Kit Kat, green tea, matcha, and milk tea

While in Malaysia I picked up Green Tea Kit Kat Bites, Matcha Kit Kats, and Milk Tea Kit Kats.  We decided to do a taste test at work.  Last time I tried Match Kit Kats was after my  trip to Thailand, when I first discovered them. I can honestly say I thought they were awful.  I figured it's been 3 years I would try them again.

https://www.nestle.com/media/news/kitkat-green-tea-matcha-flavor-europe

Some people did not want to be in the photos, but did have strong opinions on the candy.  I will share some of their thoughts....

"These taste like sucking on a tea bag"  I am not sure how often my friend sucks on a tea bag, but that was her thought.

We all thought this was the best of the three. Milk tea is something that I see in Asia and not the US.  After spending two weeks in Thailand and Two weeks in Malaysia I see milk tea all over.  And these Kit Kat bars definitely taste like milk tea.

We were not fans of these.  "Taste like grass clippings"  Not sure how often my friend eats grass clippings, but I kind of agree.  These taste like what I think grass would taste like.

These were not great either, but better than the matcha Kit Kats. "Taste like stale white chocolate"   My co-worker Amy, was pleasantly surprised that it was not as bad as she thought.  She said it tasted like an "uneventful graham cracker."

So, I know some people love these bars, like my friend Carrie.  But, not me.  If I am going to eat chocolate or candy- I want to enjoy the taste.

If you ever see these "treats" I suggest maybe you try them, but no guarantee you will like it...but try it for yourself.  Remember it is fun to try new things....even if it is for this small adventure.

Tea Tasting at Ohio Tea Company

So excited to be headed to my first tea class.  My favorite tea shop- Canton's - Ohio Tea Company.

https://www.ohioteaco.com/

http://www.ohioteaco.com/

For this free class I was the only one to show up!  I couldn't believe it!  But, their loss!   I got to pick the teas we talked about.  It was so cool to learn about the different teas and to even try them.

Ryan, the instructor, told me to pick teas I had never tried before.  I picked a Jasmine Silver Needle White tea.  It was my favorite of the day.  

At Ohio Tea they have a great monthly incentive.  If you get on their mailing list, you get a 1/2 oz of tea for free.  So, for May I got the Jasmine Silver Needle.

We talked about the tea and I got to try it.  I am not good with tasting notes, but Ryan gave me things to taste for and to notice.  I enjoyed the tea.

From the website, "A mixture of white tea and jasmine. This tea is scented with jasmine by laying the tea leaves on top of beds of jasmine flowers. The tea absorbs the jasmine scent from the flowers, and the process is repeated until the desired strength of jasmine is achieved. 

The overall tea flavor is much more subtle then a green jasmine tea, and should be savored.

Extra Info:

Silver Needles refer to the buds of the tea plant. The leaves or buds of white tea are not steamed or pan-fired (the process used in green teas) or oxidized and fired (the process used in black tea). The leaves are naturally withered and dried in the sun.

Because white tea is the least processed type of tea, you can still see the fibers on the individual buds. If mechanical drying is required it is a baking process at temperatures less than 104 degrees Fahrenheit."

I also love Oolong, so I picked Peach Oolong.  I really enjoyed this one too. 

from the website,  "Smooth, sweet, and spring-like. This tea is delicious when brewed hot and even better when poured over ice."

Next I tried Golden Snail.  This was probably my least favorite, but still not bad, just not one I would go to a lot.

From the website, "Golden Snail is one of those wonderful handcrafted black teas made in small production lots by farm families in the mountains of Yunnan province. Golden tippy leaves are curled into little spiral shapes, hence the name Golden Snail." 

Lastly, I did Guayusa Spice- this is an herbal tea.  It was pretty good.

From the website, "An Amazonian blend of energizing guayusa with full-bodied cinnamon and aromatic lemongrass. With more caffeine and double the antioxidants of any tea, guayusa offers clear, focused energy."

It was super fun to hear about the regions and the tea that is grown there.  I learned a ton!  I got my tea nerd on!  It amazes me that black, oolong, pu-erh, yellow, green, white, and purple tea all come from the same plant, the camellia sinensis!!  It just all depends on the region, the drying process, when picked, etc.  Tea is so cool!

This is this great shop!!!

Sure House Lavender Chai with Hemp Milk

The other day my pod mates and I needed a tea break!  I went down to the new Sure House coffee/tea shop and drinks for all of us.

I got a lavender chai tea with hemp milk. It was ok. And before you say it was the lavender that made it not so great, I know that is not it.  I love lavender in my chai!!!  Maybe it was the hemp milk, that is the first time I have ever had that.  I will give them another try...
  The chai at Sure House is home made.  I am glad that they make their own chai- so much better than an Oregon Chai concentrate that a lot of tea places use. I am still not a super fan of their chai, but it wasn't bad.  I think it needs more of a kick, but that is just me.

https://www.facebook.com/Surehousecoffee/