Organic Himalayan Honey Green

This organic tea comes from gardens situated at an elevation of about 6,000 feet in the Dhankuta district of eastern Nepal, from which the major peaks of the eastern Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, may be viewed.  The leaves are from the first plucking in mid-March 2023. The first plucking is special because the severe winter dormancy means these first "virgin" (grower's term) leaves have conserved compounds that give the tea its best features. Withering on bamboo mats is followed by hand-rolling. They are machine dried but are otherwise hand processed and slightly oxidized (about 20%), which seems to bring out a welcome sweetness.  The best of China's Greens have a floral or vegetal note, or a fresh, clean taste, or a chestnut-y finish, but that layer of palatableness is not often found.  This tippy "Green" from Nepal shines with that extra bit of intensity on the palate and in the finish. Its honeysuckle notes are predominant, and the aroma that wafts upward when the lid is lifted from the mug brings to mind a walk through blooming trees in an orchard, not cloying, but softly pervasive. Given the location, there is a nice bonus of muscatel in the aroma. Considering the minimal handling of this hand-rolled tea, the bouquet and flavor are surprising and very satisfying. This is not a minimalist tasting tea. Unusual for a green tea, this one works well when brewed in a covered bowl or a gongfu pot, with very brief steeping times. If you let the liquor cool to room temperature, you'll find it tasty as a "cold" tea too. Use 3g of dry leaves (a generous rounded teaspoon) of dry leaf to for each 6-ounce cup, steeping for 3 minutes in spring water heated to 175-185°F.
 

Himalayan Honey Green Tea Garden at right -->