This weekend we are celebrating a break in the heat wave. We will be comparing the flavours of tea from India as well as offering a great Chinese oolong to enjoy hot or cold.
The summertime brings with it a craving for lighter brews. If you are not a friend of green tea, first flush Darjeelings have a delicate body without the vegetal flavours found in green teas. “In what remains one of the highest-altitude tea-growing regions in the world, in the cool air and hardscrabble soil of the Himalayan foothills, the tea leaves grow slowly, taking on lovely variegated flavors” (The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea). We are enamoured with the subtle notes of pineapple and lilies that can be found in a cup of Liza Hill Darjeeling.
Korakundah FOP is a welcome alternative to a heavy breakfast tea this time of year. This smooth-bodied black tea from southern India is also certified Organic and Fair Trade. The FOP in its name stands for Flowery Orange Pekoe, which is a designation of leaf size. ”Today, Flowery mostly means a tea made up of the largest available particles. Broken means the tea consists of smaller, broken pieces. Generally speaking, the larger the leaf particles, the mellower and more sophisticated the tea” (The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea). There are hints of darker fruit flavours in Korahundah’s brew, however the tea drinking experience is enjoyable largely due to its simplicity.
Our featured flavoured tea this weekend is Pomegranate Oolong. Oolongs are a category of tea that spans the gap between the 0% oxidation of green tea and the 100% oxidation of black tea. The Ti Quan Yin oolong that serves as a base for the fruity pomegrante flavour has a medium body and a delicate floral taste. The two pair nicely together as a refreshing hot tea or served over ice.
