darby

MATCHA MADNESS DAY is almost over. Hawaiian Honey was next in line from my order of five different kinds. This matcha smells very floral. I am crazy for honey so I could not resist ordering this wonderful matcha.
My first impression of this matcha… I opened up the pouch, preparing it for the tin that will keep it fresh. The small size fits perfect in the tin with a little wiggle room…enough to be able to get the measuring spoon in. I was hit with a strong floral scent. I do love floral teas, but this was not what I was expecting. I find it very hard to detect any honey scent. Now I was worried, the floral smell did not meet my expectations. I’ll admit, it was almost a chemical smell.
I always make sure to warm up my bowl and chasen under a bit under water, sitting in the bowl. My matcha does not cool down as fast when warming the bowl. All items ready…bowl, chasen, matcha, water and my sifter! I’m officially a matcha pro now. I could not get a good froth going no matter how fast I whisked my chasen. No worries though, froth doesn’t make the match in my opinion.
First I mixed 2 oz of water with about 3/4 perfect teaspoon of matcha. I was scared of the floral so held back on adding a full teaspoon until I could see if I could drink it. Once that was properly mixed I added a bit of sugar (sorry, can’t do without a touch of it) and 7 oz of water. As with the Jasmine Matcha the matcha itself is light and vegetal. Actually, it’s probably even less vegetal than most.
The smell of this matcha once mixed with water stayed the same, in your face chemical floral smelling. I did purchase the robust so would probably recommend Delicate when ordering this for the first time. The flavor is nice and smooth! This matcha is very hard to describe for me. I still do not really get honey flavor but a floral flavor. If you took the chemical edge off this I think it would be better. The quality of the actual matcha is very good. This is definitely one you need to try for yourself.
In the current flavor I would not order this again. I would play around with this more, maybe Delicate with White Matcha. I’d love for the honey to come through more so I think I’ll try it in a latte and add honey to the top. I don’t want to add honey while hot and gum up my chasen. This could very well be good iced too!
Here is how I ordered my Hawaiian Honey Matcha from Red Leaf Tea:
Size: Large
Quality: Starter (Basic Grade)
Flavor: Robust
Storage: Air tight refill flat pouch – would definitely recommend purchasing a tin for your matcha to keep it fresh. I did not order one this time since I already had a tin.
To try Hawaiian Honey Matcha from Red Leaf Tea visit here:
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/hawaiian-honey-matcha.html

The third installment of my MATCHA MADNESS DAY!!! Jasmine was next in line from my order of five different kinds. This matcha smells like a nice light matcha. I really love jasmine so I had hoped that the scent would come thru, but it did not. For those that are not into a strong floral jasmine flavor, this is the jasmine matcha for you!
My first impression of this matcha was, “Where is the jasmine?” I opened up the pouch, preparing it for the tin that will keep it fresh. The small size fits perfect in the tin with a little wiggle room…enough to be able to get the measuring spoon in. I was unable to detect a “flavor” in this matcha. That of course does NOT mean it will taste bad, just not what I expected.
I always make sure to warm up my bowl and chasen under a bit under water, sitting in the bowl. My matcha does not cool down as fast when warming the bowl. All items ready…bowl, chasen, matcha, water and my sifter! I’m becoming a matcha pro now. No need to go looking for my tools, they were all handy. This matcha brings me to a place where I imagine sitting with friends passing around a matcha bowl contemplating our day. I would love to share this outdoors on a warm spring or summer day. Today is 60 degrees so I have to use my imagination.
First I mixed 2 oz of water with 1 perfect teaspoon of matcha. Once that was properly mixed I added a teeny bit of sugar and 6 oz of water. Last time I had a total of 7 oz and the matcha was bitter. After going back to my 8 oz I tried the matcha and still felt that it was a touch bitter. I added 2 more oz of water and a bit more sugar. I know it’s psychological, but I feel healthier drinking this matcha! It’s just so light and fresh and reminds me of a health food drink.
The smell of this matcha once mixed with water takes stayed the same, light and vegetal. This matcha is not available in flavor levels. If it had been, I would have order robust for sure. I am now curious how the Pure Jasmine Matcha compares to this one. I was torn between them when placing my order. The quality of the actual matcha is very good.
I’m not sure if this matcha will make my keep cupboard. Red Leaf Tea has so many flavor offerings that I think I’ll try those before going back to this matcha which doesn’t seem far off my normal matcha. My plan for the rest of Jasmine is to mix it to my health food drink which is a vanilla base. I ordered the large size so I will save a bit for next spring when I can enjoy it outside.
Here is how I ordered my Jasmine Matcha from Red Leaf Tea:
Size: Large
Quality: Believe it was Starter grade – you do not choose and option here
Flavor: You do not choose an option here
Storage: Air tight refill flat pouch – would definitely recommend purchasing a tin for your matcha to keep it fresh. I did not order one this time since I already had a tin.
To try Jasmine Matcha from Red Leaf Tea visit here:
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/jasmine-matcha.html

Another addition to my MATCHA MADNESS DAY!!! Pina Colada is next in line from my order of five different kinds. This matcha smells like Hawaii in tea form! I’ve only been there once and have missed it ever since. I’m sitting here in 60 degree weather drinking matcha that will take me to a warmer place.
My first impression of this matcha was heaven! I opened up the pouch, preparing it for the tin that will keep in the yummy goodness. The small size fits perfect in the tin with a little wiggle room…enough to be able to get the measuring spoon in. I could not wait to dig in to this matcha. If I had a piece of pineapple in the fridge I would have paired this matcha with it. I think that next time I will try preparing this iced and be sure to have some pineapple on hand!
I always make sure to warm up my bowl and chasen under a bit under water, sitting in the bowl. My matcha does not cool down as fast when warming the bowl. All items ready…bowl, chasen, matcha, water and my sifter! I didn’t forget it this time. I think I might need to get a matcha preparation bag so that all my tools are handy. I tend to get excited and forget a key item.
First I mixed 2 oz of water with 1 perfect teaspoon of matcha. Once that was properly mixed I added a teeny bit of sugar and 5 oz of water. I added a bit less water this time as I wanted the matcha to be thicker.
The smell of this matcha once mixed with water takes on different notes…almost a chemical smell. I did get notes of coconut and a touch of pineapple but it’s almost a fake smell now like an airfreshener. I’m surprised that the smell would change from the powdered form to when water was added. I purchased robust as I love intense flavor, maybe I went too strong on this one. The quality of the actual matcha is very good, I think it’s the flavoring that is throwing it off. I just ordered the starter/basic grade.
I’m just so sad that this flavor will not make my keep cupboard. My plan for the rest of Pina Colada is to mix it first as a latte, then try it over ice. I might try cold brewing it in the fridge, but I’m not sure you can do that with matcha. If all else fails, I will add it to my health food drink which is a vanilla base. I’m hoping that maybe it’ll be perfect one of these ways so I can add it to the keep cupboard!
Here is how I ordered my Pina Colada Matcha from Red Leaf Tea:
Size: Small
Quality: Starter (Basic Grade)
Flavor: Robust
Storage: Air tight refill flat pouch – would definitely recommend purchasing a tin for your matcha to keep it fresh. I did not order one this time since I already had a tin.
To try Pina Colada Matcha from Red Leaf Tea visit here:
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/pina-colada-matcha.html

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Welcome to my MATCHA MADNESS DAY!!! I’m starting with Cotton Candy first, from my order of five different kinds. To say I’m excited is an understatement! I loved Cotton Candy as a kid and still at the age of thirty-seven will buy cotton candy when I see it. My hubby humors my childlike excitement.
My first encounter with this matcha was heaven! I opened up the pouch, preparing it for the tin that will keep in the yummy goodness. The small size fits perfect in the tin with a little wiggle room…enough to be able to get the measuring spoon in.
I unpacked my matcha bowl that I specifically as for at Christmas time so that I could properly prepare matcha. Then came the chasen from its tight plastic case. Since this was its first use I warmed it up a bit under water, sitting in the bowl. I think part of what I love about matcha is the preparation that feels very ceremonial. All items ready…bowl, chasen, matcha and water!
First I mixed 2 oz of water with 1 perfect teaspoon of matcha. Of course in my preparation I was so excited and almost forgot to sift it first..disaster avoided! Once that was properly mixed I added a teeny bit of sugar (this is cotton candy of course) and 6 oz of water. After I properly exhausted any strength from my whipping right hand I was ready.
The smell of this matcha is not as strong once mixed with water. I did purchase robust as I love intense flavor and didn’t want to mess around with trying delicate first and working my way up. I had to stop myself from order all of them – “There’s Matcha in there?!” level. The taste is there though! The quality of this matcha is very tasty and I just ordered the starter/basic grade. It doesn’t taste too vegetal or clash with the sweetness off the cotton candy. I think next time I will add jus t a bit more sugar as I didn’t want to go overboard the first time and not really get the original taste of the matcha.
My plan for the rest of Cotton Candy is to mix it first as a latte. Then, try adding to my health food drink which is a vanilla base. So I’ll be back to let you know how that works out!
Here is how I ordered my Cotton Candy Matcha from Red Leaf Tea:
Size: Small
Quality: Starter (Basic Grade)
Flavor: Robust
Storage: Air tight refill flat pouch – would definitely recommend purchasing a tin for your matcha to keep it fresh. I did not order one this time since I already had a tin.
To get your own tasty Cotton Candy Matcha from Red Leaf Tea – GO HERE NOW!!!!
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/cotton-candy-matcha.html
In closing – YUM!!!!

YUM***YUM***
I was very surprised that a black tea could taste so good when blended! Davids definitely has the in on which black tea to use for their concoctions. I prepared as directed with 208 degree water and for 4 minutes. It was perfectly sweet and didn’t need any editing. Would probably be great as a latte too! Fortunately I have enough to try that next time.
Will for sure be ordering more of this wonderful dessert tea!

YUM!!!! Need I say more?

OK, so this was to be my dinner tea so I brewed western style – too time consuming otherwise with cooking dinner also. I brewed with almost boiling water and for 3 minutes – used 2 heaping teaspoons for 24oz. I chose it for tonight as it feels like fall, windows open and about 60 degrees outside with a nice breeze.

The smell of this leaf is nice and spicy straight out of the bag – I knew we would fall in love. I get alot of clove from this which I love. I didn’t really get any chocolate flavor but that doesn’t bother me. Next time I will try multiple shorter steepings to see what other flavors I missed. Would be interesting iced too.

I think next time I’ll add more leaf as I like a strong chai.

I was very excited to try this tea…addicted to Salted Caramel Macarons so hoped this would curb the craving. The leaves smell a bit sweet but not really a caramel sweetness. Figured this would be semi sweet so only added a tiny bit of sugar.
Unfortunately this did not live up to expectations. I really didn’t get any salty flavor from this. It was a tad sweet and would be fine if I was just wanting a basic black tea but it wasn’t really caramel to me. Didn’t intrigue me enough to try again.

I LOVE this pitcher!!!!!! I had been looking for a pitcher that I could use to cold brew my tea in the fridge. I’ll admit, I was skeptical that it would steep the entire pitcher when the infuser only goes down 1/4 or so of the way. Filled the pitcher with cold water, added loose leaf, screwed in the infuser and set in the fridge overnight. Much to my surprise I had a fully infused pitcher of tea in the AM! MIRACLE! Don’t know how it worked or if the fairies got in there overnight, but it works like a dream.
I just ordered a second one so that I can have more than one kind of tea ready!

This brewed tea smells wonderful! I love honey in my tea so was very excited to try it. The smell of honey really comes thru. Unfortunately even with a touch of sugar it was severly bitter. I brewed at the recommended 3 minutes so will try steeping shorter next time and see if it helps..then try cold brewing as iced tea. I didn’t taste any honey only bitterness when drinking this tea.

This is a WONDERFUL tea! It does not need any sweetner and the blend of hibiscus and pineapple are perfect – tart and sweet at the same time. I put the tea bags in a pot and just drink until finished before removing the bags.

I really like Republics Hibiscus Pineapple blend as there is a good blend of ingredients. Unfortunately this one does not make the cut. All I get from this tea is the hibiscus – tart and overpowering.

Wow, really sad about this tea. No fruity flavor at all even though it was packed with fruit. All I get is a strong light mint flavor. Not opposed to mint but thought the other ingredients would come through. Will try it cold br iced next time.

Thanks to Azzrian for this tea from our summer swap! I was very excited to try this. If you’re wanting to break into Jasmine tea this is great because it isn’t floral or overpowering. The black tea in it makes it richer. I drank this while having my salad for lunch and it was a great combo.
This tea has a light fruity flavor that was not at all “fake” tasting. This was my first time so I steeped it at 175 for 3 minutes. I might try a bit higher temp since it didn’t go bitter on me this time.
I’m really excited to try it iced next time!

Had a steeping of this wonderful tea yesterday. I was surprised and the attention to the level of bergamot in this blend. I did not immediately think, “I’m drinking Earl Grey!” In fact, the amount of bergamot adds a delicate amount of citrus to compliment the Laoshan Black. This was great in its “pure” state, but not being a purist I will next time try adding some honey or a touch of rock sugar to see how the flavor changes.