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Backlog from yesterday. I had this with my dinner while at Panera. At first I had my doubts about eating there but it was super convenient at the time and then I saw they carry Republic of Tea and I took it as a sign. (Have some nasty memories associated with that place, Kristaleyn, they can be replaced!)
Anyhow, this tea… Hmmm. Well it was great, I really felt as if I was drinking red velvet! with a fraction of the calories (I did add a packet of rock sugar). And no milk needed! sometimes I find milk enhances/detracts from a rooibos dessert tea. In this case, I feel it would have taken away from the natural creaminess that was already there.
When it was really hot, I found the intense astringency a bit annoying but as it cooled… it toned down significantly. Also, I wish the flavour was a bit more intense, just a tad. Otherwise, I am in love! :)
Anyhow, I’m headed to a tea tasting today!!! I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks now. Yeaaay!!

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.