Skip to content
  • Blog
    • Learn
    • Sip
    • Connect
    • Travel
  • Beginner’s Guide to Tea
  • Matcha
  • Puerh
  • Tea in NYC
  • Book
  • About Me
  • Blog
    • Learn
    • Sip
    • Connect
    • Travel
  • Beginner’s Guide to Tea
  • Matcha
  • custom-logo
  • Puerh
  • Tea in NYC
  • Book
  • About Me
Sip

The Jade Leaf Red Jade #18 Black Tea Summer 2015

July 13, 2016March 1, 2020 2 comments
The Jade Leaf Red Jade #18 Black Tea Summer 2015

Country of Origin: Taiwan
Leaf Appearance: long, dark and spindly
Ingredients: black tea
Steep time: 30 degrees
Water Temperature: 212 degrees
Preparation Method: porcelain gaiwan
Liquor: deep reddish brown

Taiwanese black teas are among some of my favorites and Ruby 18 in particular in one of my favorite varieties. It’s hard to put my finger on it but they always seem to hit the spot. They’re smooth yet complex and the leaves stand up well to just about any brewing method. Whether you want to gongfu, go grandpa style, or cold brew some iced tea it’s guaranteed to be delicious.

This one from The Jade Leaf was robust but offered surprisingly fruity notes. Imagine plump raisins or really dark cherries. Of course, the flavor notes that we talk about in tea are always subtle but those are what immediately came to mind while I sipped. There was a really nice lingering sweetness that I enjoyed long after my gongfu session had ended. Being a black tea there are some tannins but it never really bordered on astringent or bitter. Just 5g of leaves lasted well over eight consecutive infusions so make sure that you’ve got plenty of time to steep this one out.

Later infusions brought the slight hint of spice that I look for with this type of tea. It’s not quite as obvious as you might find with something like a Rou Gui but it’s there in the background if you look for it. When I used slightly cooler water some interesting menthol or eucalyptus hints popped up in the finish. This is a tea that would be great for introducing friends to the wonderful world of loose leaf. The flavor is so surprising for the uninitiated that I think they’ll be instantly hooked. Ruby 18’s do tend to have a fair amount of caffeine so my one warning would be to not drink them on an empty stomach.

Did you miss my podcast interview with Emilio of The Jade Leaf? Check it out here! 

Red Jade #18 Black Tea Summer 2015 sample provided by The Jade Leaf.

The Jade Leaf Red Jade #18 Black Tea Summer 2015
Black TeaReviewsTeaThe Jade Leaf
About Nicole Wilson

About Nicole Wilson

My name is Nicole Wilson and I love tea...a lot! I have been writing about my love of the leaf since 2008. My work has been featured on World Tea News, The Daily Tea, Tea Journey, and other publications. I am the winner of the 2018 World Tea Award for Best Tea Blog.

Related Posts

Grand Crew Honey Glamour Black
Grand Crew Honey Glamour Black
46 Tons Mom’s Chai Kit
46 Tons Mom’s Chai Kit
IKKYU Competition Gyokuro KIRARI 31
IKKYU Competition Gyokuro KIRARI 31
Harney & Sons Ceylon Vintage Silver Tips
Harney & Sons Ceylon Vintage Silver Tips

Post navigation

Eco-Cha Dong Ding Oolong Tea
Xin Mu Cha Vivid Retention 2015

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hey, there!

Hey, there!

Nicole Wilson. Tea Writer and Educator
My name is Nicole and I love tea…a lot! I have been writing about my love of the leaf since 2008. My work has been featured on World Tea News, The Daily Tea, Tea Journey, and other publications. I am the winner of the 2018 World Tea Award for Best Tea Blog.

Help Support This Site

Become a Patron!

My New Book!

My New Book!

Subscribe!

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for the latest blog posts, tea news, and more!

Categories

  • Connect
  • Learn
  • Sip
  • Sponsored
  • Testimonials
  • Travel

Archives

Instagram

Amazon Rec’s

Amazon Recommendations
  • Blog
    • Learn
    • Sip
    • Connect
    • Travel
  • Beginner’s Guide to Tea
  • Matcha
  • Puerh
  • Tea in NYC
  • Book
  • About Me

Tea for Me Please

Copyright © 2022 | All Rights Reserved | Designed by Little Theme Shop