Darjeeling Tea, is among the most special, and for good reason. The taste of many Darjeelings – especially THIS Jungpana Spring Delight from Tea Swan – is a wonder as it gives the smell of pure chocolate blended with spicy herbs. This variant of Darjeeling tea, hand plucked and hand rolled, is nature’s purest gift to mankind.
What makes this even more special in my eyes is that it’s organic. This was a 1st flush of 2017 and I’m coming to the end of my sample and wanted to write about it and share it with you before I ran out.
I infused the loose leaf for about 3 minutes at between 200-215 degrees and it seemed to infuse perfectly! At least perfectly for my own personal liking, that is.
Jungpana Spring Delight Black Tea from Tea Swan gives off the taste of fresh corn with a speck of marigold and gives off a deep, golden yellow brew. It’s truly delightful and delivers a full, robust flavor with very little astringency. When I read ‘smooth, refined and regal’ – according to the company’s website – I couldn’t agree more. It even finishes with a whisper of sweet citrus…how lovely!
This is a KEEPER to say the very least! Two thumbs up, indeed!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Tea Swan
Description
The taste of this tea is a wonder as it gives the smell of pure chocolate blended with spicy herbs. This variant of Darjeeling tea, hand plucked and hand rolled, is nature’s purest gift to mankind.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Goomtee Muscatel Valley Autumn Flush 2016, Darjeeling Organic from Tea Swan. . .
Many of you may already know that I start each and everyday with at least one black tea. Recently finished up my stash of Goomtee Muscatel Valley Autumn Flush 2016, Darjeeling Organic from Tea Swan and I have to say it will be sorely missed!
The natural flavor of Goomtee Muscatel Valley Autumn Flush 2016, Darjeeling Organic from Tea Swan was both floral and spice and they shine thru this straight-up black tea. It’s warming and comforting on just about ANY day.
I like my black tea strong so I tend to add a few extra leaves of tea to my cuppa. A nice hefty, overflowing teaspoon in about 200 degree water for about 2 minutes seemed to do the job for me.
The aftertaste was a lingering masculine type flavor sort of like pine, for example. Prior to steeping the leaves we crisp and much like you see in the photo above. This is an outstanding black tea. If you are a fan of straight-up black teas – you are going to want to try this one!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea Swan
Description
Goomtee Muscatel Valley Black Tea is unique variant of whole leaf tea is collected from Darjeeling during the autumn flush. It combines the flowery essence of autumn and the spicy charm of spring.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Darjeeling Castleton Second Flush 2017/Grey’s Tea. . . .
If you know me at all, you know that black teas are my jam! I love them! Adore them and downright devour them! So when my fellow Sister, CuppaGeek told me about this tea that she really enjoyed, I knew this tea was one I had to instantly brew up when the tea arrived at my door.
Fellow tea enthusiasts-let me tell you, THIS TEA IS FABULOUS! And honestly, I will declare this tea the Tea of the Week for me!
Right from the start, you can tell this quality tea is going to be amazing. The tea leaves are described as having a dark umber leaf and that is exactly what you get.
The directions from the sample package we were sent says “One teaspoon per cup plus one for the pot with freshly drawn, boiling water for four minutes”. And that is exactly what I did, give or take a moment or two.
This tea hits all of the points on the description and more. Smooth- Check! Rich- Check! Delicious-Check! Check!
Like CuppaGeek said in her review of this tea, this tea delivers on all points and would one that I would happily drink as an everyday tea to start off my day or as a cuppa after lunch to get myself over that lunch wall I sometimes hit.
All in all -if you are a fan of darjeelings like myself, do yourself a favor and check this tea! You’ll be so happy you did!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Grey’s Tea
Description
- Darjeeling Castleton Second Flush
- From the Castleton garden in the foothills between Darjeeling and Siliguri.
- Established by Dr Charles Graham in 1885.
- In 1996 it was awarded the ISO 9002 certificate of quality.
- This renown new season Darjeeling Castleton Second flush has a dark leaf.
- It is smooth, rich and has a distinct muscatel character and a long finish.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Darjeeling The First Flush from Lupicia. . . . .
The First Flush.
For those of you who are curious Darjeeling (and Assam) teas, when harvested, are done so in flushes. The first flush is considered to be the finest of the flushes. Usually this is done in March – April.
The one I am drinking currently is in a bag and so I am not tasting it at it’s optimal flavor (leaves that float uninhibited will present more flavor). Regardless, I am still impressed. It is a triangle tea bag and so there is a bit more room then your usual square tea bag.
The dry and wet leaf have a wonderful, sweet, earthy aroma. Maybe somewhat on the woodsy side. Darjeeling does not seem to be ther type of tea you can steep twice and get better or equal flavor from. The first time the mouth feel was of a gentle woodsy breeze; which is still present now but less pronounced.
If I close my eyes while I sip it I can imagine the misty tea gardens.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Darjeeling
Where to Buy: Lupicia
Description
DARJEELING THE FIRST FLUSH is an exclusive blend of spring-picked Darjeeling leaves. This tea has a green, fresh aroma and crisp astringency. The tea is so delicate in flavor and light in color, if you drink it thinking it’s just another cup of ordinary black tea, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Enjoy its gentle mouthfeel like a spring breeze.
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!
