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“I really LOVE this! Upping the rating! I’m on my 3rd infusion. SIPDOWN. This will be missed…sigh…” Read full tasting note
“Got it in my head that I was going to make chai this morning, but soon discovered I didn’t actually own any cardamom. (I have no idea what’s in my cupboard, to be honest. The life of the attention...” Read full tasting note
“The first time I reviewed this tea I brewed it for just 3-min. to minimize the potential for any astringency and was very favorably impressed. Today, I decided to brew this tea following Arbor...” Read full tasting note
“Backlog: A very good tea. Then again, I’ve come to expect really good teas from Arbor Teas. Smooth, caramel-y (the caramel tones are light but delicious in this!) and I taste notes of fruit and...” Read full tasting note
This very fine black tea hails from the Oothu estate in the Indian state of Kerala, just miles from the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. Isolated from the rest of the country by the Western Ghats, tea grows at the Oothu Estate amid lush green rainforest and stunning natural beauty. In fact, Oothu translates to “spring of water.” The Singampatti group of estates produce the largest amount of organic tea in the world. This organic, Fair Trade Certified black tea is full-bodied, smooth, and subtly sweet with light to medium astringency.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of Arbor Teas’ business philosophy. In addition to offering an exclusively organic selection of teas, they recently became the first tea company to offer their whole catalog in 100% backyard compostable packaging. They’ve also carbon-offset the entire supply chain of their products, from origin to the customer, making Arbor Teas the greenest option for Earth-conscious tea drinkers, and one of few tea companies recognized by Green America.
We’re tea enthusiasts with a lot of passion. Passion for top quality tea, the environment, fair trade, and our community. We started Arbor Teas in Ann Arbor, Michigan, intent on creating a tea company as passionate as we are. Our passion is reflected in every aspect of Arbor Teas. You’ll certainly notice it in the exceptional collection of teas we offer - one of the largest catalogs of USDA certified organic teas around, nearly three-quarters of which are Fair Trade Certified®.
Black Oothu
TeaGschwendnerJust Blissful Black Oothu
Just Organic TeaDarjeeling Ambootia Estate Premium Organic Black Tea
Simpson & VailOrganic Assam Tonganagoan Estate Black Tea
Arbor TeasTumsong Estate Organic Darjeeling 2nd Flush Supreme Black Tea
Jing TeaNepalese Black Guranse Estate Organic
SerendipiTeaGot it in my head that I was going to make chai this morning, but soon discovered I didn’t actually own any cardamom. (I have no idea what’s in my cupboard, to be honest. The life of the attention span-challenged baker.)
So, with that project failing, I decided to experiment… and concocted a delicious drink with this tea, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla sugar, and soy milk. I don’t know what it is, but it’s fantastic.
The first time I reviewed this tea I brewed it for just 3-min. to minimize the potential for any astringency and was very favorably impressed.
Today, I decided to brew this tea following Arbor Teas’ recommendation: “one generous tsp.” / 8 oz. / 212*F for the maximum of 5-min.
The longer infusion did allow the aroma and flavor to more fully develop. The clear, lively, coppery liquor yields a sweet floral/fruity aroma. The initial taste is very smooth and has a delicate caramel sweetness. There was no hint of bitterness. However, there is a medium amount of astringency in the middle of my tongue.
Next, I tried 1.5 tsp. / 8oz. / 195*F / 4 min. Wow, now we’re talking! The clear, lively, coppery liquor is now medium dark. The aroma is more fruity than floral. The flavor is now very smooth and rich with a definite caramel sweetness. There is no hint of bitterness and only a very mild drying effect on the finish. As my cup cools, the first part of the sip is fruity and is followed by a sweet caramel finish.
The increased amount of leaf produced a stronger aroma, a much richer sip and a solid caramel sweetness. The decreased temperature and reduced time significantly reduced the level of astringency. This is one Indian black tea you don’t want to miss!
Thanks to Aubrey at Arbor Teas for providing this generous size free sample.
Backlog:
A very good tea. Then again, I’ve come to expect really good teas from Arbor Teas. Smooth, caramel-y (the caramel tones are light but delicious in this!) and I taste notes of fruit and flower. Warm and robust without bitterness.
This one is a good, strong tea that would work as that first cuppa of the day if you’re looking for one. I really like it.
Here’s my full-length review: http://sororiteasisters.com/2013/05/01/organic-singampatti-oothu-black-tea-from-arbor-teas/
This subtle brew may not be for Everyone, esp those who like English Breakfast. (Should I presume they also do tea English, w/ milk and sugar?) This tea with wonderful name (i promise myself to practice saying it before talking it up) has subtlified me back to Darjeeling days and a tea from local Persian restaurant that made tastebuds drunk on hints of fruit. Oh that I could chew stems these’d be they! Steep time: 3.5 min, next cup’ll be 4.0. Temp 195-ish.
