Teaview: I Love Oolong Time.

I would like to take this time to apologize to Oolong tea.  I’m sorry I said you tasted like a mix of grass, moss, wet tree bark, and mud.  I was wrong.  Really wrong.  But, can you really blame me when the only Oolong tea I had the misfortune to taste was from a tea bag?  But you, Six Summits Oolong from Teavana, have opened my eyes.

If any of you, dear readers, have ever felt the same about Oolong tea– that it tasted like a mouth full of wet earth, then I suggest to you, try Teavana’s Six Summits Oolong tea.  It will change your mind about Oolong.  Six Summits Oolong is a combination of Oolong tea and dried raspberries (why are there strawberries in this picture?).

The scent of the dried tea is pleasant.  Actually, the way I’m about to describe it is kind of odd.  But, believe me, pleasant none-the-less.  It smells like a combination of dried catnip and red fruit roll-ups, folks.  It’s earthy, but the raspberries lend a certain sweetness to the scent.

The Oolong flavor was good.  I think my taste buds appreciated the quality of this Oolong tea more than the bagged tea that I had tried a few years prior.  Initially, I couldn’t taste the raspberries, they did create a pleasant aftertaste though–sweet and slightly tart, just like a raspberry should taste!

Bottom Line:  I received this as a Christmas present from my father.  Of all the teas he gave to me, this was the one I was most hesitant to try, so naturally I tried it first.  I’m glad I did!  Would I purchase this tea in the future?  Yea, probably.  But, more importantly, it opened my eyes that Oolong could actually taste good.  Better than good!  I’m more inclined to try out other Oolong teas in the future.

Another thing I feel is noteworthy is Teavana certainly does not cheat you out of red raspberries.  They were plentiful!  And I’m not talking raspberry crumbles either.  I’m talking whole. big. red raspberries.  And, I may or may not have popped one or two into my mouth before steeping…

 

 

Image from Teavana

Teaview: Earl Grey and Sweet Rose

I dream one day I will be able to dedicate an entire kitchen cabinet to my growing tea collection.  Until then, the bottom shelf of my old television stand will have to suffice, but even that is filling up fast.  Yet, I decided to try out two new teas:  Meijer Organics Earl Grey and Organic India’s Sweet Rose.

I love Earl Grey; I have never met a tea drinker who doesn’t.  It gives the drinker a nice kick of energy.  The citrusy bergamot oil really shines in hot tea, but Earl Grey is equally refreshing when iced and slightly sweetened. I have a tendency to go through boxes of Earl Grey tea quickly.

I am, what most would consider, a penny pincher, so when I passed a shelf filled with Meijer Organic Teas for something like 2.50 a box, I couldn’t turn it down.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Meijer, it is a superstore like Wal-mart, but classier.  Anyway, a box of my usual Twinnings Earl Grey is not too expensive, but I’m always eager to save a buck or two.

Excited about this cheaper alternative, I rushed home, quickly brewed myself a cuppa, and cuddled into blankets for movie night with the boyfriend.  I happily sipped until I realized something was missing.  Where was the bergamot flavor?  How can a tea be called Earl Grey if it is missing that lovely bergamot flavor?!

Bottom line: The tea is not bad.  I’ve had rather a lot of it already, and I’m actually brewing myself a cuppa right now.  It has a decent, strong black tea flavor, and it has plentiful caffeine.  However, this is one of those instances where cheap is not better.  I’d rather spend a few more dollars to ensure I can actually taste the bergamot.

I also purchased Organic India’s Sweet Rose since I do have a penchant for floral flavors.  Sweet Rose is a fragrant,  herbal blend of Tulsi (a type of herb grown in India that supposedly relieves stress and energizes drinkers without the addition of caffeine), Chamomile, Rose petals, Lemon Myrtle, and Stevia leaves.

The initial flavor is delightful; it’s rosy and lightly sweetened (because of the Stevia leaves).  The flavor of Sweet Rose is not unlike a Turkish Delight, and one thing most people don’t know about me is I LOVE Turkish Delights!  Unfortunately, this tea has to be sipped somewhat quickly.  Once it cools down, the flavor changes.  It becomes more…leafy?  Stem-flavored?  Grass flavored?  I can’t quite put my finger on it.

Bottom line: While I don’t think this is the kind of tea I can enjoy every day, I am quite pleased I have added it to my collection.  Organic India’s Sweet Rose truly was delish!