An energy drink without any sugar? Yes please! The Sencha Shot and Oolong Shot from Ito En are just the ticket!
(I like the Oolong Shot myself!)
Many thanks to Ito En for sending us samples of their teas!
UPDATE! Rona, a tea expert from Ito En, was kind enough to share why oolong is called a “blue tea.” Thanks, Rona!
Tea Information
- Brew Time: n/a
- Color: Sencha: medium yellow-green. Oolong: medium yellow-orange.
- Aroma: Sencha: typical green tea aroma. Oolong: oolong, with slight barley-like scent.
- Taste: Sencha: slightly earthy, not too strong. Oolong: slight fermented taste, again not too strong.
- Recommended For: People switching from coffee or energy drinks, mid-day pick-me-up.
Like a tranquil, tropical breeze, Submarinelight’s Pineapple/Guava Green Tea from 52Teas instantly transports you to a faraway island. All you need is the little umbrella for your cup.
Tea Information
- Brew Time: 2-3 minutes
- Measurement: 1tsp per 8oz cup
- Temperature: 160º-180ºF
- Color: Pale yellow-green
- Aroma: Soft pineapple, with traces of sencha
- Taste: Tropical, but not overpowering, muddled hints of pineapple and guava
- Recommended For: Iced tea, fruit tea lovers, light flavor
- Multiple Infusions: Possible, with reduced brewing time, but original flavor is so light that it may not be very flavorful with subsequent infusions
Hearty oolong with fragrant citrus floral notes, Oolong Orange Blossom from Tropical Tea Company is perfect for waking up in the morning or as a delicious, subtly flavored iced tea. Plus, Tropical Tea Co. donates to a wonderful cause — bringing healthy, clean drinking water to children in Africa and across the world through filtered drinking straws from Water is Life — which makes each cup just that much sweeter.
Tea Information
- Brew Time: 3 minutes
- Measurement: 1tsp per 8oz cup
- Temperature: 195ºF
- Color: Reddish orange
- Aroma: Slightly sweet, floral/citrus fragrances
- Taste: Hearty, slightly fermented oolong with floral notes
- Recommended For: Iced tea, breakfast tea, floral tea lovers, oolong lovers
- Multiple Infusions: Possible; reduce brewing time - taste will most likely be much lighter with subsequent infusions.
Soft, soothing and light, Herbal Tea Calming Chai from Aura Teas is perfect for relaxing before bedtime, calming down after a stressful day or just sipping on a cool afternoon.
Just try not to drink it too hot!
Tea Information
- Brew Time: 2-3 minutes
- Measurement: 1-2tsp per 4oz cup
- Temperature: 212ºF
- Color: Yellow-green
- Aroma: Chamomile
- Taste: Light, savory; bay leaf and fennel take precedence
- Recommended For: Caffeine-free tea drinkers, stress relief, bedtime relaxation
- Multiple Infusions: Not recommended
Like a big bowl of oatmeal on a cold winter morning, Genmai Cha from Adagio is hearty, filling and soul-warming. Great for helping you get through the day and settling the munchies.
Tea Information
- Brew Time: 3 minutes
- Measurement: 1tsp per 8oz cup
- Temperature: 180ºF
- Color: Clear, light yellow-green
- Aroma: Earthy before brewing, hearty, cooked rice scent after brewing
- Taste: Hearty, filling, warm, very slight rice-y aftertaste, with hints of the sencha base
- Recommended For: Coffee drinkers, non-sweet tea drinkers, people looking for a tea to get them through the day and/or help with hunger/food cravings
- Multiple Infusions: At least 2-3 infusions can be achieved; take the brewing time down to about 1-1.5 minutes.
Chocolate, strawberry and… chili pepper? Azteca Fire from Teavana is definitely a unique tisane (herbal tea), and it caught up with me on the third sip!
Funny story: We didn’t actually pick out this tea. A lady was at our Teavana store buying tons of tea, and somehow her bag of Azteca Fire got stuck into the bag with the teas we were buying. We realized this later when we were eating dinner and talking about the teas we bought, and pulled out one extra. When we went back to Teavana to return it, they told us to just keep it! Good thing we did, eh? 
Tea Information
- Brew Time: 5-6 minutes
- Measurement: 1.5tsp per 8oz cup
- Temperature: 208ºF
- Color: Opaque medium orange
- Aroma: Similar to hot chocolate
- Taste: Somewhat like watery hot chocolate, with a bit of fruitiness and a little bit of pepper
- Recommended For: Chocolate lovers, caffeine-free lifestyles
- Multiple Infusions: Not Recommended.
A St. Patrick’s Day treat! 52Teas‘ Shamrock Tea: a blend of Chinese sencha, peppermint, spearmint and vanilla.
A refreshing treat that we suspect is just as good iced!
Tea Information
- Brew Time: 2-3 minutes
- Measurement: 1tsp per 8oz cup
- Temperature: 160ºF-180ºF
- Color: Clear, light green-yellow.
- Aroma: Minty, with a hint of vanilla
- Taste: Refreshing and crisp, but not overpoweringly minty
- Recommended For: Sweet tooth, mint lovers.
- Multiple Infusions: Reduce brew time -- probably about 1-1.5 minutes. Tea gets increasingly lighter, but 2-3 infusions possible.
Our first tea review — Adagio’s Earl Grey Bravo — and a little introduction from yours truly!
Tea Information
- Brew Time: 5 minutes
- Measurement: 1tsp per 8oz cup
- Temperature: 212ºF
- Color: Clear, reddish brown
- Aroma: Strong scent of bergamot, with a bit of the bitterness of black tea
- Taste: Traditional Earl Grey flavor, but a bit crisper, not quite as subdued
- Recommended For: English tea enthusiasts, iced tea lovers
- Multiple Infusions: Reduce brewing time slightly, good for 3+ infusions