I am currently drinking attempt two of Ceylon Gem by Teabento. Attempt one was brewed and then immediately after the tea finished steeping, I tossed the leaf, washed the infuser, and took the garbage out. I then managed to knock over my 16 ounce mug of freshly brewed Ceylon Gem, sending tea racing towards all the appliances and the power bar situated on the butcher’s block where my kettle now resides. In my panic to save the electronics, I knocked over the mug again. Needless to say, after all of that, my mug was empty and I had Ceylon Gem all over my floor.
So here I am with attempt two. No spillage so far. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
Anyways, I brewed the tea per the recommended steeping parameters of 3 minutes in 190F water. I then let the tea cool a bit to a more easily drinkable temperature.
Teabentos website claims this ceylon flower black tea has a “delicate taste with hints of honey, berries, citrus and caramel” so I was surprised when the tea was quite brisk/tannic. I suppose that is fairly common in Ceylon teas though so I shouldn’t have been too surprised. Looking past the briskness, I am getting honey and some caramel. I am not getting much in the way of berries and other than that briskness being akin to a citrus pithiness, I am not getting much citrus either.
I don’t think I am the intended audience for this tea. The description lured me in with so many of my favorite flavors but at the end of the day, Ceylons tend to be too strong for my tastes and this is no exception. I want smooth. I want dessert-like. This is sweet but it’s definitely more of a pick-me-up/morning tea.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Teabentos
Description
Ceylon Gem is another brilliant black tea from Amba estate, the twin-sister of our lovely elephant CEYLA. Hand-crafted and carefully blended with flowers from the camellia sinensis tea plant, which give the tea a natural mild sweetness. The beautiful look and the delicate taste with hints of honey, berries, citrus and caramel make the tea a true gem. Its delicious nature deserves to be appreciated on its own.
