Indigobloom

My first Lupicia tea!!!
A girlfriend of mine went to Japan visiting family and brought back a small tin of this for me. She’s a good friend :)
I received the gift last night and indulged in it this morning… so eager was I to try it out!
Funny thing though, I find I really need to be in the mood to enjoy a Genmaicha, and I simply wasn’t… sadly! Thus, my tea thirst was left unsatisfied. shrugs
As for the flavours, well I most definitely notice the rice, and the soybean. Not much different than your standard Genmaicha.
There is a strong roasted note, that reminds me of barley, which I suppose is the “bean” and toasted combo. Behind that there is a matcha sortof flavour, but I don’t find it very strong.
One of the other notes mentions adding some sugar, so I think I’ll try it that way as well next time.

ok so I took a break from trying new teas today. I just needed a break! It felt good… and thus I’ve decided to take another mini-vacation from this place. I find they rejuvenate my tea-spirit, and when I come back it’s with all the tea-fervor I can handle :)
I’ll still be around, but it will be Indigo-Bloom light for a little while. Just so y’all know I’m not gone for good! See you around!!
Oh and a little note about the tea: good as ever. Yum!

Yet another sample from Kiosque… I think I need to start in on my staples again. My palate is getting tired!
Anyhow, this was ok. Could definitely taste apricot, and peach… and each of them distinctly, which surprised me. I did not expect that. It all balanced very nicely. It was a very light tea as well. No sweetening or milk required!
If I hadn’t just found another great peach tea last week, I would have surely liked this one more. I guess that’s how the tea leaves fall :P

Yet another sample from Kiosque… I think I need to start in on my staples again. My palate is getting tired!
Anyhow, this was ok. Could definitely taste apricot, and peach… and each of them distinctly, which surprised me. I did not expect that. It all balanced very nicely. It was a very light tea as well. No sweetening or milk required!
If I hadn’t just found another great peach tea last week, I would have surely liked this one more. I guess that’s how the tea leaves fall :P

I’ve tried this iced and hot now. Neither one impresses me :(
Too much floral going on there, whew! it’s like drinking cherry perfume. Not that earthy sortof floral that I actually enjoy, more like when your buddies spray perfume in the air as a joke (behind you) so when ya turn around you somehow end up with a mouthful of it!! (this happened to me not long ago. Don’t worry I had my revenge! Smelling like a funeral parlor wasn’t much fun either so there was double trouble! ha!)
Anyhow, the floral overshadowed whatever cherry I was able to suss out. So glad I haven’t got any of this in my cupboard…

I think I messed this up. The first steep was bubblegummy, the second was better…
I’ll try it again. It was definitely left in there too long. 30s infusion next time!

Do you LOVE ginger? (and this is not a reference to Gilligan’s Island)
If you answered yes… then this tea is for you! Oh yesssss this is a potent tea!
It is SO overpowering. As in… someone popped their head up from the neighbouring cubicle when I opened the package to see what it was because they smelled something “healthy-like”!
Anyhow, ginger is not my thing but I can see how this would be rejuvenating on low days, or a great pick me up when sick!
I made it to three infusions and only on the last did the tea and ginger find any balance

So… this was great! it tasted “fresh” like just picked greens washed in spring water, maybe even made into a broth. Rather smooth, and not fishy at all! The hint of natural sweetness was nice, like you find in some salads. A tiny hint of agave brought out that note a bit more, not that I was craving it lol
As for whether it reduces my sugar cravings… well, we shall see! I didn’t expect it to work the first time. I assume these things have a cumulative effect.

I used the last bit of this sample to make iced. It was ok.
But for now, I think I’ll stick with hot brewing and then icing in the fridge. Cold brewing seems to leave an odd round note that sticks in the back of my throat, with black teas.
Now I wish I had some left to try hot brewed/iced.

Hummm. I really don’t know what to think of this!
It reminds me of a dark fruity oolong, but has aspects of green.
The first steep was the most green. Notes of floral orchid and leafy greens and yet it has a darker profile. Roasted? I’m not very good at picking out the notes. The second steep was more fruity, still floral but not as much. It reminded me of Jasmine (ick! so glad that didn’t last into the third cup). Also, I can see what they mean about “wine”.
The third fruitier again, and heavier on the roasted flavour. Almost no ‘green’ notes to be found.
So yes, that’s right… each cup was darker than the one before!!

Hmmm this was better than the blueberry white, somewhat. It’s a dark tea, reminds me of pu-erh in some ways… in the wildness of the blueberry! like it’s gonna come roarin’ in on a motorcycle :P
I had hoped for a brighter flavour, something more “berry” like, but then I didn’t pay attention to the website descriptor of “wild” blueberry, which really should have tipped me off! Anyhow, it was a fun cup.
Adding milk did nothing for it sadly. The berriness was completely hidden.
I’ve lowered the rating of the white version, now that I have some context!!

mmmmm I tried a cuppa this last night, at the mall hunting for my summer sandal… (I found one but they were sold out in my size. Half price to!)
This time, I actually found some creaminess. It really tasted like strawberry to. Juicy sweet strawberries! yum. Rating holds at 85.

Cool! A “bubblegummy” tea that has some character! normally these types don’t do it for me, so I was a little apprehensive to try it.
I have an orange tea in a similar flavour, so I’m guessing if it’s properly paired with a fruity flavour it isn’t so bad.
I mean, I could actually taste the berriness here. Raspberry maybe?
Mind you, I only went for one steep. Somehow I wasn’t in the mood to have more than that.
Next up: having this iced! :P

Interesting. This is very similar to the Formosa Oolong I had from Tea Emporium, only richer. Deeper even, like coffee… Brisk! but also refreshing in it’s fruitiness.
I agree with Azzrian, it’s rather clean and a dark oolong indeed! Big thank you for the sample Azzrian!
(sorry for the short review, again!! I just got home… it’s almost 11!)

The smell of this tea was incredibly offputting, as I cannot stand lavender… but I had this free sample, and felt obliged to atleast give it a shot.
Surprisingly, the first cup wasn’t so bad. The smell was sharp and acrid but the taste was mostly of honey/chamomile. I was halfway sold at that point!
The second cup was the same, followed by a distinct bitterness at the end… so much that I couldn’t bear to finish the cup. I ended up with some nausea as well.
Too many twists in this story :P

I dunno what has gotten into me tonight but I have no energy. The ultimate couch potato. So I needed this cuppa comfort tonight, I really did.
I’ll write more tomorrow, and get back to anyone who emailed me- sorry for the delay

Hmmm. So this was good!! great even! I really enjoyed it, though not as much as Sweet Temptation.
It has the same sort of pudding base, but not as creamy or deep. Odd, I figured I’d prefer the chocolate version. (though ST is much more fragrant).
I added some agave and a touch of milk, but the milk really made no difference. Also strange!!
Not that I get much chocolate. A little, but not as much as I had hoped for.
Ahhhh, so as yummy as this is, I’m missing my ST! tomorrow night, I will have a cup to compare…. and am looking forward to it so very much!
Anyhow, BIG thanks to Tsaa for the free sample!!

Oh myyyyy!! Peaches for me! oh yes!!
I’ve been hunting for a great peach tea, heck a great fruit tea for ages now, and I finally found one! Wow. Too bad it was only a to go cup. This place has me coming back for more and more… I am officially in lust with this place!
I love that it’s a family run business, and that they are SO committed to great customer service. Seriously, I cannot sing higher praises.
Now the tea… well it might be a bit too much for some. It reminds me of that peach drink you get at Tim Hortons. Do they still have that? I haven’t looked in years.
Anyhow, it’s a black tea/peach juice hybrid, and the notes are balanced perfectly (for me). With just a few drops of agave, I was in absolute heaven. Heaven I tell ya!
The shop girl tells me that it’s amaaaazing iced, so first chance I get you can bet I’m hitting this place up again sighs
Oh and did I mention it’s decaf? I don’t mind either way, it’s THAT good… but I like that I can drink as much as I want and not get jitters.

This was my morning tea. Quite yummy, I was impressed!! a bit light for my liking but the leaves were dried straight so they fit jaggedly in my teaspoon. I think I have enough left for a second serving… and it will be had in my Gaiwan! Yup yup, most definitely… as I need to discover what hidden secrets lie beneath!
See, the first steep was ok. Vegetal and toasted, with a hint of caramel, or maybe spun sugar. At first I thought I was imagining it, but then it was even stronger in the second steep!! and as I got through my sips, there was a distinct aftertaste of maple/caramel spun sugar. I’ve never had that in a green before! It was amazing.
The third steep had a little less caramel, and more toastiness, but then it was back in the fourth. No time for a fifth…
Either way, I am seriously considering getting a tin of this. One sample will likely not be enough for me. That is IF I can find something besides caramel, I do like my complex teas :)

CHERRIES!!! yup, it smells just like them. Tart, fragrant cherries.
I tried making the first bit with hot water and it was nice, but I don’t have a sifter so there were some clumps. sighs Yet another purchase I need to make!
The taste… well it’s a bit more medicinal than I had hoped, edging on that syrupy cough drop taste, but not too much so I don’t mind really. You need to whisk quite a bit, but I am getting used to the action now.
Sugar helps! I added only a touch, and it really made a difference. I felt that it brought out a tart side that was hiding before, and maybe even a little bitterness. Odd that sugar would bring that out.
Oh, and the warming sensation I felt was unexpected, but pleasant. Like brandy… not harsh. Soothing and lasting.
Then later on I took my packet down to the Second Cup on the main floor of our office building and had them make me up a Cherry Matcha Latte. It was nice, but something in there was burnt (and clumpy… not the matcha’s fault! the staff there aren’t familiar with it so I need to try this myself at home) Oh well, I still enjoyed my cuppa greatly.
Next time… I’m hoping it will work with Almond milk, because I would so love to have my matcha’s that way. Mmmmm. I don’t think I’ll try it again with all cow milk, it drowned out the matcha-ness a little too much for me. Perhaps with only a milk top-up it’d work better.
Overall, I don’t like this as much as I had hoped to, or as much as other people seem to like the Red Leaf teas. Bah, I just need to experiment! fun fun :)
Well… Happy Victoria Day everyone!! :D
(This is a backlog by the way, I added this on Friday but the system went buggy on me for a bit)
Edit: I love this one, and WILL rebuy after I’ve tried all the other flavours! ha.
You can find it here: http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/cherry-matcha.html
Going to buy caramel next. Can’t wait!

Big thanks to Azzrian for this sample!!
It’s tasty. Not exactly berry-like, but it goes down smooth and has a general fruity quality to it. Perhaps the raspberry would emerge as it got cold… if I ever let it get cold that is! Fruity green teas, I don’t crave them often but when I do, nothing else will suffice!
I’ve been spring cleaning today, and finally dug up the half of my tea collection that was packed away while we had visitors eons ago, and then wasn’t able to reach until today.
Then after that… Things were so hectic that the place got messy and we had no time to tidy up. It feels SO good to have finally get some of that done. Oh there is plenty more, but we now have some breathing room. Whew!
Anyhow, I really enjoyed this. It was a much needed break from our Big Purge. Thanks again Azzrian :)

I had so hoped to fall in love with this company! but so far, none of the blends I’ve tried are outstanding. Sure, it’s only been four so far and none have been terrible, but neither have they have rocked my world… and that makes me worry about the remaining samples.
This chai is much the same. Perhaps it was the suggestion of Kristaleyn’s earlier review of the ayurvedic chai, but this tastes very similar.
Dry, the leaves smelled of vinegar and spice. Steeped, there is that same cleansing sortof feel to it. Slippery, even with milk and a touch of sugar.
It’s a little rounder than the ayurvedic, and there is a slight cocoa note at the base of the sip, right in the middle and aftertaste.
Also, after having most of the cup my mouth feels refreshed like it does after I’ve eaten something minty.
Also(again!), it’s very light. I pulled out the basket right before it got bitter and yet I find myself wishing the flavour was thicker, or deeper.
If I had to choose between the Ayurvedic and this one, I think I like this better but not by much! However I have only a sample of this one, and a small bag of the other. Oh well!

Wow, intense on the almond much?!
This is definitely a dessert tea. I got through three steeps and only on the last one did I taste any real “tea”. That said, it was pretty tasty. The second steep was actually a bit creamy as well, which I liked.
Overall, it’s like but not love.

So… with summer coming up and me trying iced teas, I bought a bodum from Teaopia. $20!! sadly, I can’t find a pic online, probably because it was on clearance.
Anyhow, this is the tea I christened it with!
The strawberry is definitely muted compared to the hot version, but a little more tart where I do find it. Oddly though, I do like it!!
In fact, I’d consider buying more of this just for that purpose. Only it’s one of those cases where I don’t die-hard love it so will think about it, and then not buy any, you know what I mean?
btw, extra points for not having to add sugar. It was great on it’s own! Upping the rating a few points.