July 02, 2007
Organic White Chai Tea
Name: Organic White Chai Tea
Kathy's Rating: 8.0/10.0
Company: Revolution Tea
Origin of tea: China
Price: $7.99/1.06oz (30.0g)
Tea form: Loose chai-infused white tea in biodegradable sachets.
What they say: Rich and wonderfully fragrant, this exquisite blend combines White Bai Mu Dan Leaf with cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, all organically grown. White tea, whose silvery buds are the least processed of all teas, contains the highest amount of antioxidants.
Preparation method: Pour below boiling water (180F) over tea and steep for 5 minutes.
Review: This tea blends a mild and pleasing balance of chai components, of which the ginger portion is the most apparent. However, even the ginger essence is not very strong, so that I could still appreciate the white tea.
Since white tea is the most delicate of all the tea varieties, it is important not to overwhelm the tea with more robust flavors. Blending white tea with traditionally strong spices such as ginger and cardamom was a risk Revolution Tea took, and I'd have to say that they succeeded in creating a unique and enjoyable tea.
Full-disclosure: Organic White Chai Tea was a gratuitous sample sent to me from Revolution Tea. My policy is to rate free tea samples with the same unbiased standards with which I rate personally purchased tea. To read more about my personal thoughts on tea review ethics, see this post.
Posted by Kathy at 10:02 PM | Permalink
January 17, 2005
Organic Silver Needle
Name: Organic Silver Needle
Kathy's Rating: 9.0/10.0
Company: Rishi Tea
Origin of tea: Fujian, China
Price: $25/4oz (113.4g/.25lb)
Tea form: Loose silver needle white tea.
What they say: Organic Silver Needle consists of only the young, silvery down-covered buds harvested in early spring. Silver Needle, known as Bai Hao Yin Zhen, is the most sought after white tea and only harvested for a few days each year in the northern districts of Fujian, China. The white tea bushes of Northern Fujian were domesticated from wild tea trees and exhibit silvery down-covered leaves that have been prized for their medicinal properties for more than 1000 years. Silver Needle has a clear, light golden infusion with a rich flavored body, unique savory aroma and sweet mellow finish.
Preparation method: Pour slightly below boiling water over tea. Steep for 4 minutes.
Review: Please see my review of TenRen's Silver Needle white tea for more background information. I prepared TenRen's Silver Needle white tea along with Rishi Tea's Silver Needle in order to cross compare. Both teas are wonderful and of high quality. Rishi Tea's Silver Needle made for a more visually striking infusion in that the buds are longer, larger, and greener, while TenRen's buds were more anemic looking. The taste of Rishi Tea's Silver Needle tea is more vegetal and earthy than sweet and smooth, which is also good in its own respect. It really depends on personal tastes. Personally, I preferred TenRen's Silver Needle just slightly over Rishi Tea's Silver Needle, but think everyone should try both.
Posted by Kathy at 12:15 AM | Permalink
January 10, 2005
China Oolong Restaurant Style
Name: China Oolong Restaurant Style
Kathy's Rating: 5.0/10.0
Company: Tealuxe
Origin of tea: China
Price: $5/50g (1.76oz)
Tea form: Loose oolong tea
What they say: This organic oolong will remind you of the dark and smooth teas you're served at Chinese restaurants.
Preparation method: Pour boiling water over tea. Steep for 4 minutes.
Review: True to its claim, this tea really does taste like Chinese restaurant tea. Unfortunately, that's not a good thing. This tea was highly fermented - it almost tasted like a black tea. Overall, it lacked the bold characteristic flavor of oolong teas. I thought it was more of a tea to wash dim sum down with rather than to enjoy drinking alone.
Posted by Kathy at 09:11 PM | Permalink
December 12, 2004
Organic Wild Tree Pu-erh Tea
Name: Organic Wild Tree Pu-erh Tea
Kathy's Rating: 8.5/10.0
Company: Rishi Tea
Origin of tea: Yunnan Province, China
Price: ~$12/5oz (140g)
Tea form: Tea leaves compressed into small bowl-like structures
What they say: Known as Xiao Tuo Cha in Chinese, the name of this tea translates to “small bowl tea” due to its shape. Our Mini Tuo Cha is made with a select grade of Pu-erh which is hand harvested from 1300 year old tea trees on Jing Mai Mountain. Mini Tuo Cha has a surprisingly rich and sweetly flavored infusion with a big body and smooth finish not found in most Mini Tuo Cha grades. Each Mini Tuo Cha is individually wrapped and perfect for a single serving. Simply unwrap and steep 1 Mini Tuo Cha per every 8 ounce cup you wish to prepare. Like most Pu-erh, 1 serving of Mini Tuo Cha can be steeped many times.
Preparation method: Boil water and pour over tea bag. Steep for 30 seconds and discard just the water. Pour the rest of the water over the tea, and steep for 4-5 minutes before drinking.
Review: This is my first review of a pu-erh tea, which is processed in a different manner than the other tea categories - black, oolong, green, and white. In fact, this process is so different, pu-erh tea earns its own category within the tea family. You might wonder, how is the processing different? I did some research, and found a good source of information that explains pu-erh tea is actually post-fermented. This means like black tea, pu-erh tea is fully fermented. However, instead of the process ending after full fermentation, pu-erh tea is fermented a second time some time after the first fermentation process is stopped. So, the intense fermentation process explains why the pot of tea I made with pu-erh leaves yielded the darkest red-black liquid I have ever seen from a tea.
Given the color of the liquid, I expected the taste to be extremely strong. Surprisingly, the tea was incredibly mild (given the post-fermentation), with earthy notes. This is a really good tea that I really enjoyed! I'm a bit hard-pressed to give more details on why I liked it, because sometimes, I just like something not for a lot of specific reasons. I will say that this tea had a wonderful aromatic quality that never felt clingy, which reminds me, strangely, of perfectly cooked piping hot white rice. This is a tea that I can reflect with. Definitely, I would encourage you to try it. I will be looking for more pu-erh teas to review in the near future.
Posted by Kathy at 04:43 PM | Permalink
December 06, 2004
Envy Organic Green Tea
Name: Envy Organic Green Tea
Kathy's Rating: 6.0/10.0
Company: Tazo
Origin of tea: China
Price: ~$5/20 filterbags
Tea form: Shredded organic green tea leaves in bags
What they say: A floral, somewhat nutty blend of organic green teas from the misty mountains of Southwestern China.
Preparation method: Pour slightly below boiling water over tea bag and infuse for 3 minutes.
Review: To me, green tea has always been about pureness and relaxation. Sometimes, though, there's too much pesticides and other chemicals in the tea leaves, which makes it an unpleasant tea drinking experience. I was happy to see that Tazo Envy green tea is certified organic. In my experience, the organic teas have always been some of the best tasting ones. This tea is no exception to that experience - compared to other green teas in the same price range. When I compare this tea to finer, more expensive green teas, though, the taste is somewhat bland. I suspect this is because the leaves here are not first grade (the season's first picking). But, what can you expect when you pay ~$5 for 20 bags? Although Tazo says there's a 'nutty' taste to the tea, I didn't think so. It's more of a delicate, clean taste to me. I'd say that at the bargain price, this green tea is the best bang for your buck. It is also the tea you can drink everyday without feeling the need to 'save' it for special occasions, so drink up!
Posted by Kathy at 07:38 PM | Permalink
November 09, 2004
Organic Darjeeling
Name: Organic Darjeeling
Kathy's Rating: 8.0/10.0
Company: Hampstead Tea & Coffee Company
Origin of tea: India
Price: ~$11/125g (4.38oz)
Tea form: Loose biodynamically grown black tea leaves
What they say: Our signature biodynamic and fairtrade Darjeeling leaf tea is a favourite for its clean, satisfying taste. It has a rich, smokey flavour with a delightful, mellow aroma. Enjoy the distinctive flavour on its own or add a splash of milk. The tea is harvested from the Makaibari tea estate in India, one of only a few owner-managed estates still in existence. The leaves are picked in the autumn when the sun is mild, imparting a gentle flavour. No artificial inputs are used at any point during farming or production. The entire system emphasises environmental responsibility.
Preparation method: Boil water and pour over tea. Steep for 3 minutes.
Review: I picked this tea up from Whole Foods Market thinking that I've never tried biodynamically grown tea before. Would the taste be better? Since I'm new to Darjeeling, I only had one other Darjeeling to compare against this one. The other Darjeeling I've tried - Twinings - I didn't like too much. See my review on it for more details. Makaibari Estate's biodynamic Darjeeling is another story. I thought this tea was so pure, clear, and non-bitter in taste that I wanted to send some to a friend who recommended that I try Darjeeling in the first place. I realize that there are probably those out there who would suggest to me that comparing Twinings tea bags against loose leaf tea is hardly a fair comparison. I will continue to acquire and taste difference Darjeelings because I agree with that sentiment. However, this tea so impressed me that I'm reluctant to drink any other Darjeeling.
Posted by Kathy at 07:58 PM | Permalink
November 08, 2004
Organic Earl Grey Tea
Name: Organic Earl Grey Tea
Kathy's Rating: 9.0/10.0
Company: Hampstead Tea & Coffee Company
Origin of tea: India
Price: ~$11/125g (4.38oz)
Tea form: Loose biodynamically grown black tea with bergamot oil
What they say: Our biodynamic and fairtrade Earl Grey tea is a refreshing alternative to the heavier versions on the market today. We have recreated the original formula of Earl Grey, a tea created for the second Earl of Grey after a successful diplomatic mission. Our Earl Grey uses the natural oil of the bergamot fruit, imparting a distinct but not overpowering flavour. The base tea is harvested from the Makaibari tea estate in India, one of only a few owner-managed estates still in existence. No artificial inputs are used at any point during farming or production. The entire system emphasizes environmental responsibility.
Preparation method: Boil water and pour over tea. Steep for 3 minutes.
Review: I picked this tea up from Whole Foods Market thinking that I've never tried biodynamically grown tea before. Would the taste be better? Black leaf Earl Grey tea is a good control case for me because I've tried many, many different brands of black leaf Earl Grey teas - probably between fifteen and twenty brands. Like most people, I'm definitely for avoiding pesticides whenever possible. Hampstead's - or more accurately Makaibari Estate's - black leaf Earl Grey tea is superb. It is the best black leaf Earl Grey tea I've ever had. The taste of bergamot is rich, but not cloying as some bergamot essences in other brands of bleak leaf Earl Grey can be. This tea never produced bitter tones. Down to the last sip, the clarity of the aftertaste impressed me. If you like black leaf Earl Grey teas, then this tea should be your standard.
Posted by Kathy at 08:57 PM | Permalink
November 03, 2004
Chai Organic Spiced Black Tea
Name: Chai Organic Spiced Black Tea
Kathy's Rating: 5.5/10.0
Company: Tazo
Origin of tea: India and Ceylon
Price: ~$5/20 bags (52g/1.8oz)
Tea form: Crushed black tea leaves and various spices in tea bags
What they say: Organic Tazo Chai is an aromatic, sensual experience that comes from many exotic parts of the world. Rich Indian and Ceylon black teas are combined with spicy, sweet cinnamon, Madagascar cloves, and other spices from the Malabar Coast of India.
Preparation method: Boil water and pour over tea bag. Steep for 5 minutes.
Review: This is an extremely robust chai blend. I'm a big fan of chai, and will confess to drinking it most mornings for breakfast. However, the chai I drink is a concentrate sweetened with honey, which I blend with soymilk in an approximate 40:60 chai:soymilk ratio, depending on how much caffeine I need. This chai tea that I tried today is a bit overwhelming for me. Although I usually like my tea on the strong side, Tazo organic chai tea has black pepper as one of the ingredients. Yes, you read that correctly. Black pepper. Oh, and if that's not spicy enough, there's also ginger root and cinnamon bark. Whew! I'm definitely not a wimp when it comes to eating spicy foods, but I'm not sure I like my tea spicy. I did appreciate the cardamom and cloves that were also part of the mix. I could smell the cardamom in the tea bags from five feet away - I'm not kidding. I'd say if Tazo left out or reduced the black pepper, this would be just about perfect. Actually, if you're the type of tea drinker who likes to add sugar and milk, which I rarely do, this tea could come out pretty nicely.
Posted by Kathy at 06:33 PM | Permalink
November 02, 2004
Bushmen's Brew Honeybush Herbal Teasan
Name: Bushmen's Brew Honeybush Herbal Teasan
Kathy's Rating: 6.0/10.0
Company: Numi Tea
Origin of tea: South Africa
Price: ~$5/20 bags (1.68oz)
Tea form: Crushed honeybush leaves in tea bags
What they say: For hundreds of years, the Khoi and San peoples of Southern Africa hand gathered this plant from the mountainous regions of their homelands. This honey scented flowering bush creates an enticing rich brew with sweet honey over-tones. Rich in anti-oxidants, phytoestrogens and essential minerals, this new, organic African herbal is both delicious and healthy. One sip and the secret touches your soul.
Preparation method: Boil water and pour over tea bag. Steep for 4-6 minutes.
Review: This is an organically grown and caffeine free tea. I thought this tea would be similar in taste to rooibos tea, but I was wrong. Honeybush tea tastes nothing like rooibos, even though they both have hints of honey. Honeybush is very, very mild, despite the fact that I let it steep for six minutes. It's almost like I've prepared hot water, and added a bit of honey, but not really enough to sweeten the water. At the same time, there's an earthy taste to honeybush tea. I can't decide if I like it or not, so I'll just say that it can be pleasing, but not entirely satisfying.
Posted by Kathy at 09:58 PM | Permalink
October 29, 2004
Red Mellow Bush Rooibos Herbal Teasan
Name: Red Mellow Bush Rooibos Herbal Teasan
Kathy's Rating: 6.0/10.0
Company: Numi Tea
Origin of tea: Cederberg Mountains, South Africa
Price: ~$5/20 bags (1.68oz)
Tea form: Ground rooibos shoots in tea bags
What they say: Grown in the high desert regions of the Cederberg Mountains, the shoots of Rooibos have been hand gathered by South Africans for generations. It is prepared like a traditional tea, undergoing meticulous drying (oxidation) and cutting. Organic Red Mellow Bush has an earthy vanilla taste and pleasing orange color with hints of autumn straw. With an anti-oxidant level comparable to green tea, Rooibos has no caffeine, is rich in minerals, very low in tannin, and is relaxing to the nerves. No wonder they call it the "miracle tea". Discover the wonders of Rooibos!
Preparation method: Boil water and pour over tea bag. Steep for 4-6 minutes.
Review: This is an organically grown and caffeine free tea. When steeped, this tea turns the water a pretty red-orange shade. I was pleasantly surprised that this tea is strong in taste, yet has no bitterness - not even a trace - to it. Is it possible to be strong in taste and yet mellow at the same time? It is now. As the package indicated, there is indeed a hint of vanilla to this tea. I would say there's even a hint of sweetness. I highly recommend this tea, especially for those who are caffeine-averse. I rated this teasan a 6.0/10.0 for a couple of reasons. One, rooibos is not tea in the sense that it is not derived from the plant Camellia sinensis. This makes it difficult for me to evaluate rooibos properly against most of my other reviews, which are tea leaves plucked from the Camellia sinensis plant. Two, rooibos cannot be compared solely with herbal teas only because it is different from those as well. How do I compare apples and oranges - I cannot. But, I still feel like it would be beneficial to assign a rating. So, the 6.0/10.0 rating is a semi-awkward attempt to put together all of my total tea tasting experience into deriving a number for rooibos. Overall, an interesting (and good for you) herbal drink, but not what I would consider a serious tea experience.
Posted by Kathy at 09:09 PM | Permalink