Ceylon High Grown

“I can share (but nobody would like it I assume).” —Martin.

Third and final session with this tea that Martin shared with me. For somebody that’s not a big drinker of Ceylon teas, I find this perfectly acceptable and accessible, probably good for those that like their tea with milk and sugar but it is drinkable straight which is how I prefer. It does have a mild aroma of red fruits jam which comes through stronger in the mouth along with malt and cedar, a hint of butter. Surprisingly full body that thins out into a texture bittersweet at the back of the tongue. Long-lasting jammy aftertaste with some tannic drying. Heavy in the stomach at this leaf amount and brew time. It is not a smokey-campfire tea to me unlike for Martin. Good for two steeps. I find it a nicely balanced, strong breakfast-type tea.

Okay, unexpectably gong-fu; 5 grams / 85 ml. A new tea cup used (thanks SaltyTeabag from r/tea IRC)!

The cup is maybe bit too big; but I do not mind actually.
It smells bit smoky with jam notes. As derk said; it is a red fruits jam. Little malty and woody. Maybe the tea as it is opened changed a flavour a little. I think it is bit tastier; it reminds me as well some English breakfast blends. I wanted something simple this morning (it is 8.25 am when writing this line).
1st steep was 15 seconds long and it was just perfect. No astringency but fruitiness, maltiness. As good black tea should be. I like it much more prepared this way.
2nd was 20 seconds. I think it does not change much, maybe it is just little less smoky. I just want to finish whole thermos of water. I feel it is bit drying now, but I don´t mind. I feel bit numb. Maybe because of morning?

Inched rating up. So far for 8 “points”.

3rd.
I noticed that I have not described colour. Well, unfortunately the cup is not glass, so it is bit hard to describe, but it looks like (when pouring) like a golden-copper colour. As expected from black tea I guess. Another 15 seconds. I think it is just allright; malty notes dominate the flavour, not much juicy.