Review: The English Tea Store’s Nonsuch Estate Nilgiri Tea

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The Subject:	Nonsuch Estate Nilgiri
Company:	The English Tea Store

Straight Tea Rating:
About the rating designation.

Water temperature:	212° F
Steeping time:	2-5 mins.
Tea type:	Black
Dry leaves:	Broken leaf, aroma varies with steeping time

Round A, 1st Infusion:
Steeping time —	2 mins.
Aroma, plain —	Lightly fragrant
Taste, plain —	Mild, fruity, slightly tangy as cooled
Color, plain —	Light amber
Round B, 1st Infusion:
Steeping time —	5 mins.
Aroma, plain —	Richly fragrant
Taste, plain —	Strong, slightly bitter
Color, plain —	Dark amber
Taste, enhanced —	Takes milk well, needs some sweetener
Round B, 2nd Infusion:
Steeping time —	5 mins.
Aroma, plain —	Light, weak
Taste, plain —	Lighter taste, no sweetener needed
Color, plain —	Lighter amber

 

Comments:
This tea from the Nilgiri region of India is said to taste similar to Ceylon teas. The Nonsuch Estate teas, though, are supposed to have a fruitiness. That depends. How long you steep this tea can vary the taste considerably. The vendor gives a steeping time range of 2 to 5 minutes. We tried the tea first at 2 minutes and did a second round with fresh leaves at 5 minutes. Quite a difference.

Round A steeped at 2 minutes was light, fruity, and needed no additives. A great tea break for those who like their tea straight.

Round B steeped at 5 minutes, was more similar to a nice Assam tea, with a dark amber color and malty aroma and taste that endured even with a bit of milk added. Perfect for those who like milk in their tea and a stronger taste.

The leaf pieces are broken leaf, clearly evident when dry and after steeping:

The tea in the photo here is Round B, 1st Infusion. The “Thé” (“Tea”) towel was a gift from hubby several years ago. Even then, we were stocking up on items to include in our tea review photos.

Disclaimer: This tea was provided by the company named. However, the rating of the tea and any opinions concerning it are always strictly objective.