Tea: Nilgiri SFTGFOP
A Black Tea from Octavia Tea
This tea has been retired/discontinued.
Brand: | Octavia Tea |
Style: | Black Tea |
Region: | Nilgiri, India |
Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
Loose? | Loose |
# Ratings: | 1 View All |
Reviewer: Alex Zorach
✓ 1453 teas reviewed
✓ 501 of Black Tea
✓ 954 of Pure Tea (Camellia sinensis)
✓ 40 of Octavia Tea
✓ 10 from Nilgiri, India
✓ 10 from Tamil Nadu, India
Review of Nilgiri SFTGFOP
December 19th, 2014
Aroma | Flavor | Value | Total |
9 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 90 of 100 |
Superb | Excellent | Outstanding |
An excellent, light-bodied black tea that was new and different for me. Prior to trying this tea, I had tried a handful of Nilgiri teas, but none had wowed me; most tasted a lot like generic black teas. This tea definitely stood out.
Brews up a light-colored cup, with a clear color, a lot like a second-flush Darjeeling in color. Aroma is very intense, and highly floral, almost perfumey. The floral character is completely unlike any other black tea I've had before. There's also a sort of sweet grainy quality in the aroma, not at all like malt but more like oatmeal or cream of wheat.
Medium-light bodied, with only a pleasant astringency. Slightly richer tasting than some light, high-grown teas.
Easily brews up a second cup, which was similar in overall character.
I think Octavia's brewing recommendations of using one tablespoon of leaf are far too strong for this one, and produce a cup that would probably be a bit harsh to most people: the leaf is small and doesn't take up much space relative to its weight. I recommend a teaspoon of leaf per cup, my standard for black teas. It also seems relatively strongly caffeinated.
The bulk price is excellent for a top grade of tea. I recommend this tea to anyone who likes Nilgiri teas and wants to try a top-notch example of them. I also recommend it to anyone who likes lighter, high-grown teas like Darjeeling first flush, but wants a change of pace.