Customer Reviews

Tazo Zen Tea, 24 Tea Bags

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have tried many Tazo and this was a similar to a stronger Lotus. one thing to keep in mind is to not let it sit, otherwise it becomes strong and the next time that you add water to it, the flavor is bland.

I first tried Zen in an iced green tea I got from Starbucks. I wasn't that crazy about it at first because it has lemongrass and a few other things in it, and I have always preferred nothing at all in my teas, just plain tea; no sugar, nothing. I had it a few more times for the same reason (was at Starbucks) and before long I was hooked, I had to have one every day. I found that I actually FEEL BETTER when I drink it! I know green tea is ridiculously good for you, but this is crazy. I dumped all the bloat I was holding, felt more alert and my appetite was noticably reduced. While I'm sure not everyone will have the same experience I have, I drink it for the taste and have probably 2 32-ounce glasses of it iced (plain) per day. I sip it all day at work and it is wonderful. I brew it fresh each glass: brew it very strong and pour it over ice with a little cold water to dilute it to taste (I like strong tea). I just adore it!

****
Tazo's Zen Green Tea has a subtle, mild, light green tea taste, not bitter at all. I don't taste any of the additional flavors Tazo puts into this tea; maybe my palate isn't developed to this point. However, it still is one of their better teas, and has less of an artificial taste than the others I've tried. Maybe the flavorings are just too mild in this tea, but when it comes to flavorings, I prefer them this way; I like a natural, real taste with real ingredients sans vague "natural flavors" and sans flavorings, sans essences, etc. It is not a strong green tea, so it would definitely appeal to people who enjoy herbal infusions and milder teas.

The ingredients in Zen are: green teas, lemon verbena, spearmint, lemongrass, and natural flavors. Zen contains caffeine.

Tazo is an interesting company that makes only super premium teas. They are socially responsible, based in Portland, and have the motto, "The Reincarnation of Tea". Tazo is owned by Starbucks. Their web site is fun and quirky, with a Zen-type focus, definitely worth checking out. It is unclear, though, from their web site, how many of their ingredients are organic or kosher, and they do use some "natural flavors" in their teas--this wording seems a little vague for a super premium tea.

On the paper tea packet, Tazo writes, "an enlightening blend of the finest green teas and rare herbs available in this world." On their web site, Tazo describes the flavor profile of Zen as "smooth, lemony, earthy, refreshing". Tazo describes the aroma as "lemon, mint". The web site also says, "Select pan-fired green tea from Zhejiang province in China, artfully combined with lemongrass, spearmint and a hint of lemon essence. Zen's distinct green tea flavor accented with lemon and mint is impossible to express in words. Best simply to experience its sweet, lingering aftertaste." I don't taste the lemon or the mint or the sweetness; still, it is a nice green tea. It is relaxing and enjoyable to drink.

I would rate this tea, and Tazo in general, as very good---better than premium teas like Stash or Celestial Seasonings---but not as good as Numi. I'm soooooo spoiled by Numi teas, which is why Zen gets only four stars.
****

Zen brews up to an golden amber liquor. The aroma is sweet spearmint. The blending of this tea is excellent--spearmint could be overpowering but they use just the right amount of it. Slightly sweet spearmint is the primary flavor, then you taste a hint of lemon. The green tea provides an herbal base for these two flavors that makes the intial impression of zesty spearmint and lemon modulate into a substantial potion. Very nice and satisfying with a clean spearmint aftertaste.

Remember that this tea does have caffeine--however, it does not say how much on the box. A good estimate might be 30 mg--compared to 90mg for the average cup of coffee. Make sure you time how long you brew this tea because if you brew too long it becomes bitter. Four minutes is ample.

Due to its obvious health benefits, I have attempted to drink green tea on countless occasions over the last five years but failed in almost every instance until discovering this brand. Zen tea is very mild and is absent of the bite and bitterness found in other green teas. Hopefully, it provides the same anti-oxidant advantages as its peers. I usually buy mine at the grocery store and they are not any more expensive than boxes of Twinings. Zen tea was, and is, a pleasant surprise.