Additional Information
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Starting at $ 4.91
Refined from the heritage assamica strands brought to Taiwan by the Japanese during the colonial years of Taiwan (1895-1945), this TRES No. 8 assamica clonal strand presents itself as a large, wonderfully curled and lustrous full leaf; reminiscent of the best Bao Zhongs or Wuyi style oolongs. A wonderfully fruity aroma emanates from the cup that evokes stewed cherries and apricot jam. In the cup, one experiences a round, fruity sweetness that is quite heady and very refreshing. A warm velvety yet full body satisfies the palate and withstands the test of a dash of milk. This is not a tea that is as thick and robust as an Indian Assam; it is a perfect example at how Taiwan’s unique terroir inflects its naturally aromatic charm to all non-endemic tea varietals. This first production of 2023 has a sophisticated exuberance that makes it exotically satisfying, it is a “must try” tea for all English style tea drinkers… and oolong drinkers alike! Lot 1228 comes from the same producer as all of our previous lots but was picked and made in mid-April with leaves coming from our favourite grower. You’ll definitely be in familiar territory if you bought any earlier iterations. After years of working with the same network of partners, we’re happy to be now part of the inner circle giving us access to a privileged channel that helps us bring you the best productions. This producer consistently produces teas that are sweet with a good fruity quench and a nice mellow structure to highlight the stone fruit accents. We are quite proud of this nice find and can now confidently state that it will please the many fans of this tea.
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It may come as a surprise to many tea enthusiasts that only consider Taiwan as a source of magnificent oolongs, but Taiwan has also a long history of producing black teas that date back to the early 1920’s. Then under Japanese rule, Yuchi township, situated on the shores of the scenic Sun Moon Lake of central Taiwan, was chosen for it’s perfect climate and soil for the growing of Assamica tea bushes. The Japanese objective was then to compete with the striving British commerce that ruled over the trade of black tea. Never could they compete in yield, but, surprisingly enough, the quality of these Taiwanese black teas attracted such attention that it sold very well in New York and London. At the height of this trend, just before the Second World War, black tea plantations occupied 3000 hectares of land compared to a little less than 100 today and represented 93% of all tea exports from Taiwan. With the demise of the Japanese at the conclusion of WW II, black tea virtually disappeared from the island. Today, one can easily experience why this tea was successful through the revival of this heritage Assam tea.
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Sil (verified owner) –
This is a refined tea – there are no bold notes here, instead it’s a sweet gentle and fruity taste. I am a fan!
muriel –
un thé aux immenses feuilles, à la fois doux et plein d’une étonnante vigueur, probablement dû à l’assam. cela change de certains thés noirs taiwanais, parfois un peu doucereux. les odeurs qui sont dégagent sont innombrables et étonnantes, un thé parfait pour le matin, qui met d’excellente humeur. et un rapport qualité-prix assez imbattable.
余馨 (verified owner) –
I’ve loved this offering as a robust, everyday tea that is bulletproof to brew. It has always given consistent pleasure in the cup even on those unfortunate days when life is not all about the tea and brewing times and temperatures may not receive my undivided attention. Always fruity and flavoursome, never tannic even when left to stew!
So this 640 I’m now drinking is an absolute surprise. Never would I have thought I would employ such descriptors as “subtle”, “refined” in relation to the T-8 Assamica, but here goes…
After the robust berries and cherries of the 363 & 464 then the punchy dried stone fruits, spice and incense of the 577, this 640 has knocked me down with a feather. Rather than the vibrant amber to russet colours of its predecessors, this brews to a light honey colour in the cup which heralds the delicate tea flavour threaded with subtlest notes of light honey and gooseberry.
After first alarming them with 100C water, I have let this sit on the leaves and tasted through the development – some toasty undertones arrive just as I drain the last cooling liquor from the leaves.
A still refined brew even for a day when you may be inclined to wet and forget your leaves!
hrafnas (verified owner) –
A terrific tea – works both for everyday brew and sessions with full attention to its complex and yummy profile. And between lots, the flavor and aroma profile is always both robustly similar and interestingly varied in subtle ways (currently on third lot of this tea). Agree with other reviewer that it is incredibly forgiving – have oversteeped numerous times (I drink it almost every day) and have had to discard it only a handful of times. Would honestly say this is one of the absolute best teas I have had the pleasure of drinking.