The tragedy with simplicity is that you’re likely to miss the point. Almost makes you wish simplicity was expensive and sounds were less extravagant so we’d have to work towards, to earn and save them. Then again, thank God, they’re not!! But if simplicity has some appealing authenticity, then the ‘point’ will come to you, in time, in a very much ‘eureka’ moment – like a glimpse of the larger picture has been revealed. But like all revelations and meanings – It can’t come too soon!
We experienced this firsthand. The Autumn sweetness, swaying between Fruity and Floral, with the spring-water minerality of the brewed tea came readily; even the strawberry aroma of the brewed tea leaves was very apparent but there was something else. Something simple and significant that made its presence felt but we weren’t really able to, quite place it. It took a while before the ‘Quaint’ flavor came to us and it was such a revelation – Very non-contemporary- Of old fashioned ‘Paan’ (Betel Leaf) shops in rural India.
Specifically Of ‘Supari’ (Betel Nut) and ‘Kattha’(Wood Essence of Catechu tree) even the refreshing hint of Mint, that make up the ingredients of the traditional ‘Paan’. It’s a bit of an acquired, classical taste on its own, but with the sweetness of this tea a whole dimension to its gamut of flavors is added – Just like the sweet ‘Gulkand’ (a thick, juicy, sweet condiment made from Rose preserve) added to the traditional Paan, though not quite as fragrant. The hard-wood texture of the Supari and the woody-mineral flavor of Kattha seems to thicken and spread out the sweetness. The Fruity-Floral honey like sweet gamut is distributed across the palette, that seems to result in its long-aftertaste.
Make no mistake about it, it is a very Quaint and Classical Autumn tea. One of those ‘Old-School-Cools’. The Old-fashioned simplicity of its flavor has a timeless allure. The flavor profile is extremely comforting and robust with no astringency, whatsoever.