, very smooth for a black tea more so than say Lipton with a caramel sweetness that is always present but does not overpower the taste profile or characteristics of this tea; also, the taste is very smooth for a black tea…no matter how long it steeps, it never gets bitter or astringent, it stays bold, smooth, sweet and enjoyable.

The aftertaste on the tongue and palate is smooth and mellow; there is no bitterness, astringency or drying mouth feel.

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this tea…a must buy!

Just a quick note on my experience of this tea.

I do enjoy this tea. It is similar to America’s Lipton but stronger in character and flavor. This is definitely a morning cuppa. This tea is malty and assertive; it has a full mouth feel and lingers awhile as an aftertaste. PG Tips can most certainly handle milk and sugar even though I do not use either (may try it someday). This is one tea that I will reuse the teabag knowing that it can stand a second infusion. I feel the next time, the flavor will mellow somewhat but none less enjoyable.

The color of the liquor is a deep amber brown.

If you like your tea strong and want something to wake you up in the morning other than coffee, than PG Tips is the tea for you. I would recommend this tea.

I am tired tonight…so, this may be short and sweet.

I just received it today and had to try it.

I like this tea. Adagio Teas Gunpowder is vegetal and definitely a Chinese green tea. It has all the bright, grassy, vegetal characteristics of Chinese green teas with a little smokiness to make it interesting. Also, I would like to mention that in addition to the aforementioned taste characteristics, there is one other that plays a role and this is, the prominent flavor of spinach…I suppose this is the “vegetal” component of the nuance flavors, but nonetheless, noticeable. The aroma is of wet grape leaves…vegetal, grassy, bright but not astringent and a little smoky.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I used the same teabag “pyramid” for a second steeping, same water temp and same duration and the only difference is that the second brew was a little sweeter; but it did yield a very nice second cuppa.

This is a very good everyday green tea. As everyone knows, I am not a big fan of Chinese green teas except for anything Jasmine, however, I would purchase this again because I do enjoy this one. Would I recommend this tea, a big fat YES!…it is delicious.

Some will question why such a high score of 100 on the rating scale for such a sublime, barely-there taste or aroma? My answer is because there is quality to backup the flavor, or rather the lack thereof.

Aroma: Smelling the sachet with the tea before it hits the water is very nice; and as the name denotes, a lemony grass, literally. Not lemony as a candy or the sprightly rind, but a subdued quiet lemon intermingled with grassy notes. However, once the sachet hits the water and starts to melt into it, there is no aroma whatsoever!…strange?…it smells of warm water.

Taste: Extremely sublime…even more so than a white tea. A white tea has body and character, this lemongrass is extremely delicate and doesn’t show to the party until it is there for a while and made it’s acquaintance with everyone. Then after a while, some and only some, flavor profile starts to poke through. It is as the namesake, a lemony grass. Very delicate, very sublime. An extremely nice tea to have as a bedtime tea or for quiet time to contemplate, it is quiet, subdued and delicate. The taste is lemony, grassy with the slightest hint of a spicy bite reminiscent of ginger but only as a whispering afterthought; also, it is a little sweet…more like powdered sugar rather than granular sugar. The sweetness would fit more like an Asian delicacy of candied grass with powdered sugar than a cloying candy sweetness of granular sugar, like say a candied ginger.

Aftertaste: This mimics the flavor profile…a little bite, a little sweetness, lemony and grassy but these characteristics are fleeting.

A nice tea to try as a small purchase, but would I buy again…not too sure; maybe to sooth and calm the tummy and for quiet contemplation but not as a regular goto tea.

Nice hardy tea for the morning or throughout the day for a nice little pick-me-up!

All comparisons for this tea are up against the more “crude” characteristics of Lipton’s Brisk Tea.

Aroma: A lively but delicate aroma of Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling and Sri Lanka. This tea smells lively without the “zingy” tannins that tweak the nose.

Taste: Same as aroma. This tea is complex and yet simultaneously delicate; it’s awakening and yet again, smooth. Adjectives: Awakening, complex, delicate [nice on the palate, but can hold it’s own], smooth, sprightly and mouth filling without the heaviness. Bigger and more complex than an Yunnan but more gentlemanly and urbane than the “crude” Lipton Brisk Tea.

Aftertaste: It leaves an impression on one’s palate like a haunting tune [Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”]. It is mouth-filling without being heavy. The after effects of an Assam and Darjeeling [hardier than a Ceylon or Sri Lanka] than a softer linger of more delicate teas.

A nice tea to have in one’s collection; something to be pulled-out for guests for a nice afternoon tea, not so much for a morning jolt. Save the Lipton Brisk Tea for the morning as a kick-start for waking up.

I’m not a huge fan of Chinese green teas, but I must admit, this tea is very good for what it is. Furthermore, Zhena’s Gypsy Teas are very good quality no matter what form or line you purchase…another brand I highly recommend.

Aroma: More vegetal than grassy, more asparagus than spinach.

Taste: Same as aroma. More vegetal than grassy, more asparagus than spinach with a little “sparkle” due to the tannins, but not tart, just lively.

Aftertaste: Actually, I’m contradictory compared to taste…as it settles on the palate, it mellows and softens to more of a soft spinach and the tannins mellow as well; still lively but loses some of it’s “zing” factor. Another nice tea to enjoy throughout the day and into the early evening.

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea is another brand I highly recommend; not all flavors will appeal to each person’s palate, however, the quality and freshness of this brands teas [all teas of this brand] are top-notch, exceptional and sublime.

Yet, another favorite of this illustrious brand!

Aroma: It’s exactly as the website describes it…spicy, sweet and leathery, very pleasant.

Taste: A duplicate of the aromas. Spicy, sweet and leathery [if one could taste leather…not off-putting at all!]. This tea is a juxtaposition of tastes, meaning, it is spicy, sweet and leathery simultaneously; complex yet linear and delicate. A fine tea to enjoy throughout the day…better for afternoon and early evening due to not much of a caffeine kick for a morning jolt. Yunnan teas have some body to them and yet they are not mouth filling or possess that “drying” effect or the tannins of other black teas. Very delicious teas, indeed!

Aftertaste: More of a lingering sweetness of raisins and burnt caramel [not charred tasting at all] and not cloying either. A little spicy as well but only intermingled, not prominent.

I like Yunnan teas because of it’s complex characteristics…spicy, sweet, delicate and yet it has some body and complexity to it.

A highly recommended tea to have in one’s collection! A must buy!

Aroma: Light lemon, fennel seed, licorice and a little Chamomile; actually quite soothing.

Taste: The longer it steeps, the stronger the lemon, fennel and licorice become especially the fennel and licorice…not too off putting but the cuppa does become a savory-sweet; I know this sounds of an oxymoron but true. This is a soothing, relaxing cuppa for the evening or before bedtime, but personally, I would stick to straight-up Chamomile tea if you are looking for a Chamomile tea, honestly, there are better out there to be had.

Aftertaste: Sweet fennel, licorice, slight Chamomile…a little strong but not if you take out the tea sachet when properly steeped…I like my tea strong so I keep mine in the whole duration of enjoying my cuppa.

It is a nice tea for unwinding in the evening or before bed…a little sweet but nice.

As I am a big fan of Zhena’s Gypsy Teas, I was not impressed by this tea. It does possess the usual tea freshness from this brand, but the taste was very weak and watery.

Aroma: Fruity [light fruits]…that’s about it.

Taste: Very weak and watery during the whole time of keeping the sachet in the water, it never grew stronger. However, this brand’s teas are always fresh and fresh tasting no matter the version whether I am using their couture sachets or regular sachets. There was not much “tea” taste either albeit, there were White Assam and Indian Green which I would imagine have a little more flavor but there wasn’t. A very weak tea.

Aftertaste: Little remnants of fruit and of the dietary supplement Stevia [which by-the-way, I DO NOT LIKE…it tastes of watery sugar, not much of a help].

Overall, I would not waste my money on this one, tea lovers…I received a sample and thought of giving it a try; glad I did because I would not buy this on my own. Too weak, too watery a taste!

I have the muslin tea sachets. This is a very floral-fruity tea…it would make a nice body fragrance/eau de toilette for the Spring/Summer months.

Aroma: Very floral-fruity with a slightness of tea aroma mingled nicely.

Taste: Again, very floral-fruity clean tea palate. This is a clear, clean tasting tea; I would imagine from Sri Lanka or the lighter of Indian teas. There is no mouth feel to speak of or thickness. The floral-fruity [not able to say which fruits or flowers] notes are the most prominent and the tea is a clean, clear compliment to the floral-fruity characteristics with a slight sweetness. A very nice, delicious tea.

Aftertaste: A clean, clear finish. No drying of the tongue, or thick mouth feel. Marco Polo finishes off clean, clear, floral and fruity with a little lingering sweetness but not overly done.

I would recommend this tea for an after dinner treat over fattening desserts…it is that delicious and sweet, but not cloyingly so. I would highly recommend this tea…a must buy!

I have the newer format, in teabags!…HUH, WHA, NOOOOOO, NOT TEABAGS! EEEGADS!…lol.

Aroma: Smooth, delicate, mild and sweet…a little caramel, a little chocolate and mild Sri Lanka tea.

Taste: It started out a little, excuse the pun, but a little “watery”…not much to it, a little too mild. The longer it steeped, the more the flavor profile shown through; it is actually really sweet with noticeable cocoa notes. Also, the region it hails from, Yunnan, China, you can detect in the flavor…a little earthiness, a little smokiness.

Aftertaste: The aftertaste is mostly the chocolate-y cocoa with a little of the earthiness lingering…different.

To me, this tea seems to be a good after dinner tea because of the prominent chocolate notes…tasty.

Aroma: Smells like Chai…a South Asian or Middle Eastern spice market!

Taste: I am picky about Chai teas…the spices have to be just right and Zhena’s gypsy tea blends them just right; not too much of anything especially the black pepper. One caveat, the longer you keep this one steeping the pepper becomes only slightly more prominent but not so much so as to throw it out. I keep my sachets in the whole time while drinking and the pepper doesn’t really bother me. This version has a slight sweet taste due to the Rooibos tea used. I have not had the Coconut Chai yet to compare. This is a very good tea to have in the Winter months to start your freezing morning nice and warm…or before going to bed since it’s naturally caffeine free. Forgot to mention, I drank this tea straight-up, “neat” meaning, I did not fix it in the traditional “chai” manner…with sugar and milk mixed in.

Aftertaste: Nice and warm and comforting. Like finishing a delicately spicy meal with some tea…seriously, an amalgamation of sweetness, spice and tea.

I highly recommend this tea…a must buy!

I enjoy this tea…this is one of my go-to teas for the morning.

Aroma: Typical Assam style. Malty, somewhat astringent, a little “thick” and “heady”…but not as much so as Lipton’s Brisk [regular black].

Taste: Same as aroma…unlike Lipton’s, this is a little smoother with a slight hint of sweetness.

Aftertaste: Thick, a little mouth feel with a delightful smoothness.

I must say, I LOVE everything about this company’s products. Their teas always seem to taste so fresh, everyone I have [including samples received] have not disappointed me yet! No matter how long I keep the sachet in the water, Zhena’s gypsy teas do not get overpowering, at least, not to me. Zhena’s gypsy tea packaging is cool too.