Organic Haputale OP ~ Upton

Ceylon seems to have a way of breaking the tea scoring conventions I’ve come to understand. Many gardens produce teas only as fine as an “OP” or “FOP” with as complex and inspiring results as any Darjeeling SFTGFOP1. I don’t know how they do it, but it’s compelling. ;)

Today i’m excited to be sampling my first Haputale. Uva is subdivided into two districts: Badulla and Moneragala. Haputale is a town in Badulla. Itself sitting 4700 ft above sea level, Haputale is surrounded by hills and cloud forests with rich biodiverse flora and fauna. Geographically, Haputale is just to the West and a little up the mountain path from Idalgashinna, Uva’s most famous tea garden.

Organic Haputale Orange Pekoe is one of the flushest Blacks I’ve ever encountered. In coloration Organic Haputale OP’s liquor falls between a burgundy and a crimson (quite the royal beverage). Organic Haputale OP’s aroma is rich and complex with hints of malt, bourbon and black licorice. In contrast, Organic Haputale OP’s flavor is a coarse and robust malt with a muscatel aftertaste. In texture, Organic Haputale OP has a dense medium grit that likes to cling to the roof of the mouth. I’d say rating Organic Haputale as an OP is right on the money.

1. Aroma – 94
2. Taste – 93
3. Texture – 94
4. Spunk – 95
5. Price – 93
6. Availability – 97 (It’s unclear exactly which garden it comes from, but in any case it’s rare)
7. Appearance – 93

Mean score – 94%

A must-try for the Ceylon lover. I gave extra spunk points considering just how well it performed as organic.