One of the first teas I came accross in the shop area of Mariage Frere, Thé Sur le Nil was being sold alongside other flowery green tea blends (specifically Casablanca and Thé des Voyageurs) in lovely sand blasted glass jars that reminded me of drift glass sculptures common around sea shore areas. The tester bottles the shop had looked and smelled delicious, and I originally considered buying them unteasted. However, thier price held me back. I after I started trying new teas every week in the cafe I made a change from my usual flavored black tea to this parfumed green.
The tea itself has an absolutely fantastic aroma. The smell is light but distinct; unlike many scented teas it was neither overpowering nor too delicate. Sur le Nil's flowery scent is slightly citrusy as well as sweet, but still retains a steady green tea base. Lovely.
First taste reveiled a strong green tea that unfortunatly lacked much of the flavor hinted by its aromatic complexity. The first cup, like allways, was drunk without sugar and left my mouth with a powedery dry feeling that is common with very good quality loose green tea. It was very bitter as well, which i wish i could atribute to a specific tea type but as of right now my knowlage of different green teas is a bit lacking. Sugar mellowed the bitterness considerably, making it much more easy to drink. It would probably make an increadable iced tea (which it was being sold as in its glass jar), but since I tried it in January, iced tea wasn't very appealing an option.
Overall, as a hot drink Sur le Nil has a five star fragrance but a taste that simply doesn't match its delicate aroma. It won points with me for sticking to its green tea base, something i was worried would be overshadowed by powerful added flavors or parfumes. I would not, however, buy it by the tin; it is just too bitter for me to drink often. Perhaps in the summer I will revisit this tea and try it cold. Hopefully it will soften the bitter impact but keep its wonderful smell.
No comments:
Post a Comment