Tea of the Week: Republic of Tea Daily Green Honey Ginseng

Reupblic of Tea's Honey Ginseng Green has been one of my favorite go-to teas for a while now.  It has a light flavor, doesn't even tempt me to add sweeteners, and has an added heath benefit from the ginseng.  I usually get it at Whole Foods.

Liquor -- light, but with a warm golden tint

Aroma -- Sweet, but with a slightly herbal undertone

Body -- light

Flavors -- .The main note here is the vegetal green of the tea, which is complimented by the subtler sweetness of the honey.  You do not taste as much of the ginsing as you think you would by the aroma.

Tea of the Week: Shan Wai Shan Dong Ding Oolong

Dong Ding Oolongs are Tiawanese Formosa Oolongs, grown on the Dong Ding mountain (which translates as Frozen Summit).  I found the Shan Wai Shan brand at my favorite oriental grocery.  I picked it up off the shelf because I was drawn to the attractive canister.  It is inexpensively priced, but offers a pleasing cup.

Liquor -- Pale greenish gold

Aroma -- Nutty

Body -- Exceptional light

Flavors -- .The main note is the roasted, nutty taste.  There is a slightly floral undertone that mellows into a plesantly faint grassy aftertaste.

Tea of the Week: Zhi Tea's Ancient Forest

When I was at Zhi Tea's shop in Austin, I was able to smell thier Ancient Forest tea in an open canister.  The aroma even of the dry leaves was amazing, rich and complex.  I just had to buy it. It is wildcrafted in Vietnam from tea plants that are estimated to be 500-800 years old.
Liquor -- Deep, warm amber

Aroma -- Rich, with a hint of caramely sweetness

Body -- Medium

Flavors -- Unusually low astrigancy for a black tea, with a note of maltiness. 

Tea of the Week: Harney and Sons Paris

I think the most comprehensive book on tea flavors I've ever read is The Harney and Sons Guide To Tea.  I've been wanting to try thier Paris blend for a while.  I found it while window shopping at William Sonoma.  I must say it didn't disappoint.

Liquor -- deep mahogany

Aroma -- complex, but with a main note of caramely bergamot.

Body -- medium

Flavors -- This tea reminds me of an Earl Gray, only sweeter and fruitier, with a slight nod to vanilla.  The flavors blend together well, though there is more emphasis on the slightly astringint black tea than the aroma suggests. 

Tea of The Week: Celestial Seasonings Honey Lemon Ginsing Green

When I visited my mom, I told her that we don't do sodas anymore, and asked her to get us some ginseng greeen tea.  This is the one she came up with.  It wasn't what I was expecting, but I liked it a lot.  Celestial Seasonings has a long history of adding herbs to tea, which started back in 1969, when the owners harvested and dried their own herbs in the Rocky Mountains. 

Liquor -- Pale gold

Aroma -- The lemon scent is very pronounced.

Body -- Light

Flavors -- The lemon flavor is the first thing that hits the tongue.  It has a hint of natural sweetness, which makes the ginsing flavor almost disappear.  The taste of the green tea is there, underneath everything else.  It is a very light tea with only a touch of astringancy. 

Other -- This tea is a flavored blend.

NOTE: I evaluate tea blends on this blog based on what came in the canister, so these tasting notes do not reflect any addition of dairy or sweeteners.

Tea of the Week: Republic of Tea Vanilla Almond

On my latest trip to Whole Foods, I saw this tea.  Real vainlla beans in a black tea blend?  I'm a sucker for that.  And real almond bits?  I just had to try it.  And I'm glad I did.  I took the advice on the cainster and brewed it strong.  The tagline for this tea is, "Sweeten the Mind Tea."  The Republic of Tea may be based out of California, but they specialize in "organic and exotic" teas from around the world.

 

Liquor --  Deep mahogany

Aroma --  This tea smells just like an almond cookie.

Body --  Medium

Flavors -- There is a bit of natural sweetness (though it's not as sweet as it smells).  It's got a definate almond cookie flavor, but it doesn't overwhelm the black tea base, which is mellow and smooth.

Other -- This tea is a flavored blend.  It is considered a "dessert tea."

NOTE: I evaluate tea blends on this blog based on what came in the canister, so these tasting notes do not reflect any addition of dairy or sweeteners.

Tea of the Week: Twinings Prince of Whales Tea

The Twinings company has been blending tea in London for over 300 years. You can almost taste the history in every cup of their Prince of Whales Tea, a blend reputed to be based on the personal blend of teas devised by Edward, Prince of Whales, who became King Edward VIII. He sold the rights to Twinings in 1921, and they mostly sell it outside of England. The tea is sourced from China, which is a bit unusual, as China is best known for green teas, and this is a black tea blend.


Liquor -- Bright amber

Aroma -- Earthy, with a vegetal undertone

Body -- Medium full

Flavors -- There is a grassy note, with complex vegetal undertones. It is smooth, and not at all astringent.

Other: This is a tea blend.

NOTE: I evaluate tea blends on this blog based on what came in the canister, so these tasting notes do not reflect any addition of dairy or sweeteners.

Tea of the Week: Zhena's Gypsy Tea: Hazelnut Chai

I was at World Market a few days ago, where I spotted this unusual blend.  I love hazelnut anything (Ferrero Rocher anyone?).  And I'm a big fan of chai.  This one didn't disappoint.  Zhena's does small batch processing, and their teas are certified organic and fair trade.

Liquor --  Dark russet brown

Aroma --  Spicy and nutty, with highlights on the notes of cinnamon and cloves

Body --  Thick and almost cloudy

Flavors --  You can really taste the cinnamon.  The hazelnut is there  (as are the other spices) but it is more subtle, adding another layer of flavor.  The flavor of the black tea almost disappears, but it does provide a bass note that binds the other flavors together.

Other -- This tea is a flavored blend.

NOTE: I evaluate tea blends on this blog based on what came in the canister, so these tasting notes do not reflect any addition of dairy or sweeteners, even though chai traditionally has them added.

Tea of the Week: Republic of Tea Daily Green Ginger Peach

I usually go for Peach Black Tea, but I happened to see this Ginger Peach Green when I was at Central Market, and I must say it is nice. 

Liquor -- light, but with a warm golden tint

Aroma -- Peach is the overwhelming note, but there is a sweet "greenness" that I associate with green tea

Body -- Light

Flavors -- The vegatal taste of the tea is stronger than the peach, which comes through almost as an aftertaste.