Steenbergs Organic Nilgiri Black Tea

Organic Black Nilgiri tea currently comes from Iyerpadi tea estate in the Anamalai range, lying very close to Nilgiri. Nilgiri Teas come from South India in the hill range – the so called Western Ghats – that lies between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Nilgiri means Blue Mountains. Planted back in 1889, Iyerpadi grows ‘China Jat’ tea bushes. The dry leaves are small, brown and have a mild earthy character and the brewed black tea has a clean flavour with hints of flowers and maltiness – we like it for its no-nonsense black tea flavours but without an overtly big tannin hit, so there’s only a little bitterness.

Black Nilgiri is a great tea for making iced tea.

Tea brewing: Use a warmed tea-pot and per mug or person (please note: the mug and person are not one and the same). Add freshly drawn, boiling water, steep for 4 – 5 minutes according to taste. Enjoy with or without milk.

Tasting notes: Dark amber liquor, with a flavour that’s clean, vigorous, slightly malty and spice, but no bitterness and a light astringency.