Tea: Tanzania Luponde Black Organic Tea FOP
A Black Tea from Simpson & Vail - Organic - Fair Trade
Brand: | Simpson & Vail |
Style: | Black Tea |
Region: | Tanzania |
Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
Loose? | Loose |
# Ratings: | 2 View All |
Product page: | Tanzania Luponde Black Organic Tea FOP |
Reviewer: Alex Zorach
✓ 1452 teas reviewed
✓ 500 of Black Tea
✓ 953 of Pure Tea (Camellia sinensis)
✓ 42 of Simpson & Vail
✓ 12 from Tanzania
Review of Tanzania Luponde Black Organic Tea FOP
December 4th, 2022
Aroma | Flavor | Value | Total |
8 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 81 of 100 |
Excellent | Good | Outstanding |
This was one of the higher-quality teas I've tried from Tanzania, pleasing to drink, unique and interesting, also extraordinarily value-priced.
The dry leaf has a pleasant and potent aroma, malty and with a hint of caraway and fruity notes. The leaf is on the intact / whole side of what I would expect for the FOP grade. It's refreshing to get orthodox teas out of Tanzania as most of what they make is finely-broken CTC stuff that is not as complex aromatically.
The brewed cup is rather brisk, with a nice body and depth. The aroma is strong, fruity and malty but in a different way from an Assam, a bit fresher and brighter; overall this tea has a decisively African character, tasting a lot like other teas I've tried from Tanzania, as well as other countries including Kenya, Malawi, and Rwanda. There is a slight tannic harshness, but it's easily overlooked and perhaps appreciated if you are looking for a strong cup. The flavor is balanced and rich: lightly bitter, also sweet and savory, and slightly sour. If you brew it strongly, there is a wintergreen note in the finish which I really like, that is one of my favorite aromatic qualities in tea, and it's often an indicator of me liking how I feel after drinking the tea, and this one is no exception.
The resteep is just as good as the first steep. I always steep this tea twice and am always happy with the second cup. The wintergreen notes often still come out in the second cup, which I especially like.
The price on this is unbeatable. 4 ounces for $8.60? For orthodox tea of decent grade and this quality, that's a steal. The sample is also a great deal: $2.45 for a full ounce! Try this one when you order from S&V. It is worth trying it just as a novelty, but if you like strong teas you might want to order more of this.