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

Rangsaa Review by Robert Wemischner

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Robert W Quote blogIt’s an honour for us to share Rangsaa experience with Robert Wemischner, a veteran chef, culinary educator and author of four books, based in Los Angeles.

Getting reviewed by the expert on the subject of flavors and cooking with tea, Robert’s review titled, ‘New Winds Blowing in The World of Tea: Rangsaa Tea’ is simply mesmerising.

“It’s as if a breath of fresh air has entered my tea cabinet in the form of a new line of teas, leavened with an element of fun, subverting the expected.”, adds Robert Wemischner, a tea connoisseur who believes tea is timeless and infinite in variety.

Using tea as a cooking ingredient is a subject close to Robert’s heart. His views on the perfect packaging find credence in Rangsaa’s bold color palette that promises a novel and luxurious tea drinking experience.

He details how Rangsaa introduced him to a new palate experience through a delectable mix of flavors and aromas.

“Though an unscented black tea drinker myself, Rangsaa’s blend has opened up my palate to a new experience and has set my culinary wheels turning–will the subtly flavored brewed tea or dry blend be used in a sauce, a broth, an ice cream, or a sorbet?Or maybe flavor a custard, a filling for a cream puff, or éclair? Ideas abound.”

We’ve been introduced to the concept of cooking with tea just lately, but Robert Wemischner’s long-standing interest in the flavor potential of ingredients has culminated in his expertise in using tea as a flavor ingredient since the 1970’s. Robert Wemischner began his career to great media acclaim in the food business in the early 70’s as the owner of a pioneering gourmet-to-go shop in Beverly Hills. Robert has extensively experimented with cooking and has been a teacher of baking and pastry for more than 20 years at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. He is also the author of The Vivid Flavors Cookbook, a groundbreaking book about fusion cuisine, Gourmet to Go on the business of specialty food retailing, The Dessert Architect, an invaluable resource on building versatile and creative desserts and Cooking with Tea, an exploration of the culinary potential of the humble leaf.

Thank you Robert Wemischner for your review and belief in Rangsaa’s Global Tea Movement. We urge all our readers to check out the complete review HERE!

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 Levitate

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levitate-reviewDry leaves
Herbal infusion is a mix of dry cut herbs, floral petals, roots and spice chunks. Appeal is warm, inviting, colorful and zesty. Aroma is fresh, reminiscent of a fruity healthy summer drink – herbal, floral, citrusy with strong essence of spices.

Infused Tea/Unique Characteristics
The leaves brew a light golden-amber color liquor with hue of crimson. The color is delicate and beautiful. The top tropical notes compliment the strong spicy unique undertones, with complex floral and herbaceous hints.  It coats the mouth with spicy, citrusy flavors, leaving behind a creamy, smooth and buttery spicy-sweet finish. The strong spicy characters, with hints of cardamom, are wonderful and pair really well with the natural sweetness of the tea. If you let it sit in your mouth, you can taste the surprising notes that work really well in balancing the flavors, attributing to a fresh, all-new flavor, delicious drink!

Infusion
1 tsp of leaves were infused in 200 ml pre-boiled water (100C) for 10 minutes. Although the infusion looked delicate, it surprised my taste buds with strong blend of flavors and aroma. The second infusion resulted from brewing the tea for 30 minutes. I had it iced and it was yum.

Rangsaa Levitate is a velvet smooth indulgence, pairing rich flavors. It’s relaxing, stimulating and a calming experience, where every sip soaks you in the atmosphere of a spa or a vacation. The journey of flavors is interesting and it makes you happy. Levitate is a delicate and fun tisane that would be really enjoyed during a cold evening and would be even better iced. Add a touch of vodka or gin to easily transform it into a celebration. The possibilities here seem endless.

TEA REVIEW – Rangsaa Reborn

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energize-reborn-reviewDry leaves
Tea is a fine blend of tippy green tea leaves, herbs, roots, stems and seeds . An intense looking blend that has a strong, complex and multitude of aroma. It gives out feelings of vigour and power!

Infused Tea/Unique Characteristics
When infused, the dominant herbaceous-spicy aroma fades into a cloudy, beautiful amber color liquor. The taste is unique. In the cup, it carries woody-sweet, honey, spicy, floral and fruit flavors. The aromas delightfully enhance the background of deep umami-rich greens that balance nicely against elements of aromatic wood and dried fruits. The infusion is light-medium body, feels thick in the mouth, has no astringency, and compliments an awesomely penetrating, lingering aftertaste.

Infusion
I infused 1 tsp of leaves in 200 ml pre-boiled water (100C) for 7 minutes. Smooth textured, down-to-earth with a spicy edge, the bittersweet woody elements built steadily sip after sip. The taste experience was unique and enjoyable.

Reborn is robust in flavor and rich in heritage. The blend of superhero herbs tastes delicious, leaves a chill in the mouth, and gives the perk and spark you need to pull through the day. A great blend to bolster your defence system and replenish with energy.

TEA REVIEW – Rangsaa Insignia

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Romance Review.jpgDry Leaves
Tea is a colorful blend of fine green leaves and sweet-smelling ingredients, with shades of olive green, pink and wood. Aroma is reminiscent of fresh berry dessert; strong, citrusy, with hints of rosemary and caramel. Quite enticing!

Infused Tea/Unique Characteristics
The leaves brew a deep crimson liquor with hue of amber – the color is stunning. Aroma is tempting, complex and inviting. On the palate the infusion carries the taste of fresh summer berries, with mild woodiness and subtle tones of sun-ripened, sour-sweet-citrus. Delicate, smooth, refreshing, with an elegant wine-like finish, the distinctive flavors with alluring addition of hints of spice, easily elevate this tea into a realm of dessert.

Infusion
One level tsp of tea was infused in 200ml pre-boiled water (at 100C) for 9 minutes. The top cranberry-like flavor, with tart-sweetness, expressive and spicy edge, eases you into an olfactory journey. I suggest brewing this tea for longer time, as it wonderfully accentuates the well-balanced myriad of flavors.

Rangsaa Romance will introduce you to a unique sensory experience, that may assist you in growing your appreciation for tea. The marriage of tippy green tea with different herbs and spices helps you take a trip to tranquility and relaxation. Delicious in every way, harmony is embodied in this sophisticated blend that reminds you that real love is pure and special.

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