Darjeeling Red Thunder Black – Gopaldhara Estate from Conundrum Tea. . . .

Darjeeling Red Thunder Black – Gopaldhara Estate from Conundrum Tea is the first tea I have tried from this company! And I sure hope it isn’t my last! Darjeeling Red Thunder Black – Gopaldhara Estate no longer appears on the company website or shop but it certainly was a GOODY!

It was an autumn flush, black tea, from Darjeeling, India. It’s been said that Autumns in Darjeeling tend to be cold and the temperatures can reach freezing levels. This causes the leaves to wither and ferment before they are even picked. Having the tea leaves processed by nature produces some very interesting tastes…according to our friends at Steepster’s Product Description…which usually comes straight from the horses mouth.

Darjeeling Red Thunder Black – Gopaldhara Estate from Conundrum Tea is bold with sweet, fruity, floral notes. The first steep was quite intense but it smooths out with the follow-up infusions. The brewed tea has a gold color and a wet-woodsy smell to it.

You know how I adore learning about all of the various tea estates and this one was no exception. The Gopaldhara Tea Estate has been owned by the Saria family since the 1950’s. Their land ranges in elevation from 5,000 feet to 7,000 feet. This gives them one of the highest elevation tea farms in Darjeeling and they are very proud of this fact. They are constantly developing their teas to come up with unique and different tastes which makes their teas stand out from the rest of the Darjeeling teas. After sipping on Darjeeling Red Thunder Black – Gopaldhara Estate from Conundrum Tea I’m certain they accomplished that with this tea. It’s completely tasty and satisfying with no additional flavorings…just straight up black tea, here, folks! And it’s a darling of a Darjeeling!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy:  Conundrum Tea
Description

Click below to see what teas are available.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Orchid Oolong from Conundrum Teas

Orchid OrchidOolongTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy: Conundrum Teas

Tea Description:

This semi-balled oolong was processed with medium oxidation it has a roasted chestnut and honey flavor with a refreshing mint finish.  Balled Oolong’s are best enjoyed over multiple short infusions, as the ball unfurls throughout the steeps, different flavors are released along with the leaves.  The brewed tea has an intense yellow color and it smells like a bamboo forest filled with orchids.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

So far every tea that I have tried from Conundrum has been simply amazing. Their teas are high quality and take you on an tea infused adventure with every sip.  Recently I tried their Orchid Oolong and I have to say, the tea delivered on the flavors promised in the description!

Orchid Oolong is described as having a yellow color and a fragrance similar to a bamboo forest filled with orchids. I can’t say I know exactly what that smells like but it sounds amazing! The fragrance I was getting from this gorgeous dry leaf was one that I would compare to as being a roasted vegetal aroma with a twist of sweetness.

Brewed this up in my GROSCHE steeper  (I just love that steeper!) and prepped my water at 190 degrees or so. I allowed the tea to steep for about 4 minutes before placing the steeper on my mug for the tea to be released. I loved watching the tea leaves uncurl and unfurl while dancing around in the water and steeping. Such a fun sight!

I allowed the tea to cool for a moment and took a huge sip.  Oh my! This tea is just delicious.  Gorgeous and romantic while being a bit mysterious as well.  You have the lovely roasted tones as your backdrop for this tea while there is a sweetness towards the middle of the sip.  Towards the end you almost get a buttery note that reminded me of a green tea and a simply to die for floral note. I could sit here and drink this all day and I think I will.  This is just the first session with this tea. I can’t imagine what the flavor will transform into after a few more sittings.

 

Everest Sunrise from Conundrum Tea

EverestSunriseTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy: Conundrum Tea

Tea Description:

This double-roasted black tea has almost no astringency or dryness to it but it contains some very complex, full flavors.  It tastes of molasses, raisin, and sweet potato with more subtle hints of grape and caramelized sugar.  It has an incredibly sweet aftertaste for a black tea.  The orange color of the brewed tea reminds us of a fire and the leaves have a strong, sweet fragrance along with a root vegetable smell which is common for the high-altitude teas of Nepal.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I’ve only had a few Conundrum Teas in the past but what I have tried has been amazing! Right from the start I knew this tea was going to be different and a nice change of pace. The dry leaf had such a lovely robust feel to it.

Brewed this up like a black tea -212F prepped water with about a 4 minute steeping time. Never having this tea before, I wanted to error on the side of caution.  I didn’t want to oversteep.

Took my first sip and the description of this tea fits this tea perfectly.  Sweet with hints of a sweet potato like finish.  Almost and I hate to say it, dirt like? But take that as a good thing.  This tea is delicious.  The sweetness really mixes well with this malty note that is going on.  I didn’t so much get the grape flavor but all the rest I did.  Such a cool tea.  So many different notes and flavors going on.  Each sip I take I sit here and try to figure out exactly what I’m picking up.

This is why I started to drink tea.  It is just such an adventure. . .especially when you are drinking a delight like this one. So good with so many different attributes. I think I need another cuppa!

Jungle Fire Assam from Condundrum Tea

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy: Conundrum Tea

Tea Description:

This Orthodox (whole leaf) Assam tea is a lot different from your typical Assam.  The tea leaves are hand-picked and hand-processed.  This results in a bold, flavorful, and complex tea.  It tastes malty and woody with hints of honey.  The brewed tea has a nice sunset orange color and it smells of a subtle campfire.

Learn more about this tea here. 

Taster’s Review:

Ever had a tea that made you appreciate the little moments life? I swear this tea just did that to m

Conundrum Tea is a new tea company to me but I’ve heard rave reviews about them.  After trying this tea, I can see why. This tea is like heaven in a cup!

Jungle Fire Assam doesn’t have the same flavor notes and profiles like other Assams I’ve had in the past.  This tea has a malty sweetness that you pick up from the very first sniff of the package and keeps on going right until that last drop.  The honey like flavor is remarkable and really something memorable. The woodsy flavor is present but more in the background.  No astringent factors at all.  Just a smoothness that I’m devouring.

I can honestly say this is one of the best Assams I’ve ever had and it will be one I’ll be visiting and wanting again and again.

I think I found my new best friend  in a tea!