BLACK TEA - INDIA and BEYOND
Kenya Nandi Hills Gold GFTOP Black Tea - 2 oz
Don't pass up this exceptional black tea from the Nandi Hills of Kenya. Start by opening the tea pouch for an aromatherapy experience, and the enjoyment doesn't end there! Dry leaf is twisted, two leaf and bud and tippy. The tea soup is thick and clean, with rich floral, earth mineral, wood and spicy marigold notes that are rounded out by a deep honey sweetness. Highly enjoyable and one of my personal favorites.
Assam Halmari Gold TGFOP1 Black Tea - 2 oz
A connoisseurs delight from one of the finest tea gardens in Assam! Mangalam means "auspicious" and indeed, each cup feels like a blessing. The leaf is long and wiry with an abundance of gold tips promising a rich, smooth and malty cup. The dry leaf presents aromas of sweet wood and raspberries. Dark amber soup is thick and rich, with notes of dates, stewed apricots, caramelized sugar, vanilla, spices and honey, lending nuance to the complex yet integrated structure of this tea. A giant! Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe Special. 2nd Flush.
Assam Kanoka King TGFOP Black Tea - 2 oz
"WOW It's Huge!" were the first words spoken after tasting this tea. If Halmari Gold Assam is King Midas, this tea is King Kong! I was intrigued by this tea at discovery - organic handcrafted leaf, bud and stem, rather rustic in dry appearance that brews up an astoundingly robust, layered, malty, cup of tea loaded with notes of dark chocolate, molasses and hint of prune that finishes dry - yet sweet? Unlike any tea I have tasted out of India so far. I am a huge fan of Yunnan Assamica black teas and it is no wonder I love this one. Have fun with it as a stand alone tea, but is delicious with a bit of milk. 2nd Flush.
Sontipur District, Assam
Assam Meleng Estate STGFOP Black Tea - 2 oz
Meleng is one of the oldest Assam tea estates established in 1856 and named after the Meleng River that meanders near the tea gardens. It is located on a World Heritage site and a Gibbon sactuary. This delicious tea full of golden tips, luscious, full bodied, rich with notes of caramel, pastry, flowers and wood that deepens into layers of malt, date and nut. A beautiful balanced cup that flourishes on the palate. 2nd Flush. Jorhat District, Assam, India
Assam Sessa Estate STGFOP Black Tea - 2 oz
Sessa Tea Estate, established in 1897, is located in Upper Assam region and is named after the nearby Sessa River. This exceptional tea is exemplifies why Sessa T.E. is considered to produce some of the best in the region. Luxurious, silky and full in texture, with layered notes of malt, sweet almond, pastry and molasses in the cup. 2nd Flush. Dibrugarh, Assam, India
Assam Monabarie Estate TGFOP1 Black Tea - 2 oz
Big, Bold, Brisk and Bright. This vibrant, tippy Assam is very pretty starting with a distinct stewed apricot scent off the dry leaf. It brews up a clean, medium bodied, red-amber tea soup with notes of flowers, caramel, date, malt, juicy fruits and whisky-cask wood. Highly recommended! 2nd Flush. Biswanath Chariali, Assam
This small plantation in North Eastern Assam is located next to Namdapha one of India's most biodiverse regions. In tumultuous years past, the land was held by rebels, but after much effort and rehabilitation, has given way to fields of happy, organic Assamica tea bushes and several peaceful villages supported by the industry. Tongana means "axe", and gaon "village", named after the axe-wielding Hindu god Parashurama.
The high grade leaf is delicate and fine with plentiful golden tips presents aroma of strawberry jam and sweet tobacco. The soup is copper in color, smooth, rich and brisk, with loads of malt, burnt caramel, chocolate, hazelnut, and spice notes. great with milk or on its own. A real gem! 2nd Flush.
Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. Organic and Fair Trade
Assam Gingia GTOP Black Tea - 3 oz
One sip of this delicious tea and I was instantly transported to a time many years ago when I traveled among the foothills of Northern India, stopping along the way at numerous friendly teahouses that nourished me with hot cups of malty Assam and plates of dal bhat and fried rice.
This is an exceptional Assam tea from one of the finest estates, masterfully crafted and loaded with golden tips. The scent of the dry tea is reminiscent of strawberry jam on fresh baked bread; the brewed cup is smooth, juicy and immensely satisfying. 2nd Flush. Bishnauth, Assam, India. A certified Ethical Trade Partnership tea.
We are always looking for interesting teas for our customers and this is a fun find! Certain tribal peoples of Assam stuff fresh tea leaves into bamboo and smoke them over a wild wood fire- it is called phalap tea but it is very difficult to procure. Perhaps this was a spinoff experiment and we think it turned out rather nicely!
High grade tippy leaves are smoked on bamboo hollows producing a tea like a smokey lapsang souchong, but dare we say more refined, less overwhelming and pine-y? The tea soup is clear and dark amber with aroma of smoked guajillo peppers. Scotch, dried fruit and chocolate notes in the soup with a smooth, sweet finish. Very nice - give it a try!
Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe Grade. Golagath District, Assam, India
Sikkim Temi FTGFOP Black Tea - 2 oz
A magical, premium, estate tea from high altitude tea gardens in the foothills of Mt. Kanchenjunga, NE India. Similar to a Darjeeling with its delightful, aromatic notes of tropical flowers, peach, muscatel grape and hint of bitter almond. Full bodied and rich in flavor, it stands on its own, but also delicious with milk and sweetener. Himalayan beauty in a cup!
Vietnam Black Gold GTOP Black Tea - 2 oz
There are some good teas coming out of North Vietnam and this organic tea is no exception. Finely worked tippy leaves present a pronounced cherry and sweet tobacco aroma. The soup is copper in color, thick, rich and syrupy, with notes of cherry wood, caramel, pastry, unsweetened chocolate and black pepper. Would be nice with milk but delicious on its own! (Full disclosure- I have tried it with evaporated milk, Vietnamese coffee style and it rocks!) Ha Giang Province, Vietnam
Japanese Benifuki Wakoucha Black Tea - 2 oz
Benifuki, meaning "Red Riches and Honor", is one of Japan's well known Wakoucha or black teas. First developed in the 1960's by crossing the Benihomare assamica cultivar with a MakuraCD86 sinesnsis cultivar from Darjeeling. The dry leaf is dark brown and presents aromas of dates and dark chocolate. The deep amber soup is strong and rich, with notes of ripe plum, spices (cinnamon most pronounced), citrus peel, honeyand cherry wood, with a peppery edge. Caffeine level is high. Brew at 212F and start with short steepings. Play around with brewing this tea to produce different results.