Royal Black, classic black tea from the Himalayas, 50 g

This is an interesting tea, with certain aspects of its flavor profile reminding me strongly of Yunnan black teas, and others reminding me of Nepalese black teas. The aromatics are bright and focused, with crisp notes of lemon, grannysmith apple, and plenty of fresh-cut cedar leaping out of these leaves. It’s vibrant, and has depth, which really comes out in the cup. There’s a thick malty note that glues the high aromatics to the deep body, which has notes of lightly-fermented lychee and hints of plum, along with strong undertones of milk chocolate… this is a very enjoyable combination of flavors. These leaves are easy and straightforward to brew up Western-style, but also respond well to higher ratios and more focused approaches to peeling the layers of flavor apart. There’s a lot to enjoy, and I’m sure over the years, this one will age nicely too. I love the way the flavors evolve on the palate, and even the aftertaste has a lingering complexity to it, with a nice honey-like sweetness, and a soft grip felt on the tongue – not drying or astringent, more cleansing and refreshing.