B-TW-013

Sun Moon Lake Ruby 18

紅玉 (台茶18號)

Hybrid black, from Nantou, Taiwan.

Black tea

Sun Moon Lake Ruby 18 is strongest on aroma intensity, body and smoothness. Typical tasting words: cooling menthol, camphor, cinnamon, malt, dark chocolate. Bred by the Taiwan Tea Experiment Station and released in 1999, revitalising commercial tea production around Sun Moon Lake. Renowned across Taiwan for distinct natural cooling aromatics; celebrated as a flagship Taiwanese specialty tea.

Also known as Ruby 18, Hong Yu and TTES No. 18.

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The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness3bitterness1astringency2umami1brightness3body4smoothness4aroma intensity5finish length4

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral1fruity3vegetal0marine0nutty0toasty1malty2honey3spicy4woody2earthy1smoky0creamy0citrus1stone fruit0tropical0cocoa2caramel1

Facts

Origin: Nantou, Taiwan
Plant: Camellia sinensis, TTES No. 18 Ruby (Burmese assamica x Taiwan wild)
Harvest: Summer to autumn
Elevation: mid
Oxidation: 90 to 100%
Roast: very light
Leaf: twisted
Price band: premium
Availability: fairly common
Ageing: worthwhile
Forgiving to brew: 4 of 5
L-theanine: low

Made by: withering, then rolling, then oxidation, then drying.

Caffeine

A cup of Sun Moon Lake Ruby 18 carries a typical estimate of 55 mg of caffeine, within a range of 40 to 70 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.

How to brew it

Method	Leaf	Water	Steeps
Western, 250 ml	3 g	90 to 95 °C	2 min, 3 min, 4 min
Gongfu, 100 ml	5 g	90 to 95 °C	20 s, 25 s, 35 s, 45 s, 60 s, 80 s
Cold brew, 250 ml	3 g	Fridge	8 to 12 hours

Up to 7 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

morning
afternoon
afternoon
study_focus
social

Pairs with chocolate, pastry and red_meat. Milk: yes. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.