New Vithanakande

Great daily drinker with milk. Astringency is pretty mild. Would be great as an earl grey or blended with other herbs/spices. Makes a wonderful chai, especially with black pepper.

Finicky with temp and steeping time to get the best out of it, easy to over-steep.

Nice dark brew, brisk for the morning. Not in a good state to comment on taste, since I’m seriously sleep deprived. Definitely a waker upper though. Finished my sample from Upton Tea this morning. Would buy again.

The liquor brews to a dark brown. New Vithanakanda describes it as a russet color, and after comparing the two, I have to agree. The steeped aroma from the spent leaves and from the liquor itself are remarkably similar to the dry leaf aroma with overtones of honey and only the faintest heat notes.

When drinking this tea, the light astringency sets in and excites the palate. The honeyed overtones remain, but accompanied by the astringency creates an interesting contrast.

This tea is good for two or three steepings with good flavor, but it does fade quickly after the first brew. Each new set of leaves provides a remarkably consistent flavor profile though and I’ve found I can count on this tea to give me the same experience nearly every time.