Details
Country of Origin: NepalRegion: Ilam
Grade: TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe)
Cup Characteristics: This tea has lovely hints of muscatel and good strength, similar to an excellent Darjeeling.
Infusion: Bright, light tending slightly greenish
Ingredients: Luxury black tea.
Information:
Ilam estate has a Darjeeling-like character with good muscatel flavour. The muscatel flavour is the natural taste of the tea - becoming more pronounced during April (light tasting with astringency and intense flavor) and June (intense flavor with more body). The flavour is on account of the altitude of the tea estate, the soil conditions in the Himalayas the weather patterns, temperature, the originating species of the bush . The leaf appearance is very typical of a well-produced high mountain grown Nepalese tea.
The are 3 main times of year for producing good quality Ilam Nepal teas:
1st flush - springtime harvested teas from late Feb. to mid April. The young leaves yield a light tea with generally intense muscatel with ?point?. A gentle afternoon tea.
2nd flush - Harvested in June, these teas are more fully developed. The liquor is bright and the taste full and round excellent muscatel. A superb afternoon tea that is especially good with scones and raspberry conserve.
Autumnal - Not always available depending upon the weather, they are typified by a round taste and coppery liquor. Excellent as a breakfast tea with milk.
Hot tea-brewing method: This tea is best enjoyed using 2-3 heaping teaspoons for a 6-cup teapot. Allow the tea to steep for 3-5 minutes, remove the leaves and pour. We do not recommend adding milk or sugar since this can mask some of the intrigue and subtle nuances of this vintage tea.