This is for the batch picked in Autumn of 2021. Let me preface this by saying that I’m not a big Darjeeling fan in general. Most of the time I find Darjeelings too bland for my taste. When I saw the description of this one, I thought I’d give it a shot. Smooth, full-bodied and sweet? Count me in!
As soon as I opened the package, I had my doubts. I didn’t care for the scent of the dried leaf. I wish I could come up with a good description. Roasty? Not really earthy, also not like a black tea to me. I’m failing to come up with an accurate description. Anyway, I didn’t care for the scent but was hoping it was one of those situations where it brews up quite differently into something I would like. Brewed according to Lupicia’s directions. Sadly, the brewed tea was true to the dry leaf scent. I mean, I can drink it, I’ll eventually get through it, but it won’t be one I would reach for normally. Smooth? Sure. Full-bodied? OK. Sweet? No way. No sweetness in this tea. No bitterness, but nothing I can detect that would fall into any category of sweetness. I will try it iced to see if that improves it. My initial take on Darjeelings stands. Meh.
