Sandakphu Hand Rolled Black Tea/Nepali Tea Traders. . . .

Sandakphu Hand Rolled Black Tea from Nepali Tea Traders was in my stash for special occasions and recently I hit the bottom of the bag so I figured it was time to say FAREWELL and give it a proper review before it’s just a tea memory.

I looked for this tea on their website and it is no longer in stock. Back in 2014 LiberTEAs did a review of it here at The SororiTea Sisters. I remember her describing in great length of the apricot notes that shined in this. I completely agree with her that the apricot flavors truly made this a naturally flavorful and delightful cuppa.

Nepali Tea Traders said this tea was an Orthodox black tea, only two leaves and a bud are hand plucked for processing. This full-leaf, loose tea is then oxidized carefully until a fine balance of flavors is achieved. This exquisite tea has a smooth floral bouquet with a lingering apricot finish. Perhaps this is why I enjoyed this tea so much…I have always been a sucker for apricots!

I always associated them with my childhood because as a toddler one of my favorite foods was dried apricots…yes…I know…I was an ‘odd’ kid.

I did feel that the black tea was comparable to a darjeeling. It seemed to have some flavor similarities. I sure hope that Nepali Tea Traders brings this one back because it’s a REAL WINNER!!!!


Want to Know More About This Tea?

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Nepali Tea Traders

Description

Click below for all of Nepali Tea Traders Black Tea Offerings!

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Assam Nokhroy Estate Black Tea (STGSOP1) from Simpson and Vail. . . .

Wine and food pairings are popular all over the place but here at Sororitea Sisters we love learning about TEA and food pairings! Assam teas complement foods such as chocolate, spiced desserts, meat, strong cheeses, fish and more. Since I follow a vegan diet, I like to pair Assams with non-dairy cheese – such as cacao and carob. I’m not even close to being a baker so I don’t frequent vegan desserts but when I can get my hands on one I would gladly pair it with an Assam. I’m not into ‘fake meats’ because I wasn’t into ‘real meat’ prior to being vegetarian and vegan, but I suppose one could try pairing it with an alternative. I will say, that if I see a vegan cheese, I’m probably going to try it at least once and can see myself sipping on a solid Assam while nibbling on a chunk.

Enter the “Assam of the Day”…Simpson and Vail’s Assam Nokhroy Estate Black Tea (STGSOP1). These black, slightly tippy leaves brew to a dark amber cup with a woodsy aroma. The brewed cup has an AMAZING malty flavor profile that characterizes Assam teas with a pleasing, light peppery finish. YUM!

Now for a little bit on where this tea comes from…which is the northeastern state of Assam in India, along the Brahmaputra River. They grow hearty, malty Assam teas – like this one.

The Nokhroy Estate is located in the eastern most region of Assam, closest to the Burmese border, in the Tinsukia district. In 1816 a village called “Halcyon Chuck” was about to be invaded by the Burmese army. Before the attack, the villagers made a peace offering of ‘Nine Platters’ (NA – HORAI) to the Burmese army, as a gesture of respect. Afterwards, the village was called “Na Horai” and over time it became Nokhroy, symbolizing peace and respect for all.

This is a bold yet peaceful cup and I’m so glad I was able to enjoy it! Yet another winner from S&V!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black
Where to Buy:  Simpson and Vail
Description

In the northeastern state of Assam in India, along the Brahmaputra River grow the hearty, malty Assam teas. The heavy rainfall and hot, humid day time temperatures in this area create the perfect green house like environment for growth, as well as helping to create the unique taste found only in Assam teas. Their distinct flavor can be enjoyed “as is”; however, Assam teas are often used in conjunction with other teas to create numerous blends, specifically breakfast teas.

The Nokhroy Estate is located in the eastern most region of Assam, closest to the Burmese border, in the Tinsukia district. In 1816 a village called “Halcyon Chuck” was about to be invaded by the Burmese army. Before the attack, the villagers made a peace offering of ‘Nine Platters’ (NA – HORAI) to the Burmese army, as a gesture of respect. Afterwards, the village was called “Na Horai” and over time it became Nokhroy, symbolizing peace and respect for all.

Known for its clean and stylish Orthodox teas with coloury cups, the Estate is home to the famous Nokhroy N / 436 clones known for its unique character. A vigorous uprooting and replanting operation is underway to further enrich the quality of the field.

The black, slightly tippy leaves brew to a dark amber cup with a woodsy aroma. The brewed cup has the malty flavor profile that characterizes Assam teas with a pleasing, light peppery finish.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Midnight Melange Black tea from Plum Deluxe

plumdeluxe_logo_strapteaTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black, Green, Roiboos, Etc.

Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe 

Tea Description:

A fresh cup of curious delight, great for calm mornings or evening gatherings.

All Organic:  Black Tea, Hibiscus, Lemon Peel, Rosehips, Rose Petals, Vanilla Essence.  Has Caffeine. 

Learn more about this tea here. Learn more about their monthly tea subscription plan here.

Taster’s Review:

If you haven’t tried or checked Plum Deluxe out, do yourself a favor and click on those links above. Plum Deluxe is one of those companies that just makes you happy from the start. I may not like every blend they create, but they always put 100% into each blend, truly care about their customers, and have even created an online community for their monthly tea subscribers that is extremely active. I don’t participate as often as I would like to but I always check out whats going on. They have swaps and lots of fun goings on in the group. So neat to see what Plum Deluxe has created.

I have been a customer of Plum Deluxe for some time. I enjoy getting my purple envelope each month full of loose leaf goodness. Like I said, I don’t enjoy every blend but I can always find someone to share the tea with.  Each blend is gorgeously hand blended giving you all the lovely tea feels you can want and more.

This month’s selection is a black tea, which I couldn’t be happier about. (I didn’t see this tea listed in the shop so I think this might be a subscriber only tea.)  My favorite blends that Plum Deluxe creates are black and green tea blends. Midnight Melange Black Tea is a lovely blend of lemon peel, black tea, hibiscus, vanilla, and rose petals. The pieces of lemon are huge and the smell of this tea blend is heavenly.

Prepped with boiling water, I scooped a few tsps into my infuser and steeped the tea for about 4 minutes.  I didn’t want to oversteep so I played it safe in the middle of the suggested parameters.  I allowed the tea to cool for a moment and took a sip.

This tea shines and is perfection! Lush lemon along with a sweet creamy vanilla finish.  There are hints of a tartness here and there from the hibiscus.  The hibiscus is subtle and completes the sweetness from the vanilla nicely. A simple yet complex tea all at the same time. Each flavor really shines and delivers a lovely and gorgeous finished product.

Can’t wait to try this tea as a cold brew. I’m hoping the lemon flavors pop even more.

Another well crafted tea from Plum Deluxe!

 

Guangxi Golden Pearls from Tea Shirt

guangxiPearl_00_fad8275c-1c25-4655-8c5f-8f02f56a2435_1024x1024Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy: Tea Shirt

Tea Description:

Premium black tea pearls from Guangxi Province, China.

Handmade pearls of about 1cm in diameter with distinctive golden tips. Fruity and characteristic aroma.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I have been devouring the teas that I picked up from Tea Shirt and this is another fantastic offering! Little pearls lovely hand rolled.  Who wouldn’t love these?

I have always loved the “pearl” or “ball” like teas. There is something so alluring about watching the tea leaves uncurl in the steeper creating this illusion of the tea leaves dancing in the water.  Just a lovely sight.

I prepped my water per the instructions on the package and grabbed a few of the pearls.  Dropped them into my steeper and poured the water.  I couldn’t wait to watch those leaves uncurl and dance.

Finally the tea was ready and poured myself a huge cuppa and sat down to enjoy. I have to say, this tea was fantastic! Lovely malty notes with a hint of a fruity finish with a slight astringent mouth feel.  Everything you would hope a black pearl like tea would be. The flavors yield such a lovely mix of the right amount of each characteristic.  So much so that I can’t seem to put my cup down.

My favorite flavor note is this lovely malty woodsy like flavor.  It really does mix well with the sweet almost fruity or jam like hint that I’m getting. The fruity notes are very subtle and gentle allowing the black tea flavor to really shine.

Another tea I can’t get enough of from this company. I see a second order on the horizon!

 

Palampore from The Tea Shelf

plm-leaf-2Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy: The Tea Shelf

Tea Description:

This whole leaf tea comes from the beautiful Kangra Valley nestled in the lower slopes of the Dhauladhar Range in the Himalayas. Wiry, green and olive, these short vermicelli shaped leaves exude a distinct aroma of mountain flowers, with a prominent lavender nose. Once brewed, it envelops you with delicate citrus notes and an explosion of flower bouquet, with a delightfully long after taste. A special tea with a lot of depth.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Wow. Just Wow. This is going to be a memorable tea for sure.

If you aren’t familiar with them, The Tea Shelf was founded in 2014 by a team of tea lovers who wanted to convert the world to tea drinkers. A very worthy mission indeed!

The Palampore is a lovely black tea that gives you the warm fuzzies from the very beginning. If I hadn’t read about the tea, at first glance, I would have thought this tea was a green/black tea varietal.  The tea leaves are very reminiscent of those blends.

Brewed up per the instructions on the package, I allowed the tea to cool for a few moments before diving in and getting into the brew.  What hits you first is the malty notes with a slightly astringent tone.  Next is this smooth well balanced silky feel coats your tongue.  Towards the end of the sip are slight hints of a floral notes.  I am not really picking up the citrus notes like the description says but I’m a-ok with that. This tea is marvelous. One that really gives you the tea fuzzies and makes you remember why you love tea so much. The taste really envelopes you into a soothing and calming setting giving you a moment to really sit back and enjoy the moment!