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This is an oolong blend, even though it doesn’t quite say so on the Mountain View Tea Village site. I don’t really have a whole lot to say other than it lives up to its namesake. The taste, the scent (dry and wet), everything…it’s all peach. Kudos to the flavoring used.

Big Red Robes seem to be everywhere these days. A year ago, I didn’t even know what the hell it was, now I can’t trip over a tea bush without seeing a damn robe. That said, of all the ones I’ve tried, this is the only one that lives up to the hypothetically expensive promise of its regal origins. Sweet rice and fruit notes aplenty.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/12/02/review-canton-tea-co-big-red-robe-oolong-3/

Powdered sencha is pretty much considered “ghetto” matcha, since real matcha uses tencha leaves that are given extra shading. This one breaks the formula a little bit for being a powdered tamaryokucha (or curly green tea); probably the only type of sencha I’ll ever drink again.

The flavor is slightly grassy, but also possesses a melon-like note similar to a white tea, and ends on a sweet (if vegetal) finish. It may not be top-o’-the-line matcha, but it’s a high grade substitute. After my review sample, I actually had to buy a batch. I think it’ll last me four months or so.

Full Review:

http://www.teaviews.com/2010/10/25/review-mellow-monk-matcha-style-powered-green-tea/

Matcha has become a part of my morning routine. Mainly because of the vitamins, but also for taste. I usually can’t afford high-grade stuff, but JING might’ve forced me to rethink my purchases of lower quality stuff. This foams up beautifully, and the taste is nowhere near bitter. Other flavors one finds is a mix of seaweed-like sweetness along with mild fruit notes. It’s an excellent find.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/10/23/review-jing-tea-japanese-matcha-supreme-green-tea/

This is a very good – if very picky – green tea. By picky, I mean it requires a specific brewing time and temp to be very good. Some of that can be palate-specific and subjective. Brewed at the time and temp suggested on the Teaflection site lends a very chestnutty and vegetal brew. I softened it a bit, but liked it both ways.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/12/13/review-teaflection-gyokuro-asahi-rare-green-tea/

Unlike yerba mate – which can have a bitter, bark-like taste to it – this has a tinge of sweetness on the aftertaste to offset the initial nettle palate. That and it kicks you in the arse for a good five hours. (I.e. It’s caffeinated. Deliciously caffeinated.)

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/12/15/review-zen-tara-tea-organic-amazonian-guayusa-tea/

I brewed this for only the second time today since the mother was in town. For the life of me, I don’t know why I waited so long to revisit it. It’s exactly what you hope for in a promised title like “cream Earl Grey”. The high quality Ceylon tea base and vanilla/bergamot pairing work to outstanding effect to create a very sweet cup without the need for sugar. I also don’t know why I haven’t latte’d this yet. Tomorrow, maybe.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/10/06/review-culinary-teas-cream-earl-grey/

While I’m a staunch supporter of British irony, and love the name and story behind this tea, I can only give it a pass on taste. They say it’s a blend of Ceylon and Darjeeling, and to some extent the flavors of both are present. However, it embitters far too quickly (even at a three-minute steep) and starts off dry on the foretaste. It eventually settles into a clean/floral Ceylon note in the middle, and a spicy aspect from the Darjeeling last, but it’s a rocky road to get there.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/10/20/review-mark-t-wendell-boston-harbour-tea-2/

I’m a bit of a heathen for liking Chinese-produced sencha than Japanese, but I always find the taste to be livelier, fruitier and not as roast-nutty. This was no exception. It lived up to its title. I await the pitchforks.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/11/19/review-thepuritea-chinese-sencha/

Despite some initial difficulties with the “exclusive delivery system” (I’m kind of an idiot), this brewed up to a fine – if more subtle – masala chai. I attribute the subtlety to the saffron and rose petal inclusion, yet there wasn’t much of a floral presence to speak of. All in all, decent. Just be careful with the brew-tache wings, they can slip.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/11/13/review-ineeka-ma-chai-insight/