Great News! We have tasted (and enjoyed) a number of 2011 first flush Darjeeling tea samples – Margaret’s Hope FF, Giddapahar Estate FF, Goomtee FF, Jungpana FF, Castleton FF, and Singell FF. While Margaret’s Hope, Jungpana and Castleton where all very fine teas, two stood hand and shoulders above the rest. Goomtee First Flush Darjeeling and the Singell Organic First Flush Darjeeling. We have just received these two teas and they are available for sale here.
Goomtee Estate (FTGFOP1) is located between Jungpana Estate to the east and Castleton Estate to the west. The tea plants are of the China variety of camellia sinensis. The distinctive and rare character of Darjeeling tea is a result of several factors. The tea gardens are situated at elevations extending from 600m to 2150m on steep slopes which provide ideal natural drainage for the generous rainfall the district receives. The tea itself is a combination of well-made black and greenish leaves with a strong sweet pungent aroma. These leaves produce medium-bodied tea liquor with a well-balanced sweet, spicy, and flowery character. An outstanding first flush Darjeeling tea.
Our second tea we are offering Darjeeling is the organic first flush from Singell Estate (FTGFOP1). Singell's leaves are harvested from China bushes planted in 1861. They are bold, carefully handled leaves with an abundance of silver buds. These leaves produce a very mild, sweet, and smooth tea liquor. Excellent clarity and mouth feel combines with a refined and delicate flavour. This as an exceptional first flush Darjeeling. Supplies are always limited with first-flush Darjeelings, so hurry and get yours today!
You may have been wondering why this years Darjeeling teas arrived relatively late on the market.
In March of this year the harvest in Darjeeling was in jeopardy. Workers at a large number of gardens in the region went on strike. The Darjeeling Tea Association eventually broke rank with the Indian Tea Association and independently negotiated a wage increase with garden workers at 62 plantations.
In March of this year the harvest in Darjeeling was in jeopardy. Workers at a large number of gardens in the region went on strike. The Darjeeling Tea Association eventually broke rank with the Indian Tea Association and independently negotiated a wage increase with garden workers at 62 plantations.
Ever wonder why Darjeeling tea has all the letters in the name? It is a way of classification that is unique to Darjeeling. The more letters, the finer the tea. FTGFOP1 translates to Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe 1.
