This is the first Persian tea I’ve been able to try thanks to Martin. The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran, so we are unable to receive any Iranian goods besides food products, which thankfully includes tea. I was unaware that Iran even produces tea. The arid climate of Iran gives way to a belt of land in the north of the country along the Caspian Sea which is suitable for growing tea. Lahijan is a city located in this region.
Spring 2019 harvest. The dry leaf has a comforting aroma of cinnamon raisin toast, malt and red fruits. The leaf is cut pretty small but I went ahead and prepared according to What-Cha’s recommendation. I used 3g for 300mL, steeped at 95C for 4 minutes. The resulting brew has an aroma of roasted nuts, cinnamon raisin toast, black currants, red fruits, malt and cocoa. The tea is medium- to full-bodied and meaty with balanced tannins and astringency. The flavor is full and smooth with tea rose, rosewood, mineral, roasted nuts, roasted meat and a red fruit tone. It is spicy, body-warming and relaxing and cooling in the chest. Gentle cinnamon raisin toast aftertaste.
This is an excellent tea! It feels very luxurious to me. Despite having roasted nut and meat notes, the tea does not at all have any lingering char taste. I was concerned that the chopped leaf and long steep time would produce a heavy, astringent and bitter tea but it is smooth as could be and light in my stomach. It’s definitely not a black tea that requires milk and/or sugar. One thing to note, though, is with a 4-minute infusion time, the tea is truly good for only 1 cup. I did let today’s brew go for about 6 minutes and it was just as good as the 4-minute brew.
Flavors: Astringent, Black Currant, Brown Toast, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Malt, Meat, Mineral, Mint, Raisins, Red Fruits, Roasted Nuts, Rose, Round, Smooth, Spicy, Tangy, Tannin, Wood
I assume it is of the mystery teas, as I never saw it in common part of the shop.
You could be right, Martin.
It was available for a bit, don’t know if it still is. I bought a bag after Martin shared with me. Really good black tea. If I hadn’t made a masala chai already, you would’ve inspired my morning cup, Evol Ving Ness.
I’m happy to hear that, derk. I am REALLY enjoying this. Having a cup now. This cup is a bit harsher than yesterday’s. I don’t know whether I overleafed or steeped too long. Not to worry, I predict this will be in my cup often enough to correct what has gone amiss this time.
I can just remember how good it was.
Getting tea from the UK seems difficult nowadays :(
I need to focus on EU based shops.
I suppose it will take a while until the UK figures itself out after the separation. Not easy on anyone, especially those In the UK who didn’t want to be separated in the first place.
And people who are separated from the teas they love, of course.
Not only UK figures. But all non-EU stuff. derk knows… about the tea I am about to get from her sent as a gift!
Martin, Alistair has posted that EU shipping has resumed.
Evol, yes, EU shipping has resumed, but customs in my country works slow (mostly because most of customs officers are helping with Covid-callcenters). And overall, it is rather nightmare to get it cleared through. Czech Post isn’t working much faster, it took them a week to pick up it on the customs to their warehouse; and 3 weeks from them to the customs.
So, nah for now.
Oh boy. That does sound like a nightmare.