With a singular focus on harvesting only the highest quality black Orthodox teas, the produce of Sakhira is poised to give the vaunted Darjeeling teas a run for their money…this is according to Yatra Tea Company’s website and I have to say that it was quite reminiscent of some Darjeelings I have sipped on in the past.
This Sakhira Estate, Nepal, First Flush from Yatra Tea Company was harvested in April of 2017. It is a black tea from the Nepal region and is of the Tippy grade or SFTGFOP1. It’s golden-yellow liquor, fragrant aroma that is highlighted with pronounced floral notes, offers an incredibly smooth taste that I found myself craving long after the cup.
I adored this tea. But I also enjoyed learning more about where the tea leaves came from which was an area approximately 12 miles from the Ilam bazaar lies the Sakhira Garden which is named for its location (Sakhejung Hill Range). This estate is relatively young (founded in 2000 by the collective efforts of a group of small farmers). The production facilities reside at 4,000 feet while the plantations that provide tea to the factory are perched at an altitude of 6,000 feet.
I can just imagine looking out into these gardens while sipping on a delightful cup of this tea from Yatra Tea Co. Lovely!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Yatra Tea Company
Description
This tea doesn’t appear to be available currently but click below for teas that are!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Glenburn Estate Darjeeling, First Flush 2017 from Yatra Tea. . . . .
Darjeeling teas fall somewhere on the spectrum of black teas, green teas, and oolong teas, depending on their level of oxidation. This 2017 First Flush darjeeling is a high quality blend from Glenburn Estate and from the Yatra Tea Company.
The dry leaves are a very dark green, and tightly curled. I used the recommended brewing of 185 F water with a steep time of 3 minutes. Brewed, the tea was fragrant, green and fruity, and very much in the oolong-family of of scents.
The taste was driven by a muscatel stone-fruit flavors, a green and pleasantly tart, almost fermented, frutiness. This tea was bright and sunny, with notes of apricot and white grape, coupled with a lush green undertone. The mouthfeel was very smooth in texture, though I don’t taste as much buttery flavors as I might expect. The more I sipped, the more gentle lemon and citrus notes became apparent.
This is definitely a fruit-forward tea, perfect for springtime brewing. Even if flowers aren’t quite blooming in your garden, watch these tea leaves bloom in your mug and enjoy the sweet fragrance and experience.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Darjeeling
Where to Buy: Yatra Tea
Description:
High in the Himalayas, overlooking the intimidating Kanchenjunga mountain range, lie the rolling tea fields of the heavenly Glenburn Estate. Founded in 1859 by a Scottish tea company, Glenburn is one of the oldest Darjeeling estates and many of the laborious routines appear to be unchanged till date on this 750 hectare estate.
In addition to traditional Darjeeling black teas, Glenburn produces a superior green tea at specific times of the year. Yatra Tea Company proudly presents an April 2017 offering harvested exclusively for us.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Himalayan Shangri-la from Teabox
If I had to choose between dark oolong or green oolong, for me it would be green every time. I find them characterful and unique, with more variation in flavour than I’ve typically found (at least so far…) among their roasted counterparts. And that’s coming from a habitual black tea drinker.
Himalayan Shangri-la is a Nepalese Oolong from 2015. It’s a first flush, or spring, oolong comprising highly graded leaves taken from a single estate.
The leaf here is pretty impressive – they’re long and twisty, with a high predominance of downy buds, and vary from a dark khaki to the palest green-silver. The scent is lightly vegetal and just a touch floral, in the way of orchids.
I followed the recommended parameters, and gave 1 tsp of leaf 4 minutes in water cooled to around 85 degrees. The resulting liquor is a pale yellow-green, the scent mineral. The initial flavour is also mineral, with a hint of petrichor and wet rock. There’s a hint of heady floral in the mid-sip, reminiscent of orchid and jasmine. Heavily scented, and very reminiscent of perfume, but thankfully not in the cloying, throat-coating way some floral tea possess. The end of the sip features some cleaner, fresher notes. Tomato flesh, wet grass, and the return of the petrichor.
I really enjoyed this one. It’s a flavourful green oolong, and the tomato note in particularly was a highlight as it’s not something I’ve come across in an oolong before. If you’re looking for a high quality oolong that’s also accessible in flavour terms (there’s nothing to deter the newcomer here…) then this would be a good place to start. If you already love oolong, this one might still have a few surprises…
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Teabox
Description
If there is one oolong that can compete in the same league as the Taiwanese and the Chinese kind it has to be this Nepalese offering. The rigors of high elevation, mineral-rich terrain, and cool air allow the plants to grow slowly resulting in an immensely flavorful tea. Also interesting is the fact that it’s from the country’s small-scale producers’ cooperative which produces small batches of orthodox teas.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
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!
Singbulli Darjeeling Black Tea First Flush 2014 from Happy Earth Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Happy Earth Tea
Tea Description:
A well-crafted Darjeeling first flush tea, with refreshing floral and lime notes.
DRY TEA: Long carefully rolled clonal leaves with shades of light and dark green. Amazingly soft and silky to touch. It has a fluffy body therefore you have to use a little more than usual for to make your cup. The dry leaf has herbaceous notes including lemongrass.
INFUSION: The leaves unfurl to vivid green, affording a nose of floral essence. Hints of citrus.
CUP: The pale amber liquor yields offers a sweet floral and lemony aroma. The mouthfeel is smooth and crisp. Sweet floral notes dominate in the palate with a touch of astringency, the underlying briskness that enlivens the cup. The finish is sweet that lingers for a long while.
1.5 tbsp for 8-12 oz cup.
Water Temp: near-boil, 190F
Steeping time 3 minutes.
COLD BREW: Darjeeling tea tastes just as delicious cold brew. Although the process takes a longer time, it is a wonderful substitute for iced tea. Click here to learn about cold brewing Darjeeling.
Singbulli is located in a Mirik area of Darjeeling and is spread over 473.95 hectare in altitude varying from 1200 to 4000 ft. The garden was established in 1924, and is known for producing some of the best Darjeeling clonal teas.
Learn more about the 2015 First Flush tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Darjeeling Singbulli First Flush 2014 from Happy Earth Tea is a mighty fine Darjeeling, indeed! It’s organic, fair trade, and has the thumbs-up of the Rain forest Alliance. Those are just some of the reasons this tea lives up to the company name. Another reason could be because once I sipped on it – it was so good – if put a smile on my face!
This Darjeeling semi-earthy in a sense that it was ‘green’ and floral but not bitter-floral more of a Sweet Jasmine type floral. It has a greener flavor moreso like a green tea than a rough and tough black tea base. This tea held up to multiple infusions, too, which is always appreciated.
I like this Darjeeling Singbulli offering because it’s tasty and nice to have on hand for any time of the day. It makes a nice hot cup or cold cup of tea. It has a sturdy taste without being too overbearing. This tea gets a “HAPPY” review from me!