Ceylon - Lovers Leap Estate, Black Tea
Ceylon - Lovers Leap Estate, Black Tea
Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, has been providing excellent teas since the mid 1800's and is currently one of the largest tea producing countries in the world. Prior to the introduction of tea plants to Sri Lanka, this country was primarily known for its crops of cinnamon and coffee. Due to economic changes, which affected the cinnamon crop, and a fungal disease, which devastated the coffee plants, Ceylon began experimenting with tea plants in 1839. It wasn't until 1867, when James Taylor, a British planter, began a tea plantation in Kandy, that tea was established as a viable industry. His venture was soon followed by other tea gardens in and around the area.
Sri Lanka has 6 growing regions: Kandy, Uda Pussellawa, Uva, Ruhuna, Dimbula and Nuwara Eliya. The central highlands of Sri Lanka offer humidity, cooler temperatures and consistent rainfall, all of which provide a favorable environment for high quality teas.
Ceylon teas are best paired with foods such as breakfast meals (breads, eggs, smoked fish, bacon, etc.), light savory foods, meats, eggs, cream cheese, pastries and fruit, to name a few.
Located in the western area of Sri Lanka, in the mountainous region of Nuwara Eliya, the Lover's Leap Estate looks down onto the clouds. Local lore says that there is a cliff on the estate where lovers would leap off if they were forbidden to marry, hence the name Lover's Leap.
The large, black twisted leaves from this garden brew to a light amber cup with a forest aroma and a smooth and mellow taste.
Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes
- In stock, ready to ship
- Backordered, shipping soon
I'm surprised that many Lovers Leap drinkers seem to find it mediocre. As a non-coffee user, even in the morning, I have brewed Lovers Leap as my go-to tea for at least a decade and maybe two. It's possible that what I want in the morning is different from something I want to relax with at another time. And since I don't add milk to any tea, I can't contest the fact that milk may overwhelm it. But as a good, solid, workaday tea, I haven't found any better ones. If not a five, add a half-star for me.
I really enjoyed this tea, but it didn't wow me. Brews to a medium body. Flavor typical of a Ceylon tea. In direct comparison to the Ceylon Highlands blend from S&V, I found it very similar despite the higher price. Maybe a little less astringency on the finish, but I didn't find it to be worth the modest price premium.
While most ceylon teas brew to a color between red and burgundy, Lover's Leap comes to what is probably best described as a very dark gold liquor. It's a very smooth tasting tea like other ceylons, but doesn't have that dark, malty or nutty taste. Much more subtle, not really a wake you up morning tea. If you look at the leaves after brewing you'll notice more green than expected. I typically brew 3 1/2 minutes at boil. Worth trying.
This is a very bright and 'airy' tea with subtle aromas of forest, woods, flowers. So if you are in the mood for something light, this is your tea. Obviously, it does not lend itself to the addition of milk or the like and the second pour will be ever lighter. At times, I detected more tannins (polyphenols) than I would have expected, especially if the tea had been in the cup for a while. Regardless, it is a delightful tea that deserves to be tried.