Sikkim Black Cosmos

A new morning friend

This is my first time tasting tea from Sikkim. it takes me back to Germany, of all places. It took me a while to place the insistent through-the-nose taste I was getting. It's pistachio! So I think it reminds me of a little loaf of pistachio-flavored marzipan covered in dark chocolate. More than the taste, I like this tea for the way it makes me feel: comforted and ready for my day. (The leaves are very tiny, so brew it in an infuser or use a strainer.)

Perfection in a Cup

I am not familiar with this location (Sikkim), so I believe this is the first time I have ever tried a tea from there. Starting with 5 grams in 14 ounces, I did three infusions for 1 minute each at 195°. The first infusion created a lovely copper shade. I definitely taste the essence of orange and vanilla with an oh-so-subtle touch of pine. It ends with a hint of chocolate in the background. This tea is extremely smooth with a silky mouthfeel. It paired perfectly with my avocado toast for breakfast. The second infusion produced a deeper sienna shade. The chocolate flavor definitely came out this time. No hiding at all. It was slightly astringent, but no bitter aftertaste. The third infusion produced more of a chestnut shade. Now I'm tasting the chocolate, orange and vanilla all playing together sweetly. It is rich and velvety. In conclusion, this tea is one that will be in my rotation and I'm very glad I decided to give it a try. I highly recommend that you do multiple infusions to get the full experience.

Tried and True Favorite

Sikkim Black Cosmos Tea from Herbs and Kettles is an autumnal flush from the majestic mountains of Sikkim where the majestic mountains that surround this high altitude tea garden produce a beautiful amber color brew with a rich mouthfeel, full bodied blend, and mild astringency. When I decided to try this particular blend I was curious about the name. However after experiencing it, it is a blend that won my heart with its uniqueness and is one that I will be purchasing a full size of if the near future. From the packet it produces an aroma of cocoa, vanilla and spice with a pleasant woody feel to it. The blend is filled with dark brown partially broken leaves with few buds. When steeped it produces a beautiful mahogany amber color with a slightly sweet texture that provides notes of coca and chestnut upon first sip with hints of blackberry and currant finishing it off. I loved both the woody and slightly floral taste with hints of autumn. It is one that I can picture curling up in front of the fire with on a cool crisp autumnal day. It would be a perfect accompaniment to a savory breakfast. I especially loved it with a splash of vanilla cream which enhanced its spices. A perfect start to the day.