TEA REVIEW – AV2 Black by Darjeeling Tea Leaves

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Description of tea : The dry leaves is a mix of silver tips, whole and broken young leaves, with varied shades of green, copper and brown. The aroma is strong, sweet and foresty – it echoes freshness!

Infused tea/ Unique characteristics : The leaves infuse a delicate golden honey-amber color liquor. Aroma is floral bouquet, with rich vegetal, slightly spicy muskiness. On the palate, the infusion has walk-into-an-orchard kind of a contemporary feeling. It starts with a sweet gentle floral take off, very smooth texture, subtle earthy and mineral undertones on the mid-tongue, buttery mouthfeel, mild dry-aftertaste and zero astringency. The body of the tea has an engaging thickness, that pairs very well with its soft tannins. 

Infusion : 1 level tsp of leaves were infused in 200 ml pre-boiled water at 90C, for 3 minutes. Being inquisitive about the hidden tasting notes, I chose to make my infusion gutty, something suggested for soft clonals. For the second infusion, I brewed 2 tsp of leaves for 4 mins at the same water temperature, and it was exciting. The tea got a facelift. Mild oaky-woodiness and malty spike, with jasmine-lily like floral overtones, together with a bit of mouth-puckering astringency and an inherent underlying strength of flavor, complemented the earthy flavors and berry-like sweet undertone – is the zing that the first infusion was missing.

Sampling this tea was an adventure and this is the kind of tea that I would generally pack if I am travelling up-hills, just to show my respect for Newton’s first law and challenge this tea further – see how it’s flavor-profile would change when it’s brewed in high-mountain mineral water. Overall, this AV2 (Ambari Vegetative) is fine, it combines simple, subtle and mellow flavors. Although it is not one of the best pitch-pipe for clonals, I believe it will be instantly liked by tea lovers who have a special interest for instrumental music for sleep, focus, work and relaxation.

Tea details: Singell Spring Blossom, AV2 Black tea, first flush 2019. Website: darjeelingtealeaves.com The tea was provided by the company for review and sampling.

REVIEW – Arya Tara Wonder by Himcoop Nepal

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rangsaa tea reviewDescription of tea
The dry tea consists of slightly rolled leaves with scattered downy tips. The ample splashes of fresh green and brown leaves, add color and elegance. Aroma is impressive – strong, grassy, herbal with sweet notes.

Infused Tea/Unique Characteristics
The leaves brew a pale-golden color liquor with an amber hue. Aroma is foresty. The flavor is crisp, clean, complex and engaging. The top notes are predominantly grassy, floral, woody and grainy. Vegetal, muscatel and unique undertones, like the taste of crispy burnt ends of a cookie, build in the back of the mouth. Something is special about this one! Texture is thick/cloudy and has a wonderful buttery mouthfeel. The finish is more tannic than astringent, and has the expected high-mountain black tea’s ever-so-classic dryness and lingering aftertaste.

Infusion
I brewed 4 tsp of tea leaves in a 500ml glass teapot for 5 mins. Preferred water temperature was around 90C. The lighter-toned fresh-green wet leaves reflect the quality and delicate nature of the tea. There are a lot of flavors and character in the infusion, but I feel this tea’s winning trait is its new-wood freshness. I refilled my teapot once and a cup after 8 minutes was refined, balanced and totally enjoyable!

Arya Tara Wonder is a tea that reflects the skill of its grower. It’s a delicate, fine black tea that would give you the love of both white and green tea. Personally, as a wine lover and a fan of praiseworthy high-mountain first flush teas, I recommend this tea for its intricate personality and beautiful palate experience.

Flush – First/Spring 2018
Region – Arya Tara tea garden
Website – Himcoop Nepal

REVIEW – Ceylon Silver Tips by Premier Pearl Tea

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base review XDescription of tea
The dry tea is stunning  – unbroken, downy silver and grey needles, with young fresh-green hue. Aroma is an intriguing mix of sweet, earthy and toasty notes. Shape and texture are beautiful and inviting. Buds taste pure and natural.

Infused Tea/Unique Characteristics
The tea brews a mild pale-yellow liquor that’s delicate, clear and bright. Aroma is rich and has a woodland feel. Taste is endearing with vivid but gentle notes.  The top vegetal, toasty flavors, with faint melony and malty undertones, commingle with brilliant grassy, mild-floral, hay-like sweetness. Infusion feels thick in the mouth but doesn’t settle heavily. It coats the mouth effortlessly and has a dry, tannic mouthfeel and a lingering aftertaste – like a white wine.

Infusion
I steeped 1 1/2 tsp of tea in 250 ml glass of pre-boiled water (85C) for 5 mins. After the first steeping, the needles are unfettered. The first infusion is soft, subtle, foresty with exquisite complexity. I chose to steep my second infusion for a longer time and at 10 mins I was stunned with it’s changed personality. The hidden woodsy-nutty characters were at the forefront. The infusion was fuller, rounder and had more depth. I definitely recommend brewing this tea for a longer time, for its eminent flavors to completely bloom and heighten.

I like adventurous teas and this one is fun. From the color of the liquor, the tea seems exceedingly gentle but it’s flavor experiences surprised me. I initially chose to brew my first sample for 3 mins. It was almost colorless yet flavorful. This one is a keeper. It’s personal, quietening and stress relieving. And I feel it will be instantly liked by anyone who has a special heart for delicate teas.

Website – premierpearltea.com

TEA REVIEW – Instant Green Tea by Instant Teas

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Review Instant teasInstant powder – It’s mustard yellow in color and consists of fine, crystallised, non-edgy, silky granules. Aroma is mild – somewhat grassy and wet-wood like.

Infused tea/Unique characteristics – The powder dissolves in water in few seconds, into deep golden-champagne color liquor. Aroma is meekly grainy, musty and hay-like. First sip, and it’s a surprise! On the palate, the taste is nutty, with bold tannic sweetness on the forefront, followed by vegetal undertones. Together, with slight astringency, the flavors compliment the dry mouthfeel and crisp aftertaste.

Infusion – 200 ml pre-boiled water at 85C was added to about 1 gm (generous 1/4th tsp) of instant green tea. The mix dissolved in water within 5 seconds stir. There was no residue build-up in the end. This tea is pleasant, experimental and versatile. I highly recommend it as iced.

Instant green tea will surprise anyone with it’s tea experience. It’s not the usual tea leaf powder mix but 100% natural extract of pure brewed tea, without any chemicals and additives. I am not one for instant teas, but this product has impressed me. The palate experience is an innovation in tea and I believe, whether it’s hot summer afternoon, rainy day or a stormy night – this tea will refresh and satisfy!

Website: www.instantteas.com
Twitter: @InstantTeas
Rating: 4/5

TEA REVIEW – Ceylon Ivory by Teakruthi

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review-ceylon-ivory-teakruthi-sri-lanka
Dry leaves
The dry leaves is a mix of long, slender silver needles (about 1-1.5 inch in length) and whole leaves, with olive green color palette. Texture is intriguing. The tips have dense downy white fuzz. Scattered unopened tea buds add beauty and elegance. Aroma is fruity, earthy, nutty, sweet and inviting.

Infused tea/Unique Characteristics
The leaves brew a delicate champagne color liquor. The aroma is fresh, toasty, nutty, tannic, with vegetal tones. On the palate, the liquor starts mellow, sweet… and a little floral. Earthy taste and melon-sweetness, with hints of hay, linger for just a moment and seamlessly transition into a smoky, crisp finish, with soft mouthfeel and a little dryness.

Infusion
About 2.5 gms of leaves were infused in 200 ml pre-boiled water at 80C for 4 mins. The infusion is light-bodied with no astringency and bitterness. The second infusion at 7 minutes brings about a similar flavour profile.

Ceylon Ivory is a subtle tea experience and can be enjoyed by anyone who likes to contemplate over a cup of tea. It’s a graceful white tea that will remind you to pace down, declutter and seek a moment of solace.

Website – www.teakruthi.com
Rating – 3.6/5

TEA REVIEW – Rangsaa Maximus

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maximus-reviewDry leaves
Herbal infusion is a mix of dry cut herbs, roots and spices of different shades of green. Aroma is impressive – strong herbal, with citrus, floral, earthy and spicy hints. And a wonderful peppery edge.

Infused Tea/Unique Characteristics
The leaves brew a cloudy golden color liquor. Aroma is a blend of herbal and grassy notes with spicy essence. On the palate, the infusion goes through bouquet of unique flavours. The top herbaceous, umami flavors harmoniously balance the zesty, spicy, licoricy and floral undertones, with a buttery-smooth, sweet finish. The strong flavor of stevia wonderfully balances the herbal, complex characters of the drink. The taste, flavors and aroma tell you right away, that this isn’t just another tea – it’s a delicious drink.

Infusion
1 tsp of leaves were infused in 200 ml pre-boiled (at 100C) for 7 minutes. As the tea steeped for a few minutes, the pleasant aroma grew stronger. The citrusy, spicy and herbal flavors blended the taste of both summer and winter. The second infusion resulted from boiling the herbs for a minute. It was robust, divine and tasted very healthy. The most lovable attribute about the tea is that it’s equally aromatic and flavorful and ends with a sweet lingering long finish. Quite a tea experience!

Along with the unique and delicious flavor, Maximus has some potential health benefits. It is a robust herbal infusion, without any caffeine and has 100% pure adulterated power. I call it the superhero tea. It’s a great substitute to sugary energy and aerated drinks, and is a great addition to fitness enthusiast’s arsenal. It’s a modern tea movement!

TEA REVIEW – Rangsaa Unwind

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unwind-reviewDry Leaves
The dry leaves is a blend of fine black tippy tea leaves and colorful ingredients. There are visible scattered golden tips. The floral petals, along with woody and spicy chunks, add a lot of character. Aroma is complex – strong floral and citrus, with tarry and spicy edge. The blend looks and smells like a beautifully fragrant potpourri. It induces feelings of calmness and relaxation.

Infused Tea/Unique Characteristics
The leaves brew a golden-amber color liquor, with a strong meditative aroma. The top citrusy-tannic, malty notes balance well with hints of rose, caramel and fennel-licoricy sweetness, attributing to a delicious detox experience. Infusion is medium-bodied, zesty, gutty, with brilliant bouquet of complex flavors accented by unique spicy notes. Texture is thick and coats the mouth wonderfully. Taste is strong and robust, with almost no astringency and bitterness. The honey-sweet floral elements build steadily sip after sip, into a memorable lingering sweet-finish.

Infusion
1 tsp of leaves were brewed in 200 ml pre-boiled water (100C) for 5 minutes. The infusion was bright, fresh, engaging and well balanced, with a very calming tone. It engages taste buds in a sweet, calming adventure.

Rangsaa Unwind is a synergistic blend of uplifting herbs and spices that help you detox, while you declutter your mind and bounce back with it’s combination of flavourful and aromatic ingredients. Whether you want to unwind after a long day or sip it after a yoga session or just relax and contemplate life, this is the blend for you. Try a cup and feel the difference!

REVIEW – Kenyan Purple Tea, Premium Supertea

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base-review-kenyan-purple-teaDry leaves
The leaves are dark, thin, long, wiry and beautifully hand-rolled, about 2-2.5 inch in length. There are visible scattered silver tips. Aroma is vegetal, floral with hints of tropics.

Infused tea/Unique Characteristics
The leaves brew a light golden color liquor with hue of aqua green, and a strong sweet-grassy aroma. Infused leaves look delightful with shades of purple. The flavor is vegetal, floral with hints of stone fruit, currants and earth. Light in color, yet high in tannins, the infusion is medium bodied, with mild astringency and a crisp finish. The texture is thick and creamy, and leaves a interesting semi-dry aftertaste.

Infusion
One tsp (about 5 gm) of leaves were infused in 200 ml pre-boiled water (about 85C) for 2 minutes. The second infusion at 3 minutes focused on the floral notes and brought in more depth in flavors. When a dash of lemon was added, the infusion transformed into a purple-pink liquor which was a magnificent nature’s phenomenon – equally appreciable in taste. It was exciting! The third and fourth infusions at 3 minutes were pleasantly smoother, delicate and floral. The fifth infusion at 5 minutes was flavorful without any astringency.

The fascinating attribute of purple tea is that it’s depth of flavors vary with infusion time – and that teases you!  I’ve no doubt in my mind that purple tea is going to be the next big thing in the global tea industry, as it’s uniqueness, quality and health benefits make it more than just an innovation.

Website – www.kenyanpurpletea.com
Rating – 4.5/5

TEA REVIEW – Rangsaa Elevate

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elevate-reviewDry Leaves
Tea is a blend of tender black tippy tea leaves with exotic herbs and spices. There are scattered golden tips with white fuzz. The blend of brown and green color scheme, gives it an elegant and sophisticated appeal, and a woodland feel. Aroma is strong and enticing – with oaky, spicy, floral, sweet and citrusy (precisely ripe peaches) hints.

Infused tea/Unique Characteristics
The leaves brew a golden-amber color liquor. The aroma is herbaceous and spicy. On the palate, the infusion is distinctively vibrant and balances bouquet of complex aroma and flavors, with a mellow sweetness, and a wonderful buttery-mouthfeel. The top malty, smokey and citrusy notes, pleasantly heighten the underlying caramel-floral essence. The texture is thick and creamy, and it coats the mouth with a delicious sweet-aftertaste.

Infusion
One heaping teaspoon of tea was infused in 200 ml pre-boiled water (100C) for 7 minutes. The infusion is medium-full body, with almost no astringency and bitterness. When brewed for 10 minutes, the aroma and flavors were delightfully enhanced. The second infusion at 15 minutes carried forward some attributes – a good cup of tea for those who like mild, delicate teas.

This is a harmonious tea blend, which is equally flavorful and aromatic. Even brewed at 20 mins the tea is not bitter. There’s no way you can ruin this tea. It’s that good. Make it how you like it!

REVIEW – Energy Green Tea by Teatulia

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Review Teatulia

Dry Leaves
The round bag consists of matcha and finely cut herbs. The aroma is sweet vegetal and earthy.

Infused Tea/Unique Characteristics
The tea cups out a light bodied, honey-amber color liquor that has a mild, fresh and fruity aroma. On the palate, the complexity unravels through a burst of unique flavors. The top mixed fruity flavors compliment the hidden woody and grassy undertones, with an extraordinary liquorice-like sweetness. The ingredients maintain harmony, resulting in a smooth, delicious, delicate and well balanced energising infusion.

Infusion
One bag was infused in 200 ml boiling water for 4 minutes. The infusion was interesting with a very supple texture, no astringency and a wonderful mouthfeel and after taste.

I believe in the power of natural herbs and I am thrilled to review Teatulia’s energy. The brilliant fact about these blends is that they were formulated for one of the mountain climbers in the world, to keep him energised and hydrated on the summit of Mount Everest. And the tea is Sherpas approved too! I’ve drank this tea for a week as my pre and post workout drink and I think this stimulating matcha blend will definitely waken your senses.

Website – www.teatulia.com
Twitter- @Teatulia
Rating – 3.8/5