“May 2021 harvest The leaf is clearly thin and delicate and when dry, has a soft, high scent of butterfat with an even softer ‘dark’ undertone. The cut is small and uniform, about the size of sea...” Read full tasting note
“Uh-oh. No notes on this one yet so I’m going to have to figure out the flavor without any help from fancier palates than mine. The cup was a little like a sensory jigsaw puzzle! Plain old Missouri...” Read full tasting note
[Grown using organic methods]
Vanilla sugar, red fruits, camphor
Oxidation: ★★★ / Intensity: ★★★
Astringency (tannins): ★☆☆
Karabeni is a black tea cultivar that is very rare nowadays. It was selected in Shizuoka from seeds brought to Japan from Hubei in China. Unlike other Japanese cultivars that are called “beni,” Karabeni does not have Indian roots.
Do not be tricked by the dried leaves’ appearance; this quite a rich black tea from Nearai, west of Shizuoka Prefecture. Its aromas are very sweet, have vanilla notes, honey notes, and a milky sensation. As it cools, slightly acidic berry nuances appear and develop the complexity of the tasting.
With its very light astringency reminiscent of black tea, the overall impression on the palate remains sweet and aromatic. The infusion is very fluid despite its richness and depth.
This spring Karabeni is an excellent black tea with character. It is perfect when drunk “black,” but is even better with milk. It is also a tea with a lot of potential for aging and maturing.
Type of tea : Black tea
Origin : Nearai, Kita Borough, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Cultivar : Karabeni
Harvest : May 8th 2021
Brewing suggestion
Quantity of leaves: 3g / 1tsp Quantity of water : 150ml / 2/3 cup Water temperature : 95-100°C / 203-212°F Brewing time : 180sCompany description not available.