I’m back with more teas from around the world by Atlas Tea Club! This tea club sends you teas from a different country each month. I’ve previously reviewed some other Atlas Tea Club boxes, pleased with the countries being offered. Today, a tea from the Vietnam box – Van Tien Black.
The leaves smell like an apple orchard and forest floor – it’s very fruity, deep, and woody.
I went with a gongfu steeping style to take full advantage of Van Tien Black. My steeping ratio is 1 gram of leaf per 15ml of water, with quick infusions of boiling water. This tea steeps up a gorgeous ruby colour. Interestingly the scent of the rinsed leaves is barley and apple skins.
Tasting of Van Tien Black from the Vietnam Atlas Tea Club
First, Second, and Third Infusion: Van Tien Black starts off with flavors of gala apples and flat cola that got weakened with melted ice. Some sips are apple skins that are beginning to dry. Texturewise, this black tea is like thick pudding.
Fourth and Fifth Infusion: These infusions added some abrasive astringency, drying the roof of my mouth. The flavor is barley wheat, light molasses, and watered down apple cola.
Sixth Infusion: I did an extended infusion here. Van Tien Black is strongly flavored dried apple rings, molasses, and wheaty cola.
Comments
Atlas Tea Club’s Van Tien Black from the Vietnam box is an unusual black tea with uncommon notes. This black tea would be excellent iced or used in a blend. As is, this tea is a change of pace from other black teas and a big fruity morning pick me up. I am feeling wired after drinking a session of Van Tien Black!
(tea provided for review)
