Organic Nilgiri Black Tea

Some have said straight forward or classic black tea. I am far from an expert, but I have tried many black teas and this one is very nice. This tastes nothing like “Lipton” and I highly recommend it. Light, smooth and great hot or iced. In my mind this is a great bang for the buck.

This is the first Nilgiri tea that I've tried. As an frequent drinker of green and oolong teas, this tea typifies what comes to mind when I think of black tea. Malty, rich, and robust without being too bitter. It is, as others have noted, very much like a more flavorful version of a standard, mainstream tea like or breakfast blend. And I bet it would be great with milk, cream, or sugar, if that's your bag. I found that short, hot steeps worked best for me. 35 - 45 seconds at 205 degrees for the first cup, and then 60 - 90 seconds for the second.

As someone else described, the title sums it up. I could drink a lot of this tea; good thirst quencher.

I just want to say that I first bought this tea to try it for iced since it was touted as being good for that. BUT I tried it hot with milk the way I like my tea and I was blasted back to childhood where Lipton or Red Rose was a staple in our house. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING!!! I love the taste of this tea - really really love it, and, while it totally reminds me of lipton, it's not bitter at all. It's all the good memories without the woody bitterness. This has become my second favorite tea - first will always be Irish Breakfast :)

I was reading the reviews and had to add one, too! I love this tea. My husband and I drink copious amounts of tea....hot, iced and in Kombucha. And yeah, it's pretty much all this Nilgiri. This tea is to be enjoyed straight up in a 16 oz mug each morning, followed by second mug, at least. It's smooth, drinkable, and delicious. I don't know fancy tea descriptor words, I just love this tea, and it is SO not Liptony!

This tea is bold and robust yet quiet and smooth; I'm not sure how to describe it other than there's a richness to it that's quite lovely. Good for a pick-me-up in he afternoon. It seems like it will go well with lemon in an iced tea.

I love this tea far too much to let it get buried with mediocrity! I'm sorry but to those who say this tea is the lipton of fine black teas has obviously forgotten what lipton tastes like. Simply because it's a heck of a deal, is no reason to fool yourself into thinking this tea is anything less than Gold! The criticism is what makes this tea great. It doesn't taste like one is eating a plate of flower petals. It doesn't taste like someone has their face directly next to a pile of burning wood (thought it does have a mild smokey/sweet essence). This tastes like an extremely smooth, non bitter black tea that holds its own against other options in a much higher price range. Smooth is an adjective worthy of describing this excellent tea. Give this stuff a try

If Lipton were this good, I would probably have drunk a lot more of it in my life and would likely even order it on airplanes and roadside dinners on occasion and would be glad it was there and enjoy it, but as I’m guessing most of us who are patrons of Arbor Tea would agree, that sort of tea is something that one consumes as a “placeholder,” a caffeine-containing liquid that you accept when there is nothing else available. If only the airlines, hospitals, et al., were to serve Nilgiri, I think real tea drinkers like us would all be a little happier in the world. If I did not need variety, I would probably just get intoxicated on Darjeeling every day, switching it up between the 1st and 2nd flush, but I can’t be on a magic carpet ride every moment of every day, and that’s where a tea like this comes in. If Darjeeling is a magic carpet ride, then this is a silent golf cart ride – plaid pants, muted shades of beige and definitely no paisley (or purple – incense or exotic mantras to accompany it). Of all the teas in the Arbor Tea catalog I’ve tried, this one is clearly at the other end of the spectrum from the magical 1st and 2nd flush Darjeeling teas. There is nothing about this Nilgiri tea that I would describe as magical. It is a very one-note tea. Really, that’s about it. It’s just tea – without a twist. Having said that, it is in fact a good tea, and I do actually like it and drink it on occasion. It’s straight forward and uncomplicated. The flavor profile is narrow, without depth or complexity, yet the flavor that it does have is pleasant and relaxing. For me it has come to function as a very late afternoon or early evening tea when I want minimal caffeine and, for whatever reason, I can do without the distraction of a strong, complex or even subtle (Zen-like) flavor. DESERTED ISLAND TEST If I were banished to a deserted island and could only bring one tea, would this be it? No. I’d be packing up all the Darjeeling I could carry.

This tea is very mild and has an even, smooth flavor. I agree with the other reviewer that suggested this tea works better as a way to relax in the afternoon than a morning pick-me-up.

This is a light, delicate tea; I didn't notice any 'brisk'ness to it. If you want a light, mellow tea - you'll probably enjoy this one.

This tea is good for one thing....relaxing. Its mildly stimulating but its real quality is the way it makes you feel, "mellow". Im able to take a nap after drinking this stuff, or just go about my day in a relaxed fashion. As for the taste its just average. Nothing really stands out taste wise and thats why its missing a star. Still a quality organic/fair trade tea.