Basilur Tea Book Volume IV is a 100g loose-leaf Ceylon black tea presented in one of the brand's most recognisable formats: a metal tin caddy shaped and finished to resemble a hardback book. It is a pure, unflavoured tea — no fruit, no florals, no additives of any kind — which sets it apart from the other volumes in the Tea Book range and makes it the choice for anyone who wants the character of Ceylon black tea without embellishment.
The tea itself is graded FBOPF Extra Special, a Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings grade that includes young silver tips alongside the broken leaf. The result in the cup is a full, bright infusion with the depth that comes from single-origin Sri Lankan leaf. Every gram is 100% pure Ceylon black tea, produced and packed in Sri Lanka, traceable to a single country of origin with no blending from other sources.
Packaging is part of what makes this a considered gift. The book-shaped tin opens to reveal a foil zip-lock pouch inside, which keeps the loose leaf sealed against air and moisture between uses. The tin itself is sturdy enough to be repurposed long after the tea is finished — a quality that runs through the whole Tea Book series, which Basilur treats as a collectable range rather than a disposable format.
To brew, measure one teaspoon of the loose leaf per cup and steep in water just off a full boil for between three and five minutes. A longer steep deepens colour and intensity; a shorter one keeps things lighter and more delicate. The grade's broken leaf structure means extraction is relatively quick, so it is worth watching the clock on the first brew to find a time that suits your preference.
The 100g net weight provides a generous supply of tea and, given the gift-ready tin, the volume works equally well as a standalone purchase or as something to give. It is a particular fit for the winter months — the brand's own thematic framing of this volume centres on cold evenings and the particular comfort of a hot cup — but the tea itself is at home in any season.
