First, hello everyone again! It’s been years since I’ve been able to devote time to a proper teavaluation. I’ve grown a bit, and like a fine wine or scotch, the ageing, in my opinion, has mellowed me a bit. This review also comes with an announcement: I am starting my own tea business. After struggling for three years with cell phones, insurance, and a few other things, I have decided that I really just don’t do the whole ‘Yes, Boss!’ thing that most people do. This decision is made with full understanding of what I am getting myself into, and I know of it’s rewards and sacrifices I need to make. As a note and disclaimer, I endeavor to be impartial in my reviews as a tea enthusiast. I am confident that I can exercise this, as I have practice Beer judging impartially. (New hobby since I’ve left.)
So, onto the tea review.
The Vithanakande OP1 I picked up at Elaine’s tea shoppe appears to be a lustrous grey, longer leaf than I expect when I see OP1 on a bag or tin. Almost no twigs, and no indeterminate plant matter.
I’m brewing in glass for neutral taste, and watching the leaves dance similar to a silver needle tea is wonderful, as the water turns to a copper brown that manages to be somewhat iridescent.
The brewed tea is a caramel-cedar aroma, which delivers in it’s full-bodied flavour. A hint of copper trails through, though, which stared as a nice sandy earth tone.
Second brew, the copper subsides fully to the sandy earth caramel cup of brown joy I have come to expect from vithanakande.
The copper wasn’t unpleasant, however, so I really enjoyed this tea. As I judge beer, I’m finding that just because I like something, doesn’t mean it fits the style of beer, and it’s going to lose a few points for the copper tone. I should revisit the other vith’s I have picked up and see if I can detect copper, now that my palate has been actually trained to look for things.
Folks, it’s a pleasure to be back.
