I think I’m finally feeling motivated to try new teas and write tasting notes again. It was hard to find the energy or desire in the midst of dealing with moving, but I have all day today to just relax, drink tea and do self care.
As with many Darjeeling black teas, the dry leaf is quite green, with a sprinkling of silver and dark browns. The leaf is various shapes and sizes, including flat leaf pieces, small curls and twists nearly an inch long. The dry leaf has a somewhat dusty “tea” smell to it, with a note of ripe melon in the background.
As soon as the hot water hits the leaf, a pungent, vegetal smell, reminiscent of cannabis fills the air. This carries through to the smell of the clear, amber coloured tea soup, with a brown sugar and pumpkin note to mellow out the pungency.
On the palate, there’s a really nice balance of floral, fruity, spicy and cannabis notes. A slightly soapy quality that is not unpleasant, pops up at the end of the sip. I’m reminded of citrus rind – faintly bitter but better because it is so. I get a slight tingling sensation from this tea, similar to some puers, which makes me glad this is certified organic, or I might be a touch concerned about why.
The finish is long, but the flavours don’t develop or change into the finish.
A really nice, easy to drink FF Darjeeling.
Flavors: Brown Sugar, Cannabis, Citrus Zest, Floral, Fruity, Melon, Pumpkin, Soap, Spices, Tea
Hope the moving is going well!
We’re all moved and mostly unpacked. I still need to get my office in order, and there’s a small stack of boxes that needs to be sorted/put in storage, but this has been the best (least terrible?) move I’ve done yet.
Last time I moved I’d been there over a month and had half unpacked boxes completely overtake the dining room and living room. It was pathetic.
You’re doing amazing! I’ve been here… 4 years, and I still have a bin I haven’t unpacked. Whoops? :)