Japanese Black Tea - Osamu

I think one of the reasons I have been LOVING Japanese Black Teas as of late is because they are so ‘organic.’ And I don’t necessarily mean “Organic” in the sense we’ve come to know and love in the labeling world – eventho some ARE in both senses ‘organic’ I suppose…but I like how earthy and REAL Japanese Black Teas appear to the eye…almost primitive, untouched, of-the-earth, TRUE. This one IS that way.

The effervescent liquor is quite amazing! It’s a little bit on the lighter side of the brown scale but it seems to be – almost – glowing or shining in some way. It’s really beautiful.

It’s a more mellow flavor as well but pleasing and delightful. Towards the end of the sip I can pick up on a dried fruit type flavor. There isn’t even the slightest amount of bitterness here – even at longer infusion times.

This is darn special!

Backlog: A really excellent Japanese Black tea. I’ve not had a lot of Japanese Black Teas, maybe fewer than a handful, but, I’ve loved those that I’ve tried. They are delicious, sweet with an earthy, sort of raw sweetness, reminiscent of raw sugar. There is a raw sort of earthiness to the flavor as well, but, at the same time, it’s remarkably smooth, with no bitterness and very little astringency (it’s there, but you have to really focus on finding it to find it. Deep notes of cacao, again, it almost tastes like raw cacao, but, every once in a while I also taste a hint of roasted cacao too. Very intriguing this tea, it just pulls me in and keeps me captivated. I love it.

Loose
Appearance: deep red brown, delicate leaf, tendrils of a leather red shade
Aroma when Dry: raisins, malty, sweet
After water is first poured: raisin, plummy
At end of first steep: faint cream, plums, raisin
Tea liquor:
At end of first steep: light dusty green
Staple? No
Preferred time of day: as needed medicinally
Taste:
At first: jammy, fruity, plum, raisin, creamy notes, sweet, no astringency
As it cools ? notes blend, tea gets jammyer, creamier
Additives used (milk, honey, sugar etc)? No
Lingers? with fruity notes

Second Steep (6min)
light and fruity, no astringency

This Japanese Black Tea is relatively new to the Black Tea family. Compared to the rich and malty black teas from India, the Japanese black tea is milder in flavor and smoother in taste. It’s definitely a good introduction tea to many beginning drinkers who like to experience black teas. You can steep it for a longer time (5-6 mins) to taste the lasting flavor.