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Nepal - Aarubotay "Plum Tree" Gardens Organic Delight Black 2nd Flush from Simpson & Vail

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80/100

Nepal - Aarubotay "Plum Tree" Gardens Organic Delight Black 2nd Flush

Black Tea by Simpson & Vail

Located 6000 feet above sea level, in the misty hills of Pashupatinagar, Ilam, is this family owned Organic (EU) and ISO certified garden. The teas grown here are of some of the most interesting and spectacular teas that will tempt your taste buds into new levels of enjoyment. This garden is the first one in Nepal to use the technology, machinery and expertise available from Japan. The Aarubotay tea bushes are a combination of Japanese, Chinese and clonal varieties that produce the best of Nepalese teas. Try some today and, from the first smell of the dry leaf to the taste of the brewed tea, you will be convinced that this family has achieved success!

A wonderful afternoon “cuppa”! The uniformly shaped, brown/black, tippy leaves brew to an earthy aroma with an amber colored cup. The tea resembles the taste of a 2nd flush Darjeeling, but unlike its India neighbor, we find the brewed cup has more body and floral notes.

Brew: 3 minutes @ 212ºF

1 Tasting Note

TeaEqualsBliss
96

Dry – this has a bit of a sour fruit type aroma tied in with a softer darjeeling and/or multi-black tea blended base.

Once infused – the liquor smells more like a slightly fruity – non-sour-fruit aroma paired with a croissanty-type darjeeling type scent.It infuses to a nice-even medium brown color.

Interesting.

My first sip made me say that exact word. Interesting. It’s far different taste-wise from what the aroma lead me to believe. It has a completely even flavor from start to finish along side an incredible creamy texture and smoothness on the tongue. It has that little bit of darjeeling type flavor you would expect but it’s much more complex than that. As it cools just a tad I think the darjeeling-likeness is more towards the end of the sip on to the aftertaste. In the middle of the sip I’m picking up something similar to a non-fizzy beer or ale – not sure if I would consider it to be a wheat type taste and/or texture or “hops” but it’s very interesting regardless and ENJOYED.

It also has a lovely croissant comparison to it popping in and out while I sip. I do like that.

I have to say this is unlike ANY tea I have ever tried. I’m really enjoying it and am even more curious about S&V’s other 3 Nepal Teas which I do have on tap to try!

This is a conversation piece, a darned-tasty tea, and a very interesting brew! WOW! Awesome!