I've only had a few "premium" black teas so far. I recently gave this one a try:
http://www.rishi-tea.com/product/ceylon ... /black-tea
The leaves appear to be good quality, unbroken, and have a fruit-heavy scent that makes me think of prunes.
I prepared it in this manner:
5.5g of tea leaf
250ml water, boiled, poured into a "kyusu" teapot
2m first infusion
It's actually very good. Aroma is very alluring when infused, and the resulting liquid is sweet, full and even throughout.
A second follow up infusion at 2m 30s with the same amount of boiled water is also appealing. Instead of becoming harsher like the Yunnanese tea that has most recently been my "black teas", it keeps a similar profile, though slightly weaker. I haven't had a chance to do a third infusion, so I might try that this weekend.
This tea, insofar as black tea goes, is not very tannic.
As you can tell, I'm awful at explaining my experience!
This is my first Ceylon tea. When getting into higher grade teas, my exposure to hongchas has been relatively limited compared to the others. I had been wanting to try some Indic-region produced teas and decided on this one over the Assam due to price.
This is not a tea that asks for anything to be added to it, as it's very satisfying on it's own. If you're thinking about trying it, I think it was a worthwhile experience.
M.
Nov 22nd, '13, 09:56
Posts: 445
Joined: Mar 25th, '13, 23:03
Location: Lexington Park, Maryland
Nov 22nd, '13, 10:09
Posts: 375
Joined: Jun 15th, '09, 07:05
Location: Lat: N 59º 37' 3.79" Long: E 17º 49' 35.49" or thereabouts
Re: Rishi's "Single Estate" Ceylon
If you'd like to try more Ceylon teas I can recommend Canton Tea Co's Amba Estate. One of the best Sri Lankan teas I've tried. =)
Re: Rishi's "Single Estate" Ceylon
Is this short for Ambagasdowa Estate?sriracha wrote:If you'd like to try more Ceylon teas I can recommend Canton Tea Co's Amba Estate. One of the best Sri Lankan teas I've tried. =)
Nov 22nd, '13, 12:09
Posts: 375
Joined: Jun 15th, '09, 07:05
Location: Lat: N 59º 37' 3.79" Long: E 17º 49' 35.49" or thereabouts
Re: Rishi's "Single Estate" Ceylon
I'm sorry, but I don't know. On the CTC website it just says 'Amba'.Tead Off wrote:Is this short for Ambagasdowa Estate?sriracha wrote:If you'd like to try more Ceylon teas I can recommend Canton Tea Co's Amba Estate. One of the best Sri Lankan teas I've tried. =)
http://www.cantonteaco.com/amba-estate-ceylon-tea.html
If you find out anything, please let me know.
Re: Rishi's "Single Estate" Ceylon
My guess is that it is Ambadandegama Estate, which also goes by the name of Amba Estate:Tead Off wrote:Is this short for Ambagasdowa Estate?sriracha wrote:If you'd like to try more Ceylon teas I can recommend Canton Tea Co's Amba Estate. One of the best Sri Lankan teas I've tried. =)
http://www.ambaestate.com/home
Best wishes,
sherubtse
Re: Rishi's "Single Estate" Ceylon
Thanks for that. Tea leaves look good, nothing like the Ambagasdowa I have.sherubtse wrote:My guess is that it is Ambadandegama Estate, which also goes by the name of Amba Estate:Tead Off wrote:Is this short for Ambagasdowa Estate?sriracha wrote:If you'd like to try more Ceylon teas I can recommend Canton Tea Co's Amba Estate. One of the best Sri Lankan teas I've tried. =)
http://www.ambaestate.com/home
Best wishes,
sherubtse
Nov 23rd, '13, 10:19
Posts: 375
Joined: Jun 15th, '09, 07:05
Location: Lat: N 59º 37' 3.79" Long: E 17º 49' 35.49" or thereabouts
Re: Rishi's "Single Estate" Ceylon
Looking at your link I see Beverly Wainwright mentioned both there and at Canton Teas, so I believe you are right. Thanks!sherubtse wrote:My guess is that it is Ambadandegama Estate, which also goes by the name of Amba Estate:Tead Off wrote:Is this short for Ambagasdowa Estate?sriracha wrote:If you'd like to try more Ceylon teas I can recommend Canton Tea Co's Amba Estate. One of the best Sri Lankan teas I've tried. =)
http://www.ambaestate.com/home
Best wishes,
sherubtse
Re: Rishi's "Single Estate" Ceylon
Here ia an article that gives some background on Amba & Beverley:
http://www.cantonteaco.com/blog/2013/12 ... led-green/
Best wishes,
sherubtse
http://www.cantonteaco.com/blog/2013/12 ... led-green/
Best wishes,
sherubtse
Dec 20th, '13, 09:35
Posts: 445
Joined: Mar 25th, '13, 23:03
Location: Lexington Park, Maryland
Re: Rishi's "Single Estate" Ceylon
What was the verdict on the Ambadandegama estate tea? I notice it is sold at www.teahong.com with one very glowing review and a stellar description by Leo, the teamaster at Teahong.
Mar 17th, '14, 21:41
Posts: 445
Joined: Mar 25th, '13, 23:03
Location: Lexington Park, Maryland
Re: Rishi's "Single Estate" Ceylon
Unfortunately I haven't had that one. I haven't actually been able to order from TeaHong in about a year now. Shipping -starts- at about 18USD which, at my current budget, hasn't been justifiable. Once I get a quantity of tea to make the shipping worth while, I'm usually looking at about $50 in shipping charges
However, I trust Leo's judgement, so if he's marketing it there's probably good quality.
M.
However, I trust Leo's judgement, so if he's marketing it there's probably good quality.
M.
Re: Rishi's "Single Estate" Ceylon
I've never had what I consider to be a good Sri Lankan tea, but this one seems to be in another class according to the photos and write up that Leo gives it. I've been ordering teas from them and like their selections, especially the Yancha and Dancong teas. I would also agree that the shipping is somewhat on the high side even for me in Asia!