Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Cameron Tea
Tea Description:
Sun Moon Lake is located at altitude of 700m, surrounded with mountains and lakes with remarkable environment and typical climate. Heavy moist and stable yearly average temperature make the tea trees grow thick and rich tea leaves which produce carmine and perfectly clear liquor.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I didn’t know what to expect from this Sun Moon Lake Assam Tea from Cameron Tea, to be honest with you! I find Sun Moon Lake black teas and Assam Teas to be quite different, so, it seemed unusual to have a Sun Moon Lake Assam Tea, and I found myself wondering what made this an Assam if it was grown in Taiwan rather than India. Is it the Assamica variety of the Camellia Sinensis plant?
The leaves are absolutely beautiful! Each long, curly leaf looks like a work of art! Gorgeous! They have a sweet smell to them: earthy with hints of sweet fruit. The brewed tea has a softer aroma.
Wow! This tastes amazing. It … tastes mostly like a Sun Moon Lake black tea: it’s sweet and has a lighter body than most Assam teas that I’ve encountered.
But I can taste notes that are very Assam-like too. There is a nice malty note to this, and this compliments the sweetness of the Sun Moon Lake qualities of this tea. Notes of a honeyed caramel and hints of cacao contrast with notes of earth and leather. There is a slightly dry astringency to this, although it is not an abrupt astringency – it gently arrives on the palate – and it is a rather soft astringency as compared to what you might typically experience with an Assam tea.
This is such a warm and cozy cuppa. Generally, when I think of “Assam” I think of a bracing tea that gives you that kick start in the morning. Something that takes to the addition of milk and honey well, if you care to add it, and something that has a rich, thick flavor.
This, on the other hand, is not quite as bracing or bold as a typical Assam. I wouldn’t add milk and honey to this cup, because I would fear that it might overwhelm the beautiful Sun Moon Lake notes of the tea. I mean, perhaps it won’t, but, why take the chance on such a beautiful looking (and tasting!) liquid? It is smoother and not quite as strong as an Assam. Instead, this is the kind of “Assam” you’ll enjoy curling up to on a rainy spring afternoon. (We’ve had a few of those lately!)
I really love this tea. If you’re looking for something more Assam-ish, this might not be the right choice for you, but if you love a delicious Sun Moon Lake black tea and want something just a little different…
Imagine the love child between Sun Moon Lake and Assam … this child looks so much of the Sun Moon Lake but has the Assam’s eyes. Yeah … I’ve been watching Harry Potter again.
Just try it! You won’t be disappointed! This one is a WIN!
