Nepal Emerald Green Tea Organic 1st Flush ~ Simpson & Vail

If you know me, you know i’m not capable of lying or spinning long tails. Well, believe it or not I had a dream last night where i met a Nepal tea merchant who was visiting U of M to try and build international relations. She tried to sell me all sorts of dolls, apparel and other cultural things i didn’t want before she finally left me to my own devices with a wild assortment of amazing teas. Kind of the best dream ever?

Well, it definitely made me feel that this would be a poignant time to review Aarubotay “Plum Tree” Gardens’ Emerald Green Tea Organic 1st Flush. In aroma, it’s pretty weak actually. Just a monsoon-like wet vegetal quality, which is still promising. In flavor though, i’m reminded of tea from the deep forests of Uva, Sri Lanka. Emerald Green (which in coloration is actually much closer to a jade than anything else) has a mild astringency and a medium chlorophyll flavor, with maybe the subtlest hint of oregano. A simple robust Green to a tee. In texture though, Emerald Green really shows her stuff. A stoney, barkey (which is very unusual for a Green) tea grit tumbles joyously around the mouth. Owing no doubt to its provenance having been grown at around 6,000 ft above sea level, Emerald Green is one of the simplest, mildest, yet most refined Green I’ve had.

1. Aroma – 92
2. Taste – 93
3. Texture – 95
4. Spunk – 93
5. Price – 92
6. Availability – 98 (only ever having been available online from Simpson & Vail)
7. Appearance – 94

Mean score – Rounds up to 94%

Quite the delightful tea experience if you ask me.