Let’s look at a couple of misleading perceptions pertaining to black tea and tea dust, which Tea Grower and Dilmah Chairman Dilhan C. Fernando categorically classifies as Tea Myths.
Tea Myth:
All black teas taste the same.
Busting the Myth:
All it takes is a single look at the Single Region Watte series of teas to get an idea of how versatile black tea can be. Derived from the same Camellia sinensis plant and manufactured using the same processes, these four distinctive teas – from the Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, Nawalapitiya and Ratnapura regions – get their unique characteristics as a result of the elements of nature in these respective regions. Starting from the highest elevation of 6,000 ft above sea level, the Watte tea from Nuwara Eliya looks and tastes lighter and brighter, and this transitions into a more malty, earthy, strong and intense colour and taste as elevation reduces and, subsequently, climate and terroir vary. So, while all your black teas are, in fact, made from the same plant using the same processes, they can vary greatly in appearance, taste and texture.
Tea Myth:
Tea dust is not good tea.
Busting the Myth:
Tea dust – like all other grades of tea, including large leaf teas – is obtained from the same Camellia sinensis plant, and is produced during the same manufacturing process. While large leaf teas may look better, and seem more presentable even, they do not produce the same intensity of liquor as dust tea when brewed. This is because the particle-like nature of dust tea offers a greater surface area for contact with water, resulting in more extraction of flavour into the brew. This stronger, more intense liquor is in fact a better option if you prefer having your tea with milk.
In short, it is not the dust name or grade of tea that makes a difference to the quality of your cuppa, but the process of plucking and manufacturing that can make an ordinary cup of tea extraordinary. Of course, with Dilmah Ceylon Tea, this is never a concern, for we never compromise on quality.
Also see Myth Busters 2: Milk and Caffeine.
