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Naga Khalap Tea (Smoked Aged Bamboo Wild Tea 2016) - Herbs & Kettles
Naga Khalap Tea Smoked Aged Bamboo Wild Tea 2016
Naga Khalap Tea (Smoked Aged Bamboo Wild Tea 2016) - Herbs & Kettles
Naga Khalap Tea (Smoked Aged Bamboo Wild Tea 2016) - Herbs & Kettles
  • SKU: STF12

Naga Khalap Tea (Smoked Aged Bamboo Wild Tea 2016)

Smoked wild tea aged in a special bamboo, an ancient art of tea making by the Naga tribe.
1 inch tea filled bamboo piece , approximately 1 oz (30 g)
$22.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
NagalandNagaland

Origin

Nagaland

Season - Seasonal plucking

Season

Seasonal plucking

Altitude - 2000-4000 ft

Altitude

2000-4000 ft

Cultivar - Wild assamica trees

Cultivar

Wild assamica trees

Card image cap

Tea Type

Aged smoked green tea

The wild forests of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh are inhabited by the Naga tribes. Ancient wild tea trees of assamica variety grow naturally in these forests. The Naga folk climb up these tea trees carefully to pluck the choicest leaves. These leaves are then pan fried and pounded into the hollow of a particular type of bamboo. The bamboo is then sealed and then placed in a makeshift swing over the fireplace. The smoke that arises from the hearth will then naturally smoke the tea in the bamboo. Smoke and age do lead to some oxidation of the tea, and the older the bamboo tea the more coveted it is.

This smoked, aged tea filled bamboo is fondly called Khalap by the locals which in their native language means “tiredness begone”. The hearth of a Naga household is always burning and you will usually find a boiling tea kettle over it.

This ancient practice of making khalap tea is a dying art. We are hoping direct sourcing to avoid imitations and paying over fair trade prices will keep these khalap teas and the beautiful stories behind them alive. This heritage tea is very unique, difficult to find and definitely a limited edition.

Traditionally this tea is boiled by the Naga tribes in a kettle over a fire, but we prefer steeping it via gongfu style. On steeping the tea has an amber color like honey, with a mineral texture, good mouthfeel and medium astringency. Aromas and flavors of a roaring campfire greet you with the first few sips. Intermingled with the smoky notes are earthy notes of manure and hay, camphor and some hidden fruity sweetness.

Tasting Profile

Fruity - stone fruit
Woody - camphor
Earthy - earthy
Fire - campfire

Caffeine Level

Caffeine Level Caffeine Level Caffeine Level Caffeine Level

Low-Moderate

Make the perfect tea

Steeping Instructions

Gongfu Style

1
Quantity
Quantity

We recommend 4 gm of tea

2
Temperature
Temperature

100 ml water at a temperature of 195°F - 210°F (90°C - 99°C) at 85°C - 90°C (or 185°F - 195°F).

3
Steeping Time
Steeping Time
  • Steep the tea for 3-6 seconds and adjust the subsequent steeping times based on your preference.

Origin

Where your tea comes from

The Naga tribes live in the remote areas of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in the land neighboring the Mayanmar border. They were the last headhunters of India before it was banned in the 1980s. Today the Naga tribes practice shifting cultivation, fishing, hunting and foraging non timber forest products.The largest and most well known tribe is the Konyak tribe of Longwa where the chieftain, who is also known as Angh, has a house that sits right in the middle of the India-Mayanmar border.

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
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J
Joshua Burnett
Delicious, smoky, unique

I was interested in Naga Khalap tea because it seemed unique in so many ways, so I had to see what it was like. Brewed gongfu style, with several steeps (maybe 6?), and each cup was delicious. The strong smokiness is the dominant flavor (my wife, trying a sip, said it was like drinking a campfire – which is kind of accurate, but not in a bad way!), but it’s quite distinct from other smoked teas I’ve had, like lapsong souchong. The amount per order is relatively small, especially if you brew gongfu style as recommended, but I like it enough that I’m pretty sure I’ll be ordering more once I run out.

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Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
100%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
J
Joshua Burnett
Delicious, smoky, unique

I was interested in Naga Khalap tea because it seemed unique in so many ways, so I had to see what it was like. Brewed gongfu style, with several steeps (maybe 6?), and each cup was delicious. The strong smokiness is the dominant flavor (my wife, trying a sip, said it was like drinking a campfire – which is kind of accurate, but not in a bad way!), but it’s quite distinct from other smoked teas I’ve had, like lapsong souchong. The amount per order is relatively small, especially if you brew gongfu style as recommended, but I like it enough that I’m pretty sure I’ll be ordering more once I run out.

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