Ceylon - Forest Hill - Wild Vanilla Tea Rods

Forest Hill's Wild Vanilla Tea Rod symbolises perfection in art and precision in tea craftsmanship, created in the lush natural forests of Warnagala at the base of Adam's Peak, in Sri Lanka's Rathnapura district.

Hand-rolled from 25 carefully plucked sets of two tender young leaves and a bud of Sri Lankan Cinensis Assamica, each tea rod is crafted to the 2+1 plucking standard for unparalleled quality. This complex process results in a tightly twisted, finger-thick rod that's as beautiful as it is functional with a delightfully fragrant vanilla pod segment at its core. This premium black tea was awarded Highly Commended at The Leafies 2023 for its exceptional quality.

What makes this tea rod truly exceptional is its finishing process. The rods, once expertly shaped, undergo an extended final drying at low temperatures, which elevates their natural flavours and aromas further enhanced from the almost bourbon-like aroma from the vanilla.

A simple string holds the rod together, rendering it what Forest Hill founder Buddhika Dissanayake calls "Nature's tea bag"- combining the full-bodied quality of loose-leaf tea with the unmatched convenience of a tea bag.

The rod unfurls during brewing like a bouquet revealing its vanilla pod core, releasing a rich, malty cup with subtle honey notes and dried fruit, followed by a silky finish with a sumptuous lingering vanilla flavour. This innovative creation offers a unique means by which to enjoy high quality tea within quiet indulgence or shared among others.

In particular, we at Cha Dodo fell in love with this tea as it is very reminiscent of the vanilla tea we cherish from Mauritius.

Take a sip of it and see for yourself the way tradition is blended with innovation - turning Forest Hill's Wild Vanilla Tea Rod into a wonder for any tea lover.

Infusion Recommendations:
This tea can be brewed at least 4 times, with each brew bringing out more delicate and nuanced flavours. Start with water at 95-98°C and steep for 3 minutes on the first brew, adjusting the time as desired for subsequent infusions. Passionate tea lovers may even discover further complexity with each infusion.

Also excellent cold brewed over 15 hours with 1 rod in a 1 litre container of water placed in the fridge. For best results give it a gentle stir every 2 hours.