Ceylon Emerald/Teakruthi – Skysamurai

Photo Credit: Teakruthi

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Put on music with erhu in it.

Deeply inhale. Exhale. Fruits. Strawberry. Peach. Do it again. Pineapple and mango.

Drink in a double-walled glass cup in order to fully enjoy the gorgeousness of this tea. Though don’t try to sip it grandpa style. The rose petals will try to choke you.

Tiny pink ninjas they are. This tea is better brewed cold. The fruity flavors come out better without the astringency taking over.

Personally, I wasn’t really a fan of it when it hot because I thought it was a bit too tannic, even with the fruity flavor.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Teakruthi

Description

Light, almost golden, yellow when perfectly brewed, this distinctive green tea begins its journey growing on the picturesque Radella Estate. Like only the finest Ceylon gems can do, this tea sparkles brilliantly, bewitching your taste buds with its flavour. To this unique, high grown green tea base we have added the makings of a tropical vacation. Tangy pineapple and tropical fruits including strawberry, mango, and peach compliment the Green tea base, teasing out its hidden flavours. Each sip is a moment of pure ecstasy, transporting you from your daily life to a world of the seaside relaxation that you truly deserve.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Hot Mama Jama/Bird and Blend Tea Co -variaTEA

Photo Credit: Bird and Blend Tea Co

The weather is quickly cooling down and though I am glad to see the humid days behind me, I am going to miss not having to walk a half hour in the freezing wind to get to/from campus. In light of this conflict over the weather, I went with a hot/spicy tea that also has a tropical vibe, Hot Mama Jama by Bird and Blend Tea Co.

This tea is a Chinese green tea blended with lemongrass, lime leaves and pieces (large pieces at that), chili seeds, hibiscus, rosehip, apple pieces, orange peel, passion fruit pieces, mango pieces, and flavoring. I steeped it for 3 mins in 175F water and I am drinking it plain.

The chili has a strong scent as I lift the mug to take a sip and though the flavor is definitely present in the cup, I wouldn’t say this tea is particularly spicy. Instead I get the flavor of chili upfront and a tiny bit of warmth in the back of my throat throughout the sip. That chili flavor melts into a (mostly tropical) fruity flavor that comes out exceptionally sweet in contrast. Sweet but not cloying. The lemongrass can be more prominent than I like at times but mostly there is just a bright citrus note thanks to the lime and orange. I also definitely get a lot of mango with some bursts of passion fruit here and there. The foundation flavor here keeping everything grounded and underlying the entire sip is the familiar hibiscus/rosehip flavor that is found in so many fruity teas/tisanes. Thankfully it is not strong here as it typically is.

This makes me think of a mango sprinkled with chili powder as the two flavors are both present and compliment each other just as well in tea form as they do when enjoying that treat. With that said, this isn’t necessarily the highest quality tea or the best tea but it is unique and tasty. It is the type of tea that I can enjoy every now and then because it is something different than my usual go-tos.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Bird and Blend Tea Co

Description

Turn up the chilli tea heat and join the tropical carnival with a cup of Hot Mama Jama chilli green tea. But be warned… this blazing remix of refreshing reggae limes and calypso chilli beats will have your taste buds dancing all night long.

Hot Mama Jama is well-loved by our fans in the Brighton Gospel Choir for its amazing abilities to soothe a sore throat. It is the ultimate sore throat tea and when you mix it up with lemon and honey, see sore throat tea recipe it is the best natural remedy for a sore throat that you can find!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Teahouse Matcha/Rishi -skysamurai-

Everyone once in awhile I will drink a tea or have a matcha that is the unfortunate victim to poor packaging.

The grey unassuming bag looks like it would be well suited for the job of protecting this matcha but I fear it failed. The dry aroma is nil.

It’s part of matcha that I love, so smelling a staleness, a sort of packaging type of smell was disappointing. Surprisingly the wet aroma immediately filled my nose with vegetal and slight nori notes. Gave me hope.

But that was dashed with the flavor. It tastes like the aroma. Not at all what I expected.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type: Green Tea/Matcha

Where to Buy: Rishi

Description

Our top grade of organic matcha is made from the first springtime harvest of tencha, savored for its umami sweetness, creamy taste and enlivening energy

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Notes on Gyokuro Superior/Sorate -skysamurai-

Lush, deep green.

These leaves are a fantastic color. If you are going to call it superior it better be a green like this.

The liquid is a clear, light amber. The mouthfeel is very smooth. Barely any astringency. Wet leaf smells of umami.

Not sure of how to explain that smell besides umami. It is warming and reminds me of soft Japanese udon. The flavor is slight grassy with vegetal notes. Garden veggies.

 


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Sorate

Description

Gyokuro was developed in Uji, Kyoto, home of our beloved farm.

The deep ties to Gyokuro’s homeland and production, making it the finest grade of Japanese Tea. It contains an elegant aroma and taste with soft tones presented in a light green color.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Notes on Matcha Super Premium Ceremonial Grade/Sorate

If you really want to test your matcha mettle you should try to drink a single cultivar for a few days and then switch it up to a different one.

I have been drinking okumidori the last few days which is more nori forward or at least I thought it was until I tried this samidori. The marine flavor is not just forward, it is in your face. Bits of nori mixed with umami sea notes. It starts very smooth and ends up a bit silty but the bits aren’t unpleasant.

The overall mouthfeel is very smooth. The matcha coloring is just a very slight shade off of the highest grade I have in my fridge but it still is nice jade green.

The powder is smooth to the touch.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type: Green

Where to Buy: Sorate

Description

Exclusively grown from the rolling hills of Uji, Japan, this Matcha is known for its savory and full taste. The exquisite flavor is a result of the leaves being produced from this rich soil.

Since 17th century, the tradition has been passed down from generation to generation.

Samidori breed.

 

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!