Good Earth, Sweet Chai of Mine

Good Earth Description:
Take a step back for a little “you” time. With smooth vanilla and decadent maple flavor infused with traditional chai spices, Sweet Chai of Mine™ is the perfect way to do just that.

Ingredients:
Black tea, natural flavor, cinnamon, natural vanilla flavor with other natural flavors, cardamom, ginger root, natural peach flavor with other natural flavors, nutmeg, cloves, chicory root, licorice root, Chinese star anise, black pepper, steviol glycosides (stevia).

Sample provided by Good Earth

My Review:
Chai is kind of hit and miss with me. I don't hate it, but I never crave it. I have tried a few I can say I liked. Here's hoping Good Earth's twist on the classic speaks to me.

The box contains 18 tea bags, each sealed in an aluminum envelope. The box lists net wt as 40.5g. Divide by the number of bags (18), gives a per bag weight of 2.25g. That is above average for US tea bags.

Opening the envelope, I am hit with a medicinal aroma. Realizing the taste is often different, I proceed.

Water was heated to 200F and I steeped in the mug for 4 minutes. As it steeps the aroma becomes more of a traditional chai.

Tasting time. This is much lighter than the majority of chai I have tried. Personally, I like that. I taste the traditional spices of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, etc. I also taste light touches of vanilla. I am not getting the maple. With the use of stevia and licorice root, this is sweet but not overly. I think chai should be even sweeter.

I added the equivalent of 1 tsp of sweetener. This brings the mug to life. Besides sweetening the mug, it brings out the maple flavor and intensifies the vanilla. I am also catching the black pepper. Along with the ginger this adds a bite and some heat late in the sip.

My last tinkering was to add a splash of milk. This makes it taste even more maple. The chai spices are muted but still present, making the bite and heat more noticeable, though they aren't really any stronger.

Being generally not a chai fan, I found myself enjoying the mug in all the various stages of tinkering. Which was my favorite? It was a toss up between sweetened and milk added. Each was different but I liked them equally.

You can probably find Good Earth Sweet Chai of Mine at your local Walmart or Kroger store. If not you can order direct online from Good Earth.

What-Cha, Vietnam Red Buffalo Oolong

What-Cha Description:
A brilliant oolong tea with a creamy smooth texture and delightful honey taste.

Sourced by Geoff Hopkins of Hatvala, who regularly travels Vietnam in search of the best teas, all of which are sourced direct from the tea producers.

It is Hatvala's mission to raise awareness of the high quality Vietnamese teas which are often overlooked on the world market and it my pleasure to assist by making Hatvala's full range of Vietnamese teas available on What-Cha.

Sample provided by What-Cha Tea Redefined

My Review:
So today I am reviewing the last of the What-Cha samples I received from Alistair. My first review came as What-Cha was the new kid on the block. A year later they appear to have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the tea world. I love that they offer teas from around the world, places that I didn't even realize grew tea. I have loved almost everything I have tried from them. I also found that when I asked a question, if Alistair didn't know the answer already, he was willing to dig in to it to find out the answer. So, thank you What-Cha. Much continued success!

Beautiful nuggets

The sample is packaged in a resealable aluminum pouch. The suggested brewing parameters are clearly labeled on the front of the bag.

Opening the bag, I am met with a rapid fire hit of three aromas. The first passed before I could identify, though it was familiar. The second was a touch of a roasted scent. The final, well, it reminded me of a certain smell that often came from a room down the hallway in my college dormitory. Not sure what it was but the guys all coughed and laughed a lot ;)

The leaf is rolled into nuggets typical of oolong, except for the unusual color. I lightened the photo so you could see it better. It is very dark, almost black, with cinnamon streaks. It looks like some one rolled a Dian Hong. Just looking at it, this is a hit with me. (rolled, hit, college - I so amuse me)

Lovely fall colored mug

I  followed directions by steeping for 2 1/2 minutes at 203 F. The nuggets quickly began to expand. The leaf didn't so much dance in the water as it relaxed and stretched. At the end of the steep. looking into the glass pot was a bit like looking into a dark cinnamon colored jungle.

The result is a nifty fall colored liquor. It is bright, clear, and glowing. It reminds me of the colors outside my window today.

The steeped leaf has an aroma that again is familiar but I can't quite recognize. It kind of reminds me of grape jelly, honey, and brownies - kind of. Anyway, it smells good.

I poured the leaf out on a plate for a better look. The color is very neat with brown, cinnamon, and olive greens. The thing that caught my attention was the pile of leaf, through the camera, looked like a dragon on the plate. No college joke here. It is called pareidolia. It is when the brain tries to form a recognizable pattern, like faces in a cloud. So, bonus points for random dragons.

I don't see a buffalo, I see a dragon!

Once I take a sip, I am confused for a moment. This isn't like a typical oolong. It isn't black tea. It doesn't remind me of a green.

There is absolutely no bitterness. I am not noticing much if any astringency (drying).

You can tell words aren't coming to me. The taste is much lighter than I expected. I have gone through my reviews of oriental beauty and Bao Zhong teas, thinking maybe this was similar to those teas. Nope.

There is a woodsy taste. It also reminds me of stone notes, like stream water that has rushed through stones. It doesn't have a strong roasted note but more hints. It is honey and malt, yet only lightly.

I really hate that for my last What-Cha supplied review, I can't come up with a better description. On the other hand, it makes for a good mystery. Maybe you will be inspired to find out for yourself, the secret of the red buffalo.

You can find What-Cha Vietnam Red Buffalo Oolong here.

Good Earth, Citrus Kiss

Good Earth Description:
You don’t have to kiss a lot of green frogs to get the lift you’re looking for. Citrus Kiss™ brings lemongrass and citrus flavors together to brighten up top notch green tea for an amazingly good taste invigoration. Kiss your new go-to green tea hello!

Ingredients:
Green tea, lemongrass, natural lemongrass flavor with other natural flavors, rose petals, chamomile, citric acid, sweet blackberry leaf, lemon myrtle, steviol glycosides (stevia), natural flavor.

Sample provided by Good Earth

My Review:
I have had a lot of fun with these Good Earth teas so far. From what I have observed on other review sites, the lowly tea bag gets almost no respect. The fact is the vast majority of all tea consumed in the west is brewed from a tea bag. Someone needs to be willing to try them and give an honest appraisal based on what they are. I am not going to dis them simply because they come in a paper bag containing very fine cut pieces of leaf.

That said, I have looked at reviews of this tea around the internet, including Amazon. Wow, most have not been kind. The biggest complaint is the addition of stevia - a natural sweetener. Most reviews state it should be up to the consumer to decide if a tea needs sweetener. Personally, I disagree. As long as it is clearly included in the list of ingredients, the manufacturer is free to add or not add sweetener. Likewise, the buying public is free to buy or reject however they please. That's how a free market works people. Sorry, got off on a rabbit trail.

So with this tea, I used water heated to 190 F and steeped the bag for 3 minutes. The color is a golden yellow/orange. It is clear and shiny. The scent throws me off track for a moment. The combination of ingredients reminds me of the dish washing liquid we use. Red Alert! Red Alert! goes off in my head, but hey, I drink pu-erh and it usually smells like a horse barn, yet I still enjoy it. How bad can this be?

Another rabbit trail - the quote on the tag is from Frank Zappa. It reads, "I never set out to be weird. It was other people who called me weird." That fits perfectly with many of the reviews of this tea I have read.

Big boy pants on. I taste. I'm confused. Why do people hate this again? Yes, the stevia adds a little sweet kick at the end. It is not that big of a kick and it certainly isn't overly sweet. The taste of the tea is actually kind of light and airy. First I taste the combination of lemongrass and lemon myrtle. It achieves a very nice balance. Then I catch a brief brush of rose. It isn't perfume or gross. It is actually quite pleasant. Late in the sip I notice the chamomile and blackberry leaves. Possibly along with the citric acid, they add just a slight tartness before the stevia kick finishes it off.

I should add, stevia does leave a slightly bitter aftertaste that reminds me of saccharin. So I get why people don't like that taste. I don't find it that distasteful here - it kind of fits. I did not feel the need to have a snack with the tea to cover the stevia.

I honestly don't understand the bad reviews. I found this to be light and refreshing. I would definitely drink this again. If, it did not have stevia, I would give it a hit of sweetener. I don't think my Splenda would give it the kick. Instead it would be just evenly sweet. I think Good Earth made the right call. Feel free to disagree.

You can probably find Good Earth Citrus Kiss at your local Walmart or Kroger store. You can also order online directly from Good Earth

Red Leaf Tea, Banana Matcha

Red Leaf Tea Description:
The well loved banana is grown in many types found in most tropical climates. The banana fruit is vanilla colored and in its powder forms gives it the sweet enriching taste that bananas are well respected for. Adding Matcha to banana powder can give it an interesting twist and a flavor that is sweet light and out of this world.

Banana Matcha makes a truly nutritious drink with its lingering deep taste and imperceptible smell. This special beverage can be taken as both a hot or cold drink depending on the occasion. It can also be taken as an aperitif or with food at meal times. Furthermore, Banana Matcha provides its delighted drinkers with health benefits that linger as long as the drink is taken.

Ingredients:
Pure Matcha powder from green leaves, Banana Natural Flavor

My Review:

OK, I know I am bound to make a comment somewhere before this review is complete, so let's just get it out of the way. I am pretty sure I can never type or say banana again without seeing those little yellow Minions. Ba-na-naaaaaa! There got it out of my system.

Got this one from Red Leaf Tea because I happen to love bananas. Then as I grabbed it today, I began to be concerned. The ingredients don't say what Banana Natural Flavor is. In the case of the strawberry it was mentioned in the details that they used freeze-dried fruit. I don't know if that is what they did here.

Then my worry was, even if they used real fruit, at what level of ripeness were they? Many people want them far too green for me. I want them just beginning to get brown spots on the peel. They are far sweeter and easier on the system at this point. The taste is completely different between the two.

The powder is nicely green for basic level matcha. It smells very strongly of banana. I used one tsp in a mug with 8 ounces of milk. I frothed it at 4 ounces then added the rest of the milk. It foamed nicely but did not hold the foam long.

My first taste just seems weird. Sorry Red Leaf Tea, I have to be honest. It tastes banana-ish but has another note that reminds me of light rose water. I guess it is a clash between the banana, the matcha, and the milk. I don't dislike it so much as I find it weird.

Next I added a little sweetener. That almost entirely removes the rose element. Now what I am getting is like a banana marshmallow candy flavor. It is not too sweet but it is sweet. Much better.

My thinking, and I hope to try this later, is too add a big plop of ice cream to the mug, maybe even a drizzle of chocolate or caramel - maybe both. Yeah, that kind of defeats the idea of having a low calorie treat, but I consider such occasions as soul food. You know, things you eat or drink simply for the total joy of being alive. Continually denying yourself such pleasures should be a crime. Seize the moment and grab the ice cream!

You can find Red Leaf Tea Banana Matcha here.

Teasenz, White Peony

Teasenz Description:
An authentic white tea from Fujian consisting of a mix of green coloured leaves and white silver needle buds, resembling a White Peony. Exceptionally smooth and sweet flavour. Full of flavour: It's unbelievable how many steeps you get from the same leaves.

Sample provided by Teasenz

My Review:
It has taken a few days to get to this tea that I intended to review earlier. This morning it was so coooold outside. It was near the freezing point. Pretty sure the herb garden and porch flowers won't survive, but it is that time of year. This one seems appropriate for the day.

From Fuding in the Fujian Provence of China, the home of great white teas. This is the last of the Teasenz samples they have provided. I have found all of them to be reasonably priced and wonderful in flavor. I expect no less from this one. I should also mention Teasenz offers flat $5 worldwide shipping on all orders under 2kg.

The sample packaging is a resealable aluminum pouch. The label is simple and does contain western brewing instructions.

Opening the bag I am met with the sweet scent of fresh field hay along wonderful floral notes.

The leaf is as pretty as the aroma. The silver buds are covered in white fuzz. The accompanying leaves range from light green to dark brown. Except for settling, mostly from my pathetic group box storage system, the leaves and buds appear full and intact.

The brewing instructions run counter to popular western ideas about the proper water temperature. Generally it is believed you must use cool water when steeping. Teasenz recommends 195 F. They also state that using even hotter temperature will still result in a non-bitter cup. I have found this to be generally true. The difference for me is the 3-4 minute steeping time. I often use 1-2 minutes on the first steep.

I grabbed my clear glass teapot. It hasn't seen much action lately, due to my own neglect. The 195 F water was added and I set the timer for 4 minutes.

The leaf floated on the surface at first. Then many of the leaves slowly turned and pointed downward, still clinging to the surface. Some of the brave leaves abandoned the safety of the collective and dove to the bottom.

The resulting liquor is golden yellow. It is bright and clear except for some of the tiny white fuzz common to white tea, and a few bits of leaf. I now recall why I don't use the glass teapot more often - I can't remember to use a strainer to filter out the leaf bits. It doesn't bother me personally, but it does kind of look odd in the pictures.

Taking a sip, I first catch clean fresh mountain stream water. It is filled with stone and mineral elements. This turns into a taste that reminds me of the smell from damp forest leaf. Late in the sip I catch floral notes. They are light and remind me of the namesake peony flowers.

For cup two I again steeped for 4 minutes in 195 F water. The brew color is golden yellow like the first. This time I remembered the filter!

The taste is very different. The stream water elements are replaced by a heavier darker flavor that teeters between stone, the forest leaves of the first cup, and a stone fruit note. It is maybe apricot with even some plum hints. This cup seems thicker and more syrupy.

Teasenz says this will resteep many times. My experience with white teas believes this to be true. I won't be able to confirm it today as this is all I have the time to complete.

I have had many white peony teas, this one is as good as some I have tried at twice the price. If the soothing taste of white tea appeals to you, I recommend giving Teasenz White Peony a try.

You can find Teasenz Ehite Peony here.

Good Earth, Sweet & Spicy Herbal & Black

Good Earth Description:
Our signature blend and the inspiration behind Tea Untamed, Sweet & Spicy® takes notes of cinnamon and tangles them up with sweet burst of orange. The result is a surprisingly satisfying combination you can savor hot or cold.

Ingredients:
Black tea, natural flavor, rosehip, lemongrass, cinnamon, chamomile, peppermint, jasmine green tea, anise seed, ginger root, orange peel, orange oil.

Sample provided by Good Earth

My Review:
Here, on The Everyday Tea Blog, I get to try teas from all over the world. In the early days I reviewed the options I could scour from local grocers and world food markets. Most of what I review today are of the loose leaf variety. Many of them are quite amazing, deep, and complex. I truly love them, however I will always have a warm spot in my heart for my roots. Thank you Ruth Bigelow for your Constant Comment that  started me on this journey. I also have a warm spot for the often maligned tea bag. Its simplicity, convenience, and availability, make tea accessible to a new generation. Frankly, I still enjoy a tea bag in a mug, usually in the late evening.

I am finding these Good Earth teas to be well thought out. I've often avoided teas with more than three ingredients because they generally taste muddy or medicinal (I'm looking at you Yogi). That has not been the case with Good Earth.

I will admit, I can't pick out most of the ingredients and I'm OK with that because what I do taste is clean.

The main flavor here is cinnamon. I will advise you not to leave the bag in your mug after steeping, unless you want a cinnamon punch similar to Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice. While I love the red hot blast, most find it a bit too much. Removing the bag after 3-4 minutes will hold the cinnamon back to a responsible level.

The second flavor is orange. It is a lighter touch. The fruitiness adds a brightness and sweetness that raises this to a new level compared to ordinary cinnamon teas. This is surprisingly sweet. Other than the orange, I see nothing in the ingredients to account for this. Do not add sugar until you have tasted, as I don't think it is needed.

I normally link to the product page where you can order. This one you should be able to find locally. Try your Walmart or Kroger store.

Red Leaf Tea, Strawberry Matcha

Red Leaf Tea Description:
Are you having your 5 A DAY ? What better way to have your first fruit portion of the day is there than to try our Strawberry Matcha Tea. Our Matcha Tea is blended with the best hand picked European Strawberries. It’s time to get those buiscuits out to fuse with our 100% Pure Matcha Tea with a blend of the freshest Aroma of  strawberries.  

Strawberries although commonly found in Europe originate from North and South America. Due to the inherent nature of strawberries they tend to lose their vitamins quickly. Studies have shown that the optimum shef life is for 2 days before they start to lose their vitamin C values. However all our flavors and health benefits are retained as our raw and organic fruits are freeze dried and ground into powder to offer the best quality.

Ingredients:
Pure Matcha powder from green leaves, Strawberry Natural Flavor

My Review:

Confession time. I was planning on reviewing a white tea today, but I have to leave shortly and knew I would not have the proper time to devote to a multiple steeped tea. So, second choice was Red Leaf Tea Strawberry Matcha.

I have my matcha system down pretty well. I just sort of eye ball measure and go. The addition of a battery operated milk frother takes all the hard work out of whisking.

The powder on this one is a little darker and brown tinted than I have become accustomed to lately (I've been spoiled). Then I decided this is due to the addition of ground freeze dried strawberries in the matcha powder.

I used 1 tsp in a 10 oz mug of cold milk. Well, actually I started with about 4 oz of milk and frothed the mixture to a thick fine foam, then I added the rest of the milk, and stirred.

The color mixed with milk is a pale mint green. Of course it smells of strawberry.

I really was not sure what to expect of the taste. Would the milk overpower the strawberry? Would it taste like Strawberry Nesquik? By the way, I remember it simply being called Quik. When did the name change, and what does it have to do with this matcha latte? I don't know. I've become so confused. What should I do?

I know, take a sip. Ahhh. Now things are much clearer.

You want to know what this tastes like? A mug full of fresh strawberries with milk poured over them. I half expected to find a green top floating in my glass. Not really.

As you can probably surmise, I found this latte to be very fun. While fun, it is also very delicious. I love a good strawberry black tea, but today I have learned I love strawberry matcha even more. This is my favorite flavored matcha so far. Highly recommend if you like strawberries.

You can find Red Leaf Tea Strawberry Matcha here.