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derk drank Nilgiri Platinum Needles by Ketlee

1662 tasting notes

January 2022 harvest

A mild and unassuming white tea like many silver needles, though with plenty of nuance if that’s your thing. Nice structure — modest yet full aroma, very fluid viscosity upfront moves to spring water sweetness mid-mouth and finishes clean with mouth-watering minerality and quiet sweetness. Neutral energy.

I’ve tried water temperatures higher than 185F for these needles, but doing so only kills the numerous soft nuances and brings about an astringency that need not be there with a first steep. Because of this, I can’t say I’d recommend the tea to those newer to brewing. I’d stick to 185F, maybe lower but I haven’t tried.

Book pairing
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power by Shoshana Zuboff
The superfluous language makes me feel sick but maybe I’ll be able to slog through it.

Flavors: Apricot, Astringent, Banana, Bark, Camphor, Cantaloupe, Caramel, Cream, Cucumber, Eucalyptus, Flowers, Hazelnut, Herbaceous, Hot Hay, Linens, Marshmallow, Mineral, Nutty, Pear, Peppercorn, Rose, Rosemary, Soft, Spicy, Spring Water, Straw, Toast, Tobacco, Vanilla, Viscous, Watermelon

3 years ago

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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