by Lainie P on June 30, 2009
Greetings,
I am heading out on vacation for the week, so you will see new posts starting next week. I wish everyone well!
In the meantime, please be thinking about the following:
I am really enjoying my podcasts, and want to spice them up a bit. I am looking, therefore, for guests:
1. Are you a tea merchant, work for a tea company, or a tea blogger? I’d like to interview you on the show.
2. Are you a tea lover? I am planning a series on tea drinking in different regions and countries, and would love to talk to you on the show about your tea memories and/or the tea culture where you live.
Interested? Please email me (though don’t expect a response until next week) so we can get a show scheduled. We can schedule a show for any time, not just during my normal Tuesday show hours.)
Also, remember that the live show has been re-scheduled on Tuesday nights at 9pm Central time.
Thanks, and have a great week!
by Lainie P on June 27, 2009
Name: Green Roasted Mint
Podcast Review?: Yes, click here.
Brand: The Tea Spot
Type: Green tea (hojicha), flavored
Form: Loose leaf
Cost: $7.99 for 2 ounces @ The Tea Spot (quantity discounts available)
Review: The Tea Spot’s twist on Moroccan mint tea is quite clever: Instead of blending peppermint with gunpowder green tea (the traditional recipe for Moroccan mint tea), the good folks at The Tea Spot used hojicha (roasted Japanese green tea) instead.
The nose on the dry leaf is remarkable: The peppermint is clean and clear, and the nutty, roasted notes of the hojicha, in harmony with the mint, contribute to a very deep aroma that is both comforting and stimulating at the same time.
The tea infuses to a bright medium amber, light-medium bodied liquor, with a crisp, minty nose. On the palate, the substantial hojicha holds its own against the sparkling mint: This tea has amazing depth, and demonstrates just what a careful tea blender/flavor-er can do if s/he is paying attention.
The tea is naturally sweet, no doubt the result of blending the nutty hojicha with peppermint. Resist the urge to add sweetening to this tea, please…or at least hold off until you have given it a proper tasting.
Incidentally,this tea loses quite a bit of flavor after the first infusion. You can try a second infusion, but don’t expect it to have the same richness as the first.
Tips: Roasted Green Mint is incredible on ice! Also, since hojicha is relatively low in caffeine, this might be a good option as a late afternoon/evening tea.
Affiliate Links in this Post?: Yes.
by Lainie P on June 25, 2009
Name: Formosa Alishan Oolong
Brand: auraTeas
Type: Oolong
Form: Loose leaf
Cost: $6.50 (Canadian) for 18 grams, quantity discounts available
Review: The dark green, rolled leaves have a sweet, roasted grain nose, and infuse to a very pretty medium gold liquor. The nose on the infused leaf remains sweet: Rather reminds me of a nutty/whole grain toast with some honey on it.
As I would expect from an Alishan, this is a fairly light bodied oolong, but with enough substance to keep the nutty sweetness from becoming insipid. Best infusion is the third, but this tea maintains flavor for several infusions.
I tried this iced, as well, and found it very tasty: The sweetness lends itself well to iced preparation, and makes it a good option for those who have a sweet tooth, but don’t want or need the extra calories of sugar.
Affiliate Links in this Post?: No.
