Okay, so I fell off the wagon on buying tea. But my Mom wanted some of their Pudina Darjeeling Chai and when I got there to check the prices, the Darjeelings were ON SALE! It was practically a moral imperative to order something.
And I’m very glad I did. This is a super good Autumnal Darj. Beautiful dry and steeped, delicious scent. Very, very low astringency, subtly sweet and musky. That said, I did err on the side of Darjeeling common sense and didn’t steep very long just in case. :)
I do however, have 250 grams of it since that was the smallest amount as this is on clearance. So… I can and will share. Or, until the supply is gone, it is 60% off at Norbu and you can get your own 250 grams. :)
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I know nothing about Darjeelings, but I got one in a swap and it’s amazing! I don’t know what season it’s from though, so I’ve no idea how to get more of something similar.
Do you remember the name of it? I have several and would be happy to send some samples along. Personally I prefer the autumnal or 2nd flushes. The 1st flushes tend to be lighter and more delicate, IMO.
Well, upon a quick flip through some of your tasting notes, it looks like it was a first flush so I’m probably not the best swap partner for those. Though I would still be happy to send along some of what I have. :)
Nicole…may hit you up to try this later :)
I should not read this. I keep ordering nonstop. I’m going to NYC tea festival on March 22 .
No worries! I thought maybe you;d have some suggestions more than swapping.
-boychik: Well, I’m glad I broke my resolve (tenuous though it was) for this one. :)
-Courtney: I can’t really recommend any 1st flushes. I can tell you that Puttabong is the name of the estate your tea you reviewed came from, though you may already know that. Castleton, Margaret’s Hope, Namring, Sungma, Thurbo… those are some of the estates that pop up pretty frequently when I’m looking at Darjeelings. Maybe try Upton Tea and look for first flushes. Their samples are a good, affordable way to try stuff.
-Sil: I’m sure I’ll probably have some around. :)
Thanks! I appreciate the info. I will definitely check out places for 1st flushes. What are the major differences between flushes?
I’m certainly not an expert – there are folks around here who know far more than I about this – but here is a link: http://coffeetea.about.com/od/advancedtea/a/Tea-Flushes-In-Darjeeling.htm
In short, the flushes refer to the seasons when the tea is plucked. 1st flushes are lighter and more floral. 2nd and Autumnals have a deeper flavor and usually more of the characteristic muscatel flavor of Darjeelings.
Thanks :) Perhaps a new tea area to explore.
The 2014 first flushes should be starting to come out soon and Upton is a really great place to look for them :)
I know nothing about Darjeelings, but I got one in a swap and it’s amazing! I don’t know what season it’s from though, so I’ve no idea how to get more of something similar.
Do you remember the name of it? I have several and would be happy to send some samples along. Personally I prefer the autumnal or 2nd flushes. The 1st flushes tend to be lighter and more delicate, IMO.
Well, upon a quick flip through some of your tasting notes, it looks like it was a first flush so I’m probably not the best swap partner for those. Though I would still be happy to send along some of what I have. :)
Nicole…may hit you up to try this later :)
I should not read this. I keep ordering nonstop. I’m going to NYC tea festival on March 22 .
No worries! I thought maybe you;d have some suggestions more than swapping.
-boychik: Well, I’m glad I broke my resolve (tenuous though it was) for this one. :)
-Courtney: I can’t really recommend any 1st flushes. I can tell you that Puttabong is the name of the estate your tea you reviewed came from, though you may already know that. Castleton, Margaret’s Hope, Namring, Sungma, Thurbo… those are some of the estates that pop up pretty frequently when I’m looking at Darjeelings. Maybe try Upton Tea and look for first flushes. Their samples are a good, affordable way to try stuff.
-Sil: I’m sure I’ll probably have some around. :)
Thanks! I appreciate the info. I will definitely check out places for 1st flushes. What are the major differences between flushes?
I’m certainly not an expert – there are folks around here who know far more than I about this – but here is a link: http://coffeetea.about.com/od/advancedtea/a/Tea-Flushes-In-Darjeeling.htm
In short, the flushes refer to the seasons when the tea is plucked. 1st flushes are lighter and more floral. 2nd and Autumnals have a deeper flavor and usually more of the characteristic muscatel flavor of Darjeelings.
Thanks :) Perhaps a new tea area to explore.
The 2014 first flushes should be starting to come out soon and Upton is a really great place to look for them :)