 IGNORE AMAZON'S DIRECTIONS! |
| Review Date: August 11, 2007 |
| Reviewer: MacGuffin, New York City |
They're 'WAY off--use one TEASPOON/8 oz. of water at 190º. I start with a total brewing time of about two minutes (including the time needed to decant), adding 30 seconds to the subsequent two infusions (forget about a fourth--three is about as good as it gets although you can then place the used leaves in a jar, add about 6 oz. water, and refrigerate covered overnight for delicious, next-morning iced tea for a total of four steepings).
Now, as to the tea itself. This is EXTREMELY fine jasmine tea. Rishi's offering uses "dragon pearls" of excellent quality--Chinese green tea leaves that are hand-rolled into little...well, pearls. The pearls are then scented, over the course of several days, with fresh jasmine blossoms--20 lbs. of fresh jasmine blossoms are used to scent each pound of tea. This is excellent, absolutely delicious tea that, excepting the word "jasmine," has virtually nothing to do with cheaper grades of tea that are scented chemically with perfumes. It scents the whole room as it brews. :)
Bearing in mind that there are no bargains to be found for top-grade tea--it's never cheap--Amazon has the best price I've yet found for Rishi Jasmine Pearls, especially if your order qualifies for free shipping. It can and should be infused three times, which might take some of the sting out of purchasing, the health benefits of green tea providing the final push.
Rishi Dragon Pearls are now a part of my parents' daily routine. In addition, I made a gift of a can to a friend's mom--that can went all the way to Russia and was, predictably, received with delight and appreciation. A cousin in California, on my recommendation, went a bit hog-wild and bought four cans from Amazon--she's now a fan, too. I doubt there are any better green jasmine pearls to be found. (Seven Cups, an online purveyor of top-grade Chinese tea, has white jasmine pearls that are equally fine but very different--I like both).
Incidentally, try to brew this tea in glass as the unfurling of the pearls is extremely beautiful to watch.
Update: I just bought a new can and noticed that the brewing instructions are radically different. The suggested brewing times remain the same (3 - 4 minutes), but the amount of leaf has TRIPLED to one tablespoon and the suggested brewing temperature has decreased by 10º to 180º. Frankly, given that I get excellent results with the suggestions that are still posted on the Rishi Web site (steeping for a good minute less, though), I decided that the only concession I'll make is to drop the temperature to 185º, leaving everything else the same (the correct brewing temperature can be had very easily: pour boiling water into a large Pyrex measuring cup, then pour over the leaves). A higher concentration of scented leaf would likely gag me (as in the case of the brewing instructions for Rishi's Osthmanthus Silver Needle), plus the original instructions are MUCH more cost-effective. Tea preferences, however, are very much a matter of taste, so play with the suggested parameters, if you're so inclined, to determine yours. Keep in mind, though, that jasmine tea can become bitter if mishandled (this just passed on to me by Austin at Seven Cups), so play safe! |
Excellent tea
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| Review Date: July 3, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Colin Spence, SF, Ca USA |
| My wife loves this stuff. It's expensive but one container lasts for a month or two. She normally puts in 6 - 8 of the little balls per cup. I like it too, but she's fanatical about it. |
The best your money can buy!
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| Review Date: August 30, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Marilyn, Southeastern Michigan, USA |
This tea by Rishi is the most exquisite tasting Jasmine Pearl Green Tea I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. I know the price may be a little more than what you are used to paying for green tea, but, believe me, it is definitely worth it.
The jasmine flavor is rich and sweet, all by itself. The amount of work that goes into creating each of these lovely pearls is astounding (hence the price!). Once you have tried this tea, all other jasmine green teas will pale in comparison. The flavor is so concentrated, you only need to use a scant teaspoon of pearls for each cup of tea that you brew, so these two cannisters will last for some time. I hope you try this tea, as I know you will not be disappointed. |
rishi tea
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| Review Date: January 9, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Carmelita D. Dominguez, cdd |
| The delivery was so efficient and prompt. The tea itself is fabulous. It will be hard to get back to a regular tea bag. There is no comparison. Thank you. I will be a regular customer of this product. |
Amazing Jasmine!
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| Review Date: April 10, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Eric S. Morrison, Boise |
| This stuff is incredible! I've had many different kinds of Jasmine tea, and this tops them all hands down. No bitterness. Tastes great unsweetened, and blissfully delicious with agave or stevia! I love it. |
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