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Organic Georgian "Very Berry" Black Tea

Black · Imereti, Republic of Georgia

Organic Georgian "Very Berry" Black Tea

$21.00 USD

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Tasting notes

About these tasting notes

These are the tasting notes we and others pick up most often. Palates vary, so you may catch some, all, or different ones — flavor is personal and subjective. Nothing is added: there are no added flavorings in this tea. Any notes you find developed naturally in the tea plant through rediscovered artisanal processing techniques.

Raspberry

Manuka Honey

Toasted Almond

Graham Cracker

Hibiscus

Effects

About these effects

These are the effects people most often report from this tea. Bodies differ, so treat them as a common guide rather than a promise — most people notice at least one, but what you feel is personal.

Focus

Mental Clarity

Energy

How extreme oxidation produces rich, fruity flavors

Another beautiful micro-batch black tea from Imereti, Georgia this Kolkhida (ქოლხიდა) cultivar is almost identical to the other offering - same cultivar, same terroir, even the same farm and processing. Where it differs is where you might see the value in this tea. This black tea was oxidized an additional 5-10% providing an extra boost in the more malty, robust, and fruity tasting notes. The prominent flavors of red fruits, raspberry, cherry and even a hint of hibiscus set this tea apart from its Georgian peers.

By allowing more oxidation, you get a different flavor profile than the other black tea we sell from Georgia called "Strawberry Jam" and it provides a neat comparison of how oxidation affects flavor. The liquor is a rich mahogany-red color, and the tea has a rounded sweet finish with a note of Graham Cracker that dissolves on the palate.

The Kolkhida cultivar name comes from the ancient kingdom of Colchis. Contemporary with the Greeks of Homer and Troy, this distant land is even mentioned in one of the more famous mythological stories "Jason and the Golden Fleece". The hero Jason, accompanied by his crew of Argonauts must sail to Colchis, pass many challenges, and acquire a golden item of immense value. It may only be an old story, but these precious teas from the modern day land of "Colchis" are a reminder of an ancient tale - great treasures are found beyond familiar horizons.

Notes from Staff:

We love this tea for its bold and punchy taste. Like most black teas it has a certain strong taste and energizing feel, but it lacks most of the bitterness you might get from other black teas. Another recommended way to try this tea is part of a back-to-back tasting with the Strawberry Jam. Notice how this "Very Berry" has a stronger, punchier taste from the additional time spent oxidizing during tea processing. Which one do you prefer?

Old Mountain Tea Guarantee

Our teas are guaranteed free from harmful chemicals. We source directly from small, clean family farms that take real pride in their work — no middlemen, no anonymous blends. Many of these teas are bug-bitten, and leafhoppers only feed on gardens grown without pesticides, so the leaf itself is living proof the garden is clean. Most of our teas are certified organic (USDA & EU), and every tea is traceable to the farm that made it.

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Unique TerroirOrganic FarmsSmall Batch ProductionHand-harvested & ProcessedNo Added Flavors or Preservatives — Ever!Secure Checkout30-day Returns

Certified Organic — USDA & EU

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Origin & Terroir

Cultivar About this cultivar Kolkhida (ქოლხიდა)(also spelled K'olkhidi) was named after the Kingdom of Colchis, a legendary place known in Greek Mythology as the setting for "Jason and the Golden Fleece." The tea cultivar was created in Georgia during the Soviet period, likely around the early-1900s. A sturdy tea cultivar, strong enough for cold winters and changeable weather, it was developed to grow reliably and produce a good crop.: Kolkhida(ქოლხიდა)(literally "Colchis")
Status About this status The rarity of this tea extends to the terroir and Georgian location. Finding other teas from this region is not impossible - but finding a high-quality organic certified one is!: Rare
Processing method: Black Tea(Hong Cha) (紅茶)
Charcoal roast level: 0%

Region: Gumati Village, Imereti, Republic of Georgia
Harvest: Spring 2025
Elevation: 470 meters
Climate: Cool, Mountainous, Humid
Oxidation level What oxidation level means Oxidation is what turns green tea into oolong or black tea — as leaves are bruised and rested, enzymes react with oxygen and deepen their color and flavor. Green tea sees almost none; oolong ranges widely; black tea is oxidized fully.: (95% · High)
Picking style Why picking style matters Hand-plucking means workers select each bud and leaf by touch, one at a time — far slower and more expensive than machine harvesting, but gentler on the leaf. As labor costs rise, fewer gardens still pick this way, making hand-plucked tea increasingly rare.: Hand Plucked
Bug-bitten level: 0%