Ruby 18

Deliciously rich and smooth Taiwanese red tea from Yuchi (near Sun Moon Lake). We have tasted many Ruby 18's in our career, but enjoyed relatively few. This one caught me by surprise as it is full and creamy like hot chocolate, but with a potent assam-like briskness. The characteristic mint aroma is present but well integrated. It is an excellent Ruby 18 that shows off the awesome potential of black tea grown in Taiwan.

I like to give it a little flash steep to help it open up, and the aroma of the wet leaves gives a wintergreen and betel-nut like herbal scent which give levity to a rich base flavor of caramel and sweet potato. The aroma is clear and unfettered, easily making its way deep into the body. Broth is potent and structured, with a tannic grip that is both assertive and well rounded. It embodies the martial arts concept of 'iron in silk', a powerful inner strength encapsulated in a soft exterior. As it penetrates into the body I feel solid and calm, and the aftertaste just goes on and on.

Both the assam related cultivar and its tender picking standard mean that this tea really is potent, so start low with your leaf amount and increase gradually once you get a feel for the tea. A little goes a long way, and you can still get a lot of infusions. I find short steeps with nice hot water gets me right where I want to be.

Facts

• Harvest Location : Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan
• Harvest Date : June 2025
• Cultivar : Ruby 18 [Hongyu #18]
• Farming Method : Sustainable