Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Culinary Teas
Tea Description:
A Darjeeling from the Margaret’s Hope Estate that has a delicate tending astringent cup with the distinctive ‘Muscatel’ character. Hints of currant create an almost wine-like taste. A bright tending light cup of tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I do love Darjeeling from the Margaret’s Hope Estate. To me, it’s one of those Darjeeling teas that are a perfect example of what Darjeeling should be. The cup is light and crisp, the muscatel so well-pronounced, and a sweet, wine-like finish. Delightful!
This Margaret’s Hope 2nd Flush from Culinary Teas tastes remarkably fresh. The flavor is indeed wine-like, and since I’m not much of a drinker of alcohol – wine or otherwise – I have to say that I’d prefer a cup of this Darjeeling tea over a glass of wine any day.
The sip starts with a sweet, fruit-like taste that develops on the palate from a sort of generic “fruity” taste into a more well-defined muscat grape flavor, and by the end of the sip, has become more like a black currant. Throughout the sip, I notice other flavors too including some wood notes and hints of spice. The finish brings astringency that gives it a dry sort of sensation much like what you’d experience from a dry wine. The aftertaste is reminiscent of a sweet grape taste.
An excellent Darjeeling!
Glenburn Estates Khongea Chai Assam (2nd Flush) CTC-BOP from KTeas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: KTeas
Product Description:
Freshly picked 8 June 2011.
“Chai” is a word meaning “tea” in many parts of the world. In addition, these CTC black tea leaves are called “chai” because they make a popular base to which to add those luscious spices that turn the tea into the deliciously spicy beverage we call “Chai”. These CTC leaves of second-flush assam can certainly steep into a thoroughly enjoyable cuppa all on their own … well, okay, maybe add some sweetener and milk or cream (yes! this tea will stand up to cream!).
Taster’s Review:
If you’re like me, when you first saw the name of this tea, you thought this would be a spiced tea blend. It is not. Here, “chai” is used as it was originally intended: to mean “tea” and not “spiced tea.”
By now, I’ve tasted several of the Estate teas offered by KTeas, and I’ve been impressed with every single one of them that I’ve tried. And this brilliant cup of CTC-BOP Assam from the Glenburn Estates is no exception.
One thing that impresses me about these Estate teas from KTeas is that it says – right on the package! – the date this tea was harvested. So I know the tea that I’m drinking is very fresh. And one sip tells me that the tea I’m drinking is very delicious!
This Assam is bold and full-flavored. It has a very bright flavor with a prominent malty flavor. It has a very strong character: this tea can get you GOING in the morning; even on those mornings when you’re feeling sluggish and really need a boost. This tea will give you that boost you need.
This tea has a sweetness to it that is quite like burnt sugar caramel. The sweetness is enhanced by the aforementioned malty tones, and these two qualities linger long into the aftertaste. There is a fair amount of astringency here, but I don’t mind it. If you want to curb it a bit, add a splash of milk to the cup – this tea takes it quite well.
Because this is a CTC-BOP, the leaves are granular – about the size of a grain of couscous! – and you’ll want to take this into account when you steep the tea. Use a little less tea when you measure the tea and do not infuse quite as long as you might steep a whole leaf tea; otherwise you may end up with a somewhat bitter brew. With this tea, it is definitely worth the extra thought and effort to steep it correctly, because the reward is a delicious cup of Assam.
Renaissance Black Tea from Shanti Tea
Tea Type:
Black Tea
Where To Buy:
Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Origin: India
Certification: Organic
Ingredients: Tea (Camelia Sinensis)
Tea Oxidation: Black
Tea Leaf Grade: TGFOP
Flush: 2nd flush blendLeaf Aroma: light fruity fragrance, floral
Infusion Aroma: slight malt, floral, sweet
Infusion Color: Amber
Base Flavor: two toned flavor, slight sweetness with malt base
Infusion Strength: Medium
Tasters Review:
I know you aren’t supposed to judge a tea by it’s name…but, I admit…I sometimes do! The name of this one certainly contributed to my overall feelings of this specific tea experience as I am a fan of Renaissance Themed movies, art, stories, history, etc.
Dry – This is malty and ever-so-slight-berry notes trying to hide underneath! It has a very nice aroma!
The color is a reddish-brown.
The taste is sweet and malty with a semi-creamy finish. It has lovely fruity notes lingering onto the aftertaste.
Yet another winner from Shanti! They are ROCKIN’ the Straight-up black teas lately!!!!
Organic Darjeeling from California Tea House
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Darjeeling
Where to Buy: California Tea House
Product Description:
Introducing our new 2nd Flush, Organic Darjeeling, also known as the champagne of teas… This USDA organically certified Darjeeling is a very fancy, high-end tea and we are doing everything we can to keep it at a nice price. It has a natural aroma of fruit and muscat for those who love dessert wine.
Taster’s Review:
More than any other tea, I think that Darjeeling reminds me of a fine wine. Yes, I know that Darjeeling is referred to as the “champagne” of teas. And there are certain qualities of a Darjeeling that are quite champagne-like, especially that crisp, almost sparkling quality to a Darjeeling that you won’t find in other teas. But it is the fruity, muscatel notes that inspire comparisons to a top notch wine.
This Organic Darjeeling from California Tea House is an outstanding Darjeeling. It tastes crisp and vibrant and full of flavor. I taste strong notes of black currant and sweet grape. For those somewhat new to teas (or more specifically, to Darjeeling teas), this is one of those Darjeeling teas that could be used as an excellent example of what that mysterious muscatel note in Darjeeling really is. Sweet, fruity, and even possessing hints of sharp floral notes, this is truly a remarkable Darjeeling.
The astringent note at the end is dry, readying the palate for the next sip. While I often consider a Darjeeling to be very autumn-esque, I am finding it to be a perfect tea to enjoy on an early spring day as well. It needs no additions – I think Darjeeling teas should be enjoyed without sugar or milk because I think they interfere with some of the delicate nuances of the tea. However, I do think that the wine-like qualities of this Darjeeling make for a perfect pairing with Blue Cheese and Fig Crackers from O Pair. The sweetness of the muscatel notes bring the more elusive flavor of the fig in these crackers to the surface, while the savory notes of the blue cheese highlight some of the more savory tones of this tea. This is a perfectly delightful afternoon snack! YUM!
Darjeeling 2nd Flush (Margaret’s Hope Silver Moon) from Canton Tea Co.
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Darjeeling
Where to buy: Canton Tea Co.
Product Description:
We are delighted to include this as one of our first examples of top grade Indian tea. It is a magnificent high grown Darjeeling from Margaret’s Hope, a tea garden that’s known and loved the world over. The long twisty leaves are a delightful mix of chocolate and copper browns with an abundance of silvery tips. It produces a bright gold liquor with a malty aroma, a well rounded flavour and a sweet, fruity aftertaste. This fresh, brisk tea denotes a well-produced, high grade Darjeeling. We only have a few kilos and then there is no more available – anywhere.
Taster’s Review:
I love Canton Tea Company! Every time I have one of their amazing teas, I become more impressed by them. Quite simply, they carry some of the very best teas available!
This Second Flush Darjeeling is a perfect example of what I mean. Produced in the Margaret’s Hope tea garden, this Darjeeling is so delicious! To say that this Darjeeling is different would be an understatement. First of all, we have the dry leaves which are quite long and elegant in appearance. Most Darjeeling teas tend to be chopped rather small. But not this one.
The brewed liquor possesses a light yet pleasing fragrance. It smells fresh with notes of fruit and distant hints of flower. Quite lovely. But the most remarkable thing about this tea is the flavor. It is one of the very best Darjeeling teas I’ve yet to taste – and I’ve tasted quite a few.
There is a malty overtone to the cup – which is a flavor that I don’t usually get from Darjeeling tea, but I’m tasting it now. It’s a rather remarkable surprise, indeed!
The taste is clean and crisp and there is very little astringency to this particular Darjeeling (another nice surprise, as I usually find Darjeeling tea to have a bit more astringency than this). There is a sweet undertone to this that is honey-like in flavor. Melded with the honey-like tones is a delicious fruit flavor that tastes a bit like grapes.
The second infusion is just as delicious as the first. It doesn’t have the same malty note that I got in the first infusion. Instead, I’m getting a stronger taste from the honey tones as well as a more pronounced fruity flavor – this time I can taste hints of currant and even a little bit of crisp apple!
Overall, the flavor is a complex, vibrant cup that I am really enjoying. I recommend this highly to all Darjeeling enthusiasts… I may have just found the ULTIMATE when it comes to Darjeeling!