The prime teas imported from some of the more unexpected origins.
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As low as £21.00This high quality tea, known as Black Ruby, grows on La Cumbre, Valle del Cauca, situated in tropical western Colombia. This variety is a small tightly twisted leaf, which offers notes of cocoa, honey, sweet raisins and plum. The garden is reached by narrow, winding, dirt roads that lead to a subtropical cloud forest. The farm is entirely organic and each lot is bordered by wild forest, and great bio-diversity.
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As low as £8.00When I read that Squadron Leader George 'Johnny' Johnson, the last surviving 'Dambuster', having survived the dangerous mission, celebrated with a cup of tea, I was reminded how so often at times of stress and crisis we turn to this 'water bewitched' for comfort. The two teas I've chosen are a strong, smooth Assam blend and a very special tea that adds a touch of honey, sweet tobacco and malt to the flavour. It also has an intriguing appearance.
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As low as £15.00This very rare tea grows wild in the woods of Georgia, near the Mtirala National Park, just a few kilometres from the Black Sea. These hand-produced teas have the quality of some of the finest teas in the world grown in Taiwan and are similar in complexity. The soft, infusion almost without any bitterness has nuances of wild berry, maple, pine, malt, raisins, honey, cocoa, caramel, apple, chestnut and spice. The long, wiry matt black leaves also look like those of Taiwanese teas, the larger leaf size reflecting the fact they are produced on tea trees rather than bushes. Many of these tea trees were planted in the 19th century and until recently were not harvested. The rich forest soil, the surrounding trees offering shade mean that these wild trees produce naturally high quality material for artisan tea makers to express.
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As low as £21.00Only young Benifuuki leaves are first harvested by hand and then stored and oxidised for 3 months in the dark at low temperatures. This laborious process results in a tea that is extremely high in methylated catechin content, which is claimed to help combat hay fever and seasonal allergies. The flavour is smooth, full of honey and floral notes with some cool, mentholated, mineral tones normally found in Japanese green teas. Other flavours noted are apple, quince, raisin, cereals, muscatel and vanilla.
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As low as £11.00Jenny's favourite teas, which she brewed ceremonially every morning and drank from her favourite cup, long before anyone else was awake, were Keemun Hao Ya B and a big leaf, malty Assam from Mangalam. We've blended the two together to combine the pleasure she took from drinking them. Both teas have a rich body but are smooth; the notes of malt, molasses, orchid, chocolate and rose complement each other perfectly.
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As low as £7.00The King of African teas which has a medium-strong, slightly flowery flavour and shining orange cup.
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As low as £22.00Jun Chiyabari is a family run tea garden established in April 2000. The tea is aromatic and depending on the variety or cultivar and processing, flowery, fruity, grassy or nutty. This batch also has the special 'muscatel' character found in some Darjeeling and Oriental Beauty teas.
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As low as £6.00The blend of Indian and African teas produces a bright, robust cup of tea perfect for all day, every day drinking. It won't surprise those who like a traditional cup of tea, well apart from the quality! A tea from the Shire that does things better! No offense to the others! Proud Yellowbelly alert!
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As low as £19.00Thailand is a relative newcomer to the world of tea production but due to the use of fine Taiwanese tea stock and expertise is making big waves in the high-quality tea market. This rarity has a fruity, caramel-like bouquet with a cup that shines in amber tones. It is very aromatic with a subtle sweetness and hints of honey on the palate.
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As low as £9.00This smooth, full-bodied black tea has bold floral notes, a strong spicy aroma, and a pleasing caramel finish. There are also red grape and cocoa notes that linger. It is similar to a fine Assam tea in its full body but has almost no bitterness, like a golden bud tea from Yunnan.
