Lover's Leap (David's Tea)

Friday is Black Tea, Floral Tea, Fruit Tea, Chai and Pu’erh Review Day!

I had a wonderful time at the World Tea Expo this past weekend. You’ll hear much more about that over the next few weeks as I bring Monday recaps on sessions, discussions and other things I learned.

It’s Friday… and that means a tea review is due. Well, this traditional black tea from the Lover’s Leap estate in Sri Lanka is at once relaxing and invigorating. Travel with me on a journey with this brew.

I have a habit of acquiring interesting connections. One of my old neighbors turned out to be friends with Elyse Harney sister to Michael and Paul and daughter to John who founded Harney & Sons. One of my current neighbors is from Sri Lanka and her father used to run a tea garden there (I don’t recall which one).

I’ve found a number of Sri Lankan teas to be really quite good. I enjoy the quality and flavor. None so much as this Lover’s Leap from David’s Tea.

The leaves appear thin and curled. A mix of black and brown with hints of silver on the edges and the tips.

This tea brews to a deep rustic orange. There’s really no other way to describe it.

Warm and sensual the aromas remind me of an Assam, but sweeter and notably more delicate. There’s almost a fruity quality to the smell here, it’s really very sensual.

This Lover’s Leap is not so bold and is lightly sweet providing reticient hints of what seem to me qualities reminicent of not-yet-ripened peaches. It’s more than the aroma which reminds me of an Assam here… while not nearly as strong as an Assam similar flavor qualities are clearly present and this tea also presents a very dry finish as it seems to literally suck the moisture from the palate.

Anyone looking for a morning brew which isn’t quite as strong as an Assam shouldn’t think twice here. This brew is clearly not one to pass up.