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!
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!
Giddapahar Wonder, 2nd Flush 2016, Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited
Recently, I started my day with Giddapahar Wonder, 2nd Flush 2016, Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited. I wasn’t sure if it would be as strong as I was looking for to start my day but I was wrong! This is one of the stronger Darjeeling teas I have tried!
Giddapahar Wonder, 2nd Flush 2016, Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited is fairly complex but definitely a tea to take your time with while still being a strong cuppa which is great for mornings! It has that stereotypical Darjeeling taste but it’s magnified! Let me TRY to explain this a bit more…
The dry leaves are crisp. Length-wise they are on the shorter side but of various lengths and multiple shades of light and medium brown. As I sniff the dry leaves the nose isn’t overly noticeable but I can pick up a lighter Darjeeling notes that are crisp and clean. This was just the beginning of my tea experience with Giddapahar Wonder, 2nd Flush 2016, Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited.
Once I infused this tea it really came to life! It ‘brewed’ to a lovely, rich medium brown color. The infused aroma of Giddapahar Wonder, 2nd Flush 2016, Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited was a combination of sweet and wet wood, somewhat muscatel and subtle smoky notes hiding deep underneath, hints of dark chocolate, and even specs of raisins.
The taste of Giddapahar Wonder, 2nd Flush 2016, Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited offers many of those Darjeeling tastes you may be looking for but a more deep and rich taste on the tongue. This is a very strong Darjeeling that surprises and delights me as I usually find Darjeelings to be more mellow. Instead of this having delicate floral notes I pick up on the other flavors more-so. The aftertaste leaves a STRONG earthy taste that lingers.
All-in-all…Giddapahar Wonder, 2nd Flush 2016, Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited is pretty impressive. There are MANY layers to this tea and if you like picking apart those layers like I do I think you will re
ally enjoy this tea. If you are a Darjeeling fan looking for something different I also think you will find this one of interest!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea Limited
Description: Since this specific tea was not YET listed on their site at the date of writing this I figured I would include more info about the Giddapahar Estate instead…
About the Tea Estate: Giddapahar is located on a mountain which is just a short drive from Kurseong. The garden is situated at 4864 feet above sea level. The Estate is a small family owned Darjeeling tea estate which is also known as “Eagles Cliff” lying very close to Kurseong town. From the estate, one can view the magnificent site of the mountains which also makes it the perfect site for taking photographs.
Giddapahar is almost 100% covered with pure china tea bushes and has followed the legendary classic grade production of Darjeeling Teas. The tea from Giddapahar Estate is very delicate due to the lower temperatures here and also because the area itself is covered by mist for a good part of the year. Teas are planted and picked by using traditional methods. Due to the temperature, the tea bushes from the estate produce a fine bouquet with great aromatic quality and a delicate floral smell.
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!