This Lupicia Hiraki is a limited edition release for New Year 2021. Hiraki refers to ‘opening’ in Japanese, a fitting name for a blend celebrating the new year.

The tea was a looseleaf blend of black tea flavoured with the scent of plums, peaches and apricots. The red dried pieces of dried plum and white popped rice conjure images of white and red plum blossoms that, in Japan, herald spring and carry with them the promise of a fruitful new year.

Steeping 3 g of looseleaf in 200 mL of water at 85ºC for 3 minutes, the infusion was a clear, dark amber colour with a sweet stone fruit aroma. Served hot, the flavour of plum came through at the head of each sip with a gentle sweetness and a hint of its characteristic acidity before the crisp and light white peach notes developed in the body ahead of the tarter, earthier apricot finish. The black tea buoyed the tea with a natural sweetness, while the popped rice mellowed and rounded out its usual boldness, giving a warm radiance to the light fruitiness.

This was a very elegant blend where the tea and the flavourings shone in equal measure and did indeed conjure the sunbathed warmth of early crisp spring days. It’s one of the most enjoyable black teas.

This Lupicia Hiraki contained 50 g. The tea was sourced from India, packaged in Japan, and purchased in Australia in 2021.