Fuji Apple & Ginger/Pure Leaf

Continuing with the spooky/fall theme. . .Fuji Apple & Ginger from Pure Leaf- reviewed by our amazing VariaTea. . .

Photo Credit: Pure Leaf

I am very particular about my tea which means I don’t usually let anyone else make it for me. I don’t often drink teas in restaurants and bottled teas have never appealed to me. However, a lot of my friends have been enjoying and recommending Pure Leaf.

While in the grocery store the other day, I passed by Pure Leaf’s Tea House Collection. I decided to pick up the Fuji Apple & Ginger Green Tea, mostly because I LOVE fuji apples and that is not often the apple of choice for apple-flavored things. I got curious.

This is made up of brewed organic green tea, organic cane sugar, natural flavors, citric acid, ascorbic acid, brewed organic apple and brewed organic ginger.

Drinking it, I would not exactly call this tea. Upfront, it is all sweet, juicy fuji apple deliciousness. That gives way to a ginger flavor, without any burn. The apple-ginger then ends in a slight astringency. My guess is that could be from the ginger or the green tea. Other than that astringency, there really isn’t any sign of the green tea base.

If I am being honest, this is more like apple juice with a touch of ginger and a slight astringency. So if you want something sweet, this could be a nice option. Then again, so could regular apple juice.


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Green Tea

Where to Buy: Pure Leaf

Description

The delicate flavors of USDA-certified organic green tea are accented by hints of crisp Fuji apple and ginger for a refreshing iced tea experience. It’s a play on flavors that only our tea masters could achieve.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Strawberry Lemon Matcha/Mantra Matcha

Flavored matchas. . .through trail and error I have found that not all matchas are the same.  I’ve had amazing matchas where I just can’t get enough and other matchas where no matter how I prep the cuppa, the matcha and I are just not going to be friends.

Recently Mantra Matcha reached out to us to check out their matchas and after checking out their site, I knew we had to check them out.  The flavors sounded so intriguing- Cinnamon Goji Berry Matcha, Strawbery Lemon Matcha, Banana Cacao Matcha and so many more.  I couldn’t wait for the goodies to arrive so I could check out these flavors first hand.

Strawberry Lemon Matcha was the first that caught my eye.   This matcha’s ingredient list is simple:  Organic Super Premium Ceremonial Matcha, Organic Strawberries, Organic Lemon Juice and Organic Maltodextrin.   (Maltodextrin is added to prevent hardening of the matcha powder).

First up- I tried the matcha cold.  I have several blender bottles that I use for protein powder and scooped two portions of the matcha with the scoop provided into my bottle and filled the bottle to the top.  Shook the contents of the bottle for about 30 seconds and poured the matcha over a glass of ice.

Took my first sip and was greeted with an amazing burst of flavor- smooth vegtal notes with soft berry flavor and a lemon finish.  Wonderful refreshing and the perfect companion to my afternoon.   The matcha blended up beautifully for just being shaken in a bottle.  No clumps, absolutely light and frothy, and smooth.  I’m incredibly impressed.

Photo Credit: CuppaGeek/SororiTea Sisters

Next was to try the matcha hot as a latte.  I scooped two servings into my Breville frother, added oat milk, and let the frother do its thing. (Usually I do use my whisk and go the more traditional route but since I was up against a meeting, I went this route. )  A few minutes later, I was greeted with a delicious matcha latte that again was smooth, light, refreshing.  Each sip was eagerly enjoyed.

I do think I enjoyed the matcha prepped more cold than hot but both were very enjoyable.

All in all, I’m very impressed with this matcha and am excited to make overnight oats or even oatmeal.  The prep for this matcha is so simple and convenient, which is great for me when I’m in a ton of meetings but need that jolt to keep me going for the rest of the day.  Highly recommend and can’t wait to check out their other flavors. Thank you Mantra Matcha!


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Green Tea

Where to Buy:  Mantra Matcha

Description

This is what a lively sunny day would taste like if it was captured in a cup. Few things are more refreshing than a crisp, fresh-squeezed glass of lemonade, especially one infused with organic strawberries. When combined with fresh matcha, you’ll want to make our juicy lemon heaven your main squeeze everyday. This invigorating matcha blend provides a flavorful superfood kick that can brighten any day. Sip to restore, rehydrate, and energize naturally.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Creme Le Jasmine from BlendBee. . . .

You all know I am a huge fan of Creme Brûlée & Creme Brûlée flavored teas, I’ve talked about them so much! So clearly, this Creme Le Jasmine green tea blend from Blend Bee would be right up my ally. Jasmine is one of those flowers that people usually either love or hate. For me, I generally enjoy it because it tends to relax me. However, it does depend on what it’s mixed with. This specific blend consists of Jasmine Green Tea, Jasmine Flowers, Marshmallow Root, Chamomile, Agrimony Herb, and Custard & Vanilla extracts. Doesn’t it sound delicious?

Well, it sounds delicious AND tastes delicious. The Jasmine Green Tea is actually very light, so if you aren’t always a fan of Jasmine you may still enjoy this. I added a little agave to my cup, but it really wasn’t necessary because the vanilla and custard flavors definitely sweeten it up on their own. Even the marshmallow adds a delicious touch and really helps to resemble that crunchy, burnt sugar signature Creme Brûlée topping! This blend tastes like the inside custard of Creme Brûlée sprinkled with essence of Jasmine! Since it is a Green Tea blend, it’s light enough to enjoy even in the summertime!

Now I wonder how it would taste iced…. Definitely try a cup from Blend Bee today!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Green
Where to Buy: BlendBee
Description

This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Thé des Alizés green blend from Le Palais des Thes

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Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy:  Le Palais Des Thés

Tea Description:

A green tea enlivened by flower petals and delicately scented with pieces of white peach, kiwi and watermelon. The green tea and the juicy freshness of the fruit are wonderfully balanced. Can be drunk hot or iced.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Hello tea lovers!

During the UK’s persistent heatwave the craving for fruit tea has gotten the better of me. That’s when I pulled this one from my shelf to try. I adore watermelon and peach in a tea and considering this has both it made for an easy purchase. Plus with this being described as good for ‘hot’ or ‘iced’ tea it makes it all the better. This will be a ‘hot’ review but I plan on steeping it in my iced tea bottle later today to see the outcome. My curiosity is totally piqued!

The raw tea blend has large green tea leaves with yellow flower petals mixed in, if you look close enough you will find small cubes of fruit among the blend.

As I open the packet I am met with a peach scent which is sweet and very natural smelling. Among that is the slight perfume of grass and flowers. Beautiful in every way.

Steeping parameters – 1 tsp of leaf in my ceramic mug with removable filter and lid. (Around 250ml/9oz of water). Temp: 80C for 3 minutes.

Once steeped the tea is fairly dark yellow/green and bares the same beautiful peach scent as it’s raw form.

In flavour this is soft and sweet with buttery, toasted grass notes followed by smooth but sweet peach that feels like it melts in my mouth. Behind that there is another level of fruit and perfume, a little dry but ideally so, blended so well that I cannot distinctly taste the watermelon or kiwi. Not that the peach overpowers per say, it is soft but distinct, more that they are blended so well ie they work well together, that it combines as one.

As it cools the green tea thickens but remains grassy and pleasant, while the flowers also thicken to combine with them.

‘Yet still the peach sings her perfect sweet song on my tongue,

and my taste buds wiggle and dance.

For this blend does each and together belong,

forever to be sipped and enjoyed by chance.’

I’m glad that I pulled this out of my stash this morning. It’s been the perfect start to my day, and I can see myself sipping on this tea a lot in the near future. It tasted better than I expected as I do not usually favour flavoured tea, but the chance was well worth it with this one. The balance was perfect, the strength was refreshing and right, the flavours to me were divine and when I drink fruit tea this had everything I am looking for.

Happy Steeping Everyone!