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Welcome to my MATCHA MADNESS DAY!!! I’m starting with Cotton Candy first, from my order of five different kinds. To say I’m excited is an understatement! I loved Cotton Candy as a kid and still at the age of thirty-seven will buy cotton candy when I see it. My hubby humors my childlike excitement.
My first encounter with this matcha was heaven! I opened up the pouch, preparing it for the tin that will keep in the yummy goodness. The small size fits perfect in the tin with a little wiggle room…enough to be able to get the measuring spoon in.
I unpacked my matcha bowl that I specifically as for at Christmas time so that I could properly prepare matcha. Then came the chasen from its tight plastic case. Since this was its first use I warmed it up a bit under water, sitting in the bowl. I think part of what I love about matcha is the preparation that feels very ceremonial. All items ready…bowl, chasen, matcha and water!
First I mixed 2 oz of water with 1 perfect teaspoon of matcha. Of course in my preparation I was so excited and almost forgot to sift it first..disaster avoided! Once that was properly mixed I added a teeny bit of sugar (this is cotton candy of course) and 6 oz of water. After I properly exhausted any strength from my whipping right hand I was ready.
The smell of this matcha is not as strong once mixed with water. I did purchase robust as I love intense flavor and didn’t want to mess around with trying delicate first and working my way up. I had to stop myself from order all of them – “There’s Matcha in there?!” level. The taste is there though! The quality of this matcha is very tasty and I just ordered the starter/basic grade. It doesn’t taste too vegetal or clash with the sweetness off the cotton candy. I think next time I will add jus t a bit more sugar as I didn’t want to go overboard the first time and not really get the original taste of the matcha.
My plan for the rest of Cotton Candy is to mix it first as a latte. Then, try adding to my health food drink which is a vanilla base. So I’ll be back to let you know how that works out!
Here is how I ordered my Cotton Candy Matcha from Red Leaf Tea:
Size: Small
Quality: Starter (Basic Grade)
Flavor: Robust
Storage: Air tight refill flat pouch – would definitely recommend purchasing a tin for your matcha to keep it fresh. I did not order one this time since I already had a tin.
To get your own tasty Cotton Candy Matcha from Red Leaf Tea – GO HERE NOW!!!!
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/cotton-candy-matcha.html
In closing – YUM!!!!

YUM***YUM***
I was very surprised that a black tea could taste so good when blended! Davids definitely has the in on which black tea to use for their concoctions. I prepared as directed with 208 degree water and for 4 minutes. It was perfectly sweet and didn’t need any editing. Would probably be great as a latte too! Fortunately I have enough to try that next time.
Will for sure be ordering more of this wonderful dessert tea!

YUM!!!! Need I say more?

OK, so this was to be my dinner tea so I brewed western style – too time consuming otherwise with cooking dinner also. I brewed with almost boiling water and for 3 minutes – used 2 heaping teaspoons for 24oz. I chose it for tonight as it feels like fall, windows open and about 60 degrees outside with a nice breeze.

The smell of this leaf is nice and spicy straight out of the bag – I knew we would fall in love. I get alot of clove from this which I love. I didn’t really get any chocolate flavor but that doesn’t bother me. Next time I will try multiple shorter steepings to see what other flavors I missed. Would be interesting iced too.

I think next time I’ll add more leaf as I like a strong chai.

I was very excited to try this tea…addicted to Salted Caramel Macarons so hoped this would curb the craving. The leaves smell a bit sweet but not really a caramel sweetness. Figured this would be semi sweet so only added a tiny bit of sugar.
Unfortunately this did not live up to expectations. I really didn’t get any salty flavor from this. It was a tad sweet and would be fine if I was just wanting a basic black tea but it wasn’t really caramel to me. Didn’t intrigue me enough to try again.

I LOVE this pitcher!!!!!! I had been looking for a pitcher that I could use to cold brew my tea in the fridge. I’ll admit, I was skeptical that it would steep the entire pitcher when the infuser only goes down 1/4 or so of the way. Filled the pitcher with cold water, added loose leaf, screwed in the infuser and set in the fridge overnight. Much to my surprise I had a fully infused pitcher of tea in the AM! MIRACLE! Don’t know how it worked or if the fairies got in there overnight, but it works like a dream.
I just ordered a second one so that I can have more than one kind of tea ready!

This brewed tea smells wonderful! I love honey in my tea so was very excited to try it. The smell of honey really comes thru. Unfortunately even with a touch of sugar it was severly bitter. I brewed at the recommended 3 minutes so will try steeping shorter next time and see if it helps..then try cold brewing as iced tea. I didn’t taste any honey only bitterness when drinking this tea.

This is a WONDERFUL tea! It does not need any sweetner and the blend of hibiscus and pineapple are perfect – tart and sweet at the same time. I put the tea bags in a pot and just drink until finished before removing the bags.

I really like Republics Hibiscus Pineapple blend as there is a good blend of ingredients. Unfortunately this one does not make the cut. All I get from this tea is the hibiscus – tart and overpowering.

Wow, really sad about this tea. No fruity flavor at all even though it was packed with fruit. All I get is a strong light mint flavor. Not opposed to mint but thought the other ingredients would come through. Will try it cold br iced next time.