Tea Type:
Black Tea
Where to Buy:
Tea People
Product Description:
I was unable to locate this specific tea on their website so instead of adding the product description here I thought I would write a little bit about the company and their Single Estate offerings.
Tea People was founded by Neeraj and Vishaka, a husband wife duo along with their Scottish friend Gillian. Neeraj and Vishaka hail from the beautiful tea growing region of Darjeeling in India and have been living in the UK since 2005. In 2009 they came across a school in their hometown of Darjeeling that was in urgent need of some repairs and assistance. The school, known as MSK School, Sonadaserved the children of tea garden workers and other impoverished villagers in the area.
As the duo attributed their own success to the education they had received and firmly believed in the role of education in providing equal opportunities and in alleviating poverty, they decided to help. They teamed up with Gillian who at that time was running her own charity. The three of them together raised the required funds and provided the much needed assistance.
As for their Single Estate Teas…”Single estate” refers to any tea that comes from only one tea estate or garden, as opposed to being a blend from various estates. Single Estate Tea is unblended. These teas tend to have unique characteristics particular to that estate for that season. Like fine wines, they will vary somewhat from year to year. Single estate tea can be identified by the name of the estate, such as “Makaibari” or “Bannockburn,” that will appear in the name of the tea. People who have tried our single estate teas describe it as a revealing taste experience – similar to savouring a top of the range chateau bottled wine.
Tasters Review:
This is a no-nonsense type black tea. Considered one of their finest Darjeeling offerings I would tend to agree. It’s also one of their Single Estate Black Teas which was explained above. This Makaibari First Flush Vintage tea I was honored to try while it was still available.
The flavor of this specific tea was slightly woodsy, a bit florally-fresh, and even a little sweet. I didn’t notice as much in the 1st infusion – but follow-up infusions seem to have a nod of jasmine flavor in the end sip on to the after-taste. This is a pleasant tea that would be great to have on hand anytime you are in the mood for a straight-up Darjeeling Black tea or sharing with friends.
