I was immediately smitten when I tried a Burnside tea several years ago. It was the tea that launched my interest in the region. So, I was excited to try this Special OP and see if it measured up to that first love. I'm happy to report that this tea is even better.
The long and wiry dry leaf is quite fragrant and pleasantly fruity. Once wet, it is clear that this tea has received a careful oxidation, as there is a wide range of variegated color to in the leaf, from deep red to a bright, dark olive green. The liquor is a fairly brilliant red-amber, with a pronounced and balanced aroma featuring fruity and floral notes. The tea is medium to medium-light in body, but very flavorful, with a bunch of things going on. There are hints of cherry-like fruitiness, soft floral notes that I associate with green tea, and a nice citrus tang leading into the tasty aftertaste.
This tea is a bit more expensive (4 oz. @ $7.18) than many other Nilgiri OP teas, but it is, in my opinion, well worth it. Aromatic, flavorful, and balanced, this very enjoyable tea is near the top of my list of favorite teas.
Showing posts with label Nilgiri. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nilgiri. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Parkside SFTGFOP Nilgiri (Strand Tea Company)
UPDATE:
I tasted this tea again a few days after this review and realized that my notes did not do the tea justice. In fact, it was my senses that were apparently on the subtle side. This tea has a good deal more aroma, flavor, and nuance than I had thought. In fact, it's quite aromatic and flavorful, while still having a rather refined and subtle nature, and, as it turns out, not so different than the Kairbetta SFTGFOP after all. Take this as a lesson in the fallibility of this reviewer.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
There are two teas in this series of Nilgiris tasting notes that invite comparison to a first-flush Darjeeling: the Kairbetta SFTGFOP and this tea. The two, however, could hardly be more different.
This tea appears to be a blend of two different teas: moderately oxidized curled leaf, and green OP-sized flat flakes. The dry-leaf aroma bears a strong resemblance to Darjeeling.
The tea brews up amber and has a very pleasant, but subtle aroma. It's hard for me to describe the aroma other than to say that it is a very mild representation of classic Nilgiri components, along with a bit of apricot, some nuttiness, and soft grassy floral notes. This is a fairly light-bodied tea, that comes across as soft, smooth and full in the mouth. The flavor is sweet and mild, tasting, not surprisingly, like a cross between a classic light-liquoring Nilgiri black and a green tea. The tea transitions smoothly into a modest aftertaste, with just a hint of crispness.
As described, you might get the impression that it's a plain and indifferent tea, but it's not really. It's a subtle tea, just as a good Long Jing is a fairly subtle tea. Both comfort and refresh, while leaving you wanting more. If you like a tea that hits you over the head with character, then definitely skip this one. If subtlety is something you value, this one might charm you, as it has me.
I tasted this tea again a few days after this review and realized that my notes did not do the tea justice. In fact, it was my senses that were apparently on the subtle side. This tea has a good deal more aroma, flavor, and nuance than I had thought. In fact, it's quite aromatic and flavorful, while still having a rather refined and subtle nature, and, as it turns out, not so different than the Kairbetta SFTGFOP after all. Take this as a lesson in the fallibility of this reviewer.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
There are two teas in this series of Nilgiris tasting notes that invite comparison to a first-flush Darjeeling: the Kairbetta SFTGFOP and this tea. The two, however, could hardly be more different.
This tea appears to be a blend of two different teas: moderately oxidized curled leaf, and green OP-sized flat flakes. The dry-leaf aroma bears a strong resemblance to Darjeeling.
The tea brews up amber and has a very pleasant, but subtle aroma. It's hard for me to describe the aroma other than to say that it is a very mild representation of classic Nilgiri components, along with a bit of apricot, some nuttiness, and soft grassy floral notes. This is a fairly light-bodied tea, that comes across as soft, smooth and full in the mouth. The flavor is sweet and mild, tasting, not surprisingly, like a cross between a classic light-liquoring Nilgiri black and a green tea. The tea transitions smoothly into a modest aftertaste, with just a hint of crispness.
As described, you might get the impression that it's a plain and indifferent tea, but it's not really. It's a subtle tea, just as a good Long Jing is a fairly subtle tea. Both comfort and refresh, while leaving you wanting more. If you like a tea that hits you over the head with character, then definitely skip this one. If subtlety is something you value, this one might charm you, as it has me.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Chamraj TGFOP Nilgiri (Chado)
I really wanted to like this tea. Chamraj is a big and important Nilgiri estate and part of the United Nilgiri Tea Estates group, which also owns the popular Korakundah estate.
This is a fairly button-downed tea, with a serious demeanor. The modest aroma is slightly toasty and has a somewhat "darker" aroma that I associate with a more oxidized leaf. It's pretty much devoid of floral or herbal notes. In the mouth, the tea is pleasant, a bit flat, and with an atypical hint of cinnamon and malt. The aftertaste is the best part of this brew, with a hint of cinnamon, malt, and some woody tannin. The Nilgiri zest finally makes its appearance at the tail end of the aftertaste. Don't scrimp on the leaf with this tea, it requires a generous amount for a satisfying flavor.
It appears that the leaf for this tea has undergone a more uniform and slightly greater oxidation than is typical for the region. It also received a generous amount of baking; the tea gives off a very toasty scent when the dry leaf hits the hot water. This explains, in part, why the tea is more generic, a bit heavier, and less aromatic than much of the competition. I remember having a similar impression of a Korakundah tea I had several years ago.
Clearly, I'm not crazy about this style of tea, but this is a solid tea that you might like.
This is a fairly button-downed tea, with a serious demeanor. The modest aroma is slightly toasty and has a somewhat "darker" aroma that I associate with a more oxidized leaf. It's pretty much devoid of floral or herbal notes. In the mouth, the tea is pleasant, a bit flat, and with an atypical hint of cinnamon and malt. The aftertaste is the best part of this brew, with a hint of cinnamon, malt, and some woody tannin. The Nilgiri zest finally makes its appearance at the tail end of the aftertaste. Don't scrimp on the leaf with this tea, it requires a generous amount for a satisfying flavor.
It appears that the leaf for this tea has undergone a more uniform and slightly greater oxidation than is typical for the region. It also received a generous amount of baking; the tea gives off a very toasty scent when the dry leaf hits the hot water. This explains, in part, why the tea is more generic, a bit heavier, and less aromatic than much of the competition. I remember having a similar impression of a Korakundah tea I had several years ago.
Clearly, I'm not crazy about this style of tea, but this is a solid tea that you might like.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Iyerpadi BOP Nilgiri (Strand Tea Company)
I reviewed the Iyerpadi OP a few posts ago. Today I'm tackling the BOP. These two teas have a common "estate" flavor, but are otherwise quite different. As expected, the BOP is composed of more fully oxidized and smaller leaf pieces, so it brews up noticeably darker and stronger for any given volume. In place of the OP's bright citrus, and herb aroma, the BOP delivers a deeper and darker aroma with much less of the herb and citrus aromatics. In the mouth, the BOP is fuller, softer, and a bit richer and is close to an Assam in texture and style. The aftertaste is softer and less bright too.
This tea, like its OP stablemate, does not easily turn bitter or astringent when over-brewed. As a result, you can make a satisfyingly rich cup by using a little extra leaf and time, and this tea seems to shine when so brewed.
This is the most Assam-like Nilgiri tea I've had. It doesn't have much in the way of the malty or chocolaty notes for which Assam is known, but it does come fairly close in the texture and strength departments. As a result, this would be my first choice for an Assam drinker interested in trying a Nilgiri. It would also be a good choice for iced tea, especially considering its strength and relatively low price of $4.95 for 4 oz.
This tea, like its OP stablemate, does not easily turn bitter or astringent when over-brewed. As a result, you can make a satisfyingly rich cup by using a little extra leaf and time, and this tea seems to shine when so brewed.
This is the most Assam-like Nilgiri tea I've had. It doesn't have much in the way of the malty or chocolaty notes for which Assam is known, but it does come fairly close in the texture and strength departments. As a result, this would be my first choice for an Assam drinker interested in trying a Nilgiri. It would also be a good choice for iced tea, especially considering its strength and relatively low price of $4.95 for 4 oz.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Craigmore OP Nilgiri (Upton Tea Imports)
This tea has an understated nature. The modest and pleasant aroma has a hint of woodiness, but little of the floral or herbal scents typical of many Nilgiris. The flavor is similarly pleasant and generic, finishing with a mild astringency and lemony tang that carries into a fairly persistent aftertaste.
The dry tea leaf contained many long and stout stem pieces, suggesting that the raw material for this basic OP tea was not the best the estate had at its disposal. It's a decent tea, but not one I would order again.
The dry tea leaf contained many long and stout stem pieces, suggesting that the raw material for this basic OP tea was not the best the estate had at its disposal. It's a decent tea, but not one I would order again.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Kairbetta SFTGFOP1 Nilgiri (Stand Tea Company)
This is a very interesting tea, classified as a black tea, but liquoring up golden and coming across more like an Oolong. It most resembles a first flush Darjeeling, but has a distinctive Nilgiri, or more specifically, a very Kairbetta aroma and flavor. Its racy aroma contains sweet, floral, and spicy elements. It tastes like it smells: strongly floral, spicy and citrus-like. By the way, that spiciness is somewhat similar to cracked coriander seed. The aftertaste lingers, with sweetness, citrus, and a hint of bitterness.
The brewed leaves are small and delicate, indicating a tender top-leaf plucking, and presumably one from the winter season. They're a light olive green stained with light brown. Clearly this tea was carefully made, and from high-quality leaf. It's also quite strong, and can become unpleasantly astringent if over-brewed. For best results, treat this tea like finicky green or astringent Darjeeling, and keep your water temperature well off the boil. At 180 degrees Fahrenheit, you can re-steep the leaves several times and get an attractively light, sweet, and pungent cup.
This is an intense tea that demands your attention, but that intensity may make it less successful as an everyday tea. It should appeal to those looking for a bold Nilgiri analog to first-flush Darjeeling. Strand is offering this high-grade stuff for the surprisingly low price of 4 oz. for $8.95.
The brewed leaves are small and delicate, indicating a tender top-leaf plucking, and presumably one from the winter season. They're a light olive green stained with light brown. Clearly this tea was carefully made, and from high-quality leaf. It's also quite strong, and can become unpleasantly astringent if over-brewed. For best results, treat this tea like finicky green or astringent Darjeeling, and keep your water temperature well off the boil. At 180 degrees Fahrenheit, you can re-steep the leaves several times and get an attractively light, sweet, and pungent cup.
This is an intense tea that demands your attention, but that intensity may make it less successful as an everyday tea. It should appeal to those looking for a bold Nilgiri analog to first-flush Darjeeling. Strand is offering this high-grade stuff for the surprisingly low price of 4 oz. for $8.95.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Chamraj Oolong (Chado)
While the Nilgiri region has been traditionally known for its black teas, several estates have been producing Oolongs or Oolong-like black teas. The Nilgiri Oolongs I've tried have been quite impressive.
This Oolong from Chamraj is very nice. It's quite similar to a medium oxidized and medium roasted Dancong Oolong. There is some dimension to the interesting aroma, which carries a peachy fruitiness I normally associate with Dancong. In the mouth, the flavor is again quite like Dancong, but a bit softer and less astringent. The moderately long aftertaste is pleasantly sweet, with a hint of bitterness.
This tea is definitely worth a try if you're a fan of Oolongs.
This Oolong from Chamraj is very nice. It's quite similar to a medium oxidized and medium roasted Dancong Oolong. There is some dimension to the interesting aroma, which carries a peachy fruitiness I normally associate with Dancong. In the mouth, the flavor is again quite like Dancong, but a bit softer and less astringent. The moderately long aftertaste is pleasantly sweet, with a hint of bitterness.
This tea is definitely worth a try if you're a fan of Oolongs.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Tiger Hill FOP Nilgiri (Strand Tea Company)
I think Tiger Hill has produced a very nice tea here. This well-structured tea more closely resembles a good Ceylon than any other Nilgiri I've tried, but does so without obscuring its provenance. Somehow, the tea maker has been able to retain the best aspects of the Nilgiri identity while playing down some of the wildness. The net result is a fairly sophisticated, well-balanced tea with the stuffing and structure to stand up to milk. As good as it is, this is still a fairly straightforward tea, so don't expect lots of nuance.
This is a good choice for Ceylon drinkers looking to try a Nilgiri.
This is a good choice for Ceylon drinkers looking to try a Nilgiri.
Havukal OP Nilgiri (Chado)
Until I tried this tea, I thought you were pretty much assured of a solid, reasonably flavorful black tea when you selected a basic OP, BOP, or FOP from one of the major Nilgiri estates. Sure, I didn't expect much in the way of finesse, dimensionality, or nuance, but flavor and some aroma were a given.
The Havukal estate teas are competitive at auction and their specialty teas are well regarded. So, I thought I'd give this basic orthodox offering a try. This tea has a very meager aroma, and not a particularly Niligi-like one at that. It doesn't fare much better in the flavor department, where it comes across as pleasantly sweet and mild, but with a weak could-be-made-anywhere flavor. Surprisingly, the aftertaste does have a little tang and flavor.
I checked the aroma and look of the dry leaf. While it was not particularly fragrant, it did not smell or look particularly old. In fact, the dry leaf was more fragrant than the brewed tea. Perhaps this was just a weak batch.
Every tea has its place, and this one could be an excellent vehicle for flavored tea, as it does have some structure and a mild sweetness. It could also be used in an iced-tea blend. As a standalone hot tea, I can't recommend it.
The Havukal estate teas are competitive at auction and their specialty teas are well regarded. So, I thought I'd give this basic orthodox offering a try. This tea has a very meager aroma, and not a particularly Niligi-like one at that. It doesn't fare much better in the flavor department, where it comes across as pleasantly sweet and mild, but with a weak could-be-made-anywhere flavor. Surprisingly, the aftertaste does have a little tang and flavor.
I checked the aroma and look of the dry leaf. While it was not particularly fragrant, it did not smell or look particularly old. In fact, the dry leaf was more fragrant than the brewed tea. Perhaps this was just a weak batch.
Every tea has its place, and this one could be an excellent vehicle for flavored tea, as it does have some structure and a mild sweetness. It could also be used in an iced-tea blend. As a standalone hot tea, I can't recommend it.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Thiashola Nilgiri (Strand Tea Company)
Several Nilgiri tea estates seem inclined to produce their basic black teas in a style that will woo the Ceylon tea drinker. I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but it does leave some of these teas with a rather generic character. Rest assured, this Thiashola tea is not one of them.
There is a wild and rustic quality to this tea. The aroma, while clearly that of a Nilgiri, bears a resemblance to that of a good aged sheng (raw) Pu-Erh. There is also a slight and atypical toasty/smoky note in the aroma and flavor.
The tea liquors up a bit on the light side, and this is not surprising as the leaves show a bit less oxidization than is typical of Nilgiri blacks. That may also contribute to this tea's low astringency and its ability to take strong brewing. And, it's clearly at its best when you use a little extra leaf and time. So brewed, it becomes soft, full and soothing. Like most Nilgiris, it has a pleasant fruitiness, but unlike the Iyerpadi with its bright berry notes, the Thiashola comes across more prune-like. There's also less citrus here, but the herbal notes remain and remind me, once again, of sheng Pu-Erh. The aftertaste is moderately long and tasty.
While there are finer and more expensive Nilgiri teas to be had, for the modest price of $6.50 for 4 oz. you get an very good and interesting tea.
If teas like Wu Yi Oolong or sheng Pu-Erh appeal to you, this may be your Nilgiri.
There is a wild and rustic quality to this tea. The aroma, while clearly that of a Nilgiri, bears a resemblance to that of a good aged sheng (raw) Pu-Erh. There is also a slight and atypical toasty/smoky note in the aroma and flavor.
The tea liquors up a bit on the light side, and this is not surprising as the leaves show a bit less oxidization than is typical of Nilgiri blacks. That may also contribute to this tea's low astringency and its ability to take strong brewing. And, it's clearly at its best when you use a little extra leaf and time. So brewed, it becomes soft, full and soothing. Like most Nilgiris, it has a pleasant fruitiness, but unlike the Iyerpadi with its bright berry notes, the Thiashola comes across more prune-like. There's also less citrus here, but the herbal notes remain and remind me, once again, of sheng Pu-Erh. The aftertaste is moderately long and tasty.
While there are finer and more expensive Nilgiri teas to be had, for the modest price of $6.50 for 4 oz. you get an very good and interesting tea.
If teas like Wu Yi Oolong or sheng Pu-Erh appeal to you, this may be your Nilgiri.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Iyerpadi OP Nilgiri tea (Upton Tea Imports)
Iyerpadi OP (Orange Pekoe) is one of my favorite Nilgiri black teas. It's fragrant, flavorful, refreshing, and relatively inexpensive (100g @ $5.40). This is not a terribly serious, heavy, or particularly complex tea, but one that is clean, bright, and invites quaffing. Its pronounced and attractive aroma hints at citrus and herbs and notes of strawberry, citrus, and herb mingle in it's pleasantly fruity flavor. The liquor is gently brisk, and finishes with a light, cleansing tang.
This might be a good alternative for those who appreciate a light-liquoring, high-grown Ceylon tea.
This might be a good alternative for those who appreciate a light-liquoring, high-grown Ceylon tea.
Nilgiri Teas
The next ten or so posts will cover Nilgiri tea. The vast majority of teas produced in this mountainous far-western portion of the Tamil-Nadu state of India are black CTC (crush tear curl) granular tea. However, the premier high-elevation estates generally produce a variety of high-grade black orthodox teas, and many also make green, white, or oolong variations. The following notes will cover a variety of currently available orthodox teas sourced via the internet. If you'd like more info on the history of Nilgiri tea, you may find the following well-written Wikipedia article helpful:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nilgiri_tea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nilgiri_tea
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