Second Flush Darjeeling

Not a fan.

I really enjoy the beautiful floral / muscatel aroma wafting up from the pot while it is brewing. I find that with most black teas I need to let the brewed tea cool down a little so that I can really discern and appreciate all the flavours.

The first steep was very satisfying. As another reviewer described it, a “velvety muscatel” flavour.

The second steep was still pretty good. The muscatel flavour was was still coming through fairly well.

The third steep was drinkable, but the muscatel flavour was now much more muted. It was clear to me that this was all these leaves had to give.

I’ve compared this to a couple of other lower-end darjeelings and I have to say this one is actually quite good for price. I intend to buy more, although I’d also like to explore some of the more expensive darjeelings in the future (those from specialized dealers? or perhaps directly from select estates?).

normal black tea

I got a sample packet of this tea from the GCTT and it had enough in it for two cups of tea. It was surprisingly smooth and non-astringent for a Darjeeling while still holding that typical muscatel flavour and a bit of a woodsy undertone. It’s a much less finicky tea than a 1st flush Darjeeling (which I can certainly appreciate) while still being complex enough to be interesting.

I’ve had a couple of cups of this in the past few days – mmmm. I LOVE Darjeelings, and I especially love this particular blend. Black tea has always been my favourite, and this one is a super comforting drink – right behind the Earl Grey family. I add a splash of milk and I get into a happy mood. I want a Darjeeling present in my tea cupboard at all times, haha.

Yesterday in a meeting, I sat beside a man who told me that he drinks mostly Darjeeling tea. He told me that the amount of tea that the region actually produces is so small that all the tea that is labeled Darjeeling couldn’t possibly be. Kind of like the tea world’s version of the common virgin olive oil frauds. I realized that I don’t remember having had a cup of anything even purporting to be Darjeeling, so I went down to David’s for a cup today. I liked it. Authentic or not, I found it to be a very drinkable every day tea.

This tea is wonderful; one of my favorite black teas for sure. I’m on my third tin.

There’s no bitterness and just a slight mild astringency.
There’s a touch of sweetness and a hint of malty flavor.
My first two tins were more sweet and my current tin is a bit maltier.

It find it very clean and light tasting for a black tea. I’d describe the taste as woodsy but not very earthy though the wet leaves certainly have an earthy mushroom aroma that I can’t seem to taste in the liquor. The finish is very slightly malty and sweet with definite notes of honey.

It’s too delicate and fresh for me to appreciate it as an early morning, breakfast, or desert tea, but as a late morning to mid-afternoon tea it’s great.

It’s not overly expensive so I feel the value is reasonably good.

This tea’s aroma reminds me of a forest in the fall, when it is raining: wood, dry leaves, earth. It is indeed very earthy, and it would be very good if the astringency wasn’t so strong. It leaves an aftertaste that isn’t good. Not the best really, but a nice change. I must try a better quality darjeeling. I always see people talking smack about darjeeling, but I think I would probably actually quite like it if I had a better one.

my first darjeeling. first thought was a bit bitter, but loved the full body. tasted slightly creamy – maybe that’s the honey coming through. wish i’d taken the time to sniff out the notes, but it was the first cup of the morning and i was ready for some warmth, so i quickly added sweetener and half half. this transformed it into a lovely comforting cup. little bit of peppery heat at the end. definitely something i would love to keep stocked, and could see it being a longtime fave. came as a sample with my david’s tea order.

Very strong flavour, but delicious with milk and sugar. I would add more sugar next time, I think!