Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Enjoying Tea
Product Description:
This oolong tea offers a smooth roasted nutty flavor and has a sweet lingering aftertaste. The Chinese traditionally treasure the slimming effects of this tea.
Taster’s Review:
The picture of the tea bag package above looks different from the packaging that I have of this tea, however, of the bagged Oolong teas on Enjoying Tea’s website, the above description (that accompanies the above photo) matches this tea’s characteristics best.
As a rule, I tend to be highly skeptical of any Oolong that is in a tea bag. Oolong teas – more so than any other tea, in my opinion – need room when they brew, and most commercially processed tea bags just don’t offer that kind of space. So, to say that I was skeptical when I first tasted this Oolong several months ago is putting it lightly.
But, this is actually really good.
The flavor is nutty and sweet and it reminds me of the type of Oolong tea I might enjoy in a nice Asian restaurant. It has light floral tones in the background and a somewhat fruity note that hits about mid sip. The sweetness of this tea lingers through the astringent-free finish.
This doesn’t have the same complexity as most loose leaf Oolong teas and whether that has something to do with the fact that this is a bagged tea, I don’t know, but I believe it does.
As an Oolong enthusiast, I prefer a more complex Oolong when I’m sipping tea for tea enjoyment, but this is my Oolong of choice to serve along with my meals, because it has such a pleasant and mild flavor that does not interfere with the flavors of my food, but rather enhances my experience. A more complex Oolong would be distracting. So, it’s quite nice to have both on hand depending upon the occasion.
Indian Mocha Chai from EnjoyingTea.com
Tea Type: Chai Tea (Black Tea)
Where To Buy: EnjoyingTea.com
Product Description:
This Sri Lankan Chai is made from Indian spices and high-grown Ceylon tea with natural cherry and chocolate flavors. The combination of ingredients gives this tea the depth and character of those served in Chai stands prevalent in India and Sri Lanka. This tea has a superb body with mellow Indian spice notes and overtones of mocha. When brewed this chai is coppery and bright in color and is wonderful served with milk.
Tasters Review:
I was pleasantly surprised with this one…it was mellower that I expected and I am grateful for that. I was thinking it was going to be all-spice…and nothing more but it was part cocoa and and partially spicy-E but full and a nice black chai.
I have spent 3 nice sit-downs with this chai and it is one that has made it to my favorites list. Mostly because it is different than most of the chai I have tasted thus far.
Another reason I like this is because it’s from EnjoyingTea.com and I have tried several of their teas and think this is one of the many that have stood out to me. Another reason I like EnjoyingTea.com is because their shipping is extremely reasonable – it’s a flat rate shipping fee of just $3.98 and if you buy $60 or more…it’s FREE. They will also send you some free tea with the purchase of a tea pot or tea set! AND they will even send you a FREE Tea Cup with the purchase of loose leaf tea(s) over $80!
They are a very giving company and have a nice selection as well as offer some unique tastes that I haven’t found elsewhere!
Wild Bitter Tea (Tianshan Lushui) from Enjoying Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Enjoying Tea
Company Description:
This is a rare and expensive tea grown in Zhejiang province. In Chinese medical journals the Tianshan Lushui is known to lower cholesterols and help with weight loss. This tea produces a green color liquid. The better its quality is, the greener the color. This tea has traditionally been used as a diet tea in palaces by the empress and princesses of ancient China. Because this tea is very concentrated, we suggest using one teaspoon of tealeaves for every 500ml of water.
Taster’s Review:
These tiny leaves are so much fun to watch as they brew. When I first watched them, the first thought that came into my head is that this is “instant gratification for tea watchers” – because it unfurls much like a gunpowder or pearl, but much faster. It is kind of like watching a gunpowder tea unfurl in fast forward.
I was a little afraid to taste this tea, to be honest. When the name of the tea is “bitter” – I get a little worried. But, really, this is “bitter” in a good way. Kind of like dandelion greens. And that is a really good description of this tea, because when they unfurl, the damp leaves look like baby dandelion greens! Really tiny, baby dandelion greens!
This is actually quite good. It has a savory quality that I’m finding very rewarding. The key is to not over brew it, I found that with a short brew time (I brewed it for about 1 1/2 minutes in hot but not boiling water) the flavor is lightly bitter, with an interesting sweet background note. It’s a very crisp, bright, herbal taste that I’m finding rather energizing. Vibrant!
I also recommend not using too much leaf when you brew this, because the flavor is quite intense. Too much leaf will result in a cup that is quite bitter, and because the bitter is so overwhelming, it is difficult to enjoy the other flavors that this tea possesses. A lighter infusion allows the many dimensions of this leaf to come alive in the teacup!
By now, you might be wondering what “Tianshan Lushui” is – is it a tea (as in Camellia Sinensis) or is it something else? Well, I was not entirely sure if it came from the Camellia Sinensis plant, so I contacted Enjoying Tea for more information. I was very impressed with the speed in which they responded!
They informed me that it is in fact an herb and not from the Camellia Sinensis plant. I also did a little research of my own, and found that this herb is also often called “small-leaf bitter tea.” It is often utilized to help cool the body temperature, as well as help to lower cholesterol and improve blood circulation. It’s also supposed to be good for the skin! So while it’s not a true tea, it is a tasty herb and very good for you! Cheers!
Lemon Grass from Enjoying Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Enjoying Tea
Company Description:
This perennial herb, native to Southeast Asia is noted for its lemony scent and ginger undertones. In Thailand, lemongrass is believed to calm the nerves and restore the spirit. The lemony flavor of lemongrass is used to flavor everything from curry to Thai milk shakes. Lemongrass is delicious brewed on its own or enjoyed with your favorite tea.
Taster’s Review:
This Lemon Grass has such a pleasant, bright flavor. Like the name of this herb suggests, it has a lemony taste – but what I like about lemongrass over a lemon is that lemongrass doesn’t have the same tangy/tart/pucker-ish character of a lemon. Instead, it is like the sweeter side of a lemon – fresh, vibrant, and appealing. It also has a delicate buttery taste to it that I really like.
Over the past few months, I have really become a fan of this lemongrass from Enjoying Tea. It has that light, lemony flavor that I really enjoy. It is soothing when I have a sore throat; restorative when I feel drained; and refreshing when I want a hot beverage but desire something a little lighter than tea. It also blends so well with other teas – I like to add a little to unflavored white tea or honeybush for a little extra flavor.
Lemongrass is also excellent served hot or iced. I especially like it hot on chilly evenings. It is naturally caffeine free and very uplifting. For an extra treat, try adding just a little candied ginger to the brewed lemongrass – it sweetens it just a little bit and accents the natural ginger-like undertones of the lemongrass. Delicious!
Spearmint from Enjoying Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Enjoying Tea
Company Description:
This wonderful field grown and sun-dried spearmint is from Washington State. Spearmint is highly appreciated for its digestive properties and its ability to relieve nausea. It’s often used to help relieve headaches and tension. Use spearmint to add a kick to your favorite tea!
Taster’s Review:
I really don’t drink a lot of herbal teas. I prefer teas with Camellia Sinensis (the tree from which tea leaves are harvested) rather than herbal tisanes, but later in the evening, I really like to sip on a “tea” – but I don’t really want all that caffeine keeping me up all night. That’s when I usually turn to herbal teas.
And, sometimes, it’s nice to wind down after a long (and spicy!) day with something fresh and pure like this Spearmint. Spearmint is often used to help with digestive discomfort, so it’s especially good after eating something spicy (tonight we had tacos!) Plus … it leaves the mouth feeling minty fresh – a nice bonus.
This is pure Spearmint from Washington State (which is where I live), and the taste is crisp and clean. It has a natural sweetness to it – so it doesn’t need any sweetener. It doesn’t taste medicine-y or like mouthwash – it tastes light and refreshing.
Not something that I drink all the time… but I’m really enjoying it right now! It is also a great “tea” to keep on hand, because it makes a great addition to other teas should you wish to “kick it up a notch” (to borrow a catch phrase from a well-known chef). I especially like to add a little Spearmint to plain, organic honeybush for a minty, sweet, late-night treat!