Nature's Tea Leaf, Fujian Congou Black Tea

Nature's Tea Leaf Description:
Fujian Congou Black Tea is a quintessential black tea that consists of long leaves rolled into slender, striped tea leaves from the Fujian province in southern China. Congou tea is made from large mature leaves and specifically does not include the bud. With its celebrated history Fujian Congou black tea has a rich and uplifting aroma and when infused has a pleasant, smooth, and rich flavor that promotes balance and harmony.

My Review:
This is my cup of the morning. The generous 1oz sample was provided by Nature’s Leaf Tea. The packaging has steeping instructions clearly shown on the front. The one thing it lacks is a description of what is inside. I don’t know if that is a plus or a minus. One the one hand, I would rather not have a preconceived notion of what I am about to sample. One the other hand, I have never had a Congou tea before and I don’t know what to expect.

The dry leaf is dark, small, sharp, and wiry. It smells of grain. I used 1 1/2tsp for 12oz of water heated to approx 195F. I steeped for 2 1/2 minutes in my press. The brew is dark caramel and still has the grain scent as does the wet leaf. The leaf is small fairly evenly cut pieces and chocolate in appearance.

There is no question this is a Fujian tea from the very first sip. It has that honey sweet, grainy goodness with more than a hint of malt. It has the yam notes. Yet there is something unique about it as well. It has what I can only describe as a darker edge way low underneath that comes out more in the sweet lingering aftertaste. The cooler the cup becomes the more I am detecting this as a roasted note or light smoke.

As the cup emptied I noticed the scent of the leaf still in the press. It was fruity with hints of chocolate or to be more exact, cocoa. I needed a refill. Cup two is similar to cup one, sweeter with less of the darker notes.

Cup three is lighter and is still very flavorful.

I read a description somewhere on the net that compared Fujian Congou to a cross between Yunnan and Keemun. Yes, I agree. It is very similar to a Bailin Gongfu I sampled but with the Congou I could not bring the chocolate notes out in the sip.

This is a very nice black tea. Fans of Fujian teas will love this. Those who generally dislike black teas, as too harsh or bitter/astringent, should give this one a try.

Visit Nature's Leaf Tea home on the web

Nuvola, Taiwan Muzha Ti Kuan Yin Tea

Nuvola Description:
The saffron-coloured Muzha Ti Kuan Yin Tea has a light fruity aroma and a melting creamy mouth-feel. The flavors are strong and long-lasting even after several infusions, which leaves a sweet lingering sensation in the mouth.

My Review:
This is going to be a short review today. I wanted to note here that I have read ‘nutty’ used in reviews often, I may have even used it myself before. Honestly, I have never really known if it was nutty or not. Until today. My first thought when sipping was definitely, this is nutty! Then I note roasted/smoky, followed by creamy. I read the reviews by others, and the company description on their website, and it appears I got this one right. Woot! Oh, and YES, it is good. Thanks Nuvola.

Visit Nuvola Tea's Official Site

Zen Tea, Tieguanyin Monkey Picked Oolong Tea

Zen Tea description:
Produced in Fujian, China. In appearance this tea is a dark-roasted, highly oxidized and of a coffee-bean colour. The dry-leaf aroma is of spices and flowers. The dominant flavour of the brewed tea is dried peach with a lingering fruit and spice aftertaste. The aroma is long-lasting with hints of sweet honey and spice in combination. This tea aids digestion and also can boost energy levels.

My Review:
This sample was supplied by Zen Tea

The dry leaf is dark browns and cinnamon colored. There are a few stems visible. The pellets are solid and not as tightly packed as I normally think of with oolong. The scent they call flowers and spice. To me it is closer to paint like. Knowing that the brew is often quite different than the dry experience, I press on – literally, I guess, as I steep in a French press.

I used a healthy scoop of leaf and heavily steaming water. The steep time was about 1 1/2m. The liquor is a beautiful clear yellow / green. The leaf is not completely unfurled and is quite dark. The wet leaf aroma has a prickly sort of scent like sticking your face in a geranium. Quite different than the dry smell.

The sip reveals a light oolong. I may have under steeped. Zen Tea describes the main flavor is peach. I get what they are saying, but to me it comes off as more orange. There is a lingering floral aftertaste.

The aroma of the second cup is much darker and roasted. The taste is sweet and much more developed. The first cup was a bit ordinary. The second steep yields a really good cup.

Third cup was similar to the first cup. The leaves are almost unfurled and some of them are pretty large. It has kind of a floral melon aftertaste.

My review seems kind of blah towards this tea. I assure you the reviews on Steepster were much more positive. I guess this one just doesn't appeal to me as much as it did to others.

Visit Zen Tea www.zentealife.com

Teaves, Peach

Teaves Description:
Sweet taste of summer peaches blended with flower blossoms and oolong tea. A popular summertime beverage that is typically enjoyed over ice.

Oolong tea, osmanthus flowers, jasmine flowers and natural flavors

My Review:

A generous sample sent my way from a friend. The dry leaf on this one is dark browns and cinnamon. It is a pretty CTC mix. I used one scoop of leaf and 12oz of approx 180F water in my press. Steeped 3 minutes. The scent coming out of the press is peachy keen (sorry, stop groaning).

The sip is light to medium bodied. It reminds me of Hedley’s Peach Apricot. That one has a black Ceylon base that is obvious in the mix. This one has no apricot and an oolong base. The oolong in this first cup stays mostly hidden. I guess it is the osmathus and jasmine that are responsible for what I am detecting as apricot. I am not a fan of eating peaches but I love peach tea. This is a nice light one with a long lingering peachy aftertaste. The more it cools the more peach it becomes. Just a touch of drying astringency.

On the second cup, the strangest thing happens. This turns into lemon drop tea. My friend advised me this would happen. It is still sort of peachy but this now tastes more lemon flavored. This is cool – two teas in one. It’s like Indiana weather. Give it five minutes and it will change. Can’t wait to see if there is a third cup in this leaf.

Cup three when hot is straight lemon balm. As the cup gets cold the peach comes back in to play. I could catch the tea base every now and then. I thought this on the second cup but did not mention it – the oolong base tastes like Darjeeling to me, or maybe like the tea sold by Charleston Tea Plantation. I don’t mind. The point is it does nor taste like any oolong I have ever had. This tea keeps me guessing and that makes it interesting to me. I like it.

Visit teaves website www.drinkteaves.com 

Win Free Tea From Paisley Tea Company

Contest Over. Winners to be announced soon.

I have heard back from both Winners - they are C.M. Powers and Nik. Congratulations to both, and enjoy your Paisley Tea!

Win Free Tea From Paisley Tea Company!

Recently I had the opportunity to sample and review two teas furnished by Paisley Tea Company. Now I am pleased to be able to treat TWO readers of The Everyday Tea Blog each with two boxes of your choice of teas supplied by Paisley Tea Company. I’ll tell you how to enter for a chance to win in a moment.

First, a little about Paisley Tea:
Paisley Tea is a premium range of traditional English-style paper teabags that is Organic and Fair Trade certified. With more bags in each box - 24 paper teabags; 10% more tea in each bag; and more robust flavour in each bag, Paisley lives up to it's tagline: "more than one might expect."

British by way of India, the paisley pattern, like tea, became popular in the 17th century. Our Paisley blends are inspired by great English tea and include four bold varieties:

Organic English Breakfast
If you want a proper cuppa', this tea hits the spot. As a specialised blend of Indian and African teas, our Organic English Breakfast Tea is traditional, but approachable. We love it in the morning with a splash of milk.

Organic Decaf English Breakfast
Why bother with decaf? We'll tell you why: It's all the flavour without the buzz. Our chemical-free decaffeination process preserves the natural aromas and rich flavours of the tea. It tastes better, is better for you and is eco-friendly to boot.

Organic Double Earl Grey
Care for a little extra zing? The legendary Earl Grey flavour made possible with citrus bergamot oil gets the royal treatment in this cup of tea with twice the zest. It is, in fact, the Bergamost! Sip this tea for breakfast or pair with sweets - we feel particularly fond of it with chocolate.

Organic Ginger Green
"Every good quality is contained in ginger," says an ancient Indian proverb. Ginger and green tea are revered for their health properties; if you fancy both, this is your cuppa' tea. Enjoy this snap of ginger by itself or with Asian food to add a twist to your meal.

Now, here’s how to enter for your chance to win.
This contest is open to US residents only.
If you qualify there are a few simple things you must do.

1. Leave a comment saying you would like to win FREE TEA by telling us which two teas you would choose if you win.

2. Follow The Everyday Tea Blog by clicking the Join this site button on the right side of the screen.

3. Follow Two Leaves Tea Company (the parent company of Paisley Tea Company) either on Facebook or Twitter.

That's it!

The contest will run through September 30, 2012. The winners will be selected at random and the winners will be posted the first week in October. If you are a winner, I will contact you (do not enter as anonymous) for a mailing address. This information will be sent to Paisley Tea Company. They will handle shipping your prize.

Good Luck!

Teaves, Rose Berry

Teaves Description:

An elegant blend of rose petals, strawberries and black tea. This tea emits a floral aroma that is complimented by a smooth and sweet taste.

My Review:

Sample provided by Teaves. This is rose petals, strawberry, and black tea. When I opened the pouch I was immediately hit with a blast of rose. Like every rose tea I have tried, the scent to my nose is not so much rose petal as it is the rose powder, spray, water, whatever, that I associate with the smell of our restroom when I was growing up. So whether it is natural or not I can’t say. It is just not a smell that is appealing to me. Sorry rose fans. I will try not to let my mental image affect my review, but I approach this tea with caution.

I used about 1 1/2 tsp for 12oz in my press, with heavily steaming water for a 3 minute steep. The brew is deep caramel/amber in the press. The strawberry aroma is poking through above the rose. Now this smells promising.

The sip is not bad. I smell rose as I drink but taste mainly strawberry followed by black tea in the aftertaste. The flavors are all medium bodied. Nothing is overdone. If you are looking for a cup of blasting flavor this is not it. This is a quieter cup for mellow times.

I don’t detect any bitterness or astringency. Rose tea hater that I am, even I have to say this is a pleasant cup. I wouldn’t turn it down if offered.

Visit teaves website www.drinkteaves.com 

Zen Tea, Gojiberry/ Blueberry/ Pomegranate Green Tea

Zen Tea Description:
Now here is a combination that will turn heads! Curtain up and spot lights on: Gojiberry - blueberry and pomegranate flavours play the lead rolls in our newest green tea master piece. The scene: summer fun-filled bright red gojiberries bedded on rich, green Sencha with just the right "spritz" added by the lemon grass, the "splash" underlined by royal blue cornflowers. Allow yourself to be thrilled to the last sip: hot or chilled on the rocks a must-have this season!

My Review:
This is the identical tea I have bought from Fusion Tea. They called this tea Super Fruit Sencha. A friend found the same tea with a different name by a different company at a shop near her home. I will say no matter where you find it or what it's called; this is an excellent fruity comfort green tea. It is seriously good. If the tea + shipping to your location is cheaper from Zen Tea than you can find elsewhere, or if you are placing an order with them anyway, add this to your basket. I believe you will not be disappointed. Sample provided by Zen Tea.

Visit Zen Tea at www.zentealife.com