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A review of Taiwan Gaba Tea by Fong Mong Tea Corp

Company: Fong Mong Tea Corp
Tea Name: Taiwan Gaba Tea
Tea Type/Varietal:
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: red
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I am finishing this GABA Tea sent to me by Fong Mong Tea Corp. I had this tea again just prior to going to sleep. Well a good few hours prior to retiring. I will continue to insist that taste wise this is an exceptional tea that is very refreshing. I can drink this tea all day long since it seems to be so very light…weightless/airless might be more descriptive.

Thank you, Fong Mong Tea Corp, for sending to me such a wonderful tea. It has been quite an experience and I continue to not understand the tea’s full benefit; I can only say that is an excellent tea.

A review of Chocolate Pu-erh (Numi Organic Pu-erh) by Numi Organic

Company: Numi Organic Tea
Tea Name: Chocolate Pu-erh
Tea Type/Varietal: Pu-erh
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: red
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I had placed an order for the Numi Tea Sampler pack and received several other Numi tea for sampling as well as several nutritional breakfast bars. It was quite a surprised when I did finally open the package. I had no idea, as this box had arrived several weeks earlier it seems.

I selected to drink this Chocolate Pu-erh as an after dinner drink. I remove the tea bag from its envelope like seal and I am happy to see it is a tea bag with a string and not those sachet pyramid tea bags. I place the tea bag in my cup and add in the boiled water to it and leave it to steep for five minutes. I can see it coloring right away; first seeming dark brown and ending with that russet reddish color and tea’s aroma is that earthy dampness and when I take sip of the tea it is smooth and chocolate tasting. I call it that Cocoa nib chocolate flavor.

I was able to fix two cups of this tea and it truly is decadence and yummy. My palette is drying as I take sip and sip of the tea, as I swoosh it around my mouth it has a drying effect to it and when I do swallow it is smooth and velvety.

Overall this is a robust tea that begins with that damp earthy smell and resulting with hints of Cocoa as top note while intermingling with the Vanilla Bean and Nutmeg and as the teas color is bright red/russet this could be due to the orange peel.

I like this organic chocolate pu-erh by Numi. Thank you for offering the challenge and all of these samples. I don’t eat nutritional bars so I gave them to the hubby for his lunch snacking treats.

A review of Aged Earl Grey (Assam aged with real bergamot) by Numi Organic Tea

Company: Numi Organic Tea
Tea Name: Aged Earl Grey
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region: India
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright orange/amber
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I fixed a cup of this Assam black tea this morning to continue with my Numi samples. I steeped this tea for five minutes resulting with a bright orange/amber coloring. This is another tea having that dryness feel to it on the tongue, not quite lip smacking like tart apples but closely. It is a malt tea with fine character and not heavy and the bergamot is most mild. I must say it is not prevalent in the flavoring of this tea.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

The second steep of this tea, the color is not as bright and there seems to be a bit more of the bergamot flavoring in the cup. Tea is smooth and malty as fine Assam teas tend to be. I must say that I prefer those Earl Grey Tea by Bigelow Tea as I seem to have enjoyed much more so than this one.

I think that organic teas and the processing of organic tea makes them so very mild that one cannot always discern the taste hence deriving at pleasure while drinking a cup of anything organic. Yet left alone, like the Bigelow’s Earl Grey, the flavor is fully, adding quite a kick to one palette and enjoyment.

It is all opinion and seemingly mines alone. This Assam is similarly to that of Kopili Assam Black Tea that I had from Stash Teas of India and that Pure Assam Tea by Madura.

A review of Awake (Black Tea) by Tazo Tea

Company: Tazo
Tea Name: Awake
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teabag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright orange red
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I have been enjoying this one Tazo tea bag for most of the day. I took the tea bag and put it in my cup and pour the boiling water into my cup and left it to steep for a good five minutes. I than took my cup to view the tea’s color which is a lovely reddish orange cup of tea. At first there does not seem to be an aroma; nothing prevalent to permeate the air or my nostrils. Upon sipping the tea, however, I am met with a full bodied cup of tea which is smooth and creamy with a slight malt taste.

Overall, this tea has no after taste and is not bitter at all. It stands on its own with no sugar or cream added and as one drinks the tea it taste as good as first to the last drop. Tea is just as described on package “A lovely tea of boldness, depth and character, invigorating any time of day.

This another one of the tea bags obtained while volunteering at The Massachusetts Conference for Women.

A review of Taiwan Gaba Tea by Fong Mong Tea

Company: Fong Mong Tea
Tea Name: Taiwan Gaba Tea
Tea Type/Varietal:
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup / loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: reddish brown
Leaf Characteristics: the leaves look like fine twigs that have been crystallized. And when steeped they are fuller and brownish red in color and don’t seem to have an aroma.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I have not had this tea in a long while and last evening decided to fix me a cup since it was suggested that I try this prior to retiring for the evening. I took one teaspoon of the leaves and put this in my cup and adding cold water I put in microwave for two minutes and leave it to steep for a few minutes more.

The tea’s aroma is mild roast with a slight smoky scent; it is all very faint and that to me is the delight that is to be found with this tea since all is very mild…like a hint of but nothing in particular. However the tea’s color is a lovely reddish brown color; like the color of prune juice with no pulp and when sipping tea it is wonderful taste of malt and is very yummy, well in my humble opinion.

I really don’t know how else to say how luscious this tea is. I can drink it all day long. I did sleep nicely for few hours once I finally was able to fall asleep; and this morning I awoke to continue to have more of this tea and I am finishing it this evening with the hopes for a better night sleep.

In all this tea is exquisite and is a favorite of mine. Thank you Fong Mong Tea for sending me a full package of this tea to enjoy. I will miss not having it around. It is exceptionally good tea.

A review of Baihao Yinzhen (White Hair Silver Needle) Chinese White Tea by Zen Tea

Company: Zen Tea
Tea Name: Baihao Yinzhen (White Hair Silver Needle) Chinese White Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: White
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light amber with 1st steep/ darker amber/ orange base with later steeps
Leaf Characteristics: very thinly silver colored tips when steeps looks like thinly sliced cut green beans.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 170 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

I decided to try this tea today for no particular reason other than I am trying to go through this tea package that I received from Zen Tea a while back. This is a most prize tea (only top buds) are used to produce this tea.

I take a teaspoon of the tea leaves and put them in tea mug and pour in the hot water with a steep time of two minutes. Tea color lightens straight away to light yellow color; tea’s aroma is mildly floral with a slight astringent. I sip it slowly to just take in the tea and taking in the aroma as well which is nice.

This tea makes me think of an oolong tea and not so much white tea, as it is unlike the Bai Mu Dan Peony Tea I had earlier this year. This is more floral and sweetly.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

The second steep the tea is dark amber in color with an orange base to it and this is very much like an oolong tea to me; it is smoothly with a slight drying after taste. I would say overall this tea impression is to leave smoothness with no after taste yet there is slight dryness when swallowed.

A review of Calm Herbal Infusion by Tazo Tea

Company: Tazo Tea
Tea Name: Calm
Tea Type/Varietal: Herbal
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: soft amber
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I volunteered for The Massachusetts Women Conference and obtained these tea samples from them. I had a cup of this herbal infusion while waiting in the volunteer room and decided to take some home. I have so many teas to review; there was no need for my taking them. Yet I did. A thief I am. Anyhow, I fixed for myself a lovely cup of this Calm tea this morning and not mid day mind you.

I seem always calm, and yet the world around me is chaotic since it is not my home; my life is not my own it feels like. The other reason for being attracted to this tea is because I had purchased a bottle of Tazo Herbal Infusion but it was infused with spearmint and peppermint. So seeing this herbal infusion strikes a cord of familiarity and the tea is quite nice.

I take one tea bag and put in my cup and pour in the hot water leaving it to steep for a good five minutes and the aroma fills the air immediately with hints of chamomile, hibiscus and rose petals. It is a lovely light amber (yellow base) and when I sip and sip this tea it is the Chamomile that is most prevalent and with more sipping there is the hints for other herbs like lemongrass but not too strong and hints of rose in the fragrant as well.

This is probably the most soothing tea that I have had and I can just keep drinking it all day long; similarly I did while waiting in the volunteer room at the conference after having found this tea. I had been there earlier in the morning and had not notice that there was tea; well I did not think to look for tea. But in the afternoon while in the same room I look closely at the table and saw the tea sampler box and ventured over to finding (Tazo teas, Tetley Teas and Lipton tea bags) I chose this herbal infusion of Calm tea and fixed myself a cup of this tea and taking some of the tea bags with me.

I am happy to say I have had another wonderful cup of tea by Tazo Tea. Thank you to the conference staff for having such good teas available.

A review of Miesna Christmas Tea by Metropolitan Tea Company, Ltd.

Company: The Metropolitan Tea Company, Ltd.
Tea Name: Miesna Christmas Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: black
Region: India
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup / tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: reddish brown/ the color of apple cider
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Yes, another fixing of this Miesna Christmas Tea. I find this day calls for warm cider and since I don’t have warm cider, I am having a cup of this tea instead. I open the little crate box by sliding the wooden lid off and remove one tea bag from the foiled package. I must say it is heady in that it smells of cider…there is tartness in the air and it is lovely.

I put the bag in my cup and pour in the boiled water and leave it to steep for five minutes. After which I take the tea to view tea’s color and it is does resemble that of apple cider with that caramel color or cinnamon.

I sip and sip the tea slowly since it is very hot and spicy seeming to be laced with cinnamon, cloves and apple. The tea is both sweetly and tart with slight drying effect which is quenched with more sips of this tea.

I like the tea’s color and aroma and taste is most pleasing in that it’s both sweet and tart and the tea warm you all over. This is a lovely tea and not just for Christmas.

A review of Naturally Decaffeinated Green Tea by Tetley Tea

Company: Tetley Tea
Tea Name: Naturally Decaffeinated Green Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teaspoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light yellow
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 195 Fahrenheit
Time: 4 minutes

I find green tea to be the tea that I consume the most. So here is to fixing another cup of green tea. I take one tea bag and put it in my cup and pour the boiled water into my cup and leaving it to steep for several minutes.

This tea’s color is what I continue to be amazed at since it really does brew lightest yellow and not brown and the tea’s aroma hints at being vegetal. As I sip this tea I try to take in its smoothness and delicateness. I find this tea to be very relaxing and soothing.

I mean it is a quiet day and time for a nice cup of tea which happens to be a cup of green tea.

A review of Naturally Decaffeinated Green Tea by Tetley

Company: Tetley
Tea Name: Naturally Decaffeinated Green Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color:
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 4 minutes
I purchase green teas and most store brand teas when they are on sale for less than $3.00. And while at the grocery store I found this Tetley tea to fit this budget and so I took a box and put it in the grocery cart. This is indeed a treat as I have yet to taste Tetley Teas and to review their teas.

So last evening I decided to try this Tetley tea. I take one tea bag and put it in my cup adding just boiled water to my cup, leaving it to steep for several minutes.

Tea brews a light yellow color and I find this very lovely since it is not brownish. The tea’s aroma is mild and slight astringent and when I take a sip of the tea it is stinging at first but the tea becomes smoother and more palatable. So I drink on until finished.

In all, this tea is smooth and clean with a freshly astringent finish to it. It is a a very mild tea. The tea bags are small disk like pouch with no strings, similarly to The London Cuppa Tea that I enjoyed last year.

This tea was purchased while grocery shopping at Price Chopper.

A review of Miesna Christmas Tea by Metropolitan Tea Company, Ltd.

Company: Metropolitan Tea Company, Ltd.
Tea Name: Miesna Christmas Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Ceylon
Region: India
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teabags
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: reddish brown
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

This tea I obtained during a visit to Mullens Herbal Tea House in Barre, MA. This is not one of their house brand and was not too expensive for my budget.

I like the little wooden chest-like box that this tea comes in depicting Santa Claus on the cover. I must also note that I have had several teas made by the Metropolitan Tea Company, Ltd.; a recent one was The Boston Tea Party Blend, purchased while visiting a tearoom in Rockport, MA.

Once I figured out how to open the tea chest (made of wood which has a panel to slide when opening and closing), I take out the foil wrapping and open the bag to find individual tea bags inside.

I take one tea bag of the Miesna Tea and put this in my cup and adding freshly boiled water to my cup I leave it to steep for five minutes. The tea brews a darken reddish brown color and the aroma is really like apple cider similarly to the color of the tea…hints of honey as well.

I sip the tea slowly to take in the aroma with the apple taste and when swallowed there is that drying tartness that forms in the back of the throat.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I add more hot water to the tea bag and let it steep and I added sugar to the tea which seems to make it milder and syrup like cider. It would seem this tea is best sweetened. The apple spices stands out more in the cup making for a warmth-full cup of spiced apple tea.

This really is good tea for this time year.

A review of English Teatime by Bigelow

Company: Bigelow
Tea Name: English Teatime
Tea Type/Varietal: black tea
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: dark amber
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I am having this blend of English Teatime taken from my in-laws pantry. And yes, I helped myself to their teas at time. I take one tea bag (placing it in my cup) and steep it in hot water for five minutes.

The tea’s color is dark amber with a somewhat roasted aroma and tasting slightly of malt with nothing added to the tea. Tea is smooth and full-bodied, with nothing added, I find that the tea is not astringent all instead having a smooth finish upon swallowing.

This tea is ideal for those favoring milk/cream and sugar with their tea which would make a good cup of morning tea and mid-day drinking.

No notes yet.

A review of Rosehip Herb (100% organic) Tea by Garden of the Andes

Company: Garden of the Andes
Tea Name: Rosehip Herb Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Herbal
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: pinkish red
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

This tea is a lovely pinkish/red color and the tea’s aroma is a mixture of floral and citrusy blend. I seem to taste the hibiscus before anything else, as I am met with a citrusy-zest taste upon sipping of the tea.

Overall, the tea has a lovely color; it is clear with a light herbal concoction of hibiscus and rosehip. Tea is sweet with a citrus base finish.

A review of Magnolia Oolong by Tea Savant

Company: Tea Savant
Tea Name: Magnolia Oolong
Tea Type/Varietal: Oolong
Region: Taiwan China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: very light yellow tea with first steep and slightly darker with long steeps.
Leaf Characteristics: Leaves are fine pellets and when steeped they are fuller leaves.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Tea Savant sent this tea to me several times and I get to have it again and again. I take one spoonful of the pellets and put them in my tea mug and adding the boiled water to the tea, leaving it for a steep time of five minutes.

Tea’s aroma is a of a floral bouquet and tea’s color is light green with a yellow base. I like the aroma to be found in the magnolia and I must say one cannot smell this from the pellet leaves prior to steeping as this is unlike Jasmine tea which permeated the air and everything around you prior and after steeps.

I find this tea to be a very mild oolong with somewhat grainy texture when finishing the drink. Tea is slightly astringent and yet smooth and sweet.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

This steep is for five minutes and the color is a darker yellow/amber in color; the color that I have come to associate with oolong teas and smells wonderfully of a bouquet of magnolia, not too heady for this nose.

In all as I have been drinking oolong and finding that I do indeed like them; this is fresh, authentic and overall an exquisite tea.

Thank you Tea Savant for sending this tea for me to sample and review. I am inept and I do hope to improve over time so that I may know what to say and what not to say.

A review of Green Tea & Blackcurrant by London Fruit & Herb Company

Company: London Fruit & Herb Company
Tea Name: Green Tea & Blackcurrant
Tea Type/Varietal: Green / herbal
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: red wine / Concord grape
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

It is more green tea and this one I have enjoyed each time I have had it. Steeped the tea bag in boiled water for five minutes and the aroma feasting in the air above me is a mixture of hibiscus, blackcurrant and blackberry leaves and all of this makes for a very fruity/floral bouquet. I sip and sip the tea slowly since it is quite acidic as well. I swoosh the tea around my mouth taking in the tea’s flavor and feeling its weight on my tongue.

I like the sweetness of this tea and the way the herbs linger on the palette but I don’t like the acidity that is left and felt upon swallowing this tea. I had yet to take notice of the acidity/ too fruity and yet it is what makes this tea what it is and being like wine. This is a semi-good Muscat.

A review of Green Tea (Decaffeinated) by Bigelow Tea

Company: Bigelow Tea
Tea Name: Green Tea Decaffeinated
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light brown / pale green
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I just fixed myself a nice hot cup of this green tea which is decaffeinated. Tea has a nice color and teas’ aroma is clean and fresh with mild astringent. Since green tea is high in anti-oxidant making it good for me as well. All that I note in this tea is its smoothness and that it is plainly tea with nothing more added.

I have plenty of teas to sample and don’t need to snag tea from my mother -in-law but at times it seems easier to simply nook a cup of tea and not really do much with it. I call it, nook and go cup of tea.

A review of Herbal Infusion with peppermint and Spearmint by Tazo

Company: Tazo Tea
Tea Name: Herbal Infusion with Peppermint and Spearmint
Tea Type/Varietal: Herbal
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: bottled tea
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: brownish herbal mixture
I had purchased this tea during a visit at Living Earth market and put it in the refrigerator saving it for a day when in need of something sweet and soda like, I mean something other than tea.

I was having some noodles and decided to fix myself a glass of the Tazo tea. I put some ice in a tea cup and poured the juice like tea in the cup; after having shaken the tea. I ate most of the noodles and then took sip of the tea and pew; it was really heady herbal tea. As said on bottle…herbal infusion which, now has come to mean strong and potent. And I am reminded of the mixture in peppermint and spearmint another mixture that I don’t care for.

Please note once again, I was not paying attention when I grab this tea from store shelving. I read that it was Tazo Teas and an Herbal Infusion and since I have had Tazo Teas before and they were most enjoying, I did not feel the need to read further. Had I seen the part about peppermint and spearmint, I would have selected the Açai Berry Tea in a bottle instead.

A review of Anti Strain Tea by Zen Tea

Company: Zen Tea
Tea Name: Anti Strain
Tea Type/Varietal: Herb
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose herbs
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Honey
Leaf Characteristics: there are pieces of licorice roots, ginger, orange peels, and cardamom.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes
This is another sampler sent to me from the folks at Zen Tea Life. I open the tea pouch and find a heady mixture of herbals and smelling so very sweet. I take a small teaspoonful of the tea and put this in my cup and adding the boiled water to my cup, I live it to steep for five minutes. I take the cover from the cup and take the tea and begin to sip it slowly, all the while taking in the tea’s aroma which smells of licorice and the tea’s color is that of honey.

From sip after sip of tea, I am met with the licorice as the top note; the ginger and cardamom and fennel are next in the mixture of taste. This has got to be the sweetest tea that I have ever had. I have added nothing to this tea and yet it taste very strongly of sugar when in fact it is the licorice that is roaming in the cup.

I am not a fan of licorice. I would enjoy this tea much more with less of the licorice because I am finding it too overpowering, kind of like me and I can be annoying at most times.

I am hoping to have some vitalizing energy since I did have this tea today. Thank you Zen Tea for sending this sampler my way.

A review of Taiwan Dong Ding (Tung Ting Oolong) by Teavivre

Company: Teavivre
Tea Name: Taiwan Dong Ding (Tung Ting Oolong)
Tea Type/Varietal: Oolong
Region: Dongding Mountain, Nantou, Taiwan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup / loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: pale yellow
Leaf Characteristics: leaves are fine pellets and when brewed with hot water they are full and plump…two leaves attached as nipped from tea bushes.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

I am having another fixing of this Dong Ding Oolong sent to me by Teavivre. I consider myself very fortunate since they sent me a very large sample bag filled with their teas many of which are the same like this Dong Ding sample. I open the small packet and empty half of it into my cup and pour in the hot water and leave it for a steeping time of 3 minutes.

The tea leaves are fuller and plumper; there are two leaves attached to a stem. As I scoop out the tea leaves I see as well that they are green in color and smell very green, I think of veggies. Tea’s color at fist was a light green but is actually very light yellow and when I sip this Dong Ding it is quite pleasing and smooth with slight dryness on the tongue, not when swallowed but as one roll and play about with the tea in the mouth. There is slight bitterness to it as well; I say bitter but it more of the drying effect of this oolong.

Overall, this is a good tea to have after a heavy meal since it is so very light on the stomach; tea seems to wash down a heavy meal quite well. As it is morning, I have not had a heavy meal, but I imagine as much.

Thank you, Teavivre for sending me so many lovely teas to sample and experience.

A review of Organic Masala Chai by David Rio Fine Teas

Company: David Rio Fine Teas
Tea Name: Organic Masala Chai
Tea Type/Varietal: Chai powder
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup / teaspoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: cinnamon/ ground Cumin
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minute

I made for myself some hot chai by simply mixing 1 heaping tablespoon of this Masala Chai with some boiled water and stirring it vigorously so that it would froth. The chai’s aroma fills the air with allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon and it is a lovely cinnamon color or more like that of ground cumin.

I like the taste as well. I am pretending that I am having a cup of hot chocolate except it is full of spices and quite zesty. In all this is very warm and enjoyable cup of Masala Chai.

A review of Indar Tea by Indar – Compagnie Coloniale

I am finishing this special blend of Ceylon, Assam, and Darjeeling tea. I take the tea bag and put it in my cup and adding some tap water to my cup, I put the cup in microwave for two minutes after which time I remove it from microwave and put the saucer over my cup and leave it to steep.

I am not a big fan of black tea, and I was told that I should drink more of this; anyhow, anyhow, I take my tea over by the window and as I stare and sip while I take in the tea’s aroma. It is roast and robust in scent and tea’s aroma is darkish amber. A dark red, not quite malt and when tasted I am reminded of roasted chestnuts or so I imagine. This is quite a stretch. Tea is full bodied and smooth finish when I swallow and slight drying effect to it perhaps because of the malty taste.

I did not add cream or sugar as I am having it plainly. Tea has no astringency; it is simply a nice cup of tea with a lovely color with a woodsy/toasty aroma with a smooth finish leaving no after taste. Over time I think I have learned to appreciate this mixture. I wish I could be a better describer/reviewer for such a tea since I feel inept.

A review of Energía Herbal Chai by Oregon Chai

Company: Oregon Chai
Tea Name: Energía Chai
Tea Type/Varietal: Chai
Region: South America
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup / tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: red
Leaf Characteristics: Tea bag smells strongly of the chai spices.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 4 minutes

I take one tea bag and put in my cup and pour in the boiled water, leaving to steep for several minutes. The spices fill the air around me immediately, and it is so warm and inviting encouraging me to take the cup and sip the tea…which is hot, so blowing away some of the heat so that my nose is tease further with the heady scent of the tea.

Tea’s color is brightly red and the aroma is that of spices from India I imagine yet it is South American spices infused with Yerba Mate, Guayusa and cinnamon, clove, ginger and Cardamom I further imagine is what I am met with when inhaling and tasting of this tea. It is a cup of warmth with nothing more needed, well a cozy nook of a corner by the window to watch the light coating of snow and take delight with living in this part of the world where seasonal changes occur and are at times quite pleasant.

A review of Bamboo Integrity by Zen Tea life

Company: Zen Tea
Tea Name: Bamboo Integrity
Tea Type/Varietal: Herb blends
Region: Canada
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose herbs
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright pinkish orange with yellow base.
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

That song that says: The weather outside is frightfully cold or so…I reached for my tea cup and scooping out some of this fine bamboo tea for a cup of goodness and warmth. I add the boiled water to it and inhale the aroma as the tea is steeping, steam rising from my cup and filling my nostrils with quite a lovely fragrant of lemon grass, ginger spices, carrots and apple bits and after scooping out some of these delights I sip and sip my tea and it is just what I was seeking as the spices of the ginger fills me with warmth and joy; that peaceful feeling in having found goodness and all that it took was to fix a cup of this tea and voila…I am at peace if only for this moment in time.

Thank you, Teavivre for sending the package my way, thank you for this experience; for allowing me to review your teas. This is a wonderful tea.