Now this is a true Darjeeling. The texture is awesome – incredibly smooth and even somewhat thick. It is so noticeably and enjoyably smooth it’s hard to drink slowly.
The aroma of grape (muscat) is definitely comes through, and I really like it. That is seems to be what Darjeeling is famous for, and for good reason. The flavor is very sweet in the middle of the sip too, a sweetness like honey.
This tea wasn’t an eye opener like the Tumsong 2nd flush, and may actually be slightly less complex . . . but all the same, I was just too busy enjoying it to think through it more than that! This is one of those teas you could drink all the time and never get tired of it.
I did the same thing yesterday with a FTGFOP1 and my tea was so bitter I literally spit it out. What’s odd is that I followed the brewing instructions, but I will definitely brew it like a green next time.
I find that once a tea gets bitter (over-steeping, too hot water, etc) that bitterness remains in future steeps of the same leaves, even if they are handled more delicately the second time (or third, or fourth, etc). Maybe a new set of leaves will yield better results?
Live and learn, so they say. Uniquity, yes I have a little bit of the sample left so I’m going to try again armed with my new knowledge. :)
Darjeelings (esp FF’s) do not resteep well. Lower the temp and Amy, try steeping no longer than 3, or even 2.5 minutes.
will do!
I’ve had a few that have steeped really well the second and third time. Not so much with the lower quality ones. I’m looking forward to your review of this at a lower temp!!
Indigo…….what do you consider lower quality ones?
Sometimes I will brew a second time, but I usually add more leaf to the 2nd cup.
Hmmm probably the ones that don’t resteep well!! lol
my spice exchange darjeeling brewed even better the third time. Sweeter and fruitier than the first!
I guess I could, but I’ve never steeped a Darjeeling more than twice.
how long do you brew for? I tend to do shorter steeps