himalayan shilla oolong tea

type: oolong

origin: nepal

caffeine: no-caffeine

price level: $$$$

This first flush oolong is from the small Jun Chiyabari Tea Garden in the eastern Himalayan foothills region of Nepal. The Garden, established in 2001, is located at a 6,000 foot elevation and is approximately 120 miles east from Kathmandu and 40 miles west of Darjeeling. The tea is named Shilla to honor the Hindu Vaishnav story of Shalligram, which is a black spherical rock only found in the ancient riverbed of the Gandak River in Nepal. According to the Puranas (one of the holy books) Shalligram Shila, a manifestation of God Vishnu, changed into a black rock to be near his consort, Laxmi, who had been cursed and turned into a tulsi plant by Saraswati, another Hindu goddess. The very long twisted leaves of this tea open to lovely full leaves when infused. This oolong has a medium astringency and medium body with flavor notes reminiscent of a Darjeeling. It brews a rich amber color in the cup with a fresh aroma. Infuse for 2-4 minutes at 160-180 degrees, below boil.