Sungma Estate SFTGFOP1 Second Flush (TD16)

I, too, got this tea as a free sample from Upton Tea Imports. Right now I don’t know if I can write an objective review. I brewed the tea, a mix of longer and shorter leaves, happily. The dry tea did indeed smell fragrant and I wonder if the elusive aroma is the muscatel aroma that I’ve heard described. It tasted as if there were a bit of jasmine involved.

Then I got into a dispute with my grey cat, Bongo, about the dispensation of some horseradish flavoured sharp cheddar cheese. He wanted the cheese; I didnt’ want him to have it. I proffered a small bite; he wanted to snag a large piece. In this war with the feline cheese mendicant I forgot my tea. At least 8 to 10 minutes had passed. I knew the tea was ruined. Nevertheless, I poured some milk into the dark brownish-red brew and sipped. How forgiving is this tea! It was not at all bitter. It didn’t taste overcooked or oversteeped: it did taste strong and pungent but pleasantly so.

I can become a convert to Darjeelings quickly when I consider how this sweet tea bounced back from the abuse I had hurled at it and was very tasty indeed. As I drink more and more tea, I do become much more interested in unblended teas and in teas without the frou-frou that I typically love.

Next time, I will be more attentive, but I’m thrilled with the tea. It was like the heady sense of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. I will continue with my sample packet, but this is going on the short-list of must-purchase teas.

This tea steeps up a nice light amber. The smell is like sugary raisin and the taste is very delicate with fruity notes. There is no bitterness or astringency that I can find. It has an underlying sweetness and is very enjoyable. The finish is clean with no aftertaste. I’m not very familiar with Darjeeling teas but I enjoyed this one.

Upton Sample Buying Spree Tea #10:
This was the bonus sample Upton sent along with the buying spree, and let me tell you, this tea? It is wasted on me. Anything with that many letters telling you its identity in minute detail is. I just do not have the patience or inclination to be that discerning about tea flavored tea. Other people do! But I do not.
Disclaimer out of the way, it brews up very light, but that doesn’t affect its flavor at all. Tastes quite tea flavored, although I am getting a kind of nutty undertone. Interesting.

An Upton sample, added to an order I placed many moons ago, in a never opened packet. I’m not sure this is really the same tea as depicted here. It’s Sungma Estate second flush SFTGFOP1, but it’s Upton-assigned code is DJ-83. Close enough?

Typical grape-earth smell in the dry leaf. Interesting medium-coppery-ambery color.

Puzzling aroma. It’s gingerbread? A pastry-like smell that I’ve never smelled in a darjeeling.

The flavor is not at all darjeeling-like. No pungency, no sharp wine notes, no piquant astringency. A smooth, sweet, fruity-pastry flavor.

Pretty awesome.

Nice muscatel notes. Smooth and amber just the way a darjeeling should be.