Teas Unique sent me a box of unusual Korean teas. I most often come across green tea or hwangcha, but here I have matcha and a black tea. Teas Unique’s Hwangcha was pretty good with a big selection. Out of the box, I picked out the Jeju Island teas to review.
Teas Unique’s Jeju Island Ceremonial Grade Organic Matcha
I haven’t had good Korean Matcha. Note, yes we can be pedantic and this isn’t matcha, but green tea powder. I’m sticking with matcha as it is faster. This Jeju Island Matcha from Teas Unique is a first flush, single estate, organic ceremonial grade harvested in early May 2017 at Mt. Halla, Seongeup Village, Jeju Island, Korea. They even tell you the harvest and processing methods for their teas.
The matcha powder has an olive green appearance. I am not sure what standards to hold to Korean matcha. Korean teas are different than Japanese and Chinese teas, so the flavor profile is different. I am not sure if I am supposed to see that nuclear green colour, but the colour here is good.
I did similar preparation to Japanese Matcha, which is close to what is stated on the packaging. I used 1/2 teaspoon, sifted, whisked with a couple ounces of 175F water to start, adding more to taste.
With not enough water, the Jeju Island Matcha is quite weedy. I topped up with more hot water and tasted more notes. It sips in a juicy leafy green and on the bitter side. The finish and aftertaste is cooling and floral, with that floral note lingering for a while. The whole sip had a tulip vibe and leaves a cool breezy feel.
Overall, a pretty strong and refreshingly spring feeling matcha. The Jeju Island Ceremonial Matcha can certainly hold its own against other matchas and is a good fit for someone who loves floral. I don’t come across too many floral matchas, so this is a treat.
Teas Unique’s Jeju Island Black Tea
2017 Jeju Island First Flush black tea is also from Mt. Halla, Seongeup Village. This tea is also single estate, USDA organic, and first flush. Teas Unique was nice enough to send me a mug (though I cannot find it for sale on their website, will update if I do) with a crackle glaze on it.
I followed the instructions, steeping 4 grams of leaf in 6oz of water, 200F, for 3 minutes.
Jeju Island black steeps up a beautiful red and has a unique flavor. It is a lighter black tea with notes of slight orange, without the tart or pith bitterness, smooth creamy malt, minerals, and a light sweetness. This tea is amazingly refreshing for a black tea.
There is no bitterness or astringency at all, making 2017 Jeju Island First Flush black tea for some easy drinking. It is quite a light tasting black, so Jeju Island black would be a great fit for someone who dislikes harsh, strong notes of black tea. I think Jeju island black would also make an awesome iced tea due to the citrus notes. Teas Unique has a 2017 Jeju Island Second Flush black tea with Mandarin Orange blend if you want a similar black tea with more orange.
(tea provided for review)
