Red Organic Purple Bud Tea
This tea represents a special case within Taiwanese black tea production. On the island, in fact, the cultivar #TTSE18 (or also ruby 18) is often used to obtain this type of tea, and the area where it is grown is located near the Sun Moon Lake area. This tea, rather than coming from the lake in the heart of the island, is harvested in different parts of the island because its cultivar of origin is an indigenous variety of camellia that grows high in the mountains and produces leaves with purplish hues. This plant variety is often protected and cultivated by local ethnic groups who carefully preserve its integrity by performing only a few harvests per year, all of which are strictly handmade.
Obviously, the particular shades of color of these tea leaves not only change the aesthetics of the product but also affect its taste, enriching both the aroma and taste of the drink with hints of red berries, with sweet, sour and fruity hints in the mouth that create a very balanced balance of flavors.
Tasting - Sight and Smell
Organic Purple Bud red tea leaves are whole, long and tapered, coiled in shape and brownish-gray in color with mahogany highlights. Once infused, they diffuse sweet caramel and fruit aromas (plum, red fruits), hints of wood and mildly spicy notes, with a balsamic and vaguely menthol finish. In the cup the liqueur is a magnificent amber orange, transparent and very bright; the nose is fruity and sweet, reminiscent of sugar syrup.
Tasting notes
GONG FU CHA
The notes of the first infusion of Purple Bud organic red tea are very sweet and fruity, with hints of plums in syrup, raspberry jam and brown sugar. A light floral note also appears, reminiscent of rose and orange blossom. With the second infusion, the taste intensifies: sweet notes of caramel, scented wood notes and spicy hints of cinnamon and cardamom. The fruity notes are now reminiscent of baked apples and plums. With the third infusion, a balsamic note of eucalyptus emerges, bringing a fresh sensation to the palate. The woody notes also become a bit more intense, then giving way to a sweet finish with hints of red fruits and caramel apple.
TO THE WEST
The attack is distinctly sugary: the flavor is reminiscent of raw cane sugar and caramel, lingering on the palate as syrup. Fruity notes are then immediately noticeable: red fruit compote, baked plum and baked apple. Spicy hints of cinnamon also appear and finally a balsamic and fresh, almost menthol-like sensation. Notes of fragrant wood and cocoa close, while the persistence proves long and fruity, with the sweetness of caramel lingering long on the tongue and bottom of the throat. The body of Purple Bud organic red tea is of medium density, definitely round and very soft on the palate, with no astringency or bitterness.
Location of origin
Taiwan Island
Production
After harvesting, Purple Bud red tea leaves are allowed to wither in the sun for a certain amount of time depending on the producer before moving on to the folding stage. The leaves are then folded and rolled so that the juices inside are stirred and the oxidation process can begin. Once the leaf reaches its typical brown color the residual internal moisture is removed and after a few days of resting the tea is ready to be consumed.
Preparation
We strongly recommend infusing Purple Bud red tea using the traditional Chinese method (gong fu cha) to best enjoy these leaves. Following this preparation, 6 grams of leaves (about 4 teaspoons) can be used in a gaiwan of about 100 ml to obtain multiple infusions with different tastes. After a quick rinse of the leaves in water at 90°C, an initial infusion of 10 seconds can be made, and after that, keeping the water at the same temperature, the time can be increased each time by 5 seconds from the previous infusion (10 - 15 - 20 ...).
This tea has a longevity of about 7 infusions.
For a classic preparation according to the Western style, we recommend 2.5 grams of leaves (about 2 teaspoons) in a 150 ml cup with water at 90°C for an infusion time of one and a half minutes.
The tea can be filtered for ease when tasting and also the infusion times given above here are meant to be purely indicative so you can also adjust according to your personal taste.
We recommend storing in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight.
