Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Nepali Tea Traders
Tea Description:
After a short summer season in Nepal, the Himalayan monsoon approaches the foothills with a magnanimous rush. The golden red soil of Sandakphu drinks in this moisture, producing a rare artisan tea that reflects all of nature’s goodness. After plucking, the leaves are 25 percent withered, then rolled in mechanical rollers. The tea is then placed in a shaping machine and further dried, producing uniformly curled leaves. The liquor is a distinctive rich golden color, with a cup that is mild yet flavorful, with a lovely balance of stone fruit and honey.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
On my Epic Sipdown, I came across a sample of this tea from Nepali Tea Traders. I was quite excited to see if the description matched the flavor of this tea.
I brewed this up in my new Sei Sei Tumbler. I was really craving those rich stone fruit notes that were described. Brewed this up like a black tea and wow. This tea has it all. Rich smooth notes of honey with an almost bread like background and apricot (?) flavors. So well done.
What I really love about this tea is how smooth it is. There is almost a silk texture to this tea while you drink it. This tea is one of those that feels like it needs to be saved for special occasions. But this one is completely affordable for an extra day sort of tea. I want to try this one as a cold brew for those hot summer days when you need a tea like this. There is a refreshing quality to it that I’m really enjoying.
The description of this tea was spot on and this is another fantastic tea that has been hiding in my cupboard. I’m so glad I pulled this one out today. Loving this fruit malty tea to finish out my day with.
Annapurna Amber Oolong Tea from Nepali Tea Traders
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong Where to Buy: Nepali Tea Traders
Tea Description:
A stunning Himalayan massif, Annapurna is Sanskrit for “Goddess of the Harvests.” One leaf and a bud, plus a mature leaf are plucked. The tea is oxidized slowly, in cold air, then double fired. An exceptional Darjeeling-sytle oolong, Annapurna Oolong is infused with apricot and muscat grape flavors. Its liquor is full bodied, revealing a beautiful red-amber hue distinctive to our teas. Subtle notes of malt and caramel linger in the finish.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
My heart goes out to the people of Nepal. The recent earthquakes in that timeless, beautiful country is astronomically devastating. I can’t imagine what I would do if it was safer to sleep on the sidewalk than in my own home. I have always been entranced with the Himalayas and every single tea that I have had from that region is flawless. This Annapurna Amber oolong is no exception.
I tend to steer clear of darker oolongs, at once point I even avoided them like the plague. This one is more along the lines of Darjeeling when it comes to taste. None of that burnt ash taste in my mouth. I had to double check may gaiwan, I thought I was drinking a high quality dian hong! I get the same mouthfeel on this tea as I do for that classic Chinese red. Notes of brown sugar coat the tongue and insanely delicious notes of sweet potato fries and cocoa follow around each sip. The aroma of apricots and roasted peaches waft up into my nose as I steep the tea. This true amber liquid is quite exquisite, I am surprised at how deep and clear it is. An excellent and unexpected darker oolong that I would recommend to any Darjeeling or even Chinese red lover!
On a side note, I saw this company’s tea at my local Whole Foods! I can now buy this tea as well as a selection of sachets in the same trip as my late-night ice cream runs! I like that grocery stores near me are really upping their tea game. I didn’t know that this was a local company until I found a small selection of their teas on the shelf. Sweet!
Editor Note: To assist with the efforts to restore Nepal in the aftermath of the earthquakes, Nepali Tea Traders recently launched their Nepali Tea Restoration Fund. Here are more details:
Many of you have inquired about what can be done to help. As you likely know, funds are needed for this urgent and critical relief effort, and for massive rebuilding. We have been touched by the expressed support and concerns, and in response, we have decided to launch the Nepali Tea Restoration Fund. In order to seed this fund, Nepali Tea Traders will donate the greater of (1) all profits for the remainder of the year and (2) 20 percent of sales. We hope that you will join us by contributing to rebuilding this beautiful country for these wonderful and gracious people.
Rara Willow White Tea from Nepali Tea Traders
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Tea Information:
A classic, aromatic, second-flush white tea. Meaning? It’s sweet and fruity with subtle classic white tea notes. There’s also citrus notes to be noticed subtly in the finish. This is a fine example of a white tea! It’s a summer harvest that’s hand-picked – one leaf and one bud.
This tea is available from Amoda Tea.
Learn more about subscribing to Amoda Tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I reviewed this tea last year but I’m revisiting it for a couple of reasons: first, it was part of my January box (themed “Fresh Start”) from Amoda Tea. Second, it’s an amazing tea that I’m only too happy to be enjoying once again.
I think I’d like to start this review by pointing out that I just love the boxes that Amoda Tea curates! They have great taste when it comes to tea and it’s evident in the teas that they select that they are very passionate about tea. If you haven’t yet tried their new monthly subscription, you’re missing out!
This is an excellent white tea. I described it previously as a trip to the candy shop on Main Street in Disneyland – the flavor of this tea reminds me of those yummy rock sugar lollipops I used to buy there! That description still pretty much nails my first impression of this tea – it’s sweet and delightful.
Once your palate becomes acclimated to the sweetness, you start to pick up on light citrus notes, especially noticeable near the finish. I find this citrus-y note to be very refreshing. My palate feels clean and invigorated after each sip.
As I said in that previous review: this is a tea that all tea drinkers should try. It’s a remarkable white tea. One of the finest I’ve ever tasted. It resteeps beautifully too – the second infusion is just as delicious as the first!
Himalayan Masala Spiced Black Tea Blend from Nepali Tea Traders
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Nepali Tea Traders
Tea Description:
An authentic medley of black tea lightly spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and other spices traditional in Nepal.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a different chai! Usually, when I think of a chai, I think of a very strong black tea base with spices that are equally as strong to create a robust, full-flavored cuppa that is ideal as a latte. This isn’t that chai.
That’s not to say that I dislike it. On the contrary, I’m actually quite enjoying this Himalayan Masala Spiced Tea from Nepali Tea Traders! It’s different, sure, but, I like the warm, cozy flavor of this tea. It’s a lovely tea to enjoy on a chilly afternoon – like today!
The black tea base is lighter than I’m used to in a chai – but it’s smooth and crisp. I’d categorize this as a medium-bodied tea, it’s a little crisper, and a little lighter than an Assam or a Nilgiri which are the teas most often used as a base for a chai. This base is more reminiscent of a Darjeeling, but perhaps a little more substantial. It has some lovely fruit notes to it that meld beautifully with the warm spices.
The spices here are consistent with the body of the tea – that is to say that the spices aren’t overpowering the tea base. Instead, since this is a slightly lighter bodied tea, the spices are not as strong. I get gentle notes of cardamom, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. It’s a cozy, comforting combination of flavors that is reminiscent of a spice cookie.
I didn’t go latte with this blend because I felt that it would overwhelm the lighter character of the cup. And because it is a little lighter, if you’re one who automatically adds sweetener to your tea before tasting, I’d suggest tasting this one first. It has a gentle sweetness to it and it’s really good without anything added.
A really lovely chai – this is one I’d recommend to those who tend to shy away from chai blends because they find them to be too spicy. This one might be more to your liking – it’s a warmly spiced blend, but not what I’d call spicy. It’s quite delightful.
Kalo Chia Black Tea from Nepali Tea Traders
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Nepali Tea Traders
Tea Description:
The strength and vigor of Jasbirey Village, in the foothills of Sandkaphu Peak, inspire our traditional Black Tea (Kalo Chia means black tea in Nepali). Partially rolled by hand, this traditional method produces a distinctive, nuanced cup. Kalo tea is characterized by a rich caramel flavor and a lasting gentle finish (because of its high altitude cultivation and extended oxidation process.) Many thanks to our Kickstarter supporter, Aaron Williams, who named this tea – the name means “black tea” in Nepalese.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oh wow … I’m loving this tea! It’s rich and sweet with caramel-y notes, and it has a full-body and robust character. This is the kind of tea that I LOVE to turn to for that little “pick-me-up” in the early afternoon when I need to recharge. This tea has some vigor to it and a really delicious flavor.
This is a strong, bold tasting tea, but there is a gentle smoothness to it too. It doesn’t have a harsh astringency. There is some astringency toward the tail, a mild drying sensation. But there is no bitterness. There is no harshness. This is the strong, suave kind of bold tea. As I near the bottom of the cup, I start to pick up on a little more astringency. It’s a little more dry but again … not a harsh dryness.
There are notes of cocoa and caramel, with a sweet fruit note – sweet plum. There are woodsy, earthy notes to this as well. It doesn’t have the same kind of kick-in-the-butt gusto that some teas have, but it has a really pleasing “chewy” sort of flavor to it that evokes thoughts of freshly baked bread. It’s a very satisfying tea.
I steeped this for 3 minutes at 205°F, which is what I usually go with when I have leaves with golden tips. I’m not sure exactly why, but for some reason, I want to be just a little (about 7°) gentler with the pretty golden leaves. This produced a really flavorful cup that is something that I’d love to indulge in regularly. It’s one of those amazing, decadent teas that make you realize just how truly incredible tea is!