ILAM-T.G.F.O.P.

A wonderful tea. Flowery and slightly astringent, this is darker than a second flush Darjeeling.

NEPAL GURANSE TIPS G28 - SECOND FLUSH 2010

Origin: Nepal
Tea colour: black
Length of infusion: 4’
Water temperature: 90°C

Dry leaves
Aspect: crumpled leaves with plenty of downy buds.
Colours: kaki, copper, brown.
Scents: aromatic bouquet: floral, fruity, light woody, citrus fruit, honey with fresh planty notes.

Brewed leaves (infusion)
Aspect: nice opened leaves.
Colours: kaki, copper.
Scents: rich and complex notes: vanilla, fruity (grape, apple), floral (orange blossom) and camphorous herbs.

Liquor
Colour: a clear, glistening coppery liquor.
Texture: smooth and thick, with a slightly astringency in the back of the mouth that brings good lenght.
Flavours: sweet, slightly bitter, acid.
Aromas: very fruity, sweet vanilla, floral nuance (geranium, rose, orange blossom), honey nuance and woody notes (dry wood).
Aromatic profile and length in the mouth: beautifully long fruity, floral and herb notes. A rich bouquet with a good balance between the notes, texture and flavours. Develops very pleasantly in the mouth.

Our verdict: A superb, delicate autumn tea from one of the highest tea gardens in the world. Typical of Nepal autumn pluckings.

NEPAL JUNCHIYABARI HIMALAYAN ORANGE J9 – FIRST FLUSH 2010

Origin: Nepal
Tea colour: black
Length of infusion: 4’
Water temperature: 90°C

Dry leaves
Aspect: gently rolled leaves with plenty of large downy buds.
Colours: hints of dark and light green.
Scents: planty, almond, toasted (bread crust) notes. Pleasant, rich and heady.

Brewed leaves (infusion)
Scents: planty (green pepper, asparagus, green vegetables), with a more fruity note (red fruit) and hints of camphor and nuts.

Liquor
Colour: a gleaming yellow, orangey liquor.
Texture: astringent at the back of the mouth, making this tea strong and long-lasting.
Flavours: slightly bitter.
Aromas: a rich bouquet: planty (raw vegetables) and floral as well as a few almond, aniseed notes.
Aromatic profile and length in the mouth: elegant, round and lively. The planty, floral notes develop and become more intense. Very long in the mouth, with a good balance between the texture and the slight bitterness.

Our verdict: A delicious batch coming from an estate we have been working with for five years. The type of tea plants and the hand rolling give this tea its own unique character.

NEPAL KUWAPANI MAKALU « CLONAL » - FIRST FLUSH 2010

Origin: Népal
Tea colour: black
Length of infusion: 5’
Water temperature: 90°C

Dry leaves
Aspect: large twisted leaves with plenty of fat downy buds
Colours: brown, copper, with a few leaves that are still green.
Scents: bread crust, toasted, woody, sweet vanilla notes.

Brewed leaves (infusion)
Scents: spicy (pepper, nutmeg), exotic fruit, planty, camphor notes.

Liquor
Colour: an orangey, coppery liquor
Texture: sweet and supple, combined with a delicate, lingering astringency.
Aromas: a fruity attack (citrus, fresh fruit) followed by spices (pepper, nutmeg, coriander) with floral (freesia) and planty notes (cooked vegetables, stems, artichoke).
Aromatic profile and length in the mouth: the peppery note really fills the mouth. It combines with the planty notes. The floral, fruity notes add complexity. Wonderfully long notes.

Our verdict: This is the first Nepalese tea in our selection for spring 2010. It will delight fans of tea from Nepal, with its complex, varied notes (fruits, spices, plants).