Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Chado Tea House
Tea Description:
Premium Guricha-‘Kama-Tenka’. The given name of Tenka in Japanese refers ‘the best’ in English. In general, Guricha stays in casual side, does not show luxury feeling like Gyokuro,or Sencha. This premium Gyokuro ‘Kama-Tenka’ proves Guricha is another sophisticated tea. Sweetness as expected and the richness remain in your mouth.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When I first opened this pouch, I was surprised with just how fresh it smelled. The aroma reminded me of the smell of freshly cut grass … or … imagine mowing the lawn one early spring afternoon, and then that night, it rains. The next morning, the rain has cleared, and the sun is shining brightly. That fresh, spring morning smell with the fragrance of rain and grass still lingering in the air. That’s the smell. It’s vibrantly “green” smelling. Very fresh and exhilarating.
After it’s been brewed, the aroma softens somewhat, but it still smells amazingly fresh and sweet and grassy. One would expect the flavor to be just as grassy as the scent, but it’s not. Sure, I taste a vegetative note here, but it isn’t an overpoweringly bitter grassy taste. This is a lightly grassy, very sweet taste in a delicate broth.
It reminds me a bit of a very high quality Japanese Sencha … just a bit. It has a vaguely similar flavor, but I find this to be somewhat lighter. Not quite as aggressive. Not that I find Sencha to be aggressive, but this one is more nuanced. It is less broth-y, not quite as thick in consistency as a Sencha, but the broth-y quality is still there. It’s just a little lighter and cleaner on the palate.
I love the sweetness to this, it’s very pleasant and it doesn’t overwhelm the palate. It’s really quite refreshing. It’s one of those quiet teas that you can enjoy while reading a good book or enjoying conversation with friends. It doesn’t require much of you except a thirst and this will quench it with lovely flavor.
Another excellent tea from Chado Tea House! They have really impressed me with their selection of Japanese teas!
Assam Kama from Simpson & Vail
Tea Information:
Leaf type: Black
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Product Description:
In the northeastern state of Assam in India, along the Brahmaputra River grow the hearty, malty Assam teas. The heavy rainfall and hot, humid day time temperatures in this area create the perfect green house like environment for growth, as well as helping to create the unique taste found only in Assam teas. Their distinct flavor can be enjoyed “as is”; however, Assam teas are often used in conjunction with other teas to create numerous blends, specifically breakfast teas.
This outstanding jet-black, long, twisted leafed tea from the Satrupa Estate in the Tinsukia district of Assam has a clean, fresh, mountain aroma. The tea yields a bright copper cup with a smooth, rich taste and is one of the thickest, creamiest and most malty Assam teas we have ever cupped.
Taster’s Review:
Looking for an Assam tea? Simpson & Vail has one of the largest collections of Assam Teas that I’ve ever seen! Among them is this Assam Kama. And if you love the malty character of an Assam, this is the Assam for you!
The flavor is indeed smooth and rich. Typically with an Assam, you’ll encounter some astringency, and there is some astringency with this Assam, but, I must say that it is a bit lighter than I was expecting. The sip is smooth throughout, and the astringency is barely noticeable until I arrive at the aftertaste, where I notice a slight dry and tangy sensation on the palate.
The flavor is delectable, with a thick, sort of bread-y kind of taste. It has a real heft to it, making it an excellent choice for a breakfast tea. It also has an enchanting sweetness to it which enhances the caramel-like tones of the malty qualities of the tea.
This tea takes the additions of milk and honey well, if you care to add them, but it is also quite nice served neat and clean with no additions. However you choose to serve it, you’re in for an incredibly satisfying cup of Assam with this tea.