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“I’m in a no-frills mood today. My husband had knee surgery on Monday, so I’m pretty much running dead on my feet. I need the warmth, the simplicity, the CAFFEINE to make it through the work day...” Read full tasting note
“Almost a sipdown on this one today — two cups worth left. This has been languishing in my desk drawer for a while, so I might take it home and finish it off this weekend. Then I can replace it with...” Read full tasting note
“I’d rather drink Adagio’s Irish Breakfast. I’m not sure what’s going on in this one but it seems like some thing is wrong. I find that “tea” taste with quite a bit of bitterness. I swear I’m...” Read full tasting note
“Another sample comes to an end. I’m digging this more than usual this morning, I usually prefer Ceylons cold, and like to drink maltier blacks hot.” Read full tasting note
Ceylon Sonata is a classic black tea from Sri Lanka. In colonial times, this island nation was known as Ceylon. This name is still used to describe all teas grown here. Ceylon tea is bright and lively, medium-bodied and delightfully tangy. Our Ceylon Sonata hails from the renowned Kenilworth Estate, located in Sri Lanka’s Kandy region. Fresh, citrusy aroma, sweet juicy notes like mandarin peel or grapefruit, refreshing texture, and balanced astringency. The perfect afternoon tea.
The first tea plant was smuggled into Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) in 1824. While it was not intended for commercial uses at the time, it wasn’t long before more plants arrived, and by 1867, the first tea plantation was founded by Scotsman James Taylor. By the 1880s, following a severe blight in the 1870s, nearly all coffee plantations had converted to tea. Now, Sri Lanka is one of the world’s largest producers of tea, with six main growing regions across several elevations and growing conditions.
Black Tea | High caffeine | Steep at 212° for 3-5 minutes.
Adagio Teas has become one of the most popular destinations for tea online. Its products are available online at www.adagio.com and in many gourmet and health food stores.
This is one of my favorite black teas. It has a vivid and deep brown brew, a nice classic black tea flavor, very low bitterness, wholesome and satisfying mouth feel with a nice malty level, making this a terrific daily drinker for me.
Ceylon is probably the vanilla of the tea world; assam would probably be chocolate. Its ubiquitous in the same way vanilla is. It’s a base for a lot of blends, since it is so plain. Most teabags unless stated otherwise are going to be some form of ceylon or ceylon like. I don’t tend to go for strait ceylon, as I find the flavor boring and sometimes low quality. But I wanted to try this one plain as I do sometimes want to add it to mixes plain when I am going for something brisk, and less heavy than assam.
Got this in adagios single serving plain black tea box. Been needing to try more of their plain tea bases and this was the cheapest way to do so. Knowing their ceylon, like most, don’t take to boiled water well, I brewed it around 200f and just at 3 minuets to avoid bitterness, and combined two steepings. It has that classic ice tea taste. Kinda a toasty, roasted tea base that is accented with undertones of orange citrus acidity and flavor, that finishes dry and pleasantly brisk. This is a very plain Jane tea, but it’s not bad. Its a huge step up from Lipton tea bags; though anything is a steep up from those tannin fannings. If you wanted to make classic ice tea with some fruit thrown in, this is it. Just mind your steeping.
Overall good and is pleasant, just don’t expect to be wowed.
Flavors: Citrus, Drying, Metallic, Smooth, Toasty
I can’t tell what is going on with my tastebuds today (I have a cold), and I may have used too much tea, because this is simultaneously weak (a little too understeeped to be “delicate”) and bitter, as if it’s slightly oversteeped. However, it’s classy enough that I will try it again with a little less tea, and that doctored with honey and lemon for my throat it hits the spot just right.
Flavors: Grass, Metallic
In my experience, “weak” usually comes from too little tea and “bitter” usually comes from steeping too hot or too long, so it’s definitely possible to have both! ;)
Makes sense. I usually hit one or the other, so I was a little baffled this time, especially since I was sure I had put too much tea in for my 2 cup French press. But I think the tea is a bit old, so I guess I’ll do more tea/less time next go round. Thanks!
Age can definitely be a factor too. Good luck!
I was first introduced to tea some years ago by my British roommate at the time. This tea always reminds me of the tea he used to make. I have tried a couple of other Ceylons, and this one is still currently my favorite. I drink mine with milk and sugar, and it never fails to make my taste buds feel at home. For me, this tea has a nice malty flavor with a hint of citrus. I will drink this tea in the morning, but in my opinion, it is perfect for afternoon tea.
