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Viva from The Simple Leaf

Steepster Score 3 Ratings Rate This Tea

62/100

Viva

Green Tea by The Simple Leaf

We set out to find a very different green tea from India, and stumbled upon this delightful gem from the little known Dooars region in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. Viva means “alive” in Spanish, an apt name considering that we found it particularly rejuvenating during long, slow afternoons. Viva’s dark green leaves produce a fairly bright liquor with hints of fresh cut grass and refreshing earthy undertones. A spritz of lemon or a little honey has been known to attract even those who dislike green tea. Remember: never use boiling water or milk with green tea as they will ruin the flavor. Let the water cool down a bit after it comes to a boil. Enjoy hot or iced.

4 Tasting Notes

Auggy
40
Auggy 2 tasting notes

This tea reminds me quite a bit of Rishi’s Jade Cloud but it is softer and silkier. It tastes vegetal green and a little salty, with a nice nutty aftertaste that, as the cup cools, threatens to overwhelm a bit as it combines with the salty to make a not-quite-bitterness. That taste is something that I could do with having less of so I think I will shorten the steep time the next time I have this since that helps tame Jade Cloud.

ETA: Second steep @ 3:00. The nutty bitterness has increased. That’s unpleasant. I feel that this tea still has potential though. We shall see.

2010-05-02 22:12:23 -0400
175 °F / 79 °C
3 min 0 sec
0 comments

Dropping the rating a lot on this because I just can’t deal with the end astringency. There is an interesting flavor at the start but the nutty bitterness just kills it for me. And it gets worse as it cools. Bleh. I gave it a decent rating at first because it had potential but either all it has is potential or I’m just not… uhm, man?… enough to bring out what it promises.

2010-06-09 20:54:20 -0400
175 °F / 79 °C
2 min 45 sec
0 comments
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Hawkeye
50
Hawkeye

(Disclaimer: I just ate a bowl of chili.) Fairly light flavored, almost makes me think of something with a little lemon in it. As it has cooled, it’s gotten more bitterness through it. It’s pretty good but nothing really jumps out at me.

2010-06-09 21:27:08 -0400
0 comments
Curtis Hollibaugh
35
Curtis Hollibaugh

Tastes dry and plain. Added a little honey for flavor. Not bad, but not great. Lots of good reviews on thesimpleleaf.com, though. Perhaps, I need to fiddle with steep times…

2010-01-21 16:47:43 -0500
180 °F / 82 °C
3 min 0 sec
0 comments

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