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Country of Origin: Kenya
Leaf Appearance: dark with scattered golden tips
Water Temperature: 205 degrees
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Preparation Method: glass infuser
Liquor: reddish brown
Earlier this year, I reviewed JusTea’s Kenyan White Rhino, so I thought it was time to dig into one of their black teas. Nandi Gold is a single-estate tea grown in Nandi Hills. This area is situated on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, and the local economy primarily relies on tea estates. It is known for its rich volcanic soil.
Leaf
The dry leaves were dark with golden tips scattered throughout. They had a noticeably woodsy, sweet aroma. Some were large and whole, while others were more broken. The buds of the tea plant are covered in downy hairs called trichomes to protect them from excessive UV rays. They also make tea taste delicious! I prepared this tea in a glass infuser using JusTea’s recommended parameters of 205℉ water and 3 minute infusion time. That was extended to 6 minutes for the second infusion.
Liquor
Nandi Gold brewed up a reddish brown liquor. The taste was smooth and sweet with notes of figs and brown sugar with a malty finish. There was hardly any astringency, making it an overall comforting cup of tea—like a hug in a cup! The second infusion was softer and rounder than the first.
Kenyan teas are often overlooked and underappreciated. This tea is a great example of just how good they can be. If you enjoy adding milk to your black tea, this one can certainly accommodate that. However, I recommend increasing the amount of tea leaves to ensure that the more nuanced notes are not lost. It doesn’t need any additions, though, because it was delicious all on its own.
Have you ever tried Nandi Gold? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Nandi Gold sample provided for review by JusTea.
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