26 Tasting Notes
The dry leaves are pleasantly aromatic. The tea itself is light in body and taste, though very smooth and with a clean finish. The magnolia note is hinted at, but does not linger. This is disappointing as an oolong, but might suit someone who loves lightly scented jasmine or floral teas.
The leaves don’t hold up to several infusions. My suggestion would be to brew this for a longer steep time and only re-steep the leaves once.
Preparation
Very smooth and refreshing. This tea has a medium body, light astringency, and a touch of maltiness. It’s pleasantly brisk and has a lingering finish. I drink Organic Ceylon plain, but it would certainly take milk and sugar well, or even a squeeze of lemon.
I’ve oversteeped this tea before (for maybe eight, nine minutes?) and it was only slightly bitter and still drinkable. If you like stronger blacks, this would hold up great to 2+ teaspoons per cup, though I still drink it with one teaspoon because I am a wuss.
Preparation
The leaves look almost like Darjeeling leaves, which gives some indication as to the taste of the tea. Slightly sweet and floral, this was smooth, clean, mellow and had a medium body and clean finish. It tasted similar to a first flush Darjeeling, actually. There’s a deliciously…bread-like note to it? Weird. I usually brew this at 208° for four minutes, which makes it stronger.
Along with Jun Chiyabari’s Himalayan Hand-Rolled, this is one of the only black teas my green-tea-only friend enjoys.
Preparation
My notes say that this is an autumnal flush. The dry leaves smell absolutely delicious to me—slightly sweet, slightly nutty. The brewed tea is likewise slightly sweet and slightly nutty, but it’s also refined and delicate with a medium body, light floral-like note, and a clean finish. Like just about all of Jun Chiyabari’s teas, the wet leaves are beautiful.
Along with Jun Chiyabari’s Himalayan Tips, this is one of the only black teas my green-tea-only friend enjoys.
Preparation
Smooth, but with a pleasantly full body. There’s absolutely no need to add milk and sugar, though to each their own. I don’t like my black teas too malty or harsh, but I don’t like them weak either. This turns out to be a perfect match for me. If your palate doesn’t appreciate being jolted awake in the mornings, yet you hardly want to be starting your day off without caffeine, you might like this tea.