Wet leaf: Uniform mid-brown, good sprinkling of plump bud sets (bud with one leaf) with single leaves. Light floral, slight malt, unsweetened cocoa, biscuits.
Taste: Lightly sweet, blushing floral, fruit, honey, biscuit, spice.
I had expected great things from this tea, but failed to bring out any distinctive flavours on the first infusion. The second and third infusions were slightly improved. There was some sweetness, a bit like raw sugar but more subdued. The aftertaste is a light tingling on the tongue that last for about a minute. Pulling the water temperature back from 95 degrees to 85 degrees allowed for a softer liquor with a pronounced sweet fruit or honey note. There was no ‘creamy’ mouth-feel, but rather a more mineral finish. In fact, I might be tempted to call this Himalaya Ceylon Black.
Dry leaf: High-quantity of golden downy bud sets with delicately curled long dark brown and the occasional dark-brick red coloured leaves. Aroma is subtle: earth, floral wisps.
185 °F / 85 °C
3 min, 0 sec
2 g
4 OZ / 120 ML