Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Arum Tea
Tea Description:
A sweet and malty flavor that jolts the taste buds, with a caramel undertone and a floral finish.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I have to admit that I was a little surprised when I opened this package of tea. The black tea leaves have been rolled into pellets much like the other teas from Arum Tea that I’ve tried. Why then, did it surprise me to see that this tea has been processed similarly to the others? I guess, mostly, because I’m not accustomed to seeing black tea leaves wound into pellets like this.
The leaves are a dark chocolate-y brown but otherwise look a lot like a Tie Guan Yin type Oolong. The leaves have been wound into small pellets and they have a warm, nutty aroma. Slightly sweet, slightly earthy.
To brew this tea, I used my Breville One-Touch. I measured out 2 bamboo scoops of dry leaf into the basket and added 500ml of water. I set the parameters for 205°F and 2 1/2 minutes. The tea brews up to a rich coppery color. The brewed tea has a sweet, nutty, earthy scent that is similar to the dry leaf, although this is a bit softer.
Mmm! This tastes so good. It’s a very rewarding taste. I am finding it reminiscent of a Nilgiri tea because it has a rich, malty tone to it, although it’s not quite as robust as a Nilgiri would be. It is somewhere between a Nilgiri and an Oriental Beauty Oolong. I’m experiencing some of the texture and nutty flavor of an Oriental Beauty while I’m getting that delightfully smooth, malty flavor and rich, buttery caramel-y note from the Nilgiri.
I’d recommend drinking this straight up. While most black teas take the addition of milk and honey well, I think that this tea would be overwhelmed by the additions and the nuances of this tea should be enjoyed to their fullest! For that reason, I wouldn’t make this that first cup of the day. Instead, this would be an excellent choice for a little later in the morning or early afternoon, when you want a delicious pick me up.
The second infusion of these tea leaves was also quite enjoyable – definitely worth the effort of resteeping! This tea is really delightful. It’s a bit different from the typical black tea and that’s what makes it so remarkable. Everyone should try this.
