Unlike most black teas known for their robust character, Everest Black Tea offers a unique twist with its monsoon flush. This particular harvest, meticulously hand-picked during Nepal's rainy season, yields a surprisingly mild and stress-relieving cup. The monsoon shrinks the growing time of the leaves to just 10 days, compared to the usual 2-week wait for other flushes. While the constant downpour might seem harmful to the leaves, it plays a crucial role in shaping the tea's character. The monsoon rains cause the tea leaves to grow thinner.
Withering involves drying the leaves in a controlled environment to reduce moisture content and initiate oxidation, a crucial step in black tea production. By extending the withering process for the monsoon flush, the tea masters ensure the remaining flavors within the thinner leaves are concentrated. This meticulous attention to detail during a challenging harvest period results in a unique Everest Black Tea experience.
With the expertise of the tea makers at Bhakanje Tea Estate, they can transform even the most challenging conditions, like relentless rain and the notorious monsoon leeches, into truly exceptional tea.