Tea Runners Review June 2017

Tea Runners is the world’s finest tea club. Every month their members receive a curated collection of four of the world’s best loose leaf teas, along with tasting notes and brewing instructions. Each box contains enough tea for 30-50 cups.   Tea Runners brings the undiscovered world of small batch loose leaf tea to your door. They receive dozens of samples every month, taste them all, and select only the best. They kindly sent us this box for review.

This is my second month reviewing Tea Runners.  I was so impressed with the first box that I was over the moon to receive a second!  The box itself is just so exciting.  It really speaks to the adventurous side of me.  I almost wanted to keep the box from last month, because it was just too cool to recycle.  Thankfully, being a monthly subscription, I get to enjoy this box every month!

June 2017

We’re very excited to introduce you to this month’s teas!  This stellar collection contains teas you’ve likely never seen before, including a freshly picked pure black tea, an organic genmaicha, a dark & earthy ripe pu-erh, and an award-winning flavoured green tea detox blend.  

Ah man, this is why I love this subscription.  It really exposes you to the uncharted waters of tea.  Nautical reference intended?  Absolutely!  This box feels really nostalgic of the colonial times of seafarers and traders.  Have I mentioned I’m a big fan of their box?  Also, I really like the gold packaging of the tea.  It really kicks it up a notch with the feeling of quality and detail.

Imperial Gold Needle

This sensational black tea is a pure bud pick from the spring 2017 harvest in Yunnan, China.  The bud shoots are lightly wilted and processed to keep the delicate taste and appearance intact.  An aroma that is thick and luscious, this incredibly fresh tea will leave you with smooth notes of dark malt and sweet honey.

Wow!  That sounds delicious.  The leaves themselves are really interesting.  I often stray from black teas as they all have the same taste to them and often aren’t enjoyed without a little cream and sugar.  This, however, sounds like it will stand on its own!

Genmaicha

Genmaicha (meaning “brown rice tea”) was discovered centuries ago when Japanese monks brewed green tea in their rice cauldrons.  This particular high-end genmaicha uses green tea superior in quality and roasted sticky rice to create toasty aromas and a rich, nutty sweetness.  Don’t blame us if you become as addicted as we did — it’ll have you swooning.

I’m sorry.  Did you just say rice cauldron?!  That’s awesome!  And I’m totally going to blame you when I get addicted, because you’re my tea dealer and you’re totally to blame 😉

Menghai Te Ji Pu-erh

Pu-erh is a tea gaining more popularity in the West, and tea enthusiasts go deep with their obsessive love for this varietal.  This is a Te Ji grade (high-grade small leaf) pure pu-erh tea from Menghai.  It’s earthy with lots of depth and maturity, but will leave the palate with a serene smoothness in its finish.

Wow.  Ok this is the second Pu-erh that’s turned up in my tea subscriptions.  I’ve never heard of it, but clearly it is gaining popularity!  Can’t wait to give this a try.  I might have to try this one second to the other I’ve received, seeing how this is a higher grade.

Guava Gold

A beautiful blend of Silver Needle White, Bai Mu Dan White, the finest Japanese Sencha Kyoto Green, and Formosa Oolong, this tea will become your feel-good daily ritual.  The palate will be enticed with its notes of tart guava, strawberry, and an all-around pleasant and rosy aftertaste.  This blend will also detoxify the body, and boost the immune system.  It’s magic in a cup!

Oh man, I’m addicted already and I haven’t even tried it yet.  I love the sound of a detox tea.  I’ve also never had a guava tea before, so this is ultra exciting.

Tea Runners June 2017  – Final Thoughts

It’s official, I think I’ll become a tea drinker in the morning instead of coffee.  Do you realize what a huge thing that is for me to say?!  I feel like I got a tea-education this month and am really looking forward to expanding my horizons of tea after trying out these beauties.  Did you receive this month’s Tea Runners?  What did you think of the blends you received?

-Shonah