India Darjeeling 1st Flush Gopaldhara 'China Special' Black Tea

Tea type
Black Tea
Ingredients
Black Tea Leaves
Flavors
Almond, Apricot, Floral, Grass, Hay, Herbs, Honey, Lemon Zest, Malt, Mango, Muscatel, Orange, Peach, Pineapple, Plum, Rose, Smoke, Toast
Sold in
Loose Leaf
Caffeine
Not available
Certification
Not available
Edit tea info Last updated by eastkyteaguy
Average preparation
5 min, 0 sec 3 g 8 oz / 236 ml

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From What-Cha

A premium hand-rolled first flush produced exclusively from Gopaldhara’s old ‘china’ bushes, with a wonderfully smooth crisp floral taste and aroma with hints of sweetness combined with little-to-no astringency.

A very special tea from Darjeeling, produced exclusively from the original 130 year old ‘china’ bushes, originally used by the British Empire to setup India’s tea industry. These bushes have been largely replaced by assamica throughout India with the exception of Darjeeling, where some of these original bushes survive.

Sourced direct from Gopaldhara tea estate in Darjeeling, located in Mirik Valley and one of the highest tea estates in Darjeeling with gardens totalling 320 hectares.

Tasting Notes:
- Floral aroma
- Smooth crisp floral taste with gentle sweet notes

Harvest: First Flush, April 2017

Grade: FTGFOP1
Altitude: 1,500m
Cultivar: Original 130 year old ‘china’ bushes
Origin: Gopaldhara Tea Estate, Darjeeling, India
Farmer: Shiv Saria and his son Hrishikesh Saria
Sourced: Direct from the farmer
Percentage of price going back to the farmer: 25%+

Brewing Advice:
- Heat water to roughly 95°C/203°F
- Use 1-2 teaspoons per cup/small teapot
- Brew for 2-4 minutes

Packaging: Resealable ziplock bag

About What-Cha View company

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1 Tasting Note

91
1049 tasting notes

Alright, the backlog will finally be clear after I finish this review. This was the other sample pouch I finished earlier. Typical of the teas I have tried from the Gopaldhara Tea Estate, I found this one to have admirable complexity and a tremendous amount of character. Although What-Cha seemed to find this tea to be rather floral, I found it to be more intensely fruity with a pronounced honey character.

I prepared this tea in the Western style. I steeped approximately 3-4 grams of loose leaf material in about 8 ounces of 203 F water for 5 minutes. I did not attempt any subsequent infusions.

Prior to infusion, the dry leaf material presented inviting aromas of grass, hay, honey, Muscatel, herbs, and stone fruits. After infusion, I picked up on traces of fresh flowers (rose, dandelion, and perhaps a touch of chamomile), citrus, pineapple, and smoke. In the mouth, I initially picked out notes of grass, hay, herbs, malt, toast, almond, sweet orange, lemon zest, honey, and fresh flowers before an intriguing mixture of Muscatel, white peach, apricot, pineapple, plum, and mango asserted itself. When I focused in, I could also pick out undertones of smoke. The finish retained a nice mix of fruity and floral flavors balanced by grassy, herbal touches, honey, and some lingering smokiness and nuttiness.

This was a very nice first flush Darjeeling. It is rare that I don’t enjoy a tea produced by the Gopaldhara Tea Estate. I particularly liked the complexity displayed by this tea. If you are looking for a first flush Darjeeling with an inviting bouquet, loads of flavor, and an easy-drinking nature, look no further.

Flavors: Almond, Apricot, Floral, Grass, Hay, Herbs, Honey, Lemon Zest, Malt, Mango, Muscatel, Orange, Peach, Pineapple, Plum, Rose, Smoke, Toast

Preparation
5 min, 0 sec 3 g 8 OZ / 236 ML
Daylon R Thomas

I wanted to try that one, and now, I know that it is good.

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