Getting any information about this tea is, as usual from MlesnA, quite a hard work. I found out that one Czech company carries it in FBOP loose leaf quality, I got a tea bag from Izzy (Thank you!) and there is nothing on MlesnA website.
Its foilwrapiing is thin and I cut it throuth which grinds my gears. And some, rather quick, search of “Sabaragamuwa” teas didn’t deliver much results too. I found one blend from this province in higher quality by Czech merchant; and two blends are available from Upton Tea Imports. It is probably sold under other name which remains as a mystery to me.
This tea I selected mostly because I was quite craving for plain black/green tea. This one sounded pretty well and I never heard “Sabaragamuwa” before. Nothing even on Steepster.
Honestly, it wasn’t that great. Yes, it was plain black tea, but somehow standard Ceylon, bit heavier in tannic profile instead of light teas; maybe hints of sweetness which were caramel-like. But it wasn’t sweet. It was bold and enjoyable, but there wasn’t anything what would say “wow” to me. If I would order black tea somewhere in restaurant, it would be a good tea, but my taste buds are saying it was mediocre even for a tea bag.
Flavors: Caramel, Tannic
Preparation
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Martin I bought a sample of this from Upton earlier this year because I found the name of the region intriguing. Yes, silly reason for purchasing. I am in total agreement with your tasting note. It’s not a ‘bad’ tea; it’s just a strong, standard and forgettable Ceylon tea.
@Martin – Sabaragamuwa is Sri Lankan province primarily known for its gem/mining industry – I believe it’s also the largest province. The teas are typically considered more low grown, but because of the especially rich soil conditions and high rainfall the flavours of (most) teas from the region are fairly different from other low grown Ceylon Tea. A lot of people describe the flavour as being like honey or caramel, but some of my favourite teas from the region have all had this sort of “graham cracker” like note. You might possibly be familiar with “Adam’s Peak” as it’s a semi-common name for teas from that area (similar to Lover’s Leap or Margaret’s Hope) – Adam’s Peak is split between Sabaragamuwa and the Central Province (Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya, specifically).
Roswell Strange: Thank you for your vast reply. So, it seems it does deliver qualities which are expected. I am certainly familiar with Lover’s Leap (see here: https://steepster.com/Martin-CZE/posts/387394) which was actually more citrusy instead. Maybe. I don’t recall that tea much. It is from my first 100 tasting notes for sure. My taste improved a lot since then.
I need to make another order there to retry those teas. And maybe picking some others. I think I ordered from them because cheap shipping? Anyway — they certainly have interesting sample packaging.
I am glad to write those tasting notes of different tea regions to learn what affects tea in which ways. I am grateful that you wrote “that much” about it.
Aw :( such a shame this tea wasn’t a great one. Sorry, Martin! Also, I can try to save a nicely cut wrapper for you if you want to collect this one?
I would be only glad if you keep opening the wrappers in nice way :) I think it is kind of good cooperation, you send me back wrappers of teas you have ttied and I send you actual tea :D
Maybe I have been expecting just a little more from it; and not all teas are winners.
Martin I bought a sample of this from Upton earlier this year because I found the name of the region intriguing. Yes, silly reason for purchasing. I am in total agreement with your tasting note. It’s not a ‘bad’ tea; it’s just a strong, standard and forgettable Ceylon tea.
@Martin – Sabaragamuwa is Sri Lankan province primarily known for its gem/mining industry – I believe it’s also the largest province. The teas are typically considered more low grown, but because of the especially rich soil conditions and high rainfall the flavours of (most) teas from the region are fairly different from other low grown Ceylon Tea. A lot of people describe the flavour as being like honey or caramel, but some of my favourite teas from the region have all had this sort of “graham cracker” like note. You might possibly be familiar with “Adam’s Peak” as it’s a semi-common name for teas from that area (similar to Lover’s Leap or Margaret’s Hope) – Adam’s Peak is split between Sabaragamuwa and the Central Province (Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya, specifically).
Roswell Strange: Thank you for your vast reply. So, it seems it does deliver qualities which are expected. I am certainly familiar with Lover’s Leap (see here: https://steepster.com/Martin-CZE/posts/387394) which was actually more citrusy instead. Maybe. I don’t recall that tea much. It is from my first 100 tasting notes for sure. My taste improved a lot since then.
I need to make another order there to retry those teas. And maybe picking some others. I think I ordered from them because cheap shipping? Anyway — they certainly have interesting sample packaging.
I am glad to write those tasting notes of different tea regions to learn what affects tea in which ways. I am grateful that you wrote “that much” about it.
Aw :( such a shame this tea wasn’t a great one. Sorry, Martin! Also, I can try to save a nicely cut wrapper for you if you want to collect this one?
I would be only glad if you keep opening the wrappers in nice way :) I think it is kind of good cooperation, you send me back wrappers of teas you have ttied and I send you actual tea :D
Maybe I have been expecting just a little more from it; and not all teas are winners.