Tea

Ceylon Starting with 1.5g/85 mL for 3 min as a test and go from there. Boiling water of course. Side by side tasting at this ratio can be very revealing. A second steep would need at least 6 min.

 From vendor: High Elevation Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon Mountain Tea (2000m+) ________________ Came in similar package as their slightly cheaper "Royal Black Tea", which is from lower elevation and reviewed previously. I contacted vendor about this. They confirmed they use the same packaging but with an additional sticker for the high elevation tea, which they forgot to include in mine.  Nonetheless, this tea brewed quite differently. The dry leaves are slightly more red than the lower elevation offering, and also had less smokiness. This tea was adequate for gongfu brewing: 5 grams in 125 mL 90-95 C for 25 sec / 35 sec / 50 sec / 1:30 / 3 min Very low astringency. Mild flowery scents and a hint of tobacco. Notes of honey, and very light maltiness. There is a touch of cinnamon sweetness. There is also a rocky minerality. Unlike the lower elevation tea, there is no butteriness. This tea goes very well with small amounts of ceylon cinnamon and/or saffron.

single-estate tea grown in the Sabaragamuwa region of Sri Lanka 2 tea spoons 380 mL water 90 C Steep 1: 5.5 minutes Steep 2: 15 minutes Very large distinctive leaves. Liquor turns coppery red within seconds Light honeyed and tobacco aroma Distinctive buttery mouthfeel Gentle notes of honey and tobacco Slightly malty. Slightly flowery Lingering astringency Experience dominated by  very smooth mouthfeel Reminiscent of Lipton, but much higher quality. Likely very good for ice tea Have also tried Gongfu brewing with 8 grams per 100 mL: early steeps are strong with dried fruit, honey and some floweriness reminiscent of Yunnan black. Honey notes carry throughout brew. There is less smoothness until later steeps as expected for larger base leaves taking time to unfurl and release starchiness. This is in contrast with the company’s high mountain brew, which is more filled with buds, and therefore more flowery and Less smooth. To experience full smoothness and flavor, w...