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Churachandpur valley, Manipur
Seasonal plucking
3000 ft
Wild Assamica trees
Loose leaf black tea
This tea is intriguing as it is absolutely wild! The tea bushes in the forests of Manipur have grown in the wild and naturally for centuries. The galangal in this black tea also grows wild in the forest. Galangal is a rhizome belonging to the same family as ginger and is a culinary spice in south-east Asian cooking. Based on Ayurveda, galangal also has medicinal properties and helps with digestion. The wild galangal used in this tea, is of the lesser galangal variety and has a fennel flavor instead of the usual ginger and pepper flavors. When it mingles with the woody forest notes of the wild tea leaves, the combination is sublime and gives an immense sense of satisfaction.
The method of infusing the galangal rhizome flavors in the black tea is rigorous and meticulous. Unlike most blending, which is done by mixing dried tea leaves with dried herbs and spices, the blending of the wild galangal black tea is adopted from the method used to infuse flavors of jasmine in Chinese jasmine teas. Fresh galangal rhizomes are blended overnight with fresh wild tea leaves in a basket, separated in the morning, and then the tea leaves alone are sun-dried. The process is then repeated several times to achieve the right flavors and aromas. It has been thought that this method of blending gives a lovely aromatic infusion of flavors.
High-Moderate
To prepare an exquisite cup of tea use filtered water.
Number of infusions per 2.5 g serving: 3
2.5 gms of tea (use a digital scale)
120-150 ml (4-5 fl-oz) or 1/2 - 2/3rd cup of water at 90°C - 99°C (or 195°F - 210°F)
This tea works great for the gongfu method of steeping as it helps coax out all the subtle flavors.
We recommend 5 gm of tea
100 ml water (approximate 10-20 ml of water per 1 gm of tea) at 85°C - 90°C (or 185°F - 195°F).
Origin
Surrounded by small hills and narrow valleys, Churachandpur, locally called Lamka, is the second largest town in Manipur after Imphal. Misty and cloudy with rainfall throughout the year, the hills surrounding the valley make for an ideal setting for the growth of quality tea. Tea has grown wild and thrived in these forests for centuries. Wild tea bushes have deeper root systems and, therefore, can absorb higher nutrients from the soil and develop complex flavors. In addition, the surrounding flora helps add further unique flavors and aromas to the tea. The tea leaves are foraged from these wild tea bushes and then handcrafted by mountain artisans. The tea leaves are harvested from wild tea bushes, no chemicals or fertilizers are used, and the forest's natural ecosystem is preserved.
Meet
The sangai is an endangered subspecies of Elds deer found only in Manipur, India. According to Manipur folklore the animal has a deep cultural significance and is symbolized as the connecting soul between humans and nature.
My spouse and I stopped by the booth at the Chicago Tea Festival. First, I wanted to remark how friendly, patient, and welcoming the gentleman was when he was giving us samples. I tried many teas at the event but these truly stood out out their flavor. This was my first experience with a smoky tea and I am currently enjoying the tea right now with a Mediterranean Roasted Veggie bowl. The quality alone stands out and I been truly been converted to this brand. Thank you again for this wonderful tea and your kindness to us.
I sampled this tea at the Chicago Tea Festival and fell in love with the rich earthy flavor. The fragrance evokes the wonderful experience of walking into an antique wooden building (think ancient hand hewn beams), it is absolutely unique and marvelous - I am hooked! Btw, the description mentions flavors of fennel - I don’t enjoy fennel and I do not taste that in this brew. If I had only read the description instead of sampling it in person, I probably wouldn’t have tried it and would have missed out on what has become my most favorite tea.
This afternoon, I had the honor of having a cup of the Manipur Wild Galangal Black Tea. In short: yowza! Absolutely wonderful.
Upon opening the bag, there was an earthy, rich, inviting smell. I knew immediately this was not going to be weak tea, and I’ll admit I was a bit concerned it might be bitter. When I spooned it into my strainer, I was pleased to see long, stout, dark tea leaves, and several golden chunks of what I assume are the wild Galangal. I brewed it for the suggested two minutes, and took a sniff. Still earthy, but now with a surprising mild but distinct hint of forest smoke. Then a sip… And to my absolute delight, there was no bitterness whatsoever. This tea is wonderfully robust while remaining very, very smooth. The smoky aroma did not transfer to taste, but lingered just enough in the nose to make this tea unique. There’s a slight fruity hint, but nothing that overwhelms or interferes with the rich base notes.
I do like my tea a little sweet, so I added a small amount of honey. I don’t generally drink milk or cream in my tea, and felt no need to do so with this one, although if you prefer milk or cream, this tea could certainly stand up to it.
I highly recommend the Manipur Wild Galangal Black Tea.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this tea, but it's become one of my favorites. The deep, smoky flavor of the tea pairs with the sweet fennel-like wild galangal to make a cup that is unique and almost otherworldly. This will be a staple of my tea pantry.
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