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Jan 31

Thé Au Lait from Lupicia Tea

Black Tea,Lupicia Tea,Tea Review,Unflavored Tea 11:00 pm | No Comments

Thé Au Lait from Lupicia TeaThis tea surprised me.  I don’t know exactly what I was expecting … I guess with Lupicia I was expecting some sort of wild and crazy flavoring or something like that, but this is just smooth, rich, delicious black tea.  Something that I’d enjoy waking up to.

This full-bodied tea is robust and has a very bold, toothsome character.  It tastes rich and is very strong.  Delicious and strong.

Thé Au Lait translates to “tea in milk” and is so called because this tea is meant to be served with “lots of milk” (which you can see by the description below) but not because it has some sort of weird milk flavoring (which, I guess was what I was expecting). I’m feeling a bit rebellious today and I didn’t add milk, and it is quite tasty without the milk too.   I did add a drizzle of agave nectar just to smooth out some of the rougher edges (this tea is STRONG), and I think it is just fine this way.

About mid-way through the cup, I decided to add a bit of steamed milk to see how it held up, and I will say that this is a tea that you really SHOULD serve with milk… as good as it is with that aforementioned drizzle of agave nectar, it is infinitely better with a bit of milk added to it.  It becomes so smooth, rich and creamy… like a coffee-house treat, only better!

Lupicia describes this tea as:

Black tea blended with beautiful golden tips to enjoy with lots of milk.

I really enjoyed this tea much more than I thought I would.  It is strong but oh-so-pleasant when served “au lait.”  For an extra special treat (feeling indulgent?) add chocolate milk!   YUMMY!

Thé Au Lait from Lupicia Tea


liber-teas
liber-teas
http://hungryinportland.com


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Jan 31

Earl Grey from The Tao of Tea

Black Tea,earl grey,Flavored Tea,Tea Review,The Tao of Tea 4:00 pm | No Comments

Earl Grey from The Tao of TeaWhen it comes to Earl Grey tea, the aroma of the tea is almost as important as the flavor.  I want to be overwhelmed by the scent of bergamot!

Well, this Earl Grey is abundantly fragrant.  These tins from The Tao of Tea are double lidded (to keep the tea at its optimal freshness!) and I could smell the bergamot as soon as I broke the seal and opened the first lid.  This made me very happy, indeed.

But even though the dry leaf is extremely aromatic, this Earl Grey hasn’t forgotten that it is a tea.  The black tea base is a strong, flavorful tea that does not lose itself in the bergamot.  In fact, the black tea dominates the cup – which is not always the case when it comes to Earl Grey teas.   This tea is bold but not bitter, with a fair amount of astringency that lightly dries the palate.

The bergamot is delicious and tastes authentic.  It is delightfully tart but not too much so, with a nice sweetness that presents itself mid-sip.  Delightfully citrus-y with very little floral-like taste and sharpness to this bergamot.  Not at all perfume-ish or soapy.  (Definitely a good thing!)

The Tao of Tea describes their Earl Grey as

Origin: China

Introduction: This is a handcrafted blend of organic Assam black tea and organic bergamot Essence. Our bergamot ‘Citrus Bergamia’ originates from Sicily in Italy, the famous home to this fruit, and is steam distilled to make a natural essence. We hand-blend the bergamot essence and tea leaves in small batches so that we can maintain an even flavor profile, often ignored by larger mechanical processes. The flavor of the tea is fresh, citrusy and slightly floral. This citrus aroma has a stabilising effect on the emotions, promotes positive thoughts and relieves anxiety. Bergamot is second only to lavender in its ability to relax the brain and induce sleep.

Flavor Profile: Full-bodied and smooth with a fresh, citrusy, slightly floral aroma.
Ingredients: 100% Organic Black Tea Leaves, Natural Bergamot Essence.

Having tasted so many Earl Grey teas, it is hard for me to say that this is the very best that I’ve tried.  But I can easily say that it is up there – within the top 10! – at the very least.  But, I would expect nothing less from the Tao of Tea.  They always deliver spectacular teas… and this Earl Grey is absolutely no exception.

In a word:  FABULOUS!



liber-teas
liber-teas
http://hungryinportland.com


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Jan 31

Bombay Chai from Tea Forté

Black Tea,Chai Tea,Tea Forté,Tea Review 8:00 am | No Comments

Bombay Chai from Tea FortéWow!  I was surprised to see how much the tea leaves expanded in the pyramid infuser.  When I first opened the packaging, I thought to myself that there was such a small amount of tea – but after steeping, the tea leaves expanded so much that the pyramid was nearly full.

And this tea offers a lot of flavor, too!  The black tea base is strong with hints of malt in the background.  While Tea Forté does not specify which type of “black tea” they use for this blend, I suspect it is an Assam or a blend containing Assam.  I base this on not only the malty flavor, but the deep, rich flavor of the tea.  It is a delicious base and one that is sturdy enough to hold its own among the flavorful spices of this chai.

This chai contains the “standard” spice array:  cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves.  It also has a couple of other spices in there that are not in every chai blend, but, certainly well appreciated in this one:  star anise and black pepper.

The dominate flavor here is the black pepper, and I think that is something that sets this chai apart from other blends I’ve tried.  However, while the black pepper is strong, it doesn’t overwhelm the other spices of the blend.  I enjoy how the pepper and ginger work together here, delivering a peppery taste sensation at the finish which lingers well into the aftertaste.  Also lingering in the aftertaste are the cinnamon and the star anise – and I like the way the cinnamon/licorice combination offers a sweet yet spicy taste.

Tea Forté describes this chai blend as:

A lively, exotic blend of Indian black tea and aromatic spices. Cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and ginger flavor this warming cup.

This is a very comforting blend, and makes for a very nice tea to curl up to on these cold winter afternoons.  I drank mine with just a dollop of honey and without milk, because while it does make a yummy chai latte, I found that I quite enjoyed it without the milk too.

As far as “spiciness” goes with this chai, I would rate it about “medium.”  It’s not quite mild, but it is far more mellow than some of the spicier chai teas out there.  It would recommend this to those who like their spices on the light-to-medium side.  It offers such a lovely warmth – it’s almost luxurious!  It really fits in with the Tea Forté ensemble of gourmet teas!



liber-teas
liber-teas
http://hungryinportland.com


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Jan 30

Cantaloupe Bai Mu Dan from 52Teas

52 Teas,Flavored Tea,Tea Review,White Tea 11:00 pm | No Comments

Cantaloupe Bai Mu Dan from 52TeasI was so excited when I opened my mailbox this afternoon and saw my package from 52Teas.  I actually squealed!  I guess I was looking forward to this tea more than I realized.

The aroma is intense upon opening the package.  (I could actually smell it before opening the package!)  It smells like I have just cut into a fresh, ripe melon!  Delicious!

The brewed liquor is not quite as intensely fragrant, but, it still smells like fresh cantaloupe.  I can also smell faint notes from the white tea.  My m0uth is already watering at this point, so it’s time for a sip!

The overall flavor of the tea is delicate.  I expected that.  After all, white tea is a very delicate tasting tea, and cantaloupe is a delicate tasting melon.  In that context, though, the tea is very flavorful and vibrant.  The mouthfeel is luscious, it feels as though I have just taken a bite of silky smooth cantaloupe!   While the flavor of the cantaloupe dominates here, I can still taste the fresh, lightly grassy taste of the bai mu dan.  The combination is wonderful!  Sweet, juicy, and delicious.

52Teas describes this white tea as

I got my hands on some real, dried cantaloupe (it is lightly sugared and has some sulfur dioxide, but it’s beautiful and tasty!–I had to taste test it (it’s a tough job, but….))

Cantaloupe is such a delicate flavor. I couldn’t think of anything better to pair it with than our amazing Bai Mu Dan white tea, and the combination is stunning. You can almost feel the soft fruit in each sip. This is a luxurious tea. Please note that we packaged this in one ounce packages (10-12 cups) in order to make more affordable to everyone, but you can buy two pouches for $12.99, and I think you are going to want to take advantage of the discount on this one.

I am drinking this now as a hot tea (it’s COLD outside… hot tea drinking weather!) and it is delicious, but, I notice as the tea cools a bit it does not lose its flavor.  This tea will make a fantastic iced tea – refreshing!  I am also already imagining how I would make a sorbet out of it.  YUM!

I will be stashing this tea away until summertime so that I can enjoy it iced … I’m guessing that this will be a limited edition tea from 52Teas as it seems most of their melon flavored teas are (If I’m wrong, Frank, please comment here and let me know), and I’d hate for summertime to come along and find that they’ve sold out of this flavor!  This is one that even my tea-ambivalent husband will probably enjoy!



liber-teas
liber-teas
http://hungryinportland.com


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Jan 30

Amore from Art of Tea

Art of Tea,Flavored Tea,Tea Review,White Tea 4:00 pm | No Comments

Amore from Art of TeaWith Valentines Day quickly approaching (can you believe how fast time flies?), this tea seems the perfect choice for this time of year!

I don’t usually come across a tea blend that includes both mint and rose, and as I taste this tea, I can’t help but wonder why, because this flavor combination is fantastic.

The peppermint is the strongest note.  It tastes crisp and clean, but the rose offsets it enough so that this tea does not come across as too minty.  The rose, on the the other hand, is not overly floral because it is offset by the peppermint.  These two ingredients play off each other well, emphasizing the best of both flavors while not allowing the tea to be overwhelmingly mint or rose.

The white tea is a bit obscured by the strength of the rose and mint.  However, it is not completely overpowered.  I can taste the fresh, light notes of white tea.  The overall cup is smooth, refreshing and delicious.

Art of Tea describes this blend as

Blend of organic flower-scented white teas, wild roses, organic peppermint, and seasonally selected botanicals. Great for an after meal pick up or late night elixir used to refresh the mind and enhance the mood. One pot can make the night sweet and reminiscent. Share it with someone you love.

This is an incredibly romantic and indulgent-tasting tea without being too sweet.  It leaves the palate feeling clean without being too astringent.   It does not taste too feminine or floral to me, thanks to the mint.  I think that this would appeal to both the floral tea and mint tea fans out there.  And it’s organic, so it is a tea that you’ll feel good about serving to that special someone!  A very enjoyable cup!



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liber-teas
http://hungryinportland.com


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Jan 30

Orange Dulce from Mighty Leaf

Black Tea,Flavored Tea,Mighty Leaf,Tea Review 8:00 am | No Comments

Orange Dulce from Mighty LeafI’ve mentioned my love for Earl Grey before.  This was the next step along the way.  It’s not quite an Earl Grey, but it’s definitely along the same vein.

Let me tell you a little about this tea company.

Mighty Leaf is a husband and wife team tea company with its roots in San Fransisco.  They’ve been doing this for almost 15 years, and pride themselves on providing both the highest quality product and the highest quality customer service.  These are two things I look for as a consumer: do I love the product?  Do I support the “cause” of the company?  To both of these questions, a resounding YES!

The tea bags are silken, biodegradable, and organic.   There are no glues or staples in their bags, so they can mindlessly be thrown into the compost without even a second thought.

In the bags, you’ll find whole black leaf tea that has room to expand in the pouch while brewing, which means you’re getting a thicker liquor than if the tea leaves were jammed in there with no room to grow.

Come with me, while I brew this delightful cup!   Brew time is four minutes, and when you’re done, you’ll see a dark cherry-chocolate colored liquor that smells of oranges and very subtly of jasmine.  While this tea is wonderful without the goodies, I absolutely LOVE putting a little turbinado sugar and organic cream in with it.  The flavor is very much a mixture of bergamot and orange, smoothed out with a vanilla and jasmine finish.  It’s smooth and even without cream, creamy.  Mighty Leaf seems to focus on the end results of the tea; I am pleased to note that the tea is not bitter like some black teas can be.  Instead, it is smooth, caffeinated, and rich.   Kinda like what I prefer in most of my tea relationships.  *wink*

Because a second brew of the bag in a mug gives a very weak second cup, I strongly recommend using a tea pot if you’re planning on a second cup.  The one bag will give one to two pints of tea if you refill the pot with boiling water after you pour your first cup.

Mighty Leaf describes this tea as:

Orange Dulce flavored black tea is a luscious, rich brew teeming with notes of bergamot, orange, vanilla and jasmine blossoms. Made with Ceylon and China black teas, Orange Dulce brews up a fragrant and full bodied dark tea. Reminiscent of an aged Port, the flavor is sure to please.

This tea is perfect for me when I need a little twist from my ritual Earl Grey.  It’s more than an Earl Grey, but so similar.  I drink it for breakfast, and eagerly gulp it down.  This is one I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy because it’s all too easy to be greedy because it’s so darn yummy!



Miss Ash
Miss Ash
http://www.perilouslyprecocious.com


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Jan 26

Peppermint Yerba Maté from Samovar

Herbal Tisanes,Samovar,Tea Review,Yerba Maté 4:00 pm | No Comments

Peppermint Yerba Maté from SamovarThis is really delicious!

I know I should not be surprised, because I have never been disappointed by a Samovar tea or tisane yet.  But, while I do enjoy peppermint, it is not a flavor I would consider a favorite when it comes to teas or tisanes.  I don’t dislike it… it’s just kind of … “OK”.  You know?  And, given the fact that I am not a huge fan of yerba maté, I didn’t really have high hopes for this particular blend.

But this is really good.  The earthy and somewhat bitter qualities of the yerba maté meld perfectly with the crisp flavor of the peppermint.  I do get some of the eucalyptus notes that the description from Samovar suggests (you can read Samovar’s description below), and the eucalyptus flavors really gives this cup some dimension.

The flavor is minty (not surprising, right?) with a solid earthy note and a very pleasing sweetness in the background.  The best term I can come up with to describe what I’m experiencing with this tea is “rustically clean.”  It is vibrant, and if you weren’t completely awake and alert before sipping on this tea, trust me, this will help shake you even from the deepest doldrums!

This is a “green” yerba maté – that is, it hasn’t been roasted.  I have found that the green yerba mate tends to be somewhat grassy and herbaceous in flavor, and that is true with this tisane, although I am not finding the grassy notes to be distracting or off-putting as they meld very nicely with the zesty peppermint flavor.

Samovar describes this tisane as

Ingredients:  Organic Argentinian shade-grown yerba maté, organic peppermint.

Flavor Profile: High-flying peppermint and eucalyptus are grounded with bittersweet earthiness.

As simple as this tisane may seem – yerba maté and peppermint -  these two humble ingredients marry to create a flavor profile that is better than the two ingredients would be on their own.  This tisane truly has exceeded my expectations. It tastes fresh without tasting like mouthwash.  It is delicious hot, but also makes an invigorating iced beverage too. Two thumbs up for this delicious yerba maté blend!



liber-teas
liber-teas
http://hungryinportland.com


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