Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: KTeas
Product Description:
Curly, leafy tea of a slightly smaller size (hence the “1”) produce a good, basic cup of tea that has a light liquor, a delicate taste, and a pleasantly memorable finish.
Taster’s Review:
I think that with this sampling, I’ve had the opportunity to try six of the seven Ceylon teas that KTeas offers from the Morawaka estate in Sri Lanka. And of the five different teas that I’ve tasted and reviewed, this Ceylon Pekoe-1 is perhaps the best example of what I think of when I think of a high-quality Ceylon tea. This tea tastes like Ceylon to me.
The dry leaves resemble small, curly pellets that almost look like a greener Oolong (only the leaves here are, of course, black). After infusion, they open up a bit, but they are still curly. The one thing that stood out to me most when looking at the infused leaf is just how uniform in size they are.
And the flavor that these leaves produce is delightful. Smooth yet rustic, this tea evokes thoughts of curling up under a blanket, in front of a roaring fire in a log cabin in the woods. I’m not sure why that thought came to me as I sip this tea; all that I can come up with is that it has that kind of comforting flavor that you’d want to curl up with in front of a fire in a log cabin …rich and flavorful, while at the same time maintaining that mellow evenness to it that I expect from a good Ceylon.
I detect no bitterness to this cup, although there is some astringency at the end that I’d classify as a tangy sort of astringency. There is also a somewhat citrus-y finish to this cup that seamlessly melds with the astringency. The aftertaste is caramel-y sweet, somewhat floral and slightly tangy.
With so many Morawaka estate teas to choose from at KTeas, you might wonder which to choose. Maybe this will help steer you in the right direction: For a good, strong Ceylon that almost rivals a hearty Assam, you should try the FBOPF Ceylon or the FBOPF-1 Ceylon. If you want a bold, hefty Ceylon, try the BOP-1 Ceylon. If you’re looking for that familiar Ceylon flavor, try this Pekoe-1 Ceylon, or for a crisper, brighter take on the familiar Ceylon, try the OP-1 Ceylon. Finally, if you want the convenience of teabags, but still want a high quality Ceylon in those teabags, try the BOPF Ceylon Teabags.
What ever you might be looking for in a top-notch Ceylon, KTeas has you covered!
Morawaka Ceylon FBOPF-1 from KTeas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: KTeas
Product Description:
A typical Low Grown variety, this Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings-1 grade offers somewhat fewer tips with the leaves than in the FBOPF. You will find in your cup a full-bodied liquor with a distinctive sweet taste.
Taster’s Review:
This is no ordinary Ceylon!
The aroma of the dry leaf was rather unimpressive. I could smell an earthy note, but beyond that, there isn’t that much to tell of it. But once it was brewed, the earthy tone developed into a somewhat flowery note with a sweet, caramel-y fragrance.
The bouquet of the brewed tea is indicative of the flavor that awaits. Sweetness! I have often used the term “burnt sugar” to describe a sweetness, however, I don’t think I’ve encountered one tea that defines that burnt sugar taste better than this one. This has a burnt sugar caramel undertone, and a bitterness that ties into the burnt sugar flavor and gives it a nice roundness. There are hints of fruit and flower in the background, and a fair amount of dry astringency, readying the palate for a sweet, currant-like aftertaste.
A very enjoyable, deliciously different Ceylon.