Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Tea Shelf
Tea Description:
These limited edition teas are crafted by hand by selective picking and gentle processing, resulting in exquisite teas with the right twist and form. A knobbly gnarly look with peaks of silver and the odd bright green, they have gentle hints of spice when infused. The tea completely blossoms into individual leaves without any signs of wear or tear; the magic of hand rolled. This is indicative of the care taken in the picking and processing of these teas. The golden liquor captures the delicate floral character, and broad brush strokes of spice, particularly pepper. These teas are an embodiment of tea in its finest form from this region.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oh sweet mama this tea is singing to me!
This particular tea is a tea I won with a tea best tea bud of mine on a Facebook contest. I know! I never win those contests either but I won this go around from The Tea Shelf, so first off- thank you The Tea Shelf for an amazing sampling of your teas. It is much appreciated!
Now, to the tea!
This specific tea is a black tea and from the little symbols on the pouch this tea is indulging, low caffeine, floral, good for anytime and is to be drank plain. ( Can I say how much I adore these little symbols. I didn’t notice them until I was reviewing the tea but so fun! ) While steeping, this tea had such a beautiful lovely floral fragrance. I couldn’t wait for the 3 minutes to be up so I could take my first sip!
First sip and just wow. This tea has the it factor for the afternoon. Really good. The floral notes are gorgeous and provide a sweet backdrop for the smooth yet slightly astringent finish. The tea has this nice contrast between sweet and savory going on. The description depicts a tea with a pepper like profile but I’m not getting that right now. I’m getting a more sweet savory sort of malty tea that is going down smooth and really enveloping my whole mouth.
This tea is making me happy right now and this is only the first infusion. I’m curious if the more infusions and time I spend with this tea if i will be able to get more of those pepper notes to appear. If not, I’m quite satisfied with what I have. This is hitting the spot this afternoon.
Halmari Clonal Assam Black Tea From The Tea Shelf
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Tea Shelf
Tea Description:
Amongst the most pervasive of all Assam teas, these golden tippy leaves give us a cup packed full of flavor. A medium bodied tea, the liquor is interlaced with complex citrus flavors, which finish with a young and frisky feel on your palate. A great cup to enjoy at all times of the day!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The name of this tea from The Tea Shelf is Halmari Clonal and it’s a Black Orthodox Assam Tea during the 2014 growing and monsoon season. The grade is listed as GTGFOP1(SL). Since I usually double the suggested amount because I like my black tea quite strong I took about 2 teaspoons and infused it for about 1 and a half to 2 minutes however the company does suggest 1 teaspoon for about 3 minutes if you are one that follows instructions to a tee (or should I say a TEA). For infusing it is also suggested to stay right around the 90 to 100 degrees C or 195 to 210 F.
Talk about a great Assam! The smell of the golden-tip(py) dry leaf alone was totally worth the sipping experience. It was malty and bread-like or what I like to sometimes refer to as crusty but only subtly-so. Once infused everything seemed to follow suit with the exception of a tiny citrus surprise in mid-sip! The aftertaste is more bold than the beginning of the sip but I really enjoy tasting how the flavor progresses while on my tongue.
The color of the post-infused liquor is that of a medium-reddish-brown. Follow-up infusions are do-able but lighter in color and in flavor but still tasty! I only had about 5 grams of this tea to sample and I am already craving more! 2 thumbs up on this tea from me!
