Dilmah Extra Strength and Premium Black Tea, Beautiful Floral Pick-me-up

Choosing to brew tea daily was a bold infusion for me. As someone who cherished the robust, invigorating punch of daily coffee, I was skeptical about finding a strong tea that could match that intensity. But then I encountered Dilmah Extra Strength black tea, a blend so rich and full-bodied that it left me smiling. It’s not just tea; it’s an experience.

To help you expand your tea palates, I’m sharing my experience. Hopefully, my review will inspire you to fill your cuppa and discover your own tea delights. Because I tasted both Dilmah Premium Ceylon and Extra Strength black teas, Pure Ceylon singular origin black tea (the reason why I went for Dilmah), I will present both.

I chose Ceylon black tea because it is made using traditional artisan methods. The tea leaves are carefully harvested and go through processes of withering and rolling. For black tea, this is followed by fermenting and baking the leaves.

Let’s tea.

How I brewed my Dilmah Tea

In both cases, I started with one cup, no sugar or milk / cream.

Having learned from a lovely tea connoisseur that I should boil my fresh water only once to prevent evaporation of all the oxygen and minerals in the water, I filled the kettle with enough water for one 220 ml tea cup.

With the Dilmah tea bag in the cup, I filled it with boiling water.

I gave it a good stir and let it steep for 5 minutes. I wanted a strong tea. The minimum time for steeping is 3 minutes.

If you have a transparent mug, it is enjoyable to watch how the flavor from the teabag dissolves in the water. It infused quickly in boiled water and steeped rich strong.

Aroma

While I was waiting, I waved the steam towards me for a better whiff. The aroma of the Dilmah tea is robust, slightly floral, with subtle hints of sharpness, and calming. Dilmah Extra Strength has a stronger scent than Dilmah Premium (Dilmah Extra Strength containsmore tea inside the teabag).

Why floral?

Ceylon tea is a type of black tea that originates from Sri Lanka. Pure Ceylon teas are unique because they come from a different variety of the Camellia Sinensis tea plant, specifically the flower bud and the top two leaves, which impart a delicate floral note.

Taste

Dilmah Premium is a medium-strength black Ceylon tea. It has a mild taste with a slight floral note at the end. For me, it would be suitable as a late afternoon tea, serving as a perfect rejuvenatour.

Dilmah Extra Strength is a lovely, 100% extra strong black Ceylon tea. It has a full body without being harsh or leaving a bitter, astringent aftertaste on the tongue. It’s aromatic but not overpowering, smooth without being bitter, and there was no tannin aftertaste.

Dilmah Extra Strength is ideal for the adventurous and caffeine-lovers, offering a morning pick-me-up for those who crave that extra caffeine kick. I drink it throughout the day if I need my caffeine fix.

Both types of Dilmah tea pair well with milk or cream. I steeped both teas for longer than 5 minutes, and they did not become bitter.

Brewed Tea Color

The brewed tea has a beautiful transparent reddish-brown color, appearing dark in the cup. When milk is added, it transforms into a velvety-rose hue.

On Tea, Coffee, and Caffeine Content

While one or two cups of strong coffee might be enough to get some people through the day, others, like myself, can easily reach for five cups. Switching to strong black tea (as a healthy alternative) has allowed me to stretch my caffeine intake and level it more evenly throughout the day, plus enjoy the added benefits of antioxidants found in black tea.

The Camellia Sinensis plant variety grown in Sri Lanka (historically known as Ceylon) and used to make Dilmah tea contains caffeine levels of approximately 2.5–4%, with higher concentrations in the bud and the first two leaves. These are the parts used by Dilmah when preparing their teas.

Caffeine Content:

• – Cup of brewed coffee: 100mg per cup
• – 300ml cola bottle: 30-60mg
• – 56g slab of dark chocolate: 37mg
• – Cup of tea: 28-44mg

Daily Safe Caffeine Intake:

– Up to 450mg/day

Acute Fatal Dose of Caffeine:

– 10,000mg

*Watch out for those pesky energy drinks and medications containing caffeine too.*

[Source: On Fatal Caffeine Poisoning]

Recommending Dilmah Extra Strength and Premium Black Tea

I can see these teas easily used at the office, for a mid-morning boost, or at social gatherings for a robust drink next to cakes and pastries. Excellent for those who love deep flavors.

Two easy tricks to enhance the flavor of your tea (as recommended by a tea connoisseur – thank you, H)

Always use fresh water when preparing your tea, boil the fresh water only once to prevent evaporation of all the oxygen and minerals in the water,

Quickly stir the teabag after pouring the boiling water to help release the flavor.

How to Pair the black tea

Food that Enhances Tea Taste of Black Tea

The black tea has a lovely earthy flavor that pairs well with chicken dishes (excluding curry), Italian food, and most desserts. The Premium, with its milder and slightly fruitier aftertaste, can be a good match for desserts.

Pair the Extra Strength Dilmah with your morning office routine, during meetings, or while reading a book. Sip your tea and enjoy.

Foods to Avoid Consuming with Black Tea:

Avoid pairing teas with spicy, strong-flavored foods such as Indian curries, as they can overpower the delicate flavors of the tea.

Environmental Tips when Drinking Tea

• Compost your used tea bags.
• Use an electric kettle and only add the amount of fresh water needed to brew one cup of tea.
• Alternatively, you can use the tea bags directly in your garden to fertilize and feed your favorite plants. Keep in mind that tea lowers the soil’s pH and increases acidity.

As a caffeine lover, between Dilmah Extra Strength and Premium Black Tea I do prefer Dilmah Extra Strength, but all their authentic, traditional, and robust teas are best shared with your loved ones.

Coincidence? The tree we used as a background for our pictures is a Camellia Japonica, also from the Camellia species, like the one that Ceylon black tea is made from. The name of my childhood friend back in Romania is Camelia C, and she was the first to tell me the legend of Sibiu’s Bridge of Lies that sparked my interest in history.

Further reading: Dilmah core beliefs.

No money was received for this tea review; it is entirely my unbiased opinion based on my personal experience.