Taiwan GABA Black Tea

I recently received some wonderful GABA Black Tea produced in Taiwan. GABA tea is not well known in North America but was first produced by the Japanese about 20 plus years ago. GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and has been studied for it's effects on lowering blood pressure and as an anti-stress or relaxing agent. GABA is also naturally present in tea and some other foods but the amount is enhanced when the tea is grown in a nitrogen rich environment.

Taiwan has been producing GABA tea for the Japanese and local market for many years. Here are some pics the GABA Black Tea, picked from Alishan mountain:

The leaves are a bit bulky, not all tightly rolled, black with some golden buds.

Amber/caramel liquor.
Aroma was sweet, like stone-fruit and also notes of longan fruit.
Taste was very nice, full body, a caramel like sweetness, notes of cinnamon, lingering aftertaste.

After 2 steeps, the leaves were still pretty tightly rolled.

I pulled some leaves out and most are a bud and 2 leaves and very long stems. They were quite beautiful and thick.

This tea delivered on taste and a nice relaxing feeling. But, I wasn't able to access many studies on GABA tea and health, so for now, I'll just enjoy the taste!