22 Tasting Notes
The ass-kicker of all peppermint teas, and one of those longest in production. This tea has been around long before World Wars and our grandparents. Its a moroccan style mint tea— in other words it can be brewed as strong as coffee and sweetened to the point that it would keep any dentist in business.
You may opt to brew it long or short, and its mintiness will expand or dimish accordingly. I generally find one tea bag strong enough to make a full liter of tea.
Medicinally-speaking this tea is wonderful for an upset stomach and will even mildly numb a toothache, there’s that much peppermint oil in the infusion. I use it as an oncoming cold remedy, and even herbalist medicine says ‘it works!’
Preparation
A lovely light oolong. From a sniff of the dry tea you’d expect this light, faintly smokey, slightly raisiny smelling tea to develop into something good. What comes out in the glass is a pale golden yellow tea, with well integrated hints of straw, smoke, and grass beneath a bright nearly floral (but not really jasmine) scented top note, that is delivered in an overall buttery smooth liquor. I can’t understand why the previous reviewer denigrated it, however we disagree on jasmine scented teas and perhaps that’s why.
Preparation
A wonderful light jasmine tea, that is almost a green-white tea. In France this tea is available in two types; Grand Jasmin Mao Feng, and Grand Jasmin Mao Feng Bio. Although both of these teas are excellent, the Bio version is just a little bit better than the non-organic variety. When I get a bag of this tea in the house, I have a hard time not opening it every afternoon to brew a pot. Although ‘jasmine pearls’ are all the rage— I actually think this particular tea is better than most jasmine pearls I’ve had (even the $100/lb variety from TenRen in Chinatown).
Preparation
For those who don’t like a hint of astringency in their morning cup of tea, there is Montagne Bleue. On the nose, this is a mildly floral tea. In the cup, it brews up as a dark caramel liquor that’s laced with a light fruity brightness, and very faint floral flavor (the strawberry and rhubarb show through). Tastes even better with a little honey.
Preparation
The tea that launched 10000 steepings. Seriously, this is the first tea I ever tasted by Les Palais des Thes, and once I bought a bag of this, I turned into an addict. The green tea underlying this is a sencha. Its pairing with small bourbon vanilla pods makes for a smooth intensely vanilla treat. Its also delicious iced. Don’t steep too hot, or else it’ll be bitter.
Preparation
Perhaps my least favorite of all the teas made by this company. The cherry scent of this tea is so dominant that the green tea underneath it, gets nearly entirely lost. I find it like the ‘cherry coke’ of green teas. TOO MUCH CHERRY. Then again, if you’re a huge fan of cherry coke, this tea might be for you.
Preparation
A floral, fruity, green tea that has a kind of inherent sweetness without sugar added. I favor brewing this and then serving it iced, for any time of the day. The flavor of peach and citrus, combined with a spoonful of lemon tree honey makes for a great summer thirst quencher.