Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong (Darjeeling)
Where to Buy: Tea People
Tea Description:
A superb creation of Makaibari, this bio-dynamically grown tea walks the world between green and black. The amber liquor produced is not like any other oolong ever made. Naturally sweet tasting and with characteristic flowery undertones it also exhibits lemony, vegetal and earthy qualities. It is perfect for any time of the day and is highly recommended by our tasters at Tea People.
Makaibari tea estate is one of the first organically certified tea gardens of Darjeeling. It is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in the town of Kurseong where the tea is grown at an altitude of around 4500ft.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve been looking forward to trying this Makaibari Darjoolong Tea from Tea People! Why? Well, first, I’ve tried and reviewed quite a few different teas from Tea People at this point and I’ve been impressed with what I’ve tried. Second, I’ve tried a few Darjeeling Oolong teas (but not nearly enough!) and I’ve enjoyed those! So, I was certain I’d enjoy this tea.
What I find so intriguing about Darjeeling Oolong teas is that they seem to encapsulate what I love most about both teas. I adore Oolong tea – I love that sweet taste and the thick, luscious texture of an Oolong tea. And yep … this Darjoolong has that. I also adore Darjeeling teas – especially a Darjeeling with a delightful muscatel note. Yep … this Darjoolong has that too.
I approached the brewing of this Oolong tea the same way I’d brew any Oolong: in my gaiwan. I administered a quick rinse (15 seconds in hot water) and then steeped the first infusion for 1 minute. 45 seconds would have worked quite nicely too, I think, because this cup is plenty strong. I add an additional 15 seconds to each subsequent infusion. I combine the first two infusions together into one cup, and the third and fourth infusion will combine to create my second cup, and the third cup will combine infusions five and six. And so it goes…
As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, this first cup is very flavorful. More flavorful than the “average” first cup of Oolong. It is strong with mustcatel notes – beautiful, grape-y, wine-like flavors. It tastes very Darjeeling-esque, but, with a smoother, softer texture. The top notes are fruity and wine-like, with an earthier middle note with light woodsy notes. Overall, it’s sweet, but there is a slight savory note that meets my palate at about mid-sip. There is a light to medium astringency and a sweet aftertaste.
The second cup was a bit smoother than the first, the flavors were not quite as focused as the first cup. I could certainly still taste the muscatel, and the notes of wood. I taste a slight “char” to the wood this time with a slight mineral-y note. The astringency is milder this time. Still sweet and crisp, and very much like the love child between a second flush Darjeeling and a Dark Oolong.
My third cup was my favorite cup of the three! That doesn’t happen often. Usually, the second cup is my favorite, occasionally the first is the favorite, but very seldom (as in, I can’t remember the last time this has happened!) is the third cup my favorite of the tea experience with an Oolong. Now, I taste more Oolong and less “Darjeeling” notes, and perhaps that’s why I prefer this cup. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love the Darjeeling notes of this tea! But, I’m more a fan of Oolong than of Darjeeling, and I love the way the Oolong notes are shining through in this third cup.
I taste peach notes along with a very subtle muscatel. There is next to no astringency in this cup, and the flavors are soft and buttery. Less of the woodsy/earthy notes are tasted, and more of a honeyed sweet peach note. Imagine a bowl of fresh, tree-ripened peach slices that have been cooked down a bit to intensify their sweet flavor, and then this bowl of peach slices is drizzled with honey. Yeah – it’s OK to drool right now! – that’s what I’m tasting with this cup. YUM!
A really lovely tea experience from this “Darjoolong!” I highly recommend this to fans of Darjeeling teas as well as fans of Oolong. And definitely take the time to go through a few infusions, it’s well worth that effort!
Lovers Leap Estate Indigo Black Tea with Essence of Peony from Eden Grove
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Amazon Trading
Ingredients:
Camellia Sinensis with Red Pigments (Red Tea) with natural Peony Flavor.
Learn more about Amazon Trading here.
Taster’s Review:
I am usually a little put off by the prospect of trying a bagged and/or sacheted tea, because let’s face it, loose leaf is better. It just is. However, I do try to go into the experience of trying a new to me sacheted tea with an open mind. And so far, the teas that I’ve tried from Eden Grove have been impressive – and all have been sacheted teas! Eden Grove is definitely making a believer out of me.
This Lovers Leap Estate Indigo Black Tea with Essence of Peony from Eden Grove is quite nice. The Ceylon is flavorful and smooth. It has a very pleasing, even taste to it. It’s sweet and has some malty tones to it, and I taste no bitterness whatsoever. It’s good.
I taste hints of flower to this as well, and I presume that it is the peony essence that I’m tasting. I can’t recall ever tasting peony in the past, so I don’t have a memory of what peony tastes like to be able to compare what I’m tasting now. It is a sweet, gently floral taste. It isn’t sharp, and it doesn’t have a perfume-y taste to it. It’s an enjoyable flower essence.
Overall, a really nice cup of tea. It’s a mellow tasting black tea, not one I’d want to start the day off with, but, one that I’d love to drink in the afternoon when I want a little bit of a pick-me-up to keep me going. It’s good.
Dooteriah SFTGFOP 1 First Flush Darjeeling Tea from Lochan Tea Limited
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black (Darjeeling)
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea Limited
About Lochan Tea Limited:
Your taste, your enjoyment is what this tea site is all about. Our job is to share the best products we can provide for you — and also to expand your experience with our enthusiasm for the history, the culture and the never-ending discoveries about tea and the human experience.
We bring you more than a commodity but rather the experience of the leaf, which is magical, and at the same time transcending and yet very grounded in the earth. The beautiful Darjeeling region has given rise to a unique and beautiful product that you can appreciate on all these levels. The stories of nearly two centuries in India, all are captured in a cup of tea, for those eager to see it. Let’s take this journey together.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m usually in the mood for a good Darjeeling, and this Dooteriah SFTGFOP 1 First Flush Darjeeling Tea from Lochan Tea Limited certainly qualifies as a good Darjeeling!
Generally speaking, when it comes to Darjeeling teas, I prefer a second flush to a first flush, because I love that muscatel note that the second flush is known for. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate a good first flush when I find one. And I’m enjoying this one.
The flavor is very crisp and clean. I notice background notes of flower and some woodsy notes, with foreground notes of fruit. I’d consider this a medium bodied tea. It’s got an enjoyable lightness to it, my palate feels refreshed as I sip it.
This is one of the more astringent Darjeeling teas that I’ve tasted in some time, and there is some bitterness, so I recommend watching the brew time (I recommend 2 minutes) and a lower temperature when brewing (I recommend 190°F). This will help keep the bitterness to a minimum.
Overall, a fine Darjeeling, but if you’re one who tends to shy away from astringent teas, this one might not be for you. However, if you’re a fan of Darjeeling teas like I am, you should try this one.
Keyhung Assam Black Tea from Darlene’s Tea Port
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Darlene’s Tea Port
Tea Description:
Strong full bodied tea with excellent maltiness and rich color.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
The dry leaf of this Keyhung Assam Black Tea from Darlene’s Tea Port is a CTC leaf. Neither the dry leaf nor the brewed tea has a very strong aroma, just a slight leathery note.
But the flavor is robust! It’s got that bold flavor that I want in an Assam – something that will give you that strong kick in the butt when you need it. This tea will shake the sleepy right out of you.
It’s not a real “malty” Assam, although there are some malty tones to it. I would call this more like a wine-y Assam with fruit notes and a fair amount of dry astringency. It’s sweet with a thick texture, and the aftertaste is clean.
An enjoyable Assam, one that would hold up well to the addition of milk and honey, if you like that in your breakfast tea.
Dreamsicle Darjeeling Black Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black (Darjeeling)
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Orange you glad we didn’t just do another ho-hum Orange tea? Oh, my darjeelings, we couldn’t do that to you!
Instead, here’s a blend of real Margaret’s Hope Estate Darjeelings blended with real orange peel and natural orange and cream flavors. It’s a Dreamsicle Darjeeling. There’s some purists out there who might find it an outrage that we would create a flavored blend with what is known as the “Champagne of teas”, but we’re not scared. Give this a shot and you’ll be wondering why no one has attempted it before.
Just remember that Darjeeling is a bit more delicate than most black teas. Some tea nerds would argue that it is technically an oolong, as it is only oxidized about 90%. The upshot of all of this is that you have to steep it in water just below the boiling point (180-190°) for three to four minutes only.
Learn more about this blend here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m actually *revisiting* this tea because I can’t seem to find a review from the first time I tasted it. I may or may not have reviewed this tea from the original batch – but regardless – here’s my review for the reblended batch that was released about the same time that 52Teas announced their VIT (Very Important Tea): Dreamsicle Puerh as their special release for their fundraising campaign.
But I certainly don’t mind revisiting this Dreamsicle Darjeeling Black Tea, it’s one of my all time favorites from 52Teas. I was so happy to see that Frank (Chief Zoomdweebie over at 52Teas) decided to reblend this tea!
Unfortunately, as with nearly all reblends from 52Teas, I can’t say that this Dreamsicle Darjeeling is as memorable as the original batch. Oh, this reblended batch still makes a tasty cup of tea, but it just isn’t quite as … “dreamy” as I remember.
This has plenty of orange flavor, it’s the vanilla tones that I think are lacking. This is not as creamy as I’d like it to be. However, I do get a really nice flavor from the Darjeeling – it’s crisp and I am getting some wine-like, fruity notes that are distinctly Darjeeling-esque. I also taste some of the woodsy notes of the Darjeeling.
The orange adds a nice brightness to the cup, and it tastes very much like the orange I would taste on the outside of the Dreamsicle treat, it’s sweet and refreshing. I do taste some vanilla notes, I am just wishing I tasted more, and I think that just a little more vanilla would give this a more “Dreamsicle” taste.
Overall – it’s good! Just not as amazing as I remember the original batch tasting.