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Home from work, dinner finished. Time to relax with a good book and some of this luxurious tea.
All I can do is blame it on QuiltGuppy. She got me to try it. I am not a decaf guy, I like the full effect nature has to offer, but it just doesn’t matter with this one. It almost makes you feel
guilty and grossly under attired while drinking it. I have visions of a butler, bringing it on a tray.
“your tea sir”
Yep, my tea alright. :)

I decided it was a Milk Oolong morning. QuiltGuppy is helping me (like many others) to expand my palate, so here goes. Pre-steep, it does smell more like margerine to me, not an authentic dairy or cream smell. Steeped, it smells more floral. The color of the liquid is very light, not far from clear water… There is a hint of milk and butter but far less than other Milk Oolongs I have tried. There is a bit of an aftertaste that lingers on the tongue.
not bad, but slightly unsettling. The smell of the 2nd steep is less floral, and includes a whisp of carmel. No change to the color, very light and clear. The tea comes through more on the second steep than the first. Still lacking and I have had better later steeps of good Milk Oolongs (4th, 5th, 6th etc) than the first one of this.

Staring my busy Saturday with this. QuiltGuppy started and has continued my love affair with this tea. I had a small sample a while back and since have tried some other cherry sencha teas. This by far is my favorite. The richness of the sencha with the light and delicate cherry flavor make it such a pleasure. The color and aroma are a spring bloom and renewal in the cup. While enjoying this, I also think of all the poor souls in Japan, who are still struggling from nature’s one-two punch of earthquake and tsunami and those who did not survive. A lot to consider in a little cup of tea…

One word for this one. Strange. It looks like a dehydrated backpack meal dry, steeped it looks like pink lemonade (odd tint for an oolong) and the taste is intensely…strange.

I steeped this in my french press, second steep looked like the waterpan from a Rainbow Vac but was more sedate than the first. I had trouble finding the oolong in this. I think maybe too many berries and things fighting for my attention. :(

It was drinkable, just a bit strange.

I am a fan of mint green teas, so this one is just the ticket. The chocolate notes are light, just barely there and that is fine with me because I am in for the mint and green. This steeps up pretty dark, looks more like an oolong but the green tea is there. After smelling this dry, it gives off exactly the same aroma while steeping. It is a very refreshing tea.

And what an exciting day, I got to add a tea that had not been reviewed!

PS Thanks to QuiltGuppy for another fine tea sample!

This is my third Genmaicha. My first came from the local Asian market (see earlier review), the second was at a local Japanese Habachi establishment. I beamed with pride as I told everyone around the table what was in the tea and it’s mythical origins. QuiltGuppy, my trusted partner in tea sent this to me. From my point of view, the description ATR gives is right on. The other two Genmaicha’s I have tried did overwhelm with the toasted and popped rice. This is a fine balance between the green tea and grain. The sencha is rich and stands up well. In my glass tumbler, the color is bright golden green, very appealing to the eyes. I am impressed, and look forward to this with something off the grill soon.
Thanks AGAIN QG.

Another interesting tea, courtesy of my good friend QuiltGuppy,

A fruit oolong, something out of the ordinary for me. This is very good. I can taste melon, both honeydew and water varieties. There is a bit of floral flavor and a hint of pear, although the description does not mention it. It is a darker oolong, almost amber and slightly roasted. This tea has a depth to it, not just taste on the surface, it seems to go down a few layers. Thanks QG, this is very interesting and delightful.

I also refused the bait and spared you all comments about forbidden things…fruit or otherwise. :)

Ahh, thanks to a mutually beneficial swap with SimplyJen, I am back with the Mafia today!
I love this tea. LOVE IT.

Sorry, I had to get control of myself, I have written on the virtures of this blend, thanked everyone responsible and really have nothing to add except…I LOVE IT.

What a surprise!
Not that it should be, I just was not expecting such a bold flavor from pear and spice. All the teas I have tried from Joy’s Teaspoon have been great. This is no exception. Black tea, with pear and cinnamon. A perfect combination in proper proportions. The pear and cinnamon are out front, and the pear holds it’s own. This could easily be too much of either but, like the porridge in baby bear’s bowl, it is just right. Dry the smell of pear slices (I had to look closely, I thought I was going to find some fresh, diced up) dominates. Steeped, the cinnamon takes over with the warmth of the water. A sip however yields a winning trifecta. Thanks QuiltGuppy, for hooking me up with yet ANOTHER fine tea!!!