Wonders of Tea

Black Pearls Dragon Tea (Teavana)

Another great Teavana tea reviewed today and one many people are more familiar with in its green form as tightly rolled leaves like this are popular as “Jasmine Pearls“.

Black Dragon Pearl Black Tea comes from the southernmost area of China, Yunnan province, home to the range of mountains the province is named after. The area produces a number of well-known teas, in particular Pu-erh and Yunnan red or black tea also known as Dian Hong tea. The history of tea growing in this area is a rich and ancient one. The distinction between black teas produced in the Yunnan Province and those grown elsewhere is that Dian Hong teas have a high number of golden leaf bud tips that are fermented with lychees, rose and longan. The pekoe grade for this tea is high indicating a production process of exacting quality.

The teas produced are of a very high quality and are sought after amongst seasoned drinkers. The use of aromatic roses and longan in its production add complementary flavors to balance its malty taste. This black tea variety can become slightly bitter when steeped too long, a common trait of black teas. Despite this, Black Dragon Pearl Black Tea can be infused up to three times and still retain its malty and delicate flavors. When brewed it has a deep rich auburn color whose aroma make it immediately identifiable to the nasal palate and when drunk it has a very smooth and chocolaty taste.

Suitable for morning or afternoon tea, Black Dragon Pearl Black Tea is a luxurious drink that can be enjoyed just as well with or without sugar (or honey) and milk. It contains relatively low caffeine levels for those who might have concerns and compares well to other low caffeine teas. The health benefits of black teas are well known and include cholesterol reduction, vascular benefits and tea contains fluoride so is even good for the teeth! Polyphenols, antioxidants found in tannin, a component of tea are an excellent way of building strength into the body’s defenses as well as helping to remove toxins from the blood.

Black Dragon Pearl Black Tea is hand-rolled into small balls which hold in the flavors better until the tea is prepared. Unfurled, these small rolls of leaves contain a number of roasted and gold-tipped leaves of a very high grade. Herbal teas blend well with this type of tea and are suitable for children due to the low caffeine content. A daily cup of this balanced black tea blended with fine fruits and flowers can make an ideal start to anyone’s day.

Available form Teavana.

Score: 8/10

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Assam Gold Rain Tea (Teavana)

Assam Gold Rain Black Tea originates from Assam, a region in the misty foothills of the Himalayas in Northern India. Assam has been a source of fine black teas since the colonial days of British rule. Britain made some serious money growing opium in India back in the heady empire days of the early 1800’s and for over 25 years sold it to the Chinese across the Himalayan borders. They had to raise silver bullion in order to buy tea from Chinas Eastern seaboard ports. The Chinese, the only tea growers at the time, only took silver as trade for tea and were in fact duped into a roundabout way of swapping opium (which ruined their economy in some areas due to heavy addiction rates) for their tea. A kind of silver recycling program that ultimately caused the opium wars when China realized what was going on. In the wake of this, the British, who didn’t want to buy tea from the Dutch, founded tea plantations across several regions of India. With this amazing history of tea growing, the Assam area has developed impressively from an area with unruly immigrant tea plantation workers and problems with hybrids in the 19th century to modern day controlled and well-managed estates.

Following the development of the now standard Camellia Assamica, named after the area, tea growing became more organized and the Assam name became synonymous with a fine black tea with particular flavors and aromas that are associated with the hybridized plant and the unique soil and climate conditions that the plantations are grown in. Assam is now the largest producer of tea from and single region worldwide.

The tea crop in Assam is harvested twice a year; Assam Gold Rain Black Tea is produced from the second “flush” (harvest) of the year when the leaves are a more golden color (hence the name). The second flush produces a harvest of lighter and more delicately flavored tea and is the preferred leaf amongst those who savor the drinking of this fine beverage. As with all black teas, the health benefits include improved general vascular wellness, reduced cholesterol and improved dental health.

In appearance this tea is dark leaved with fiery golden/orange tips. The leaves are long and sturdy and produce a malty but fruity flavor when steeped. The higher than usual tannin content in this hybrid leaves a slight aftertaste which complements the fruitiness. When brewed correctly this tea is full bodied and has a deep amber color to it.

You can get Assam Gold Rain from Teavana.

Score: 7.5/10

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