Azzrian

This is so wonderful especially with our rainy fall like weather. Okay its not really fall like but I am making myself believe it is anyway. It is cooler today with a nice rain. I love barley, I love corn, – this “tea” is the best of both.
Sweet and savory, filling.
A beautiful golden hue fills my cup and at 5.00 a POUND … wow what a deal!
I will be ordering a pound of this so PM me if you want a sample of it – I have a pound of their genmaicha sitting here too if anyone wants a sample of that let me know.
This is so so good!

This is SO SO SO SO Good!!!
Now THIS is what I’m talking about!
Chocolate
Malt
Caramel
Vanilla
Cinnamon but only ever so slightly
Creamy
DREAMY!!!!
Yes in fact I do get all these flavor elements and what a lovely wonderful much needed grounding tea right now!
Everyone’s schedule in this house is chaotic with exception of mine so I am the one doing backflips to accommodate everyone else after 10 years of being the only one working in the house and everyone accommodating ME lol
Its nice to have more income indeed and wonderful WONDERFUL that my daughter is working not one but TWO jobs September 31 of last year will be a YEAR since her neurosurgery!!
Amazing I am proud and grateful!
Still OMG make the noise STOP!!!!
LOL
everyone is bouncing off the walls and I am needing much more grounding, center, and focus to do MY work which is being fit into when I can get it done.
SO with that said – OH YES bring it on – THIS is the perfect tea for this. I am glad I got a sampler and now I am off to get a BUNCH of this!

Della Terra Teas remind me of Butiki Teas in many ways. Neither company seems to be trying to shovel a flavor down your throat and let the subtle nuisances shine through.
That is not to say that this tea is lacking in flavor!

This tea has a lovely S’mores flavor that sneaks up on you and goes POP!

The chocolate is there but nicely balanced and not trying to fight for the forefront or take over the show, the marshmallow totally pops especially in the aftertaste, and there is almost this cotton candy like sweetness in the lingering effect that sort of gives off the graham cracker flavor.

This is very delightful indeed! Excellent as it cools to room temp so I am sure it would be amazing iced!

I keep getting surprised by Della Terra with each new tea I try and I totally respect their customer service and they way they have added suggestions and made changes for us picky steepsters!
:)

A big thank you to Della Terra Teas for including a HUGE one ounce sample in my order!
Well – my entire home smells delicious right now. This is one of those teas that is as good for making your home smelly yummy as it is to drink!
I think the strawberry flavor is delightful!
Its juicy!
There is a thin mouthfeel to this tea which is unexpected of a chocolate tea but the strawberry really shines through all around the tongue! Its sweet but tart too.
As for the chocolate – I would say that it is in the middle for me. I am a real chocolate snob and I do get a little bit of that chocolate flavoring but its not bad at all – its not AS good as some I have had but at least its not overly fakey tasting – although I wonder if the flavoring had been left out and only chocolate chunks/chips, were in it if it would be even better.
This is really refreshing and I am dying to make a cold brew out of it!
Good work Della Terra! Keep the amazing flavors coming!

Lucuma Matcha

Buy it here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/lucuma-matcha.html

So this matcha is very earthy smelling in the dry form. When I opened the bag there was really nothing remarkable about the smell other than sort of an earthy aroma mixed in with the matcha aroma. I shrugged and was like “okay” lol I just didn’t know what to think. I have never heard of Lucuma let alone had Lucuma before so what do I know!?!

I did however want to expand my horizons and the health benefits of Lucuma really interested me as well. Especially helping with skin inflammations and as an immune system booster!

So I prepared the matcha of course and took a sip. It just tasted like matcha but of course a Red Leaf Tea quality matcha which equals GOOD STUFF!

I added my ice and milk – as in my typical latte preparation of course, but this time did not yet add the splash of vanilla creamer. Took a sip – still the same – wonderful matcha flavor, but nothing else.

So then I added my splash of vanilla low fat creamer, hummm now this is an interesting turn of events. I taste a light fruitiness here! Is it my imagination perhaps? Is it wishful thinking? Is it that somehow magically the creamer brought out the fruity flavor? Maybe it is a mental thing since this is now the way I usually enjoy my matcha – I have myself fooled into thinking things always taste better this way? I don’t know. I am willing to admit if that is the case but maybe had I just added some sugar (there is sugar in the creamer I am sure – its not sugar free and even if it were it would have some kind of sweetener in it in the place of sugar right?). So I am thinking … this must be a fruit that is complimented and made more predominant with the addition of some kind of sugar, not the creamer at all!

So next time I have this I will leave the creamer out and add some sugar which ironically I had considered doing before adding my creamer but I just didn’t want THAT much sugar in my matcha. Still for the sake of science next time I will!

So then, how does this matcha TASTE? Well, its matcha tasting, with this light juicy like flavor similar to a melon. The fruit looks like an avocado to me. I looked up the Lucuma Fruit and found that it is supposed to have a flavor similar to a sweet potato and maple and you know what I do get that! Its light mind you and even at the Robust flavor I selected I still feel the matcha flavor itself is the predominant flavor here. It is richer as a matcha though and I think that is due to the Lucuma! Still I get this melon flavor too. It truly is interesting and nothing about it tastes bad at all. I just don’t really have my mind wrapped around it yet HOWEVER if you are adventurous and want to try something out of the box this is a good one to select for sure!

My Matcha was composed of the following:

Options:
Size : Small
Matcha Quality: Starter (Basic Grade)
Flavor: Robust
Storage: Add Small Metal Tin Container (Holds up to 45g)

Again here is where to pick up some of your own!!

http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/lucuma-matcha.html

Sample Sipdown … This is really quite nice! Its not a punch you in your face flavor – Butiki is excellent with subtle flavors that are quite natural and well done. This is excellent just the right amount of spice and fruity and I am mysteriously getting a banana flavor here too! I like this one a lot!

Sample Sipdown…this is nice – a good oolong but not peachy enough for me.

Cleaning out the cupboard today – going to have a couple of sample boxes to send out to some lucky person in USA – sorry Canada friends I don’t have a car to get to the post office to ship to you right now. Long story … I will spare you all.
Anyway this is a sipdown of a sample from Kittenna I think I may have over steeped this one being distracted – its not bad or astringent or anything but I have a HUGE perfume flavor coming from it. Strange. Its fruity lol not really cheesecake today. Oh my Im sure I did something odd to it.

Thank you Amanda for this sample in the cute little tin!
Its not what I was hoping for but I had very low expectations and therefore I am actually quite pleased!
I would really like to try Lupicia’s Sweet Potato Pie and may grab some soon. Its no secret that Adagio and I are not in love. I rarely find a tea from them I do like. I think Fujian Rain is my favorite. Needless to say – this ain’t bad!
Its not all that sweet potato tasting let alone PIE tasting but its not yucky at all and its really quite pleasant as a black tea.
It almost is like a Verdant tea (GASP I SAID THAT?) but only in the sense that it tastes like a nice black with some lovely natural flavors coming through of sweet potato. HOWEVER these flavors are not truly natural. I am struggling to make this make sense.
And by no means does this compare to a Verdant tea.
But what I am trying to say is I would not have guessed this for an overly artificial flavored tea of Sweet Potato Pie. I would more so think it a somewhat nice but not excellent quality black tea that had some natural nuances of sweet potato and a light bit of non natural flavoring to boost it.
BAH never mind – this is pretty decent. I will hang onto it and drink the rest but wold not purchase.
Thanks again Amanda :)

I can’t understand why I have not left a tasting note on this before.
I thought I would simply come and log this as I am having it as my morning tea and just make a note to see my previous review on it. Alas no previous review exists that I can find!
Not from me I mean.
However after reading over some of the lengthy amazing reviews of others I am highly intimidated to even make a remark worthy of this tea.
Soothing to say the least.
A true embodiment of what a quality tea should taste like – if only more did!
This is a tea that makes you feel “Im not worthy”.
It is sad it is gone, I hope more is available someday.
It is like others have said – like drinking silk – its mouthfeel can only be described in that manner, its not milky, I suppose you could say creamy but creamy does not do it justice. It just slides through the mouth, lingers on the taste buds romantically then slips into your throat and just slides down.
The result is an aftertaste similar to nothing you have tasted before because with each sip new flavors evolve as if your taste buds and the tea have a little game they are playing and only they know the rules.
I will miss this tea when I have my sip down. For now I have just enough to covet and stash away for a rainy day.

Out of Cupboard and into shopping list. This is a staple – my daughter and I both love it – she craves it! I am shocked it lasted this long!
Its especially good cooled down!
Grapey oolong taste – perfection!
Also its my 6 month anniversary here on Steepster! YAY! :)

Such a supremely lovely tea.
Delicate and mellow – that perfect wind down relaxing cup for late afternoon early evening.
I think I shall have another!

Caramel Cheesecake Matcha – Matcha from Red Leaf Tea
I mixed half caramel and half cheesecake today.
It blends nicely allowing both flavors to come out.
Its so tasty!
This is not a 2 in 1 blend offered premixed on the Red Leaf site but one I mixed myself.
I would rather buy both flavors separately and mix them on my own so I can also have them as a single flavor.
This mixture is excellent!

Can’t believe I had not reviewed this one before! I also didn’t even have it in my cupboard! When did I get so lax on that? I have had this tea for a long time.
I love this tea.
It has the sweet / sour cherry flavor with the minty coolness behind it that is subtle yet present enough to give that cooling sensation in the mouth.
A great morning wake up tea!
The cherry flavor lingers nicely and leaves a delicate sweetness on the lips.
Its a romantic tea. What I mean by that is I could see this being a tea to serve at a valentine’s day tea party, or in a beautiful garden setting, a “ladies tea” if you will. Not to be sexist lol.
Its has a floral element to it as well.
I know this tea gets a lot of mixed reviews but I just adore it.
Its excellent as it cools too!
This is a stash keeper!

Caramel Matcha

http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/caramel-matcha.html

Don’t think about it, don’t question if you should, don’t wibble wabble back and forth, its easy, click that link above! DO IT NOW! You will never regret it. Yes it is not as inexpensive as some teas out there but not only is it by far better than other teas it also buy one get one free if you do the free matcha program here:

http://www.redleaftea.com/free-matcha/

You see, there is no way to justify NOT ordering this unless you just need to wait on cash flow in which case I give you a pass but don’t forget about it! Let it seep into the deep recesses of your mind and haunt your dreams with visions of playful caramel candies with bright smiling faces dancing around your head.

Okay now that’s out of my system.

My matcha is composed as such:

Options:
Size : Small
Matcha Quality: Starter (Basic Grade)
Flavor: Robust
Storage : Add Small Metal Tin Container (Holds up to 45g)

I love the screw top lids on the containers you can buy from Red Leaf Tea!

So the flavor, this caramel is THE most carmaley flavored tea I have ever consumed! This is like eating chewy caramel candies without the tooth decay or chewing. I’m not a kid anymore so chewing on caramels is really not working out so well for me these days but I tell you what – THIS is more than an adequate substitute! I swear to you this is THE caramel to get!

So okay I had tried a sample of this before from a fellow steepster here and at that time I was not as adept in making my matcha let alone my matcha to water ratio. Now that I have it figured out – its so much better.

Also note, I did get the robust flavoring! I can’t imagine what the “there’s matcha in there?” flavoring would be like but I am tempted to try it! I just can’t imagine getting any more caramel goodness flavor out of this.

Get some of this matcha, mix in a splash of vanilla low fat creamer, a half cup to cup of milk, some ice cubes, pour in your matcha mix and BAM, LOVE!

I have had many amazing flavors from Red Leaf Tea so far in my matcha journey but I will say without a doubt THIS one is THE sweetest MOST candy like, MOST true to its namesake, MOST indulgent, dessert like, not even close IT IS dessert! I could not even go down to my local ice cream store and get something THIS delicious.

I am going to be done with this so I can really sit back and enjoy the rest of this delightful experience.

Oh and here is the link again:

http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/caramel-matcha.html

Okay so I am finally cycling around to some teas I have had in my cupboard for awhile now … note I never had stuck this in my cupboard here on steepster which makes me wonder how many others are not in here that should be. I am sure there are some in here I no longer have too. I need to be more diligent about that!

Anyway I had tried this tea before and it was not so much to my liking because I was in the mood for more of a dessert tea and this was not sweet HOWEVER today I added a packet (almost a full packet) of Nu Stevia sent to me by Indigobloom and a big thanks to her.

Its perfect!

I know Stacy says that a lot of her teas are better with sweetener added and for me this is one of them. I respect that Stacy leaves it up to us to add it or not though as not everyone likes specific sweeteners!

The interesting thing is even before adding the stevia I was enjoying the cup quite a lot!
This is by far a quality tea and the blend is perfection!

With or without the sweetener.

I just tend to like it more with a little sweetener added.

Smells just like pumpkin spices, creamy when you add some stevia, especially making that creme brulee flavor pop!

English Toffee Matcha

You can get your own here:

http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/english-toffee-matcha.html

So what can I say … I thought this would be just like a chocolate caramel even though english toffee in the candy form is not – its nutty, chocolately, buttery, crunchy and AMAZING. I love english toffee can you tell? I think the only thing better is salted caramel – OMG I wonder if Red Leaf Teas can get a salted caramel flavor!?!?
Sorry I got sidetracked obviously but when I opened the pouch I was excited because the smell was so amazingly good. I was preparing myself to be let down just in case because I figured this would be a difficult one to get right. I mean I really don’t know when I can stop doubting Red Leaf Tea lol they have never let me down to date, so why would they now right? But still, I had to be cautious as I prepared my bowl of yumminess not to get my heart broken for the first time.

As I am typing this I look sadly at my glass, as it is not half full or even half empty but it is totally empty and I am beginning to eat the remaining ice because there is still a little remnants of matcha hanging onto the cubes. If I could get my tongue down into the tall glass I would lick the inside of it!

Having made my typical matcha latte, cold, with ice, creamer, milk, and the matcha mix I think I gulped it down in a matter of minutes, and I am being generous, it was probably more like a manner of seconds! Its a wonder I even can recall what it tasted like as it blasted past my taste buds so quickly!

It was in fact nutty, buttery, caramlish but with the toffee flavor of correctly burnt sugar flavor, and of course just the right amount of chocolate but not so much to mask the other wonderful flavors! And as always the amazing matcha powder base shines through taking away the guilt of the sweetly sinful, ummm sweetness!

My matcha was composed of:

Options:
Size : Small
Matcha Quality: Starter (Basic Grade)
Flavor: Robust
Storage : Add Small Metal Tin Container (Holds up to 45g)

As always I suggest the really nice tins from Red Leaf teas which will cost you 4.00 extra but are well worth it with screw top air tight lids! Easier to scoop your powder base out of and no mess, unless your clumsy like me and manage to get some on the table anyway. Yes I did scoop it into my strainer lol.

So again Red Leaf you delight me! Thank you for all your amazing matcha offerings and keep them coming! I have my eyes on your site for the new flavors you had mentioned in the threads here on steepster!

Again to buy this flavor of matcha here is the link:

http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/english-toffee-matcha.html

This is excellent!
Sorry purists – I added a little rock sugar – made all the flavors POP!
The aromas and flavors are woodsy pu with vanilla and strawberry – mango – floral – full succulent mouthfeel – and its SO pretty to look at!
Just placed an order with Della Terra because this and the Mellow Mango Peach are delicious!
Can’t wait to try more of their new blends coming out really soon as well!
YUMMMMM

I agree with Emilie here. This could be so much more than it steeps up to be. It is so so pretty, smells amazing, and has so many pretty elements in it and is fun to look at – like potpourri! Once steeped I get a lot of Hibiscus flavors – its tart – not too tart to drink though so that is a good thing.
I get the citrus which is nice.
Cinnamon, which is not over done so its very nice – at least it is not covering up the other flavors.
Not sure that the green tea is really contributing any actual flavor here.
The vanilla is too subtle I fear.
Even the black base gets a little covered up but that is okay it does give some depth to the mouthfeel.
I do feel this one could go back to the blending room and be tweaked a little – its close – really close – but just not quite there for me yet.

I got this as a sample from The Persimmon Tree Tea. I LOVE genmaicha! This is a really nice one. Its roasty and toasty and really forgiving!
I knew I was using too hot of water temp but I was too impatient to wait for it to cool down so just used the 195 degree water out of my Zojiroushi. (sp?) letting it steep for a good 5 minutes. I really need a nap and am in one of those moods where if I over steeped or didn’t get the water temp right so be it. Surprisingly this turned out really nice!
It does not taste over steeped or as if I burnt it!
Thank you genmaicha for being so kind today!
VERY yummy!

The sample from The Tea Merchant is huge! I actually added this one to my cupboard just because of the size of it. I do not normally add samples to my cupboard!

This is a light, fruity, sparkling, darjeeling. I do not have much experience with Darjeeling yet, not nearly as much as I have with some other teas. I am very much enjoying this cup!
It is of a high quality, very easily sippable, and a nice light black tea!

As I said there is a sparkling sensation in the mouth, and a very bright mouthfeel.
I get notes of malt but very light notes, there is a flavor and aroma of hay fields, some peachy notes that peek out bashfully now and then which then change to an apple note in the aftertaste. I also get an almost floral flavor that turns to a woodsy one. LOL this is a wonderful experience!

I would keep this in my stash! Going on the shopping list.

Oh and as others have said – their packaging is darling!

Grape Matcha

Buy it here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/grape-matcha.html

Hey did I mention I was getting really good at whisking? I am and it makes me happy! Even though I don’t honestly care if I have a ton of forth or not it is good to see all my matcha making coming to fruition in some SKILLS! haha so anyway … When I opened this matcha the smell was amazing – but then every one of Red Leaf matcha smells amazing! This one though I wanted to do something different with. Instead of my typical matcha latte I wanted something more eye opening, more sparkly, more vibrant! So today I made something with Italian Sparkling Water, Low fat all natural vanilla creamer, and matcha! This is my take on an Italian Cream Soda!

Now of course I tasted the matcha before making my blended drink, and you know what, it was quite good. It was a tad bitter but my water to matcha ratio was a bit off as I intentionally made this one a bit thicker to get my blend where I wanted it to be – but alas it was in-fact GRAPE all the way! I am thinking purple grapes. Everyone tends to have a favorite grape, but this seemed purple all the way.

Grape is not normally a flavor I go for unless we are speaking of an ice wine, or something similar, I do love wine infused teas, but as a rule, grape matcha was not one I would gravitate toward, but I got this one because I wanted to test not only the matcha but my own limits. I figure if I love this flavor of matcha then there is no way Red Leaf can go wrong with any of their flavors and so far they have not and trust me I have tired a lot of their flavors!

So here I sit with a sparkly, vibrant, creamy, grape matcha that has not lost any of its base qualities or flavors from the matcha powder itself due to all the insane things I have mixed with it. That to me friends says this matcha is supreme!

My matcha was composed of:

Options:
Size : Small
Matcha Quality: Starter (Basic Grade)
Flavor: Distinctive
Storage : Add Small Metal Tin Container (Holds up to 45g)

As always I recommend purchasing a tin from Red Leaf Tea to keep your matcha powder in! The screw top lids make for safe keeping as well as making your powder mess free and much easier scooping! Tins are 4.00 for a small one although they have larger ones if you order the larger matcha.

The grape in this matcha is more on the candy side, like a grape skittle as someone else mentioned, or a grape hard candy, and less like a natural grape flavor although Red Leaf Tea does in fact use all natural flavors in their matcha bases, it just comes over more as a sweet treat. Nothing wrong with that though!

Again if you would like to order this matcha click the link here:
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/grape-matcha.html

Good GOD this is good tea. That is all.

WOWZA!!!!!
Ummm I likey!
Sweet, fruity, slightly a vanilla flavor.
I was not expecting this to be so amazing!
SIGH yet another tea I need to order.
I am having it hot.
I am sure this would be absolutely perfection iced!
Oh my oh my what can I say - a new love has been found!