The leaves are black, full, and uniform as they are sprinkled into the tea pot. The fragrance is malty, slightly smoky, loamy, slightly sweet and herbaceous. Steeping at just one teaspoon per six ounce cup in 205 degree fresh water for three minutes creates a beautiful dark red amber tea with a smooth and balanced aroma. The taste is smooth but full on the tongue, solidly astringent although not puckering, slightly tangy and sweet, and leaves a long finish on the palate. This, to me, is the quintessential taste of tea. Everything else should be compared to this. It is also an outstanding value as provided by New Mexico Tea Company at $0.24 per six ounce cup (or less if purchased in volume). After enjoying this tea I felt invigorated and focused with many memories of enjoying excellent cups of tea around the world.
Flavors: Green Wood, Loam, Malt, Smoke, Smooth
