Nepal Ilam Golden Tips Black Tea
Smooth malt, chocolate and fruit from the golden buds of Ilam.
Nepal Ilam golden tips is black tea made from the plant's unopened buds, which turn golden after oxidation. Sellers describe a smooth, sweet cup with malt, chocolate and fruit and little bitterness. Brewed in a teapot at 90°C.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 46 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 19.2 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf |
| Water temperature | 194°F / 90°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-4:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 240 g filtered water at 90°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 90°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
A number worth knowing
We list about 46 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Plain first
Golden tips are naturally sweet. Taste the first cup plain, then add milk or honey only if you want them.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Nepal Ilam golden tips is black tea made from the plant's unopened buds, which turn golden after oxidation. Sellers describe a smooth, sweet cup with malt, chocolate and fruit and little bitterness. Brewed in a teapot at 90°C.
Origin & Story
Golden tips are the unopened buds of the tea shoot. After oxidation and firing they turn a golden color, and sellers say a tea made of them is lighter and sweeter than most black teas. Nepal's Ilam district, in the far east of the country, makes golden-tipped black tea in this style, and sellers describe large leaves with a strikingly golden color and a smooth, sweet, malty taste that lingers, with chocolate and fruit and little bitterness.
Ilam is a district of small gardens. Small farms produced about 70% of Nepal's orthodox tea in 2006, and by one account the country has some 140 registered estates, 18,000 smallholders, 40 bought-leaf factories and a growing number of village cooperatives. The orthodox teas of the eastern hills grow at about 3,000 to 7,000 feet.
Brew golden tips with a little care. Use water at about 90°C and 3 g of leaf for 240 ml, and steep for three to four minutes in a teapot, tasting at three minutes for silkier sweetness before you go on to four minutes for more body.
Good golden tips can be steeped again. Keep the temperature the same and add 30 to 60 seconds to the next steep.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 78/100 |
| Acidity | 55/100 |
| Bitterness | 24/100 |
| Body | 62/100 |
| Aroma | 90/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Nepal Ilam Golden Tips Black Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 46 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Nepal Ilam Golden Tips Black Tea?
Target 90°C (194°F).
How long should Nepal Ilam Golden Tips Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-4:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
What are golden tips in Nepali tea?
Golden tips are the unopened buds of the tea shoot. After oxidation they turn golden, and teas made from them are described as smooth, sweet and malty with little bitterness.
Can you steep Nepal golden tips more than once?
Yes. Keep the water temperature the same and add 30 to 60 seconds to each new steep, tasting as you go.
Who should avoid Nepal Ilam Golden Tips Black Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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