Chun Mee Green

I’m pretty sure that expectations play a big role in evaluations of tea—at least for me. Now that I understand what Chun Mee is—and isn’t—I am more favorably disposed toward this Tazo filter bag organic Chun Mee. It’s not bad at all—it’s just very different from most of the teas I usually drink, and it seems to be the same type of green used in many lower-grade green tea bags. Perhaps Chun Mee is the CTC of China greens? Not sure. Anyway, I have increased my rating a bit after today’s more satisfying cup.

When the word “refreshing” is used, I more often than not consider the lexicon to be misguided. I think of lime, citrus, vibrant and breezy flavors of tropical fruits. There. That sounded refreshing, didn’t it? The reason I bring this up is because I have recently heard others around me describe green teas as refreshing. True, there are particular greens out there that I can see how their vegetal, herbal, grassiness can lead one to consider the word applicable. But green tea, for me, signifies a more relaxed, calm, mellowness rather than what I described above. I don’t think green tea should not be thought of as crisp and clear, airy or fleeting. It should be warm, easy-going, kind of like that moment a certain someone across the room (who you’ve noticed here before) sits and drinks their coffee, writing small notes on pieces of paper next to their laptop, their mouth moving slowly as they silently read to themselves until they notice you back and smile out of the corner of their mouth as they look back to their notes. That’s what a green tea should feel like. A smile from across the room.

This tea has a smooth, “baked” flavor, as said on the side of the box. I don’t know if that’s because of the processing or because its organic but I like it for a bagged tea. A lot. Not creamy but soft, like the aftertaste of a artisan cracker or bread. It tastes like a summer afternoon: I hear birds chirping through the trees, the smells of fresh mulch and thick grass drifting through the air. The sun laying on your skin like a well-loved blanket. Kids laughing and yelling in the distance. All that from the cup. From a bagged tea, no less.

Bravo, Tazo. Peaceful, open, and calm, this tea is. The most mellow green I’ve had in a long time is the perfect way to get prepared for summer or to get someone into tea.

Refreshing, no? ;)

This tea is very delightful – it has a full green taste to it without too much smokiness. The ‘smoky’ part is more of a subtle aftertaste; it is not very noticeable in the brew itself. The color of the tea is a very nice green, and it tastes equally as well (if not better) with a slice of lemon placed in the cup to steep with the bag. This tea is a great pleasure to drink, and I am especially fond of the fact that it is organic. I will definitely be buying this again.

A wonderful tea. Has a satisfying flavor that lingers on your tongue. It’s a mellow and deep flavor lightly smoky but not like a campfire. I do 2 minutes instead of the recommended 3 so it doesn’t become bitter. I’ve noticed that Tazo teas have the tendency to become very bitter if steeped for the recommended time.

Once you have read the box it is hard to not let influence how the drink tastes. On the front of the box it says “creamy, baked, flavor”. While I can see where they get the creamy from; when you put creamy and baked together my brain just thinks pumpkin pie. Those words need to be separated and put on different sides of the box. Definitely smells like a Chinese tea. Kinda bitter and earthy. Which I supposed can be described of many green teas. But Chinese green teas have a certain earthy smell to them that even the Japanese ones don’t.

It’s also good cold. I think I prefer it lukewarm though.