I steeped this tea for about 3 min at 212 with almost 2tsp and 1 cup water. I couldn’t find the product on the company’s website, so I just guesstimated the steeping specs. Which is always fun. I prefer to use the recommended specs if possible, in order to give the tea a chance to put its best foot forward (as it were), but I’m also fine with just doing whatever seems to work if there aren’t any recommendations.
The water started turning amber pretty quickly after I put the leaves in to steep. I used a generous amount of leaf due to not knowing the specs; probably a heaping teaspoon would have been sufficient, but of course that’s all up to personal preference. The leaves seemed to be chopped pretty small, but they’re not crushed into dust or anything. The fragrance was a bit malty and flowery while steeping, but also a bit astringent.
After steeping, the tea was a warm golden-brown color, transparent enough to see a stray leaf at the bottom of the cup. It smelled very inviting. Once I tasted it, though, I decided I’d steeped it a bit strong. The astringency was prominent, although fortunately the tea wasn’t bitter at all (despite using boiling water). The flavor wasn’t as malty as I expected, but there were still floral notes especially at the end of the sip. It’s a solid black tea, especially astringent but also somewhat sweet.
With sugar, the astringency is wonderfully mellowed and the floral notes emerge a bit more–I’d definitely recommend this. With milk added, I love it even more. (But what did you expect? I always do.) I’d consider this a great breakfast tea, and steeping it strongly is a good plan if you’re going to add sugar and milk, otherwise I’d recommend steeping it not quite so long (maybe 2 minutes?).
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Darjeeling
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea Limited
Description
This tea is no longer on the website but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Goomtee FTGPOP 1 Muscatel 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling from Lochan Tea. . . .
I got in a car accident over the weekend. Just a little fender-bender in a parking lot. My friend and I were A-OK. Just jostled. The car had a dent in it near the driver door that prevented it from opening. I had to climb across the passenger seat to get in or out.
I tell you this to set the scene, because I had to abandon my precious morning gym party with my friends to go to the repair shop. And they only had coffee there, because they’re RUGGED. So I was sitting there, tea-less, tired, while I waited for the Dudely People Who Understand Cars to decree the price, which I would have no way to argue because That’s Not My Thing. ($41 USD, in case you were wondering. Manageable!)
So anyway, by the time I dragged my sad ass into work, I was hankering for something comforting, and I decided this darjeeling would be it.
And I was right.
I love the quirky, slightly-astringent/spicy flavor of a darjeeling, which this definitely is. Darjeeling is like a nurse in crazy scrubs who takes good care of you. It has an offhanded, odd nature, but it knows exactly how to comfort you and handle your situation.
Tired and reeling from a Scary Thing That Happened To You? Pour yourself a nice cuppa that’s vibrantly flavored, like India, and give you the pluck necessary to rise again!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea
Description
Hand Rolled 1st Flush Whole Leaf tea from Goomtee Tea Estate in Darjeeling.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
What’s in a name? Diksam TGFOP 1 2nd Flush 2013 Assam
Today I tried a tea from Lochan Tea Limited, Diksam TGFOP 1 2nd Flush 2013 Assam. Let’s start with breaking down that name! “Diksam” is the estate where these leaves are grown, part of the “Assam” tea region in India. “TGFOP 1” is the designation or grade of the tea, in this case it stands for: Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe One. “2nd Flush” indicates when this tea was collected. In the case of Indian teas like this Assam, the 2nd harvest is more prized for its higher content of “golden tip” tea leaves.
This particular batch was harvested in 2013. I’m a bit late to the party on this tea, since most leaves are at their best when fresh, but this brew still had some life in it.
Whew with all of that knowledge sinking in, let’s explore how this tea actually brewed up! These leaves steeped into a rich, dark red tea smelling slightly sharp and bold right from the start. When the tea was at its hottest, there was a scent of burnt caramel mixed in with the malty notes. The taste of this tea echoed these scents while brewing, though there were new flavors as well, like a deep foliage note at the back of each sip. This tea was definitely heavy and full-bodied, more earthy than astringent. The tea was strong enough to hold up its boldness when mixed with milk. The milk helped mellow out any bitterness and brought forward more of the barky, nutty tones.
While this particular batch isn’t available on Lochan Tea Limited at this time, they have a range of other premium black teas. Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of the tea naming system, you’ll know more about what you’re ordering!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea Limited
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Nahorhabi Assam TGFOP1 CL 2nd Flush Black Tea from Lochan Tea. . . . .
This is a delicious straight black with notes of plum, raisin, and bread. It tastes like a fruitcake, a good, fresh one. (Not the stereotypical one that wanders around Christmas, getting regifted into eternity.)
It’s not bitter or astringent or difficult in any way. If you had someone you wanted to introduce to non-flavored teas, this would be a great way to get them started.
I, for one, am a huge fan of flavored teas. I always feel a heart-flutter of trepidation when I try a new straight black. Will I like it? What if I don’t? Will people judge me? But overall, except for a straight pu’erh that kicked my butt, I have enjoyed most of my straight teas.
This tea would make a great companion to a quiet night of studying. There’s the black for energy, and then a deep note that I think would go well with serious studiousness. Something like law. Or criminal justice. Or deep history. You would charge out of the library knowing every principle and date possible. Ready to change the world.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea
Description
This tea was not listed on the website but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Giddapahar SFTGFOP 1 CH Muscatel 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited
I love it when a tea ‘takes me to another place’ and Giddapahar SFTGFOP 1 CH Muscatel 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited did just that.
Giddapahar Estate – is a small family owned Darjeeling Tea Estate and is located on a mountain – also known as “Eagles Cliff” – just a short drive from Kurseong – the garden is situated at 4864 feet above sea level. It’s said that from the estate you can view the magnificent site of the mountains and when I sip on Giddapahar SFTGFOP 1 CH Muscatel 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited I almost feel like I am right there!
This ‘brews’ to a darker brown – not quite coffee-black – but still pretty brown in color. The aroma of the dry leaf is crisp and airy with a bit of fruit to the nose. Once infused it smells more muscatel. Giddapahar SFTGFOP 1 CH Muscatel 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited tastes VERY muscatel which makes this live up to its name. The end sip is that of dark chocolate, slightly-bitter floral notes, and pitted fruit
This is a sturdy darjeeling! Giddapahar SFTGFOP 1 CH Muscatel 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited is ideal for those who are looking for a more masculine flavor in a darjeeling tea. Me…I enjoyed the entire tea experience!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea Limited
Description
Small, wiry, fully oxidized and nicely rolled dry leaf of sweet, honey, fruit and chocolate aroma. Liquor of brown-orange colour, creamy, round and full taste with tones of sweet wood, fruit juice and sweet flower fragrance.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
