Ruby 18
Ruby 18 is a wonderfully popular tea from Taiwan, smooth and complex it has a delightfully sweet after-taste. Named after the leaf Cultivar from which it is grown, Ruby No. 18 was developed by Taiwan’s Tea Research Extension Station. The tea has a bold red liquor and 90% oxidation, so is it a black tea? Ruby 18 is in some ways neither a black tea nor an oolong. The leaves are bruised in a bamboo drum much like a traditional oolong, but the oxidation is higher, closer to a black tea, and noticeably higher than a Darjeeling 1st Flush which is usually considered a black tea. We have chosen to label Ruby 18 as a black, as we think it will become a new favourite amongst our black tea drinkers, particularly those that enjoyed our Georgian Old Lady! Expect layers of caramel, dark honey, stone fruits and a menthol undertone. We recommend brewing at 95°C for 3 minutes, and the leaves should be good for a second infusion!
*** We have changed supplier for our Ruby 18, as our previous Ruby 18 is no longer available. Some of you will have noticed that Ruby 18 has been out of stock for a while and this is because we didn’t want to rush finding a replacement. We have taken our time to find a tea that we think is another fantastic example of this really special tea from Taiwan. It is from the same cultivar (TTES No. 18), the same growing region (Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan) but a different producer. As with all natural products this means the flavour will be different. So whilst they share the same characteristics expect certain notes to be more pronounced and others more muted. In the same way that 2 Chardonnays from the Burgundy region will differ, even though they are the same grape variety and growing region. Some of you will prefer the new tea and others will prefer the old tea, so please do try it, but maybe try a smaller size first just to be sure! ***
Ingredients || Luxury Black Tea
Warning, packed in an environment that contains nuts
Caffeine || Yes
Tasting Notes || Layers of caramel, dark honey, stone fruits and a menthol undertone
Brewing Notes || 2 teaspoon per cup, 95ºC, brew for 3 minutes.