3 Greens from Mighty Leaf

My sample box is overflowing. Yikes! A good problem to have, for sure, but it also means I need to get some tastings done. I'm launching my next round of reviews with three green teas from Mighty Leaf.

Before I get to that, a few notes -

* This is just a brief mention, but I'll talk a lot more about it soon. There is a NEW tea organization that you should all look into. The International Tea Sippers Society was launched in April. This group is intended to bring together tea lovers and vendors, provide information about upcoming tea events, and share news and tips about tea. Members receive discounts from tea vendors and a tea journal. You can visit their website for more info.

* I have updated the blog list. Click the link at the top of the blog home page to see my complete list of blogs. They are separated by Vendor/Non-Vendor. I have only included blogs that have been updated in the last year. Let me know if you find any broken links or know of a blog that isn't listed.

* Yesterday I brewed some iced tea from Tavalon's Kama Chai Sutra. WOW! Amazing! I definitely recommend. It was great plain and then I did a round with a bit of vanilla syrup and milk. What a fabulous chai latte.

* Last night we had some impromptu visitors and spent a great night sitting on the screen porch in the hot summer-like weather. I used some of Tea Forte's Lemongrass Mint Cocktail Infusers to make Lemongrass Mint Gin and Tonics. What a cooling, relaxing drink. I think these will have to be in stock around here for the summer.

Back to today's teas:
Mighty Leaf Organic Emerald Pearls
This tea hails from the Yellow Mountains of China's Anhui Province.
Dry Leaf: This dry leaf puzzled me as I generally expect tightly rolled tea when I see "pearls" in the name, as with "jasmine pearls." I'd be curious to know where this particular tea got its name. The dry leaf was actually long and straight, like a sencha.
Dry Leaf Scent: The scent was fresh and floral with slight notes of hay and apricot.
Liquor: This tea brewed to a pale yellow, peach color with a scent reminiscent of fresh hay and grass.
Taste: The flavor of this tea was very subtle, slightly grassy and vegetal with background notes of honey.
Other reviews: You can also find reviews of this tea at Lainie Sips and Walker Tea Review. (I also want to mention that Walker Tea Review is an outstanding resource. Fantastic and comprehensive video reviews. I'm completely enamored with the way he even shows the dry leaf on a grid so you can really assess size. Definitely check it out.


Mighty Leaf Organic Lu An Gua Pian
This tea, also known as "Little Melon Seed" also hails from China's Anhui Province.
Dry Leaf: This dry leaf was dark green and flat with a slight twist. Some of the leave had some curl to them, but they were primarily straight. (The color of the leaf on the Mighty Leaf website is very different from what I viewed in person.)
Dry Leaf Scent: The scent was again sweet like hay, but a bit more robust than the Emerald Pearls.
Liquor: This tea brewed to a color that reminded me of a lighter olive oil - that rich yellow with a touch of green. (No, not the truly beautiful extra virgin that is a deep green...Mmmm....) The scent was sweet and reminiscent of cut grass.
Taste: There was again a sweetness to this tea with a much stronger vegetal quality than the Emerald Pearls. It was a nice tea and quite flavorful.
Other reviews: You can also find reviews of this tea at Me and my Tea and Walker Tea Review.

Mighty Leaf Organic Yellow Flower
This tea is also from China's Anhui Province and is sometimes called "Yellow Bud."
Dry Leaf: This dry leaf was mostly thin and wiry. It was mossy in color. (Mighty Leaf website shows this tea with a much more yellow hue than the sample I received.)
Dry Leaf Scent: The scent was similar to the Lu An but a bit sweeter and more floral.
Liquor: This tea brewed to a pale green tea. The scent reminded me a bit of seaweed.
Taste: This tea was interesting combination of floral notes and marine qualities.
Other reviews: You can also find reviews of this tea at Me and my Tea and 39 Steeps.

I can't say that any of the three amazed me with its greatness, but none disappointed either. They are pleasant greens. Thank you to Mighty Leaf for these samples.

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