Tea Review: Lhotse Black Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Lhotse Black Tea

Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Black
Origin: Nepal, Jasbirye Village
Product Description:

This fine Organic Black tea, grown in Jasbirye Village, has a beautiful amber liquor and subtle stone fruit aromas. Invigorating and flavorful, it's an exceptional morning tea. These rare artisan teas are hand-rolled followed by Mechanical rolling to give a fine twist, it is completely oxidized sometime over 26 hours at 6500 feet elevation. The constant flow of cold mist supplied by nature at this altitude makes the oxidation (natural fermentation) process extremely slow which allows a gradual change of Polyphenols to flavanoids (theaflavins and thearubigins) to the extent that it is almost equal in ratio. Once the desired color and nose (flavor) is attained during this natural oxidation process this tea is dried slowly and matured with time and perfection.

Temperature: 195° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have a floral aroma with hints of smoke, fragrant wood, pepper, and nut shells.

The liquor is copper-red with an aroma that is sweet, spicy, savory, and roasty with fruit and caramel notes.  The flavor reminded me of both baked stone fruit and baked squash.  

Following the recommendation on the package, I prepared this tea with water at 195° F.  The results were delicious and deeply flavorful throughout three infusions with the liquor color darkening during the second infusion.  Perhaps because I picked up some notes of baked squash, I was pleasantly reminded of a holiday meal.

This tea was provided as a free sample without guarantee of a review.