Robert Fortune Blend 41 (Darjeeling-Yunnan) from Upton Tea Imports

RobertFortune

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Upton Tea Imports

Tea Description:

Named after Robert Fortune who toured the tea producing regions in the 1840s under the auspices of the East India Company. Darjeeling adds a pleasing brightness; Yunnan lends a dark, honey colored liquor and delicately spicy overtones. 

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

The aroma of dry leaf of this Robert Fortune Blend 41 from Upton Tea Imports – which is a blend of Darjeeling and Yunnan teas – is woody with earthy low notes.  The fragrance of the brewed tea is very similar to the dry leaf – woody, earthy, with notes of sweetness (like honey!) and hints of fruit and flower in the distance.  It’s a very inviting scent … very autumnal.

This tastes really quite nice.  Darjeeling tends to be a lighter, brighter … sort of sparkling taste on the tongue and the Yunnan – which is a more full-bodied tea – seems to fill in the flavor and provide a very well-rounded taste.  The deep flavor of the Yunnan is a very compelling complement to the light, crisp taste of the Darjeeling.

There is a distinct woodsy tone to this cup, giving it a definite “masculine” sort of taste.  I taste notes of fermented grape, evoking thoughts of a well-aged wine:  something that I don’t drink very often (read:  never) but, if I were to indulge in such a luxury … these delightful fruit notes are something that I would expect to experience in a well-aged, fine wine.

There is a sweetness to this tea as well … a sweetness that reminds me of honey and caramel.  Both honey and caramel are sweet notes that I associate with “heavy” or “thick” flavors, and here, the honey-esque, caramel-y notes are decidedly thinner than teas that I might usually note with a honey tone or a caramel note.

There are floral notes here too, but they are quite distant.  Imagine a field of flowers in the distance … you can’t really see the individual flowers but just a field of color … this is what I note here.  A taste that is reminiscent of a flowery sweetness but nothing that is too distinct.

What I am enjoying most with this tea is the complexity and the body of the tea.  I like that this is not as robust and full as a Yunnan … but not as crisp and light as a Darjeeling … it is skillfully blended to find a happy medium between these two dynamic teas to create a flavor that really excites the palate.