seule771

A review of Taiwan Jin Xuan Milk Oolong by Teavivre

Company: Teavivre
Tea Name: Jin Xuan Milk Oolong
Tea Type/Varietal: Oolong
Region: Alishan Nantou, Taiwan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light amber with orange/yellow base
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

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

I am happy to be having another of Teavivre tea samplers. This one is a milk oolong. I opened the foiled packet to find small pellets like of green colored leaves. I empty the packet into my cup and pour in the boiled water and placing a lid over my cup I leave it to steep for 2 minutes.

After the set time, I remove the lid to find the leaves have grown fuller and very green and tea cup smelling of greens and somewhat strongly astringent. I guess this is freshness and partly from the Osmanthus, I hope I am not reacting to it as I do Jasmine. I scoop out the leaves and the tea is a light amber color and when placed directly under the lights it is orange/peach like.

Upon sipping the tea which seems more astringent than I was expecting; tea seems kind of bitter and not sure why since steep time was very short. Perhaps from not rinsing or discarding this first brew, I am unsure.

I did finish the cup however, and added more boiling water over the leaves for another cup and still there is that slight astringency in flavoring.

A review of Taiwan GABA Tea by Fong Mong Tea Corp.

Company: Fong Mong
Tea Name: Taiwan GABA Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: loose leaf
Region: Taiwan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teaspoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: reddish brown amber
Leaf Characteristics: leaves look more like twig and finely curled leaves and are crunchy. When steeped the leaves are full and a brownish with hints of red; auburn in coloring.

1. Steepings

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

I take a heaping spoonful of the tea leaves and put them in my cup and add the boiled water to my cup; covering it for a five minutes steep time. When time is over, I remove the cover and scoop out the tea leaves. Tea is a lovely reddish brown color; glowing like in my cup and tea’s aroma is somewhat malt like with a roast/woodsy finishing.

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

I have enjoyed having this Gaba tea and want more of it; so yes another cup; using the same leaves and steeping with hotter water for five minutes. I sip the tea while the leaves remain in the bottom of my cup. Tea is slightly smoky and roast like flavoring. I am enjoying this tea as there seems to be no way to have a bad cup of this tea. It is simply good tea.

I like the teas color that reddish brown which I had not notice before; and how light this tea is on the palette. Overall, this is grade A+ tea.

A review of Organic Yerba Mate Tea by Guayaki

Company: Guayaki
Tea Name: Organic Yerba Mate
Tea Type/Varietal: Yerba Mate
Region: South American rainforest
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: very light green/light brown color
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I turn to this tea once more and I am having it as my morning drink so it can help stimulate focus and clarity while boosting my energy. I take one tea bag and add the nearly boiled water to my cup and leave it to steep for five minutes.

Tea’s color is very light green/ light brown and hints of yerba mate for aroma. I mean I can smell there is something in my cup but no words really for me to describe as I am inexperience/don’t know.

I sip and sip the tea slowly while breathing in deeply the tea’s aroma; it is a mantra of sort as I sip and inhale and swish it around in my mouth than I swallow. I do this until tea is all gone.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 10 minutes

I fixed yet another cup of this tea with longer steep for nearly 10 minutes. Tea color did not darken and the aroma is slightly stronger; it has a toasty aroma since brewed longer and hotter. And when I taste the tea this time it seems more robust mate flavoring. So I take a deep breath, then a sip of the tea while swooshing it in my mouth and then I swallow and exhale deeply. I do this until I finish drinking the tea.

What am I doing? I am having a relaxing cup of tea while meditating and incanting for peace with my surrounding environment which is most static and chaos seems to reign; while all seems quiet…but not.

I must say this is the most I have enjoyed partaking of this tea and I am thankful for the experience and the well-being feeling that comes from having drunk this tea. Thank you.

A review of Lotus Tea (Slim Line) by In Nature

Company: In Nature
Tea Name: Lotus Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green (herbal)
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Golden brown
Leaf Characteristics: The leaves are squarely cut and medium in size, they are very dry and soft not crunchy; not fried/fired it seems. When steeped/immersed in the water they seem to remain the same, I mean that the leaves don’t seem to have absorbed any water when steeped and the tea’s aroma is somewhat rosy/floral sweet bouquet.

1. Steepings on a scale of 1-5 tea is 5+

1st Steeping: 5 minutes
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 4-5 minutes in the morning

I have not had this tea in a long while. I take a heaping spoonful of the tea leaves and put them in my cup and add the boiling water over the leaves in my cup and cover it to steep for five minutes. After such time I remove the saucer and the scoop out the leaves which seem to have remain the same; they are not soaked (no change in the leaves since immerse in water). I like what I am seeing in my cup which is lovely lightest yellow/brown liquor with a soft rosy bouquet and when tea tasted is sweetly smooth and has not astringent. As much as I have had this tea, it has always been enjoyable and never bitter. No change regardless of number of steeps and brew time.

This tea is good for drinking instead of having water; simply brew a nice pot full of this tea and let it cool and drink it as if water…except better and good for you.

A review of KaiMatcha Premium by KaiMatcha

Company: KaiMatcha
Tea Name: KaiMatcha Premium
Tea Type/Varietal: Green tea powder
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ 1 teaspoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright green

Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 45 seconds

I am scraping together the last bits of matcha powder teas that I have for one full cup of tea. Well not filled but partially. I shake all that remained of the green tea powder from Hamassaen and scraped remainder of the Kaimatcha from the its tin and putting it all in my mug, I pour in some of the boiled water into the cup and begin to whisk the tea briskly until all of the powder has dissolved.

The tea’s color is a bright green color; that of wet grass smell and when I sip this concoction it is very astringent and yet fresh in the taste when swallowed. It would seem combining the two powders makes it bitterer with a stinging effect on the tongue when drinking the tea.

I have been enjoying the Kaimatcha and taking in all of its benefit for strength and courage with having clarity of mind and body. I truly believe this as I drink a cup of this tea daily or occasionally as I was running out of it. Now that there is none left I find I need my fix and must make a purchase somehow. Some EBay Matcha teas or Aya’s Matcha tea powder possibly as the pricing is much less than this Kaimatcha Premium and the results might not be the same either.

This is something to note and keep in mind when trying other matchas. Again, thank Kaimatcha for the experience; the Kaimatcha Premium surpassed all of my needs: to think clearly and stay focused as things around me are at their least cohesive best. I mean chaos and negation is what I seem to attract of late and the matchas have helped getting me through the day and I need more of the stuff. Thanks!

A review of Shi Zuo Tea by Tea from Taiwan

Company: Tea from Taiwan
Tea Name: Shi Zuo Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: oolong
Region: Taiwan China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ 1 teaspoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright yellow / golden
Leaf Characteristics: the leaves are small pellets like and explode when immerse with hot water to fuller leaves. One can see the two full leaves plucked with stem and all. Leaves color is green.

1. Steepings

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

I decided to try this tea as mid-morning drinking tea. The tea pouch that tea is in is lovely as it reflects a cup of the oolong tea with the two leaf floating above saucer. I cup open the tea foiled pack and take in the aroma of the tea leaves; smelling very milky, fresh scented green tea. It is an inviting smell.

I scoop out of the bag one teaspoon of the tea and put this in my cup and pour the boiled water into the cup and covering it, I leave it to steep for several minutes.

When I remove the covering from my cup the tea leaves are fuller and green in color; as I scooped them out I am noticing how the leaves looks just the way they were plucked from the tea bush; two bud/two leaves method. If I am using the right term; anyhow, the leaves are full with two leaves per stems. I put the leaves aside and simply take a sip of the tea while noticing its color which is a bright yellow/golden orb of amber with yellow base. Tea is smooth when I taste it; it is cleanly with no astringent. It is more floral like and sweetly-smooth.

Shi Zuo oolong tea is lightly roasted for a unique flavour. It has a very pleasing aroma and taste which produces a pleasant sensation on the palate.

Tea from Taiwan, thank you for sending this sample for me to experience and review. This is a most enjoyable oolong tea.

A review of Organic Green Tea by Midori Trading Inc.

Company: Midori Trading Inc.
Tea Name: Organic Green Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup / tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light green
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I brew two tea bags in a cup of boiling water for five minutes. I discard of the tea bags and simply drink the tea. Organic Green Tea is considered to be one of the best green teas on the market today and this tea is grown organically.

It is the goal of the distributor that the tea drinker is satisfied and I can say this cup of green tea satisfies my need for having tea at this time. It is a fresh clean cup of tea; astringently fresh and still quite mild with two tea bags.

A review of Bamboo Integrity (Herb Blend) Tea by Zen Tea Life

Company: Zen Tea Life
Tea Name: Bamboo Integrity
Tea Type/Varietal: Herb
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teaspoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright green/yellow
Leaf Characteristics: there are chunks of ginger bits, lemon grass, bamboo leaves to view when opening of the tea packet.

1. Steepings

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

I am fixing another cup of this wonderful tea to have with some noodles. I am not sure how this would work out since I usually have oolong teas or green tea with my noodles.

I steep one teaspoon of the tea with boiled water for a good five minutes. Tea’s aroma is so enticing that one cannot help but want to sip and sip straight away. I fixed my plateful of noodles with some loose salad mixed in it and take the tea, straining the leaves and ginger bits from my cup; leaving them in the strainer.

The color of the tea is pure gold, but truly more like pink grapefruit with more yellow. I refrain from sipping the tea at first because I do not want to drink it all without having some or any of the noodles. I eat about half of the noodles and then decided to sip the tea; thank goodness it is still quite hot as I take pleasure in the warmth of the cup in my hand and sip and sip…the apple bits I taste are tantalizing as well as the citrus blend of lime, and sunflower. I am getting more of the verbena and lemon grass with the ginger kicking in every now and again. It is that zesty taste that is to be found with the spices.

I am able to finish my noodles and my tea making for a very enjoyable meal. I am thankful always for a meal and a good cup of tea. Zen Tea Life sent me this tea and I thank you for bestowing this experience upon me.

A review of Special Gunpowder China Green Tea by Temple of Heaven

Company: Temple of Heaven
Tea Name: Special Gunpowder China Green Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: Shanghai China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light yellow-green
Leaf Characteristics: Tea leaves are tightly rolled pellets and smelling of smoke…roasted scent and when brewed leaves a fuller and smelling of spinach. Actually when brewed they do look like a plate of spinach. The Chinese call these small pellets “Pearl Tea”.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

This tea I purchased during my visit to the Living Earth market in Worcester, MA. It was very inexpensive and a gem in a little box. When I opened the box I thought I would find powder tea; I was pleasantly surprised to see it was leaves medium-finely crunched.

I took 1 teaspoon of the leaves and put this in my cup and add the boiled water into my cup. I leave it to steep for several minutes; after sometime, I take the tea and spoon out the leaves; they are somewhat fuller and look like spinach.

The teas’ aroma is that of green veggies and smells mildly astringent; tea’s color is light green with a yellow base and with longer steeps the tea is a golden brown. Tea tastes mild and smooth with a nutty flavor. It only gets bitter when tea leaves are left for longer in the cup as I tend to do; from being lazy in having to remove the tea leaves.

I had read and heard so much of gunpowder tea that it was a treat to finally see it in a store and the pricing was right as well; I did wonder why it was so inexpensive however. It is a good cup of refreshing green tea and I am happy to finally have sampled and purchase it.

I am fortunate this year since I have been able to experience finer teas than before.

A review of Korean Ginseng Tea by Wah Po Trading, Inc.

Company: Wah Po Trading, Inc.
Tea Name: Korean Ginseng
Tea Type/Varietal: herbal
Region: Korea
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: fine granule powder
Liquor Color: light yellow/ honey
Leaf Characteristics:

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

I dissolved one packet of the powder into my tea mug and add boiling water and stirring until mixture is dissolved. The tea’s color is honey with a milk and honey aroma. I am having this tea as my morning cup of tea and I find it most enjoying, it is not filling since tea is very light. It is like having a cup of chamomile tea without; this is how light and sweet this tea is. In all, this tea is sweet and light; with the ginseng taste to be like that of honey with a citrus base.

A review of French Vanilla Tea by Bigelow

Company: Bigelow Tea
Tea Name: Vanilla
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teabag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: brown
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 195 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I took one of my mother-in-law’s tea bag from her tea box on the microwave and open the packet putting the bag in my cup and I pour the cold water into the cup and put it in microwave for few minutes and leaving it to steep for two more minutes.

This is a tea I have had and have enjoyed. The aroma is a heady vanilla bean scent and the tea itself is wonderfully light and vibrant. You simply want to keep drinking and drinking the tea until it is all finished; which is exactly what happened.

I like Bigelow teas and perhaps I should not since names bother me and folks pile it on knowing of this weakness. I had another wonderful cup of tea that is all.

A review of English Breakfast (K-CUP® TEA) Tea by Bigelow Tea

Company: Bigelow Tea
Tea Name: English breakfast Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ Keurig brew cup
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: dark malt color
Leaf Characteristics: This was a Keurig brew cup of tea

While visiting the library to return some books and dvds I found that they had a Keurig brewer for (coffee, tea, cider and hot chocolate). I am familiar with this machine since I once worked with years earlier. I decided to have a cup of tea and selected the English Breakfast Tea; passing over the India Chai Tea.

It is so very simplistic. You place the paper cup underneath the brew section of the machine and once I select the tea I wanted, I lift the lid to place the cup like disc in its middle and closed the lid; then there is a tea brewing button to push down and after this the tea begins to dispense into the cup and it is nicely hot.

I took my cup of tea after placing $1.00 dollar into the donation cup and sat down to enjoy the tea which was very nice and strong. All that I remember was that it was very hot as I wrapped my fingers around the cup for the warmth offered while holding it.

A review of Bamboo Integrity (Herb Blend)Tea by Zen Tea Life

Company: Zen Tea Life
Tea Name: Bamboo Integrity
Tea Type/Varietal: Herb
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teaspoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright green/yellow
Leaf Characteristics: there are chunks of ginger bits, lemon grass, bamboo leaves to view when opening of the tea packet.

1. Steepings

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

I received this tea sample for Zen Tea Life in Canada. I remember discussing via email with the vendor about Bamboo tea; I told them that I had come across a seller of Bamboo teas in Florida and they had similar tea with Lemon Grass and I had yet to purchase their teas. I mentioning of this since I was surprised to receive amidst the samples sent was this Bamboo Integrity.

I open the foil sample packet to be delightfully surprised to view the loose tea; it is aromatically pleasing as well. I see the carrot bits, the ginger bits, lemon grass and the bamboo which are fine chute; so small you could miss them.

I take one teaspoon and put this in my mug, adding the hot water to the mug I leave it to steep for 5 minutes all the while taking in the teas aroma which is very lively and zesty.

After 5 minutes, I scoop out the tea leaves and put them in strainer until my next infusion. The tea smells so sweetly of the combined ginger and lemon grass and the color is a mixture of brown and yellow which makes for a light orange cup. When I sip the tea it is spicy and zesty (a hot cup of zest tea). I sip and sip of this tea and I am enjoying it, also I am thinking of its name Integrity…the herbs are true to form and what is stated in the bag is just what is in the cup I am holding in my hand.

The more I sip of tea; I find there is a tartness that comes from the lime and apple bits perhaps; as there is a citrusy finish that is left after each swallowed sip.

Overall this is wonderful tea and true to character of the bamboo and lemon grass with the added ginger, and lime; aromatically this tea is 100% delight.

Thank you Zen Tea Life for sending this tea for me to sample. I am happy to have opened the packet finally as it was a lovely surprise.

Kaimatcha Premium by Kaimatcha

A review of Kaimatcha Premium by Kaimatcha

Company: Kaimatcha
Tea Name: Kaimatcha Premium
Tea Type/Varietal: Green Tea Powder
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ ½ teaspoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright green
Leaf Characteristics: This tea powder is a bright green and the aroma is most pleasant “umami” with lots of grassy tones.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 45 seconds

Tea is steeped for 45 seconds stirring briskly at first then slowly. The tea did not foam, tea’s color is a bright green. I have been drinking this tea for nourishment substituting for breakfast I suppose were I to have any. I like the way I feel when drinking this tea because I believe it is strengthening me as I take sip after sip; since I tend to feel that I have much to endure with no recognition or if there is it is insults hurled.

I mean that I feel I do lots for nothing, it does not add up and I am wasting my time; I sorry if that is what I doing on Steepster, so many others might want to have a space here; the real writers and tea officialdoms /connoisseurs.

Matcha tea is wonderful, healthy and filled with antioxidants. I am happy to have discovered this tea. I would not have were I not researching teas. I have used green based powdered drinks like that of Dr. Hawagatha made of barley grass, if memory serves me correctly.

Thank you, Kaimatcha for this lovely premium tea.

A review of Organic Green Tea by Midori

Company: Midori Trading Co.
Tea Name: Organic Green Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup / tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light green with one tea bag/ with two teabags and longer steeps tea is brown in color
Leaf Characteristics: the tea bag smell clean of fresh leaves as they are steamed when processed making for a clean cup of green tea.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 185 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I take two tea bags and put in cup and pour in the boiling water leaving the tea to steep for a good five minutes as recommended. Tea color is brown and the aroma is that of the forest green; grassy and wet. It is a clean, fresh smelling tea. When I take a sip of the tea it is mild astringent and with more sips there is a slight tingle when swallowing.

Overall, this inexpensive tea is quite apt for being named the best in the market. It is a good cup of green tea.

A review of Green Tea Powder by Hamasaen

Company: Hamasaen Trading Co.
Tea Name: Green Tea Powder
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teaspoon of tea powder
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: soft green; like misty green
Leaf Characteristics: tea powder is very smooth and creamy looking and by this I mean it seems more like flour since it is more for cooking/baking than perhaps for drinking.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 45 seconds

I am finishing the last of this Green Tea Powder; sadly I must try and obtain more; but not sure of when. Anyhow, scraping together a small teaspoon of the powder and putting it in my cup and adding boiled water; I stir slowly at first than faster and tea is foaming nicely as this may be because the water is very hot and steamy. I liked that it is frothy with creamy foam hiding the dark green underneath. It is like ocean foam which is good; this tea aroma is that of the oceanic seaweed and dewy, to make one think of fish and seafood perhaps.

I take sip after sip of this tea and it is very nice. I like everything about this tea. This was a good purchase on my part from the Miso Market in Cambridge. Thank you for carrying such wonderful products, the likes of this Green Tea Powder.

Kaimatcha Premium by Kaimatcha

A review of Kaimatcha Premium by Kaimatcha mixed with one sachet of Korean Ginseng Tea

Today I wanted to try my Kaimatcha Premium with some of the Ginseng Tea that I obtained. I take one of the packets of the Ginseng tea and put this in my tea mug and I take 1 small teaspoon of the Kaimatcha and put this in the cup as well and pour the boiled water into the cup. I immediately begin stirring it; forward than back and across and I watched how the blends are mixing in that the tea is not a bright green color and does not froth either. It is flat to me and smells sweetly with lesser astringent.

Tea’s aroma is a slight mixture of sweet ginseng (more like smelling honey) mingling with the grassiness of the tea powder; it is a nice effect and when tasted it is slightly sweeter than before adding the ginseng. The Kaimatcha retains its grassiness and tartness with that dewy wet grass taste and smell.

I remember a discussed review for a matcha tea with caramel and thinking that you could not add sweetness to grass like taste but I see with what I have tried here that it can be accomplished quite nicely if one knows their doing. I mean I am not expert, nor did I intend to change this matcha.

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

Company: Teavivre
Tea Name: Taiwan Dong Ding Oolong
Tea Type/Varietal: Oolong
Region: Taiwan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose-leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Light green
Leaf Characteristics: leaves are finely curled and when infused in water for rinsing than steeping the leaves become full and plump and are green in color.

1. Steepings

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

I pre-rinsed 1 teaspoon of the tea leaves with boiling water and then adding more of the freshly boiled water into my mug with the leaves inside. I place lid on tea mug and leave to steep for a few minutes.

Teas’ aroma is green and broccoli like with a light greenish color. When I do this take sip of the tea is mildly astringent for an oolong and the more I drink it I realize it is not bitter, just a freshly clean yet smooth cup of tea.

I plan on having this tea for remainder of the day by just adding more boiling water to it and letting it cool and sips and sips away.

This oolong is light in body with a mildly astringent when first sipping of tea and as I drink more of the tea I realize it is dry on my palette, lip smacking kind of dryness and with more drinks than the thirst is quenched.

I like this Ding Dong Oolong and I have sampled it before from other tea vendors (Fong Mong Tea Corp) and a teahouse in Seattle who purchases teas in Taiwan as well. I seem to recall mentioning that there are high grade Dong Ding and charcoal roasted Dong Ding which gives more a smoky and woodsy aroma as opposed to this Dong Ding which is very light in body and vegetal in taste and aroma.

Thank you, Teavivre for sending this sample for me to experience and write review of.

A review of Taiwan Jin Xuan Milk Oolong Tea by Teavivre

Company: Teavivre
Tea Name: Taiwan Jin Xuan Milk Oolong
Tea Type/Varietal: Oolong
Region: Taiwan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: a very pale yellow with first steep and with longer steeps tea color is darker yellow/peach in color.
Leaf Characteristics: Tea leaves are very finely crunched into tiny little stones and dark in color and when steeped the leaves are fuller and green in color. I should say leaves are full leaves and not broken.

1. Steepings

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

I steep this tea for two minutes in boiled water (after first rinsing the tea leaves and discarding of the water), I then pour more of the boiled water in my tea mugs with a cover on it. When cover is removed what is notice at first are the tea leaves since they are fully blown and the tea leaves are whole. It is amazing, these fine granules tea buds become full leaves when steep. Tea’s aroma is faint and light; nothing as striking as the leaves being fully evolved. I like the tea’s color although it is not bright. A paradox since it sounds as if I am not impressed as yet.

I taste the tea and thinking of its name milk oolong…and of something I had read about brewing oolong that are full-leaf; in that because they have such large, flat leaves, they can be steep for seven to ten minutes without turning bitter.

This much I can attest and have attested with the leaves being fuller. And the tea has not bitterness; it is very light/mild tea. This is something that I could drink throughout the day.

I am grateful for Teavivre for sending me more of these fine teas to sample. I am happy for the experience of sampling and reviewing of their teas. Thank you.

A review of Kaimatcha Premium by Kaimatcha

I fixed for myself another cup of this Kaimatcha Premium first thing today. I take ½ of a teaspoon of the tea powder and put this in my cup and pour in the boiling water, string slowly at first than rapid until tea powder has dissolved. No foaming at all and tea is darkly green and flat to me once again. I am disappointed, I sip and sip it slowly to cherish the freshly, clean taste of the tea. As I sip and sip I remind myself that this tea is good for me and I need goodness in my life; as we all do.

I like tea best when color a bright green since it is smoother and creamier when the tea powder does foam; as the tea’s tannins reacts better with one’s palette and saliva as they interact.

I mean to say, if you follow the process correctly than one garners a better cup of tea.

A review of Korean Ginseng Tea by Wah Po Trading, Inc.

Company: Wah Po Trading, Inc.
Tea Name: Korean Ginseng
Tea Type/Varietal: herbal
Region: Korea
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: fine granule powder
Liquor Color: light yellow/ honey
Leaf Characteristics:

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

I dissolved two packets of the powder into my tea mug and add boiling water and stirred until mixture is dissolved. The tea’s color is light yellow, honey-like and smells kind of milky and honey. I take a sip and another sip; I find the tea to be very sweetly and light, tasting of honey dew melon with hint of ginseng. Weird!

The last Korean tea I had was their orange cream-sickle like tea and it was so yummy; it was matcha tea Korean style.

This ginseng tea is very simple and light= easy to prepare and could as easily be mixed into another tea to be used as sweetener. Perhaps I will try this with the matcha tea powder I have. Maybe?

A review of Organic Green Tea by Midori with a few pellets Jasmine “Dragon Pearls” by Teavivre

Company: Midori Trading, Inc. / teavivre
Tea Name: Organic Green Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag + 2 pellets of the Jasmine Dragon pearls
Liquor Color: light green
Leaf Characteristics: This tea seems so very light that I thought to perhaps try this tea with some of the Jasmine Dragon Pearls to possibly liven the tea up, not that it need be, it is fine as is. Just curious.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

I take one tea bag of the organic green tea and two small pellets of the Jasmine Dragon Pearls and place them in my cup and pour in the boiled water and leave to steep with saucer lid as cover for few minutes.

I remove the saucer to find that the tea buds has bloom/plumpness fully and the tea is a milder green color and yes the bouquet permeating the air is Jasmine and smelling strongly. I take a sip and another sip and the tea is dry in taste at first when swallowed but the smell I cannot get past.

So I failed to liven up this organic green tea by introducing and mixing it with the jasmine dragon pearls as once again the scent of the jasmine over powers any enjoyment there could have been of this tea’s mixture.

I simply do not like Jasmine tea. It is not good.

A review of Organic Green Tea by Midori Trading, Inc.

Company: Midori Trading, Inc.
Tea Name: Organic Green Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Liquor Color: light green
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

I purchased this tea from the Living Earth market during a store visit. It was one of their cheapest teas. I brew one tea bag in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes and left to cool for few minutes. Tea is very light in color, faintly greenish brown cup of tea, smelling slight vegetal and tasting mildly astringent. It is not bitter either. Everything about this cup of tea seems very light and faint as I expected since the cost was so very inexpensive.

My mind seem already set for tasting the tea for what it cost rather than it might actually be a decent cup of tea. I would buy this again.

A review of A review of Ripened Age Pu-erh Mini Tuocha (sample) by Teavivre

Date: 11/19/2012
Company: Teavivre
Tea Name: Ripened Age Pu-erh Mini Tuocha
Tea Type/Varietal: Pu-erh
Region: Fujian Taiwan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ one small bird’s nest (cake) pu-erh
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: darkish amber/ raisin/stewed prunes
Leaf Characteristics: when I remove the mini tuocha from its wrapper it is shape like a fine small bird’s nest and when the water is poured into the cup the Tuocha seems do dissolves into the water; over time leaving fine powder like residue at cup’s bottom.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 185 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

Note: I fixed for myself another cup of this pu-erh and what I am noting today is the aroma and strength of this pu-erh is somewhat like coffee; very mild since not as roast or robust as a cup of coffee, yet very much so. What do I mean exactly? Tea’s color is that of coffee bean and does smell raw and the base of it is dampness. As the tea cools one can find some what of fragrant cup of coffee perhaps not caffeinated; there is strength in this tea with a raw and malt flavoring which I missed when first I had this tea. I seem to have accomplished this by drinking it cold. I made the tea quite sometime ago and it has gotten cold and there’s the malt and robustness in the cup that I had not notice as when the tea was very hot.

So do I like hot or cold? Tea for me should be hot.