I’ve not come across many Oolongs from Darjeeling in the years I’ve been drinking tea, but the ones I have tried have always been something special. This one is no exception.
It starts with the leaf, which in appearance reminds me a lot of a first flush darjeeling (although it’s actually a second) crossed with a very fresh white peony. The are a high predominance of downy silver buds, some verging more on silver or pale green, plus some brown-ish-copper leaves. The scent is sweet and lightly jasmine.
Initially, the taste is subtle and fairly mineral, in the way that some lighter or green oolongs can be. There’s a distinctive citrus flavour in the mid-sip – it reminds me most of grapefruit, with a slightly sharp/sour tang. There’s also some of the muscatel flavour you’d typically associate with a second flush darjeeling, and the pairing is an unusual and inspiring one. As it cools. a hint of dark chocolate starts to emerge, although it’s mostly confined to the very end of the sip and it doesn’t linger long. 
Despite the scent, I didn’t detect any floral flavours in the actual tea, which is a small relief because it’s already quite busy. In terms of mouthfeel, it’s lightly brisk but doesn’t cross over into astringency, despite being slightly drying on the palate.
I enjoyed this one. I’ve discovered that I like Oolongs from Darjeeling in general, and they often have some of the more unique flavour profiles. Mineral, grapefruit, and chocolate don’t sound like they should work together very well, but, somehow, they do. If you enjoy either Darjeeling or Oolong, this one is definitely worth a look.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: The Tea Shelf
Description
One of the finest oolongs of Darjeeling, the aroma of dark chocolate envelopes your senses, reminiscent of a cold wintry day! The leaves are springy with a moss like mosaic of silver and copper. The infusion shows another surprise with individual leaves clearly visible with bright colours of copper and mauve. The chocolate experience continues but now coupled with citrus and fruity notes. The steeped leaves give way to a gorgeous sunset yellow cup, which is very brisk on the palate with notes of jasmine and citrus, which linger on.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Pooband FTGFOP 1 CH 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Organic
Pooband FTGFOP 1 CH 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Organic from Lochan Tea Limited was not listed at the time of writing this review but it’s certainly one I wanted to share with you especially if you are into extremely strong black teas like I am.
I didn’t realize just how tightly pressed the leaves were until I infused them and it was THEN that everything seemed to come alive with this Pooband FTGFOP 1 CH 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Organic from Lochan Tea Limited. The dry aroma was incredible it was deep and rich but with a little musk or airy-smoke to it. Once infused it was even more potent.
The flavor was extremely powerful, very strong, astringent, and a little bitter but I really liked it for those reasons! It was one of those black teas that is so strong it ‘will put hair on your chest’. Okay…not REALLY…but there is a bit of a memory association that goes along with this one for me. When I was little – and my grandfather ate or drank something that was REALLY strong he would always said ‘it’s so strong – it will put hair on your chest’ and that always stuck with me and I use that phrase to this day.
So if you are looking for a tea that is that strong and ready to stand up to ANY drag-your-foot kind of morning try Pooband FTGFOP 1 CH 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Organic from Lochan Tea Limited.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea Limited
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Oaks SFTGFOP 1 CL SPL 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Organic from Lochan Tea Limited
You may have already gathered that I’m a fan of Lochan’s straight-up black teas. They almost always provide that heft I’m looking for to get my day going! Oaks SFTGFOP 1 CL SPL 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Organic from Lochan Tea Limited isn’t one of their most sturdy teas but it’s still one of their very scrumptious teas!
If you are looking for that stereotypical darjeeling taste with a twist try Oaks SFTGFOP 1 CL SPL 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Organic from Lochan Tea Limited. It offers that muscatel yet sweet and sour woodsy taste with twists of citrus possible leaning more towards natural lime. The after taste – especially as it cools naturally at room temperature – seems to have a grape-skin or raisin-like comparison to it, as well. I tried sipping this a bit quicker – something I don’t usually do – but when I did I was able to detect some crusty flavors, too! Now that I have discovered this I might try it more in the future.
If you are new to darjeelings Oaks SFTGFOP 1 CL SPL 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Organic from Lochan Tea Limited is a good place to start. If you are a darjeeling guru you will appreciate this as well. After all, Darjeelings are considered the ‘champagne of teas’. I’m really enjoying Oaks SFTGFOP 1 CL SPL 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Organic from Lochan Tea Limited. Let us know if you’ve tried this flush and year!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea Limited
Description:
Oaks SFTGFOP 1 CL SPL 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Organic from Lochan Tea Limited
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Organic Okayti Wonder – Second Flush From Vahdam Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Darjeeling Tea
Where to Buy: Vahdam Teas
Tea Description:
A certified organic fresh summer black from Okayti. The well manufactured leaves offer a delightful appearance with golden tips sprinkled all over. The tea is elegantly rich and bodied supported by aromas of fruits and berries. Discover zesty notes of chocolate with hints of muscat grapes in every sip. The aftertaste lingers on to a sweet floral finish.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I will start by explaining that Vahdam Teas is a new name for an older company, formally known as Golden Tips Teas. This tea was a free sample from my previous order with them; of which I am thankful to try.
Darjeeling to me is perfect for the summer months and today has been a little dull but warm and dry non the less, ideal to review this sample. This tea is certified organic and is graded as: SFTGFOP1 which stands for (Super Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe 1). The packaging label also shows the ‘Date of Picking’ which is a bonus and very nice to see. My sample was picked 15th May 2015, so it’s just over a year old. This crop is still available for sale on their website.
As I open the packet and spread a selection of the leaves in my palm I can note: small/medium dark brown leaves, thinly rolled with some curl and a few golden tips scattered about. They have a dry and sour scent with elements of musk and wood.
Steeping Parameters: 3-4g of leaf into a 320ml vessel with boiling water for 3 minutes.
The result is an amber coloured tea liquid that bares the same muscatel, wooden scent as it’s raw form.
Flavour is slightly sour with mild leather and malt flavours with dryness in the after taste. There is also some sweetness which cuts through the sourness a little. The musk is also present but it smells stronger than it tastes. As it cools the sourness tones down slightly but the malt and dry leaf flavour remains dominant and fills my mouth. The dryness increases but remains at a manageable level.
After the steep the used tea leaves are mostly whole and now fully opened, baring a brown colour with a red hue. They have no discolouration or holes/marks and I can see no stems other than those that have broken off from the leaves.
There are a few reasons that I tend to prefer 2nd flush Darjeeling and the main reason is the muscatel flavour/scent. It is unique to Darjeeling and that makes it special, and also a favourite of mine. This is a nice example of a 2nd flush Darjeeling, though the musk is not as strong with this one as it can be. Still, overall it tasted and smelled wonderful which is all I can ask for. And it’s aided me on this warm day beautifully.
Until next time, Happy Steeping!
Darjeeling Sungma First Flush 2014 from Happy Earth Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Happy Earth Tea
Tea Description:
Black tea is the most consumed type of tea around the world. Black tea (or red tea in China) is tea made by complete oxidation of the green tea leaf during the manufacturing process. The flavors generally described in Black tea are: aromatic, astringent, biscuity, bold, brisk, crisp, floral, fruity, malty, nutty, smoky, spicy and sweet. Our line of black tea includes some of the best harvests from Organic tea gardens of Darjeeling, Nepal and China besides our own house blends.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Even though Darjeeling Sungma First Flush 2014 from Happy Earth Tea is no longer listed on their website that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a mention. This Darjeeling tea from Happy Earth Tea is top notch! They have some of the best Darjeelings I have had and this one certainly followed suit. It’s not shocking that they’ve sold out of their Darjeeling Sungma First Flush 2014.
This Darjeeling Sungma First Flush 2014 from Happy Earth Tea has a leafy-earthy type taste to it brought to you by fresh multi-colored green, grey, frosted toned leaves. The strong flavor lingers in your mouth long after the sip. The aftertaste is reminiscent of strong herbs and green beans.
If you enjoy Darjeeling teas that offer taste with multiple infusions this Darjeeling Sungma First Flush 2014 from Happy Earth Tea is one of those teas. Just because this tea is no longer offered on their site doesn’t mean you can’t try one of their many other Darjeelings. Take a look at their site and find something that makes you do a double-take. I bet you find at least one! I found several I was interested in trying!