Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tealet
Tea Description:
Japan is not known for its black tea production, but it is no surprise that many Japanese growers are trying their hand at black tea. All tea derives from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, only the processing of the leaf makes a difference. Japanese tea growers such as Osamu are experimenting with new tea processing methods by learned from growers in other countries. This Wazuka black tea is a bit different than the common Ceylon or Darjeeling, but it will not disappoint. Its rich flavor shows that Japanese tea varieties are capable to make great oxidized teas. It also shows the dramatic effect location and climate has on a tea?s characteristics.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Japanese black teas are usually pretty difficult to find in this part of the world. In fact, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve actually come across Japanese black teas … and one time, it was in such a limited quantity that it was given to me by a tea vendor that did not offer it on their website, because they didn’t have enough to sell!
So, I am thrilled that Tealet is offering this black tea from Japan. And, I am loving this cup of tea! It’s excellent!
This tea has a sweet profile, and if I were to describe that sweetness, I’d say that it reminds me a bit of raw sugar. It has that unprocessed, unrefined kind of sweetness to it, and something about the sweetness reminds me of the warmth of raw sugar.
The tea has a delicious richness to it, it is smooth and there is no bitterness to the tea at all. There is a minute amount of astringency to this … and only really noticeable when I focus on trying to detect it. A casual sip does not reveal the astringency, only when I try to taste it, that is when I notice it.
There is also an earthiness to the cup, and these earthy tones play toward the raw sugar notes, as well as notes of cocoa that I begin to pick up on by mid-cup. These cacao notes develop as I continue to sip. Interestingly enough the first couple of times that I notice the chocolate-y notes, it reminds me of raw cacao. Then, toward the end of the cup, the chocolate-y flavor has intensified enough to the point where I notice more dimension in these notes … and I notice hints of roasted cacao.
A truly interesting cup, one I’d be happy to sip anytime! I love that Tealet is opening the windows of opportunity for tea drinkers who might not have had access to some of these more difficult-to-find teas! Thank you, Tealet!
