Happy Holidays!  A holiday blend from The REPUBLIC of TEA…this is a flavorful mix.  It contains: black tea, cinnamon, natural flavors, cloves, licorice root and apple pieces. I’m drinking one of The REPUBLIC of TEA’s round, unbleached tea bags without the strings.  I place the bag in a cup of boiling water for about 3 minutes and scoop-it-out when the tea is finished brewing.  The apple pieces and licorice root flavors make the tea a special treat.  The black tea flavor is not the greatest, but as a whole the beverage will have the average tea consumer smiling.  It has some of the same ingredients as ‘Chai’, but the apple pieces create a sweet apple flavor that gives the tea its character. This is an average tea with an above average mix of flavors.  It’s perfect during the winter months.

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I was pleasantly surprised by this tea from the moment I broke the seal on the package.  The combination of green and black teas from all over the globe combine to create an incredible aroma.  It’s the smell I would expect to find at a tea processing plant.  It’s just a rich, sweet, and pure tea scent. Zhi’s Monk’s Blend is made of the following: Darjeeling (green), Keemun (black), Assam (black), and Nilgiri (green) organic loose tea leaves.

I have to say the black tea flavor dominates the cup, but that’s ok in this blend.  The green tea gives a welcomed accent of freshness.  Monk’s Blend has a very pure black tea flavor. It’s a refreshing tea that can be enjoyed almost anytime of the day (it does contain caffeine).  The tea has a very smooth mouthfeel and a pleasant aftertaste.  What can I say, it’s easy to drink and I’m almost out. If you want a simply pure and delicious organic tea to drink, this is for you.  Black tea lovers will enjoy this.

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I’ve been highly anticipating this moment…I’m drinking Genmaicha Chai from Yogic Chai. First of all, Genmaicha is one of my favorite Japanese green teas. It’s an obvious classic and a regular at almost every tea store. The roasted brown rice adds depth and character to a delicious Japanese green tea. Yogic Chai incorporates all organic ingredients in their Chais. This green chai is no exception. It consists of (organic): Genmaicha, cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, and ginger. Basically, it’s a clone of their Original Chai with the subtraction of the Assam black tea and the addition of Genmaicha.

Just like the original chai, you will be greeted with a powerfully pleasant aroma from all the organic ingredients.  This time around your nose will detect a hint of roasted brown rice. Once the water started to boil, the roasted brown rice really started to reveal itself.  The combination of the organic ingredients makes this chai special.  Substituting the Assam for Genmaicha is as noticeable as you would imagine, but it goes to show with quality ingredients you can mix it up and have fun.  I really enjoyed this chai.  The Genmaicha is present throughout the chai.  You can taste the toasted brown rice and Japanese green tea with every sip. I applaud Yogic Chai for offering something unique.

Preparation: I tried to deploy a traditional method of preparing the tea.  I used a range burner, small pot (usually making two large cups), and a strainer.  I used one teaspoon of Masala Chai per cup (approximately 6-10 ounces).  So, you start by filling your favorite cup with water (as a measuring tool), than you pour the water into your pot.  If you’re making two or more cups, repeat the process as necessary.  Now, set your burner high enough to start heating the water to a boil.  I put the dry tea, spices, and herbs in the water almost immediately and let the water come to a boil.  Once the water starts to boil, turn the heat down to avoid a mess.  Let the chai simmer for about 1-3 minutes.  I didn’t add milk to this chai.  After the tea simmers, you can strain the tea into a serving pot.  It can be messy and challenging to pour the chai directly into your cup from a pot while holding a strainer.  Lastly, pour the chai into your cup and sweeten the beverage using your favorite sweetener.  Again, you may like it without sweetener – I know I do.  Having said that, I also like to load a cup with sweetener (syrup, brown sugar,etc.) when I’m in the mood for something really sweet.  If you want to use your favorite tea maker with a built-in strainer, that’s fine.

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If you’re trying to cut the caffeine, but still want a hot and tasty drink – herbal “teas” are perfect.  By default herbal “teas” (tisanes) do not actually contain tea.  Therefore, they are typically caffeine-free.  Today I’m drinking Zhi’s herbal Blood Orange.  It consists of: Organic orange peel, hibiscus, rose hips, Rooibos, apple bits, safflower, and a little natural orange essence. The dry fruits & herbs have a very strong citrus scent.  As you can see from the photo this is a very chunky herbal tea.  The ingredients are easy to recognize.  The tisane can be infused multiple times.  Each infusion yields a colorful liquor that is very tangy.  Citrus lovers, this is for you.  The citrus flavored herbal will have your taste buds hopping.  For some reason, I didn’t like the Rooibos mixed with the other ingredients. It’s the one ingredient I could have done without in this mix.  It’s not that it tastes bad, I just found it to be slightly intrusive on the other ingredients.  Overall I did enjoy the herbal, and I found it best with just a touch of sweetener.  Again, if you like orange flavored beverages, this organic herbal is for you.

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If I could add one extra ingredient to Masala Chai, it would be coconut.  Fortunately, Yogic Chai did it for me.  This chai consists of all the same organic ingredients as Yogic Chai’s original masala chai with the addition of organic shredded coconut: The organic ingredients consist of: Fair Trade Assam (CTC), cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, shredded coconut, and ginger.

Preparation: I tried to deploy a traditional method of preparing the tea.  I used a range burner, small pot (usually making two large cups), and a strainer.  I used one teaspoon of Masala Chai per cup (approximately 6-10 ounces).  So, you start by filling your favorite cup with water (as a measuring tool), than you pour the water into your pot.  If you’re making two or more cups, repeat the process as necessary.  Now, set your burner high enough to start heating the water to a boil.  I put the dry tea, spices, and herbs in the water almost immediately and let the water come to a boil.  Once the water starts to boil, turn the heat down to avoid a mess.  Let the chai simmer for about 1-3 minutes.  Add milk during the simmering time to allow the ingredients to simmer together.  As always, you can add your favorite milk substitute or no milk products – it’s all up to you.  After the tea simmers, you can strain the tea into a serving pot.  It can be messy and challenging to pour the chai directly into your cup from a pot while holding a strainer.  Lastly, pour the chai into your cup and sweeten the beverage using your favorite sweetener.  Again, you may like it without sweetener – I know I do.  Having said that, I also like to load a cup with sweetener (syrup, brown sugar,etc.) when I’m in the mood for something really sweet.  If you want to use your favorite tea maker with a built-in strainer, that’s fine.

The coconut adds not only an extra flavor ingredient, it adds texture to the beverage.  The oil from the coconut mixes with the chai to create a creamy texture.  The coconut flavor tends to mellow the intense spice flavors in a positive way.  The added layer of flavor compliments the other ingredients without compromising the Masala Chai. If you like coconut and chai as much as I do, this is a must try.  I can’t say enough about the freshness and authentic nature of Yogic Chai.  The Coconut Masala Chai is probably one of the best chais I’ve tried in recent memory.  Lastly, if you want a winter themed tea, just pretend the coconut is snow – add a little snow to your chai.

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I popped the tin on Zhi’s organic Plum Oolong, and it was like opening a box of chocolates (sounds like a quote from a movie you might have seen).  Anyway, the dark Oolong leaves and plum essence had an almost chocolate covered fruit scent to it.  I couldn’t wait to make a few cups due to the intriguing scent.  The plum is a top-three favorite fruit for me.  So whenever I get the chance to try a tea flavored with plum – I take it.  Zhi’s Plum Oolong consists of Organic Sechong Oolong. As you can tell from the picture, this is a very dark Oolong.  I found the tea to be very refreshing.  It has a tangy fruit zest to it that was enjoyable.  It’s recommended that you steep the tea at a water temperature of around 185-195 degrees for 3 minutes.  I typically infused the tea leaves twice per sitting.

Zhi describes the tea as: Zhi House Blend Plum Oolong is designed to knock your socks off! A seriously uncompromising blend of our top-quality organic Sechong Oolong with organic plum essence creates a golden cup of nectafarious delight. Rich, succulent plum flavor melds perfectly with our complex, slightly sweet oolong. A house favorite here at Zhi.
And it makes a superb sun tea..

Zhi has an excellent website designed to allow you to quickly and easily browse through several organic tea selections.  Their packaging and email communication was superb.  I highly recommend Zhi if you want to order tea online or you are looking to diversify your tea selections with a new tea vendor.

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A truly authentic blend of Assam black tea, Indian spices and herbs…This tea delivers in all areas.  It’s organic, flavorful, and healthy.  Your senses are immediately awakened by the powerful aroma produced by the dry tea, spices, and herbs. The organic ingredients consist of: Fair Trade Assam (CTC), cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, and ginger.  Preparing this chai is a joy from start to finish.  The fragrance of the Masala Chai is present throughout the preparation of the tea.  The aroma helps to build the excitement for the moment when you finally get to drink the Masala Chai.

I tried to deploy a traditional method of preparing the tea.  I used a range burner, small pot (usually making two large cups), and a strainer.  I used one teaspoon of Masala Chai per cup (approximately 6-10 ounces).  So, you start by filling your favorite cup with water (as a measuring tool), than you pour the water into your pot.  If you’re making two or more cups, repeat the process as necessary.  Now, set your burner high enough to start heating the water to a boil.  I put the dry tea, spices, and herbs in the water almost immediately and let the water come to a boil.  Once the water starts to boil, turn the heat down to avoid a mess.  Let the chai simmer for about 1-3 minutes.  Add milk during the simmering time to allow the ingredients to simmer together.  As always, you can add your favorite milk substitute or no milk products – it’s all up to you.  After the tea simmers, you can strain the tea into a serving pot.  It can be messy and challenging to pour the chai directly into your cup from a pot while holding a strainer.  Lastly, pour the chai into your cup and sweeten the beverage using your favorite sweetener.  Again, you may like it without sweetener – I know I do.  Having said that, I also like to load a cup with sweetener (syrup, brown sugar,etc.) when I’m in the mood for something really sweet.  If you want to use your favorite tea maker with a built-in strainer, that’s fine.

In the end, you are going to be left with a very fragrant, flavorful and beautifully balanced cup of Masala Chai. It’s obvious with Masala Chai, you have to enjoy the ingredients listed above.  The organic spices and herbs in this blend are more than just writing on a box.  I highly recommend Yogic Chai to anyone that enjoys chai or to anyone looking for a fun, flavorful, organic, black tea.

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I’ve been drinking Choice Organic teas for a couple of years.  The Whole Leaf Organics line clearly shows an evolution with the tea selections offered by Choice Organic.  I was very fortunate to try several of the new selections.

Reasons to enjoy Whole Leaf Organics (WLO):

• Choice Organic Teas offers the largest selection of exclusively organic and Fair Trade tea pyramids, keeping in line with its long-time commitment to manufacturing organic and Fair Trade teas.
• Whole Leaf Organics (WLO) tea pyramids are fully biodegradable.
• Choice Organic Teas does not use any PVdC in their packaging.
• The 100% recycled box is printed with soy ink and features a unique cover with a die-cut pyramid window, offering a peek at the tea garden-inspired painting commissioned by Seattle artist Maija Fiebig.

Black Tea: Estate Blend Darjeeling: This tea exceeded my expectations by having a lot more flavor and character than I anticipated.  Darjeeling’s muscatel flavor is always inviting, but this one had a welcomed grape-like flavor that added a special element to the tea. Choice Organic described the tea as having a floral, nutty taste.  Either way, it was really good. The leaves expand in the tea pyramid during the steeping process to remind the consumer that they are drinking tea from real organic Darjeeling tea leaves rather than dust and fannings.  This is a great choice for tea drinkers looking for a solid/flavorful organic black tea in a convenient tea bag.

Green Tea: Jasmine Green: I haven’t always enjoyed Choice Organic’s green teas, but this one was very refreshing.  It was definitely my favorite green tea offered by Choice Organic.  The pan-fired organic Chinese green tea was very pronounced with an oceanic and slight smoke flavor.  The jasmine flavors balanced perfectly with the green tea to create an enjoyable cup.  Choice Organic described the tea as having a lightly floral, almost sweet taste to it. I have to agree with their description, but I want to add that the green tea flavor shines through the jasmine.  For me, that is a definite plus. The split personality of the green tea and sweet-jasmine flavors combine to create one delicious cup of green tea.  It was gone too fast.

Herbal (Caffeine-free): Chamomile Citrus: If you enjoy Chamomile, you’ll love this one.  The chamomile dominates the cup, but your taste buds are hit with orange peel, hibiscus, and lemon myrtle (all organic).  The zesty citrus flavors mixed with chamomile were very interesting.  I think this one would be perfect with honey and a tad bit of your favorite sweetener.  Again, the key to this herbal is you have to enjoy chamomile.  Choice Organic describes this herbal as: citrusy blend brings out the best of mild-mannered chamomile. Its sweet, floral taste comes from whole yellow chamomile flowers harvested on a Fair Trade farm in Egypt. Orange peel and pink hibiscus add a light, fruity essence.

That completes a long list of Choice Organic teas that I’ve been fortunate to recently drink.  It’s exciting to see the direction the company has taken with this line.  The quality of “bagged” teas continues to be raised by companies like Choice Organic.  This is welcomed change for all of us.

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