Nepal Black
Love this tea? Smooth not bitter and a lovely flavor palate.
This beautiful, organic black tea hails from the Kanchanjangha Tea Estate in Nepal. Nestled in the foothills of Mt. Kanchanjangha, this is the first tea estate in Nepal to receive organic certification. The tightly twisted dark leaves and golden tips highlight the superior craftsmanship of the tea master and offer an aroma of fall leaves. When brewed, the leaves produce a bright, amber cup with a dry, light-bodied liquor that wicks off the tongue quickly. Offering sweet notes of brown sugar, this smooth organic black tea is reminiscent of a baked molasses cookie that becomes more toasty with subsequent steeps.
Named “Kumari”, this tea carries a title of special significance. Kumari not only means “Living Goddess” in the Nepali language, but is also the middle name of the founder's wife. She planted the first tea bush at the estate in 1984 (which was their backyard at the time) and has since served as one of the main advocates for and caretakers of the farmers and factory workers on the estate. Today, more than 600 farmers are employed by the Kanchanjangha Tea Estate which provides free schooling for their children and housing for all.
Ingredients: organic Nepalese black tea
High altitudes and hilly tea gardens have made Nepal an important country for tea production. Tea has been growing here since the 1800s, and in the 1900s Nepal supplied parts of Darjeeling with tea. Often interchanged for one another on the market, tea from Darjeeling and Nepal do have different flavor profiles and Darjeeling has gone to great lengths to try to distinguish itself from its close neighbor. Orthodox tea production in Nepal has had a great influence on its economy, with many farmers transitioning to growing only tea. The Kanchanjangha Tea Estate and Research Center is considered to be one of the pioneers of organic farming in Nepal and is also the first certified organic tea garden in Nepal. It is located in Ranitar in the remote hilly region of Panchthar district. Today, more than 600 farmers are employed by the Kanchanjangha Tea Estate which provides free schooling for their children and housing for all.
Read our field notes from our visit to Kanchanjangha!
At Arbor Teas, we believe tea should be brewed to suit your personal taste. We’re happy to make recommendations to get you started, but don’t hesitate to experiment! When brewing your tea, your main considerations are tea quantity, water temperature, and steeping time. We recommend black teas to be steeped for 3 to 5 minutes in water heated to a full, rolling boil. For the best flavor, use fresh water whenever possible, and avoid overboiling. Try not to steep your tea longer than necessary, as you’ll extract undesirable bitterness from the leaves. If you want a stronger brew, don’t steep longer, just use more tea. And don’t forget to re-steep your tea leaves to get the most out of your leaf!
Looking for more info? Check out our How-To Guides and Eco-Brewing Tips!
"I love the brown-sugary notes in this, one of my favorite cozy black teas."
"When I first tried this tea I was delighted at how long it lingered in my mouth -- 5 hours later I was still enjoying its sweetness!"
"Sourced from the same estate as our Organic Nepal Green Tea, this tea has a similar mouthfeel to a Darjeeling 2nd Flush, but with a sweet, toasty flavor profile."
Love this tea? Smooth not bitter and a lovely flavor palate.
I've tried several Nepalese teas over the years and this one stands out for its unique flavor profile. It's a medium bodied tea, not particularly "bright" in its flavor. Many Nepalese teas remind me of Darjeeling teas but this one seems more aligned with Yunnan style tea. However, rather than the malty flavors of Yunnan, this tea has a spicy, woody note I can't put my finger on. It reminds me of the smell I get when I'm sanding an exotic hardwood. Definitely a tea with individuality.
I really enjoy this one, I keep coming back for it and it's the tea I drink almost every day. I usually re-steep for a second cup and am quite pleased with it.
Definitely has a nice strong flavor and for those who really like black tea! A little smokey. I don't think it's my favorite, but I definitely enjoy it and it's excellent!
Very smooth, complex flavor that stands up well to the copious amounts of milk I use. It's got a smokey edge to it that reminds me of Lapsong, but without making me want to gag (I hate smokey teas, usually). The aftertaste it leaves in the mouth reminds me of drinking unsweetened cocoa (which I love), even though as I'm drinking it I don't think I'd call it chocolate-y. Overall, a really surprising and lovely tea. The more I drink it, the more it grows on me.
This Nepal Black Tea fits the well known Assamica black tea profile. Fragrance of raisins, lemon, and light florals round out the nose of this tea. The flavor is the typical dried fruit and mild lemon with hints of floral undertones followed by a subtle sweetness. No astringency if you use the right leaf to water ratio, temp, and steep time which is a bonus compared to other black teas in this style. I like that it's mild and not as bold or harsh as other South Asian black teas can be. Some may say it comes off generic, and they'd be correct in saying so, but it has it's charms.
This tea has a soft, subtle flavor that has only the lightest astringency, even on its third steep. The characteristic coppery brightness of black tea is present here as a warm, almost toasty flavor with hints of molasses or brown sugar. I enjoy it so much that I'm ordering more!
Love the flavor! Not my everyday tea (it’s a bit pricey). I steep it for about three and a half minutes (first infusion), and get a good second infusion with a longer time.
I love flavored black teas, especially Holiday Spice. But sometimes I just feel like a straight black tea, and this is my favorite so far. Rich, dark and full of delicious tea flavor.
This is an excellent black tea. Rich,smooth with sugary hints. A little pricey but worth it. I’ll be buying it again.
This stuff is really good! I'm a longtime tea drinker and have been creating my own blends by mixing three kinds of Arbor Teas together. I thought I had created the magic formula. I tried the Nepal tea out of curiosity, and was amazed to realize it actually is better than my blend. As my husband said, "It's the little things that keep us humble."
New favorite tea to coax me out from under warm covers! This is a delightful discovery with a rich flavor profile and slight reminder of a Darjeeling tea to me. Complex and delicious - can't wait for next cup.
I usually stick with English Breakfast and Second Flush Darjeeling teas, but thought this sounded interesting. It is really good! Multiple layers of flavor with a hint of flowers.
This is a very robust tea can take many infusions. I would recommend not leaving the infuser with the tea leaves in your pot or cup after its steeped can make it very bitter. Love the rich full body taste. Would recommend its great.
Wow! This tea is awesome! Robust and citrusy. I disagree that it has a molasses-like flavor; I detect a a tangier note. I'd definitely buy it again.
I found this to have a fruity note, in addition to the previously mentioned fallen leaves/toasty flavor. Very complex and delightful. The second steeping was just as rich as the first. (Rated "only" 4 leaves because I prefer darker colored infusions.) Nepal black will definitely become a permanent resident in my tea cupboard!
Airtight storage containers in two sizes featuring interior plunger to expel air
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