Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Chado Tea House
Tea Description:
YUZU is a citrus fruit that Japanese people enjoy its aroma. Yuzu is closely resembling that of the grapefruit, with overtones of mandarin orange, however the aroma is different and sorry that it is hard to describe. Yuzu zest is used to garnish some dish and commonly used as seasoning. We found a harmony in Kukicha with Yuzu aroma.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This Yuzu Kukicha Tea Blend from Chado Tea House is ah-maz-ing! The aroma is remarkable. It smells citrus-y … like a sweet citrus. It smells like one of my favorite candies – you know those gummy-like grapefruit wedges? Yeah … this smells like a jar of those! Sweet and sour and yummy!
The flavor is equally as remarkable … it is more sweet than sour and I like that. It’s very juicy tasting. It tastes like a sweeter version of grapefruit with notes of tangerine. I like that it has a very bright, delicious flavor but it also has a mellowness to it – it’s not trying to hit me over the head with Yuzu fruit flavor.
And that’s important because kukicha tends to have a rather mild flavor and I am glad that I can still taste the kukicha here. It tastes fresh, smooth, and light, and marries well with the flavor of the Yuzu. This is delicious hot … but I think I like it even better when it cools. It has a delightfully fresh, mellow taste that is enjoyable to sip with meals … or anytime you want something on the lighter side.
I think this might be the first “flavored” tea that I’ve tried from Chado … they offer Japanese teas of exceptional quality, and I’ve loved everything that I’ve tried from them … and this is no exception. This is something that will be nice to have on hand as the weather gets warmer … a good choice for iced tea!
Gourmet Dark Chocolate Tea from sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Steap Shoppe
Tea Description:
Organic Kukicha Japanese Black Tea and Kosher Niligri Black Tea combined with Organic Cocoa Nibs. Kukicha loose twig black tea has a rich coffee aroma that helps enhance the chocolate flavor of the cocoa nibs. Giving depth to this loose leaf and twig tea we added Niligri black tea, the flavor and aroma create complexities on your palate. When you think of delicious dark chocolate you can’t go without the added benefit of organic vanilla which embraces the experience of your indulgence in this spectacular cup of tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve tasted a lot of chocolate tea over the past several years, and I think that this tea may be the most unique and unusual one that I’ve tried yet.
The base of teas is a blend of Nilgiri black tea and Kukicha black tea which in itself is rather unusual to me, because I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a black Kukicha. Most Kukicha that I’ve tried has been green Kukicha. I have tried the oxidized Kukicha, but, I don’t think I’ve ever had it referred to as black Kukicha.
Regardless, the addition of the Kukicha is what makes this tea really unique! It adds a slightly smoky element to the taste, a somewhat toasty note that is quite delightful combined with the chocolate notes. It also lightens the body a little bit, giving this a silkier taste rather than a richer, heavier taste.
The vanilla here adds a nice dimension as well. It doesn’t taste overly “vanilla” or anything … nor does it add a tremendous creaminess to the cup, instead, I think it enhances some of the malty tones of the Nilgiri which melds with the chocolate tones to make for a very smooth, decadent chocolate flavor.
My only complaint, really, is that I’d like there to be more chocolate. But then, when is that ever not a complaint from me? I am a chocoholic, and more chocolate is better. As it is though, I find this to have a pleasant level of chocolate, and I like the way the flavors all come together in this cup. It’s a little smoky and roasty-toasty, warm, smooth, chocolate deliciousness!
Truly a unique chocolate blend – the more I sip it, the more I like it!
Green Kukicha from The Tea Merchant
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: The Tea Merchant
Tea Description:
Our organic green kukicha is comprised of non-roasted tea twigs and leafs. Otherwise known as Senkukicha and praised for its health benefits and low caffeine content in the macrobiotic community. This tea has a fresh grassy feel with a slightly fruity taste and a crisp finish. Brews a lively green infusion and is best brewed at a low temperature.
Ingredients:
Organic Green Tea Leafs and StemsCaffeine Content: Low
Organic
Region: Japan
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This has a lovely green Kukicha base and one of my first Kukicha, actually this may have been my first Kukicha, however since have been able to sample a couple others so I can say I do like the base used in this blend. Its buttery, and slightly nutty and I am partial to buttery, nutty teas!
The initial aroma was nutty and the dry leaf is eye pleasing.
The initial taste on first sip was indeed buttery but then something shifted, this tea tasted very much of an oolong, which I also do love my oolongs!
The color of the steeped tea is quite interesting, almost a neon yellowish color that boarders on orange. It is the color of the sunrise. Quite pretty.
For such a light colored tea it actually has somewhat of a full mouth feel being nice and creamy!
As I sat with my cup and took in the aromas around me I noticed this tea also smells very much like an oolong!
The flavor however was still very vegetal, grassy and fresh, yet there was this kick to it similar to an oolong with a roast-y toast-y goodness and after taste!
It is quite rich and while I am used to using 2tsp of leaves for greens and oolongs this one may even be able to be extended in your stash by only using 1tsp but I have yet to try that.
Its a delicate tea so be sure you steep a bit lower – around 150 to 170 degrees but not over that as it will become bitter and astringent.
This is a part that is slightly annoying to me as often I do not have the time to baby my teas and just need hardy teas that you can dump into the stainer and pour some scouring water over and be done with it but fine tea does deserve far more focus and attention so be sure that when you steep this tea you have the time to treat it with respect and it will offer you a welcome cup.
Roasted Maple from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Tea Description:
We have several maple offerings however this is one of our favourites, combining the natural soft nuttiness of kukicha with maple essences yields an incredibly flavorful, sweet, soft, and fresh profile. One of our most popular maple blends.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m always eager to try a new flavored kukicha tea because there really aren’t that many out there. I’ve managed to find a few, but, really, they don’t seem to be as popular as a flavored Ceylon or Sencha. And that’s a shame, because the natural toasty notes of kukicha meld so beautifully with some flavors … like maple, for example!
This Roasted Maple Kukicha Tea from Shanti Tea is unbelievably good. The roasty-toasty, nutty taste of the kukicha marries beautifully with the sweet, delicious maple flavor to create a very seamless flavor that is positively scrumptious! It is warm and delicious, a perfect autumnal treat … and while I realize that it is now spring, I still LONG for my favorite season and this tea allows me to enjoy autumn even though spring is here.
This tea has a natural sweetness to it and it really doesn’t need additions of any kind. It is sweet enough so sugar or other sweeteners just aren’t needed (but if you want to amplify the maple flavors, try a drop or two of real maple syrup) and I think that milk would overwhelm the delicious flavors (although if you’re envisioning a maple and cream treat, you might infuse this at double or triple strength to make a latte).
As I write this review, I discovered that this tea is currently sold out. I do hope that they will be restocking this one soon, because it is a WINNER! I love this!
Organic Kukicha from Imperial Tea Garden
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Imperial Tea Garden
Tea Description:
Kukicha is a traditional beverage in Japan that is made from the roasted stems and leaves of the tea plant (Camellia Sinensis). Stems and leaves are harvested in late fall from carefully selected aged plants and dry roasted in giant cast iron caldrons. This process delivers a rich roasted flavor and aroma. Our Kukicha is certified organic and is much lower in caffeine than tea leaves and buds because it is comprised of mainly twigs and stems. Kukicha is also perfect for blending with any of our black, green or oolong teas for an interesting twist.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a delicious Kukicha, rich with roasty-toasty flavor!
I’ve had many different types of Kukicha, ranging from green Kukicha, light roasted Kukicha and even dark roasted Kukicha, along with several other roasted grades that fell somewhere between the two extremes. But, I think that my favorite are the darker roasted Kukicha like this one. I just love its sweet, toasted flavor – it is so warm and comforting.
The flavor is sweet and nutty, with a lovely smoked tone in the distance. It doesn’t taste overly smoky, but the smoked notes add a pleasing dimension to the cup. The deep roasted flavor reminds me a bit of coffee, but without the coffee bitterness.
This Kukicha has a very soothing quality as well, I can feel it calm and relax me as I sip it. Overall, a very enjoyable cup.