Runa

I wasn’t too sure about this one when I first smelled it, I guess because it wasn’t as spicy as I had expected. It is cinnamon-y, yes, but that is about it. I guess I’m just used to masala chai blends that really play up the spicy aspect… and I expected this tisane to follow suit. But with this blend, less is definitely more.

The cinnamon and lemongrass are an interesting combination, especially when brought together with Guayusa. The earthy tones of the guayusa bring out the earthier notes of the cinnamon, making for a sweeter, savory-spiced cinnamon rather than a spicy-hot cinnamon. The vegetative flavor of the guayusa plays to the lemongrass, allowing it to really come forth in the finish and imparting a nice citrus tone in the aftertaste.

Despite those initial misgivings, I really am enjoying this one!

Another less than exciting selection from this month’s Steepster Select box. I like guayusa just fine, and I have been very impressed with everything I’ve tried from Runa, but, really? Unflavored Guayusa? It’s not exactly the most exciting tisane I’ve had in the last few months, you know?

Much like the honey bush from last night, this tastes very much the way I expected it to. It tastes like Guayusa. Rich and flavorful, almost coffee-like, but without the bitterness. Very smooth. Enjoyable, sure … but I think that it lacks imagination, much like the Steepster box from this month. Sorry, Jason.

I need to WAKE UP so I’m counting on some Guayusa to help me with that. Here’s my full-length review of this tea: http://sororiteasisters.com/2011/06/30/traditional-guayusa-from-runa/

This is really nice. Smooth, lightly sweet, and pleasant. I am hoping it isn’t too late in the day to enjoy a cup of Guayusa – since I’m kind of a night owl, I’m thinking I should be alright.

Check out our video-review here: http://healthyprofessionals.blog.com/2011/06/20/the-tea-show-episode-15-runas-traditional-guayusa/

A warm, subtle, and tasty blend. This is very tasty straight up. Very smooth and not overwhelmed by Cinnamon. My favorite part of this blend was the fact that the Cinnamon plant is the Shade cover for the Guayusa plant while in the rainforest. Gives a story to the tea, which makes tea way better. I feel a connection is made for a product be it tea, coffee, or a baseball mit. They all have reasons we love them. Sometimes taste in a hypercompetitive market is not the only reason people buy and enjoy. Some reasons we can not explain. I have been told by at least five people that I have given Guayusa that they love this blend iced. I have only brewed this tea hot, as I only review hot blends usually. Awesome Blend!

A very potent blend. Almost overwhelmingly minty. Shade Tree has never loved smells and perfumy type things. This does not cross that line though, but when I drink this from now on I blend a half and half blend with Traditional and Peppermint, then the Peppermint is cut down a bit and it is more mild for my pallet. I have never been huge on mint tastes, but this is a nice because it only has 2 ingredients. I think that is another thing I like about Runa, straight to the point and doesn’t hide the ingredient that is reps. Many tea companies in the game should learn that if you are going to rep on product don’t hide it under ingredients.

On first taste, I disliked this blend. As a traditionally strong drink Mate drinker, I felt this was bordering on over produced blends that compromise the roots which is always the main ingredient, Guayusa. I decided to give it a few days, I then tried it 4 days in a row before work. By the 3rd day I was hooked. The Guayusa was not compromised, and it was not as overwhelming a flavor as I had thought. It began to grow on me, and was genuinely tasty by that 3rd day. Very Tasty, just like Guayusa, it is also subtle and very very tasty. Great blend, I will always be skeptical of blends in which seems a bit over produced, just like my music taste. I think my idea of teahouses are things such as the Citrus blend. I feel they go too much with flavor and substance, but I think this tea may have changed my point of view

A tasty treat. It took me a bit to get used to, but now I brew this awesome tea daily. I have gotten the hang of brewing it correctly. This is an invigorating, tasty, and energizing drink. I had my serious doubts with the taste, and the effect it would give me, but it pulled through and has rocked my socks off. The round, mellow, and sweet taste is so subtle. It is like a fine wine in which the greatness is in its subtleties. I drink this once a day, and feel a great energy everytime.

I tried this sample bag of Guayusa with the recommended 8oz of water instead of my full, 12oz Kati cup. The tea is much better than the previous sample I tried, but it’s still not a super strong tea. The main even here is the guayusa, which is vegetal and ‘green’ tasting, if that makes any sense. I get a nice ginger note that rounds it out and gives it a little more depth, but I’m not really tasting any citrus. Overall a nice tea, but not really what I usually go for.

I was in Whole foods the other day and they carry this so I thought I would give it a try. This is my first experience with Guayusa. I was a little bit pensive because straight Mate is a taste that I would say is aquired, but I’ll try just about anything once. My first thoughts are a little vegetal like green beans. The mint is very good. I could drink this daily. Of course now I want to educate myself on Guayusa, and try some others. This is great though!

I got a sample of this tea at the Coffee and Tea Festival last weekend. I tried a little at the event, and thought it was unique and pretty tasty, I was excited to try a whole cup.

The sample didn’t come with any instructions, but I looked on their website and noticed that the instructions said to use one tea bag in 8 oz of water, steeped in boiling water for 4-6 minutes. I already started steeping the sachet I got in 12 oz of water, so I went ahead and left it in for 6 minutes.

The tea brewed up with a dark yellowish liquor, with an aroma that featured the spices with a leafy-green-grassy notes behind it. The taste… well, I wish I had brewed it in less water, or had another sachet! The flavor was overall kind of weak. I could faintly taste the spice, but not much behind it. It was mild and inoffensive, but not very exciting. My next sample will definitely get less water!

Could sense the cinnamon coming thru, adding a nice warmth to the blend. Overall easy drinking, didn’t need sweetener, which is a sign of an excellent brew. I didn’t experience a jolt of any sort, but rather a gentle lift. Nice tea.

Very drinkable as Morning Bus said, reminds me of an earthy Peony. Could be an “acquired taste” to some. I like how Runa connects the tea to the people where it grows, providing cultural stimulus to consider while you sip the tea. I liked seeing the videos of them drinking it early in the am around the campfire…(runa.org)

Placed 3 infusers in 2 liters of filtered water, left in the sun for a few hours. Refrigerated overnight with the infusers left in the water. Put the guayusa in my water bottle before heading out to spin class. Wow! Great high energy low calorie drink to burn the thighs and calories… :-)

Aroma: earthy, green
Flavor: mollasses, autumnal,
Texture: silky, clean
Finish: slightly sweet

My favorite mint tea

This tea has grown on me considerably since my first tasting.

2nd infusion of the same leaves from my first tasting. The tea is a little lighter in color, but amazingly, no discernible loss of flavor has occurred.

It is surprisingly smooth and very drinkable.

First tasting of Guayusa and it is certainly unique. It has a smooth, herb and vegetal taste reminiscent of verbana and green beans. I prepared as directed, using 1 tablespoon (3 tsp.) of leaves for my cup, which made a strong, dark colored brew.

The first sip was interesting, but left me uncertain of whether I would like the tea. By the end of the cup, I had become accustomed to the unique flavor and ultimately found it to be pretty enjoyable. I expect that, much like yerba mate, I’ll have to have it a few times to really appreciate its nuances.

For next time, I would possibly use less tea for my cup and add some honey at the beginning. I’m also interested in seeing how this tea will perform iced. Suffice to say, I’m eagerly awaiting my next cup.