Tea Review: Wild Orchid Pearl Oolong Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Wild Orchid Pearl Oolong Tea

Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Oolong
Origin: Nepal
Product Description: Not provided.

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

The dry leaves have a sweet and floral aroma with notes of oats and something that reminded me of homemade brown bread.

The liquor is bright orange with a sweet, fruity, and floral aroma.  The taste is also sweet and lightly floral with a honey finish.

This was delightful throughout three infusions with floral notes that reminded me of honeysuckle and a honey finish that is divine.  Cinnamon notes developed after the first infusion and the floral notes became more pronounced as the tea cools.

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

Tea Review: Himalayan Golden Black Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Himalayan Golden Black Tea

Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Black
Origin: Nepal, Sandakphu
Product Description:

Himalayan Golden is a striking, award-winning black tea picked during the monsoon season in Sandakphu, Nepal. Its rich, deep amber liquor has notes of malt, clover honey, and burnt sugar, highlighted by aromatic notes of apricot and clove. It is a great breakfast tea that can be enjoyed with or without milk and sugar. This tea was awarded as the best black tea by the North American Tea Championship.

After a short summer season in Nepal, the Himalayan monsoon approaches the foothills with a magnanimous rush. The golden-red soil of Sandakphu drinks in this moisture, producing a rare artisan tea that reflects all of nature’s goodness. After plucking, the leaves are 25 percent withered, then rolled in mechanical rollers. The tea is then placed in a shaping machine and further dried, producing uniformly curled leaves resulting in beautiful Himalayan Golden Tea.

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

The dry leaves have an aroma of fragrant wood, tropical fruit, and grains.

The bright red liquor has a rich aroma with notes of brown sugar, baked fruit, and green vine.  The taste reminds me of stone fruit with mild astringency and a dry finish.

Steeping at 195° F for 3 minutes produced ideal results for my preference and a reduced steeping time will help for those that prefer less astringency.  The first infusion had the most nuance while subsequent infusions were bold and flavorful, developing more astringency in shorter time.

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

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.

Tea Review: Khumbu Organic Black Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Khumbu Organic Black Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Black
Origin: Nepal
Product Description:

This tea reflects the beauty and adventure of the Khumbu region of Nepal, gateway to the Everest mountain area and home to the famed Tengboche Monastery. Fresh spring leaves are allowed to oxidize naturally, and then carefully hand-rolled producing a beautiful, dense tea. The cup reveals a dark amber liquor and a malty flavor, with hints of rich tobacco and a nutty finish. This tea is brisk and complex, with a well-balanced astringency and mouthfeel.

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

The dry leaves have an aroma of fragrant wood, stone fruit, and dates.

The copper-red liquor has a sweet aroma of baked fruit with a hint of malt.  The taste is moderately astringent with notes of baked fruit and caramelized sugar.

Following the recommendation from Nepali Tea Traders, I steeped this tea at 195° F for 3 minutes which resulted in a nice balance of astringency and flavor, just right for my tastes.  Slightly hotter water or adding a minute or two to the steeping time will also have good results for those who prefer a bolder cup of tea.  The best flavor was in the first two infusions, though the much lighter third infusion is still enjoyable. 

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

Tea Review: Shangri-La Hand-Rolled Black Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Shangri-La Hand-Rolled Black Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Black
Origin: Nepal
Product Description: 

A superb everyday black tea, our organic Shangri-la Hand-Rolled is a balanced amber tea infused with subtle spice notes and hints of apricot. This tea is brisk and complex, with a well-balanced astringency and mouthfeel. Our Shangri-La hand-rolled is one of it's kind.

Temperature: 208° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of fragrant wood with notes that reminded me of dates and a hint of molasses.

The orange-amber liquor has an aroma of baked fruit with a hint of green vine.  The taste has notes of baked fruit, a hint of flowers, and a long apricot finish.

While this tea was flavorful when steeped for 3 minutes, the low astringency allowed for another 1-2 minutes of regret-free steeping.  Longer steeping times of 4-5 minutes helped to carry the flavor and aroma forward for the next two infusions..  Though the flavor was milder by the second infusion, it seemed to develop more sweetness which mingled pleasantly with the apricot notes in the finish.

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

Tea Review: Annapurna Amber Oolong Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Annapurna Amber Oolong Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Oolong
Origin: Nepal
Product Description:

A stunning Himalayan massif, Annapurna is Sanskrit for “Goddess of the Harvests.” One leaf and a bud, plus a mature leaf are plucked. The tea is oxidized slowly, in cold air, then double fired. An exceptional Darjeeling-style oolong, Annapurna Oolong is infused with apricot and muscat grape flavors. Its liquor is full-bodied, revealing a beautiful red-amber hue distinctive to our teas. Subtle notes of malt and caramel linger in the finish.

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

The dry leaves have a spicy aroma with hints of citrus, dark molasses, brown bread, and seared wood.

The bright red infusion has a sweet aroma with notes of dark bread, brown sugar, honey, and baked fruit.  The taste is rich and dark with notes of baked fruit, and a hint of cinnamon with a long fruity finish.

While the first infusion held the most complexity, the second and third infusions were still enjoyable.  The finish was especially delightful.

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

Tea Review: Sagarmatha Gold Black Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Sagarmatha Gold Black Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Black
Origin: Nepal
Product Description:

To the Nepalese, Mount Everest is “Sagarmatha,” and this exquisite first flush tea delivers an experience as rarefied as the pure mountain air. Tender buds grown in rich soil at 7,000 feet are plucked with an open leaf to allow the bud to breathe. The buds are carefully separated, withered, naturally oxidized, hand-rolled and dried. The result of this careful processing is a floral bouquet with notes of honey maple and roasted almonds. True to its name, Sagarmatha Gold ranked first in an international tea tasting held at Mount Everest Base Camp in April 2018.

Temperature: 208° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaf aroma has notes of seasoned wood, nuts, and apricots. 

The copper red infusion has a sweet aroma of baked fruit (I was reminded of persimmons) and figs. The taste is reminiscent of baked fruit with a brown sugar finish.

With baked fruit and brown sugar notes throughout three infusions, this was a bit like drinking dessert without the dietary considerations.  While the best flavor is in the first two infusions, the third infusion is still quite nice.

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

Tea Review: Rare Willow Organic White Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Rare Willow Organic White Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: White
Origin: Nepal
Product Description: A silvery bud and one tender first leaf are plucked early in the morning or late afternoon. The leaves are then withered overnight with a constant supply of natural air. Early in the morning, the leaves are hand rolled and then allowed to rest for one to two hours. Once the rolled leaves begin changing color, they are lightly machine-rolled for 15 minutes and then dried immediately with low heat. Final high heat drying increases the flavor profile and shelf life of this lovely white tea. The leaves emit extraordinary sweet grassy aromas. The cup reveals a sweet and crispy profile, with a lovely floral aroma. The finish reveals refreshing hints of orange and lemon.

Temperature: 175° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 1-4 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of seasoned wood, oats, and a hint of citrus.

The orange amber infusion has a sweet aroma with notes of flowers, oats, and baked fruit.  The taste is floral with moderate astringency and a hint of citrus in the finish.

While steeping for 4 minutes produced bolder results than I prefer, the flavor and aroma will appeal to those who prefer a stronger brew.  A 1 minute steeping was ideal for my preferences with a mellower and sweeter taste and aroma followed by that refreshing hint of citrus.

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

Tea Review: Ama Dablam Organic White Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Ama Dablam Organic White Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: White
Origin: Nepal
Product Description: Named after a beautiful peak in Eastern Nepal, which means “mother’s necklace,” This white autumnal tea is grown and is made from a bud with one leaf shoot from a specially cultivated plant. The tea is dried naturally, fired and then cured for more than a month so the flavor profile develops to the optimum level. The liquor is very pale golden, has a mild floral aroma and a soothing sweet finish, devoid of astringency, and grassy flavors.

Temperature: 175° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 4 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of seasoned wood, oats, pepper, and hay.

The pale golden peach infusion has a light aroma of flowers, sunflower seeds, green vine, and baked root vegetables.  The taste is is savory with notes of sunflower seeds and something that reminds me of wild-grown greens.

Steeping for 4 minutes brought out the best results for my preferences.  Shorter steeping times at a slightly higher water temperature will also have good results.

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

Tea Review: Pokhara Classic Organic Green Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Pokhara Classic Organic Green Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Green
Origin: Nepal, Ilam, Sandakphu
Product Description: A colorful Nepalese city that lies on the ancient trading route between India and China, Pokhara lies in the northwestern corner of a stunning green valley. Our tea is named for the area, which is the base of the popular Annapurna Circuit Trek. Our outstanding flagship green tea provides a springtime aroma and flavor and a bright, clean finish. According to health experts, one cup of green tea daily can provide significant health benefits. This tea stays clear when cold-brewed.

Temperature: 175° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes

The dry leaf aroma has marine notes as well as notes of sweet oats and seasoned wood.

The golden infusion has an aroma that is rich with notes of cooked root vegetables (I was reminded of lotus root), fresh green beans, and sesame.  The taste borders on sweet and savory with notes of roasted vegetables and green beans. 

The first infusion had full flavor when steeped for 3 minutes while subsequent infusions were ideal when the steeping time was reduced to 2 minutes.  Longer infusions resulted in mild-to-moderate astringency and slightly less nuance.

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

Tea Review: Half Moon Pearl Green Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Half Moon Pearl Green Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Green
Origin: Nepal, Ilam, Sandakphu
Product Description: This rare second flush tea from Sandakphu is hand-picked from select tea bushes with high chlorophyll content and valuable antioxidants. One leaf and a bud are plucked and are immediately placed in a withering truck in the fields with a supply of cold air. After one hour, the leaves go through a one-minute de-enzyme process, which halts the oxidation. The leaves are put into a roller, then a shaper, producing the beautiful half-moon pearls. During steeping, they unfurl to their lovely full leaves, creating a pale green, mild infusion. This is a fresh-tasting tea with sweet grassy and vegetal aromas and flavor.

Temperature: 175° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 2 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of kombu dashi (kelp stock), seasoned wood, and hay.

The golden green infusion has a sweet aroma with notes of nuts, light nori (seaweed), and beans fresh off the vine.  The taste is savory and broth-like (dashi) with notes of nuts and sunflower seeds.  

The results from a 2 minute initial steeping were ideal for my tastes, while a slightly longer 3 minute steeping produced similar notes, only bolder and with mild astringency.  I found that reducing the steeping time of the second and third infusions to 1 minute resulted in sweet, savory, and nutty notes while steeping for 2 minutes after the first infusion resulted in heavier kombu-like (kelp) notes.  The distinct marine kombu dashi notes were an unusual if pleasant surprise and left me with a craving for a bowl of hot soba noodles.  

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

Tea Review: Jade Spring Organic White Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Jade Spring Organic White Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: White
Origin: Nepal
Product Description: The early Spring harvest is set aside for the production of Jade White, which captures all of the freshness of Nepal’s spring. Only select first buds and leaves are plucked and immediately taken to the factory, preserving all of the healthy antioxidants. The leaves are quickly conditioned, resulting in an exquisite lime infusion. The cup reveals a mild balance of peas, asparagus, sweet grass and mint.

Temperature: 175° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of dashi or miso soup broth and sweet oats.

The pale yellow-green infusion has a buttery, nutty, and dashi-like aroma and the taste reminds me of sesame and pea vine.  

While I enjoyed the green vegetal/vine notes that moved to the front with a 3 minute infusion, I also enjoyed the more savory notes with a shorter 2 minute infusion.  I was surprised by how distinctly the dry leaf aroma reminded me of miso soup.  

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

Tea Review: Spring White Buds White Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Spring White Buds White Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: White
Origin: Nepal
Product Description: This unique, artisan tea is a vibrant expression of the fresh Himalayan spring. A silver leaf and a bud were carefully plucked in April and quickly oxidized. The first sip of the lovely straw infusion reveals a delicate balance of stone fruit, asparagus, and sweet grass. The finish is smooth and buttery.

Temperature: 175° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 2 minutes

The dry leaves have a floral aroma with notes of sweet oats and pepper.

The pale golden-peach infusion has a floral, sweet pea aroma with light notes of green vine.  The taste is smooth, lightly floral, and lightly nutty with a long sweet floral finish.

The leaves had fully unfurled by the third infusion with the floral notes in aroma and taste moving to the front while remaining pleasantly mellow.

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

Tea Review: Manaslu Spring Tippy Black Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Manaslu Spring Tippy Black Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Black
Origin: Nepal
Product Description: Elevate your senses with our exquisite spring tippy, grown at high elevations near Nepal’s “mountain of the spirit,” Manaslu. The very first buds and new leaves are picked with precision in the mountain air, then withered, rolled and naturally oxidized. Once the optimum flavor profile is achieved, the teas are wood-fired. The result is beautiful tea with silver curled tips, a fresh, pale liquor and a smooth balance of a spring vegetables and honey, with a subtle note of spearmint.

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

The dry leaves have a sweet floral aroma with notes of fragrant wood, rice and grains, and hint of muscatel.  

The light yellow peach infusion has a lightly sweet floral and muscatel aroma with hints of rice and grains.  The taste is smooth with mildly tart berry and floral notes and a long, lightly cooling, and mouthwatering finish.  

This tea continued to produce full-flavored results throughout three infusions with mild astringency appearing by the second infusion.  The finish is so pleasant that I wanted to linger before taking the next sip.  Shorten the steeping time or reduce the temperature by a few degrees for slightly sweeter results.  Astringency develops quickly with a slight increase in steeping time.

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

Tea Review: Green Pearls of Agni (Nepali Tea Traders)

Green Pearls of Agni
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Green
Origin: Nepal
Product Description: This unique, smoky green tea reflects the best qualities of our high-altitude Himalayan green teas, vibrant, fresh and flavorful. The green pearls evoke the energy, warmth and wisdom of the Sanskrit fire god. This tea is created with fresh leaves that are partially withered with the smoke of oak wood. Leaves are then de-enzymed, cool and rolled for 25 minutes. Tea leaves are then shaped into balls with the help of a shaping machine. They are dried, hand sorted and packed.

Temperature: 165° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 2 minutes

The dry leaves have a rich and smoky green aroma.

The pale golden peach infusion has a smoky, buttery, and savory broth-like aroma.  The taste is smooth, rich, and buttery with smoky notes and a long, cool refreshing finish.

Steeping at the recommended 165° F produced the most delightfully flavorful results.  Astringency develops with a second infusion and can be mellowed by shortening the steeping time to 1-1.5 minutes.  There is a notable increase in astringency when steeping at 175° F which, while not ideal for my taste, could be worth exploring if you prefer something with more bite.

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

Tea Review: Premium Spring Tippy Black Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Premium Spring Tippy Black Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Black
Origin: Nepal
Product Description: Elevate your senses with our exquisite spring tippy, grown in the clean mountain air. The very first buds and new leaves are picked with precision, then withered, rolled and naturally oxidized. Once the optimum flavor profile is achieved, the tea is wood-fired. The result is a lovely light honey infusion with a refreshing spring astringency and a full mouthfeel. The flavor profile reveals a bouquet of crisp spring vegetables, melon and persimmon.

Temperature: 185° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of flowers and oats.

The golden infusion has an aroma of baked fruit, apricots, flowers, and honey.  The taste is lightly sweet and floral with notes of baked fruit.

This tea reminds me bit of both Jin Hou black tea and oolong.  It welcomes experimentation to find your ideal flavor profile.  Following the suggestion on the packaging, I steeped this tea at 185° F which produced full flavor and aroma.  The second steeping tended more dry and astringent and reducing the steeping time by a minute reduced the astringency while still preserving the flavor and aroma.  Reducing the temperature brings out sweeter results or the 195° F recommendation from the website produces a bold cup.  Out of curiousity, I also tried steeping it at 208° F which produced a fascinating aroma of baked fruits, but a flavor that was much, much more bold than I prefer.

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

Tea Review: Tihar Smoked Oolong Tea (Nepali Tea Traders)

Tihar Smoked Oolong Tea
Nepali Tea Traders
Type: Oolong
Origin: Nepal
Product Description: This is a lightly smoked, woody oolong.

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

The dry leaves have an aroma of wood smoke and salt.

The copper red infusion has an aroma of wood smoke and salt with a hint of sweetness.  The taste is smoky and smooth with a long, mellow, smoky finish.

The dry aroma and aftertaste reminded me distinctly of some of my favorite smoked foods.  While the full flavor is in the first infusion, a second and third infusion are also enjoyable if considerably lighter in flavor.

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