Arakai Estate’s 2022/23 Spring Flush black tea is harvested from the first growth from tea bushes that have been dormant over winter. This results in a semi-sweet tea that has a comforting malt and woodsy profile and a subtle floral bouquet.
This black tea is light, rounded and with some nice complexity exhibiting no bitterness or astringency.
Origin: Bellthorpe, QLD, Australia
Flavour profile: Semi-sweet | Malt | Woodsy
Processing highlights: Arakai Estate utilise a unique range of Chinese and Taiwanese processing techniques that result in a longer withering process, more commonly associated with the finishing of oolong teas. This is evidenced in the unfurling wet leaves that have beautiful shades of red and brown along the edges of the leaf.
The plucking standard is 1 bud and 2-3 leaves with the tea being processed by the ‘mighty’ bike harvester. We love the innovation that the tea producer has had here! A mechanical harvester has been fixed to the top of 2 bikes that is operated by one person and walked between the tea fields.
Harvest: Spring 2022/23
Cultivar: Around 80% of the Estate is Yabukita and Sayama Kaori with smaller quantities of Meriokyu, Yutakamidori, Fushin and a much smaller amount of Okumidori.
Tea Master: Brendon Collins
Arakai Estate is located in the beautiful Conondale Ranges in South-East Queensland. Bellthorpe has a mild, subtropical climate, with high rainfall and fertile, slightly acidic soil perfectly suited to growing the Japanese tea cultivars. Cooler temperatures are experienced overnight and during the winter.
Elevation: 500m – 600m
Arakai Estate 2022/23 Spring Flush Black is deliciously smooth and malty. This aromatic black tea has a caramel and woodsy aroma that combine to produce a persistent semi-sweet finish and drinks very nicely using eastern style brewing.
It pairs well with most breakfast foods, breads and buttery desserts. Whilst we thoroughly recommend this tea on its own you could try it with a piece of sourdough and cultured butter.
Leaf appearance: Tippy, long elongated leaf with dark brown-black appearance.
Aroma: Notes of caramel and malt with a subtle woodsy-floral bouquet creating a sweet aroma.
Liquor colour: Brilliant red with orange appearance around the rim.
