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    Acala Tea Co.

    "Nepali Gold" Organic Red (Black) Tea

    "Nepali Gold" Organic Red (Black) Tea

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    $9.00 USD
    $9.00 USD
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    Gold teas are somewhat of a rarity in Acala's tea world, so we have a hard time categorizing this one.  Even though gold tea is processed using similar techniques as red (black) tea, the few tweaks that they use during processing make it taste more like a sheng pu'er. 

    Two leaves and the terminal bud are hand-plucked during the second flush of harvest season and left to wither to allow the moisture to evaporate before rolling and oxidizing.  The color and flavor of the golden buds begin to emerge as the oxidation process takes place.  When the leaves have reached their ideal oxidation state, the leaves are dried to lock the flavor in place.

    Tea Specifics

    Organic Golden Black Tea Leaves

    Cultivar: Camellia sinesis (used for Orthodox Tea like this)

    Region: Ilam, Nepal

    Gold (black) tea contains 40-60mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup. As the tea ages, the caffeine levels decline over time because light and leaf oxidation reduce caffeine. Thus, an aged red tea that is decades old may not contain much caffeine at all. If you have the willpower to resist drinking this tea and to instead store and age the tea, the taste profile will only deepen.

    Tasting Notes

    Tastes and Brews Similar to Sheng Pu'er, Slightly Astringent, Light Sweetness

    Brewing Recommendations

    Serving Size: 4-6g of tea per 100ml purified water

    Ideal Brewing Vessel: Porcelain or glass tea pot or gaiwan. Because the leaves need space to unfurl, we do not recommend brewing with a tea sachet.

    Gong Fu Style Steeping: Boil water to 185-195F/85-91C and then wait for the water to stop bubbling before pouring the water down the inside of the brewing vessel, not directly on the leaves. Brew for 30 seconds, then replace the lid and pour the liquor into a gong dao bei (fairness pitcher) before apportioning into tea cups.  Add 15 seconds for each subsequent brew. Remove the lid of the brewing vessel to allow the leaves to cool between steepings. Flash brewing in this manner ensures this tea can be brewed up to 5+ times and brewed again the following morning if left overnight.

    Western Style Brewing: Steep 3g tea in a mug with a steeping basket, or tea pot with strainer, for 2 minutes. Water temperature should be 195F/91C.

    Cold Brew: Place 4g of tea in an Ethoz Tea Brewer or other tea brewer. Fill with 450ml purified water and refrigerator overnight.

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