Royal Ceylon Flowery Black Tea

This black tea has a robust and full-bodied flavor, with hints of maltiness and a bold aroma.

Great taste!!

Grabbed a sample of this from the tea box, but I’ve been procrastinating trying it since it didn’t seem very exciting. Yeah, it was way too light and mild for my tastes in black tea. The color came out quite clear as well. I didn’t add milk because that would drown out all tea taste. Instead, I added some raspberry extract so that my cup would taste like something. The tea itself didn’t taste bad. It did have a nice flavor, but it was too light.

This was my first Nuwara Eliya tea, and it’s impressive. Definitely recommend it if you like lighter aromatic teas.

Found it’s available online https://www.amazon.com/Black-Tea/dp/B08669VSP1/

Thanks so much for the tea, Elephant Chateau! I’m so sorry the review is so late but I’ve tried it MANY times. The sample from Elephant Chateau was big enough that I’ve been experimenting with this tea, steeping multiple ways. So this has been the tea I’ve been drinking most frequently. First, if you were to ask me what my least favorite black tea type is, I would say “Ceylon”. It is never the flavor profile I like from a black tea. BUT I shouldn’t say “never” because this is not a typical tasting Ceylon. It is much different than most Ceylon teas I’ve tried— and luckily much tastier. The leaves are bigger, twistier, mahogany colored with a hint of scarlet and sometimes green leaves. It’s odd to see some of the steeped leaves in the basket turn green? The green leaves look like an oolong or green tea. Maybe this is why the flavor is so odd for a black tea? No matter how I steep it, the color of the brew is pumpkin amber. I’ve tried everything from one teaspoon to three teaspoons for a mug, which I don’t think I’ve done with many teas. However, if using three teaspoons, I definitely don’t suggest using boiling water (it was a little bitter on the second steep when I boiled it). Three teaspoons expanded to almost the entire steep basket. But I think I prefer the flavor when I use two teaspoons. This tea is so hard to describe no matter how I steep it, but I would say the main note is squash and sometimes hints of cinnamon. But the only note I seem to get is squash… maybe other palates are better than mine. I apologize I can’t puzzle this tea out. But I wanted to post a tasting note already. So this is very good for a Ceylon but I do wish the tea had more depth.

(drank a few more cups before reviewing)

There is a definite hint of jasmine in the maltiness that I’m tasting but its hard to pin down.

I didn’t expect this to be good iced (with no sugar or milk), however it is delicious.
I recommend 3.5 grams of tea brewed in half the water for 3 minutes and immediately iced.

Elephant Chateau’s Nuwara Eliya is a superb quality Ceylon Tea. You get an intimation of this from the beautiful black envelope-package in which it comes. The reason it is a large envelope is because the extremely fresh leaves inside are fluffy and full. This is unusual to find in many Sri Lanka teas, and Is a good sign. More frequently, Sri Lankan teas in the marketplace are broken leaves, often broken into little pieces, or even fine pieces. The one exception to that for me has been New Vithanakande, but this tea presents an even better leaf that speaks to its quality.

The tea is light when brewed, and quite refreshing, no doubt in part to the freshness, but also the unmistakable quality. I have had two distinct types of Nuwara Eliya, one with a sweet Assamica roundness, and others with a Sinensis (China) astringency and clarity. This tea (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MG569D5) falls into the first category, with a tempered “fullness” and sweetness that you’ll find in a First Flush Assam. I found that when you use less leaf you get a lighter taste, reducing the maltiness, but still with satisfying flavor.

Disclosure: This was a freebie from the company, promoted in the Steepster forums.
I added nothing to it. It’s very smooth, with caramel and floral notes. It has a nice complex flavor for a black tea brewed western style. Thanks for the free tea!

First attempt at low temperature brewing of this black tea with 4 infusions (30 seconds each) to explore the profile that emerges.

I am pleasantly suprised by the outcome at 90 degrees (which I hear is quite a low temp for black tea).

- Personally enjoyed the 2nd and 3rd infusions the most at these temps especially.

- The bitterness and astringency I generally associate with black tea is non-existent with this high altitude variety at this temperature and the hidden aromas-flavors (flowery bouquet) are easier to appreciate.

- I get a very light citrus, mostly floral flavor with a beautiful light orange colored syrup. Very smooth, which is characteristic of the region this tea originates from (Nuawara Eliya from the product description).

Next attempt I will be using a variable temperature tea kettle to really pinpoint some other temperatures and will expand more on the details of each infusion.

Very floral and fruity, much more than I initially expected. A morning tea favorite at our house.