Rishi Tea Taste Test
by Kristin Underwood, San Diego, CA on 08.29.08
Image source: Rishi Tea
Its no surprise that Rishi Tea was the winner of seven First Place Awards at the 2008 Tea Championships for best tea, and to top it off was the first company to win the award making organic teas. Beating out 300 other brands, Rishi "rose to the top"
I drink a lot of tea though I'd hardly say I'm an expert or connoseur, but this was good tea. You crack open the lid and a strong, sweet smell of peppermint hits you. It doesn't smell like old, dead packaged tea, but smells like tea leaves that have been freshly picked. Brew a pot and you're equally rewarded.
What makes Rishi Teas taste so good?
Rishi Tea is a direct importer of organic and fair trade loose leaf teas. They work directly with the artisanal farmers; no middle-men. Only 2% of the tea sold in the world uses the hand-crafted artisanal method. They sell 12 different types of tea - including chai, rooibos, green tea and white tea, with each one having several varieties.
The organic silver needle white tea has so much flavor it feels like the water is "thick" even though the tea itself light. Its as if its changed the texture of the water. Open up a can and you'll see thick leaves that seem to spring out of the canister. The green tea almost tastes like green beans it has so much flavor. The peppermint is a treat from the moment you open the can. All of the teas have enough flavor that they don't even need sweetening. The first word you think of for all of the teas is: Fresh.
You can purchase the tea in several sizes from an ounce to a pound, with prices ranging from $3 USD to $12 USD per ounce. Each of the canisters is double-sealed to help keep the flavor in. Note: not all of their teas are organic, but they are clearly labeled on the site.
You can also purchase tea pots, kettles and other tea-making specialties directly from their website. They also include a travelogue where you can learn more about the art of tea-making directly from the tea-purchasers as they travel around tasting tea.
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Usually the green tea that's marketed to the US market is poor quality compared to what's available in Japan. Here's to hoping that this stuff is better.
I'm not sure it's strictly true to say that Rishi "was the first company to win the award making organic teas".
Teas etc - http://www.teasetc.com/shop.asp -which is local to me but mostly conducts business on the web, also won a first place award (only one, but they had several finalists and honorable mentions), and also make organic tea blends. Their winner was an organic blend, which you can double check by googling.
I mean, it's all good - the more organic the better. But I gotta support my local small tea business too!
Their Green Tea Mint is one of my favorite teas, although I do feel it's a bit expensive for something that is mostly just mint leaves (even organic dried mint is cheap in bulk).
I tend to buy my other tea from a local chinese importer because you just can't get some of the really high quality stuff like good puer black tea from commodity sources. Although I do give high marks to The Tao of Tea's organic Puer Tuocha -- it's certainly a good deal for its price, even if it isn't quite as good as the really fancy stuff.
JSDreyer: To answer your question, "sencha" loosely translated means "mid-grade tea" It usually has a bad acrid bitter aftertaste, and no real redeeming qualities. Alright, it isn't that terrible, but it certainly isn't anything to write home about. Oh, and it has little to no fragrance.
I came across awesome tea at one of my old jobs (teaching English at middle schools and elementary schools). The teachers said, "Oh this isn't anything special." We took out the package, read it, and found out that it was top shelf stuff. None of the staff understood what good stuff they were drinking, yet some foreigner came in and immediately knew the difference! Score one for the American baby!
But enough gloating. My current job in the auto industry doesn't really promote high quality teas as something that is necessary for daily functioning. Thus my current lot in life: sencha.
Yum, tea. :) Must try these out.
I absolutely adore rishi tea--my favorite is the moroccan mint, it's so good!!! I'm glad they won the awards, they deserve it! It's a quality product! Also the iced teas are AMAZING, i'm craving some now....