The dry leaves are slender and long, just like in the picture, and very dark. They don’t have much of an aroma beyond the normal black tea scent. Once they are wet the leaves unfurl nicely.
The liquor is orange-copper, opaque, and has a sweet bouquet. Very mild, very smooth. It sips very well. The first wave is immediate and strong, with just a touch of bitter astringency on the front end. The middle notes are mildly buttery, and the end notes are honeyed and sweet. Throughout the whole sip the overriding, strong “tea” flavor is present. This is a great cup of tea.
As always, I rinsed first with near-boiling water, but just for a few seconds. The above notes are without cream and sugar. After sampling and writing, I tried it with cream and sugar: the bite is gone and replaced with just the highlights that I associate with Ceylons. This is a great tea, especially for the price.
I’d recommend this cup for anyone, from new to seasoned.
