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A review of 100% Organic & Pure Tea by Pure and Organic

Date: 10/11/12
Company: Organic & Pure, Inc.
Tea Name: 100% Organic & Pure Green Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ Tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light brownish
Leaf Characteristics:

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 175 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: This is a newly green tea for me to have to try. I take one of the tea bag wrapped in green color packet and tearing the packet I take the bag and put this in my tea cup and I add the boiling water to it. I leave it to steep for a few minutes.

Tea’s color is light brown and tea’s aroma is that of wet grass/wet leaves. It makes me think of the dampness to be found after a day of rain. When I taste the tea it is mildly astringent with that drying effect upon swallowing, felt at the back of the throat. There is also a slight tingling effect on my tongue as I drank this tea; less noticeable when more water is added with other steeps.

This tea brand is similar in strength to that of Trader Joe’s Specialty Green Teas.

A review of Matcha (Green Tea Powder) by Hamasaen

Date: 10/10/2012
Company: Hamasaen
Tea Name: Matcha (Green Tea Powder)
Tea Type/Varietal: Green tea powder
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ spoonful
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright green
Leaf Characteristics: the tea powder is a very bright green, that minty / misty green color and seems very smooth in texture.

Note: I decided to have a cup of this matcha this morning to load up on Vitamin C. I took one mug and add one teaspoon of the matcha into the mug and take the already boiled water pouring this into my cup and stirring it as I do this. Once I have added enough water I continue to stir it making sure all of the powder mixture has diluted.

Matcha tea has a unique aroma all on its own. Tea’s aroma is cleanly astringent; that marine algae with the ocean breeze nearby. Since I did not whisk the matcha there is no foam or frostiness in my cup. It is just green tea in truest form. I take a sip and another sip and as I swallow I met with the veggies taste of broccoli with a smooth and creamy finish. If I say cream of broccoli soup, I am exaggerating.

This matcha is not sweet/ as in sugary; it is plain and good for you. It has a vegetative quality that keeps true to what a matcha tea should taste like. One could go as so much to say it has not been tempered with.

A review of Coconut Oolong (Oolong tea flavoured) by Zen Tea

Date: 10/10/2012
Company: Zen Tea
Tea Name: Coconut Oolong
Tea Type/Varietal: Oolong
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light brownish / amber
Leaf Characteristics: tea leaves appeared to be withered then fried perhaps when I open the tea packet. It smells strongly of the coconut.

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 175 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: I took one teaspoon of the leaves and put this in my cup and poured the water that began boiling and let to cool into the cup over the leaves and left to steep for a few minutes. After the set time, I strain out the tea leaves and pour the tea into another cup and the color is light brown and smells strongly of coconuts. I find this a bit over powering because I tend to not like coconut. When I taste the tea it is very sweet as if sugar is present but I have not added a thing to it.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: I decided to boil the water longer and using the same tea leaves I pour the water over the tea leaves in my cup and left to steep for 3 minutes. I want less of the coconut this time; or I am hoping to not smell it as much. With the first cup of tea I had I thought I smelled something like vanilla but it may have been the lilac, but I am not sure. There is a faint scent underneath the coconut which makes me think of vanilla bean.

The teas’ aroma is lightly coconut and floral like with sweetness to it as well that permeates the air. It is like candy / sugary. I don’t smell the coconut as much now; it is not as annoying I should say.

I will have to leave this oolong alone for a while. I am happy to review oolong teas but this one seems a bit too strong in aroma.

A review of Magnolia Oolong by Tea Savant

Date: 10/09/2012
Company: Tea Savant
Tea Name: Magnolia Oolong
Tea Type/Varietal: Oolong
Region: Fujian China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose leaves
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light amber
Leaf Characteristics:

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: I was so very happy when I opened the package finally. I found the sample received to be Magnolia Oolong. I have not had oolong tea for a long while. The little tea pouch has a clear plastic back and it reveal small pellets like leaves.

I decided to have a cup of this tea today and after cleaning my tea mug and warming it with warm water, I take one teaspoon of the tea leaves and put them in my cup which I than fill with the boiled water and leaving it to steep for a few minutes.

I am noticing the magnolia scent right away; it is a lovely bouquet. I don’t smell this from the package, it is when I remove the lid and see how the tea leaves have unfolded with the heady aroma of the magnolia (permeating the air) is so nice. I am thinking about some island in the Pacific since I think that is where magnolia flowers bloom. Anyhow, I scoop out the leaves from the cup and place this on a towel dish and take my tea over by the window to examine tea’s color which is lovely amber. I have a sip of the tea and another realizing that it is sweet and aromatic with a smoky undertone.

I find that the tea’s color and the earthiness smell in the cup makes me think of a pu-erh tea but it is oolong and so lovely.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 4 minutes

Note: I use the same leaves and pour in some more of the newly boiled water into my cup and leave it to steep a bit longer this time; a minute longer than before.

And the tea’s color did seem a bit darker and making it more smoky in the scent as well. Taste is still a clean, smooth and full bodied tea. I can see having this tea as an iced tea for those liking their teas cold. Since I prefer my tea hot it is exceptionally fine as is at this moment. I think the first cup was better since it was sweeter and not so strong in the scenting of the magnolia.

Overall, tea is a lovely amber coloring resembling at times a pu-erh tea with the earthiness in the way it tastes. I would recommend it as one to be made to drink throughout the day at leisure or after a heavy meal to wash it down with.

I cannot emphasize how pleased I am with the tea’s aroma; that floral bouquet to be found only in an island on the Pacific! Thank you Tea Savant for sending this tea sample to me.

I plan to order a sample of your orange oolong tea next. Happy teas!

A review of Earl Grey Green Tea by Bigelow

Date: 10/08/2012
Company: Bigelow Tea
Tea Name: Earl Grey Green
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light brown
Leaf Characteristics: tea bag has wonderful citron smell.

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 170 Fahrenheit
Time: 4 minutes

Note: I am having this tea as my morning cup of tea and it is a lovely. I have enjoyed this tea since first I tasted it. I find the bergamot oil evenly distributed throughout tea cup. It makes the tea richer and smoother as all of this goes into creating a good cup of tea.

A review of Green Tea and Ginseng by Xing Tea

I took this with me while attending a country fair in Lancaster, MA the other day. I used my trusty water bottle and filled it with ice and the tea (shaking it very well before pouring into water bottle).

I am always concern about teas that are bottled since they may contain very high amounts of sugar. I am happy to say this was not the case. Tea was lightly sweetened and very pleasant; tasting as if it had lime in it, this was very faintly in the background. I guess I am equating the ginseng with flavoring like lime and it did enhance the green tea.

I enjoyed sipping the tea from my water bottle throughout the day while wandering around. Thanks to the folks at Xing Tea for making such wonderful products. I purchased this tea while grocery shopping at Hannaford Market in Marlborough, MA. Thanks!

A review of Thai Tea by NR. Instant Produce Co. LTD.

Date: 10/07/2012
Company: NR Instant Produce Co.
Tea Name: Thai Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: powder
Region: Thailand
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea powder
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: orange
Leaf Characteristics: tea powder is a very smooth orange color; characteristic of autumn leaves.

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 2-3 minutes of stirring

Note: I open the tea sachet and pour the contents into my tea cup. Powder is a lovely orange and makes me think of a cream sickle. I pour some of the boiled water into the cup and begin to whisk at the tea in the cup mixing it slowly at first then faster as the tea powder dissolves into the water mixture; leaving a smooth, frothy golden orange cream in my cup. It is yummy to take in this color.

Tea color is orange, and taste heavenly from first sip to last; this was truly an amazing experience found in this cup of Thai Tea since I did not know what I would be encountering.

I purchased only one tea bag while at the Miso Market and now I wish I had gotten more. This is a lovely tea to have as a morning breakfast accompaniment or alone instead of a sandwich during lunch to simply have it as a shake. It is yummy and I thank the folks at Miso Market for bringing us such good things.

A review of Matcha (Green Tea Powder) by Hamasaen

Date: 10/05/2012
Company: Hamasaen
Tea Name: Green Tea Powder
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ Tea powder
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Green
Leaf Characteristics: Matcha smells very green, swampy wet rainy smells like dew. True scent/taste “umami” and marine algae smell.

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 160 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

Note: The smell of this green powder is like being at the beach when the tide has come in bringing with it the green algae/sea weeds from the sea. It is fresh smelling and the color is a lovely frothy green color.

I purchased with this matcha, a small wooden spoon for measuring and to spoon it with. I cut open the package as instructed to do and opened the air tight pouch revealing a very smooth greenish powder that smells like the sea; sea breeze in fact.

I take one teaspoon of the powder and place this in my mug and add some already boiled water to into my cup, just fill halfway. I take the spoon and begin swirl the powder with the water until it dissolves. I made sure it is all smooth and frothy with none of the powder caked into the mug.

What we have in color is a lovely frothy green and looks very inviting. I take a sip and I met with the astringency of the matcha; it is not bitter but more like green veggies without salt or seasoning. I continue to sip the tea until the astringency is not as noticeable with the first sip.

Overall, this Matcha is smooth and rich in texture and does not need anything else. It is good to enjoy alone, with milk or as a cooking additive.

A review of Indar Tea by Ets Indar—Compagnie Coloniale

Date: 10/04/2012
Company: Ets Indar
Tea Name: Indar
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region: India
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: dark malt color
Leaf Characteristics:

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

Note: I wanted to try another tea of similar nature (to what I have been drinking to date), yet with many layers of complexity. This tea when brewed is a lovely malt color / dark malt and if one places the cup directly under the light it glows from the center revealing a reddish orange glow. Having steeped the tea for three minutes and removing the tea bag from the tea I am smelling the richness that is in the cup; a roasted quality and when I take a sip I am melt with that sweet malt flavor.

This is a full bodied tea; it is creamy as it is smooth with no off taste. I always think this tea would do well with pure sugar and not with milk since it is not thick enough and yet I say it is full bodied in that it holds well.

Tea finishes as a strong cup of malt tea and adding pure sugar would do nicely and enjoyed by those favoring a more robust ‘malty” cup of tea.

In drinking this tea, I am very aware that it is a mixture of Assam, Ceylon and Darjeeling teas that goes to creating this Indar.

A review of Earl Grey Green Tea by Bigelow

Date: 10/04/2012
Company: Bigelow Tea
Tea Name: Earl Grey Green Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light brownish
Leaf Characteristics: From the tea bag prior to steep the citrus oil aroma permeates.

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 4 minutes

Note: I wanted a good cup of hot tea this morning to rid me of fatigue and dreary thoughts. I reached for this Earl Grey Green Tea that my in-laws picked out for me during one of their grocery jaunts. I must say that my mother-in-law favors this brand since all her teas seems to be from Bigelow. It is sold at the market 2 for $5:00.

Each of the tea bag individually wrapped to ensure great taste and freshness. I can attest to this; there is always freshness in the cup that I have had.

I open of the tea bag and place this in my cup and adding the boiled water from the tea kettle I leave this for the four minutes or so. I find it is easier to go attend to something else and five, four minutes can be pass with not having to stare at the clock or timer.

The citrus that is to be found in the Bergamot oil in the tea is very heady; noticeable and pleasant I might add. It is lime scenting not lemon. Tea color is lightly brownish and when I taste the tea after removing the tea bag tea is a lovely mixture of green tea with citron. I am not saying it is tea with lemon or lemon zest. If so the tea would be acidic.

Tea’s aroma is lovely and on a day like this (foggy and misty) one wants to have pleasant smelling things about and not floral like. So this tea’s aroma is find the citrus of the bergamot is conducive to how I am feeling this morning. This cup of tea is helping to ease me into a day that seems dreary.
There is no astringency; tea is cleanly; having no off taste. There is no overpowering of the bergamot oil as I have experience with other teas.

Overall, tea’s body is soft and medium, and yet not weighty, the presence of the bergamot oil is very noticeable as said like a lemon scent; the peels or adding a few grinds of a lemon which turns out is the lasting taste for me. Tea finishes smoothly and clean.