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Simple re-firing of Darjeeling dry tea leaves on your palm :)

By on May 14, 2011 in darjeeling tea 2011 first flush, darjeeling tea tasting, First Flush, Second Flush

I received quite a few number of emails saying that the dry tea leaves of our Darjeeling teas doesn’t have that high aromatic character. I was quite surprised to know this, but realized that its because of the  air proof pouches where the tea resides. Most of the air is sucked out while it is being packed and the there is no air inside with the help of which the aroma normally glides. Everything seems to be in a resting position as you open the tea pouch, but with the entry of air, the aroma slowly builds up and if you want this to happen instantly, shake the pouch gently in ‘up and downward’ direction so that the tea leaves are in jumping motion – this gets you the aroma instantly. Sniff close to the container as you are transferring the tea leaves from the pouch to your air tight container, you will get the aroma. Well these are simple things which you may have already discovered, but thought it would help. I am here referring to teas particular packed by us.
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Now for a tea tasting session and in order to inspect the characteristics of the dry tea leaves – appearance (also often referred to as texture) and aromatic properties are important. The appearance indicates different aspects of its manufacture and discerns its quality. Leaf appearance can be a complicating character to learn about when Darjeeling tea gardens are constantly improvising their teas, for example, Arya’s Ruby. Our Ruby from First Flush 2011, the ‘honey toned chocolate tea‘ as we would like to call it, is without any green tea leaves when it should have comprised of, pertaining to the classic description of First Flush Darjeeling Teas. Non of the Arya Ruby teas from any of the tea season are known to have green tea leaves – just a few can occur in the Autumnal, but that too is rare. Seems I am deviating from the topic – so that was little I touched on the appearance characteristics of Darjeelings. Now for the aroma – different tea seasons contribute their attributes like for instance, the Second Flush is known for the muscatels. The aroma can also tell a lot about the tea for instance an overfired tea can have a burnt aroma.

Well the aim is to detect the aroma as this topic is. Take a little bit of tea in your palm or place it on your tea tasting card. Make it in the shape of a hill – now with a single finger create a cavity kind of an empty space pressing and circulating from the top of the hill shape you made . It may seem like a short height volcano, but with no lava in it :) Its not necessary for you to exactly portray a volcano, it may be a plateau with a hole in the middle haha! Make sure your palm is odor free and give it a gentle hot air blow from your mouth in the empty space you created and smell it, viola! You got your aroma. All the aroma from the walls gets formed in the cavity and you can do short sniffs to get the aroma. Keep in mind the hot air blow or your breath is free from previously had food aroma otherwise, the tea will smell the same as it absorbs smell very fast. This I would call it as “Re-firing on palm”. But please note that this action can cause the tea to absorb moisture from your mouth and the quality can deteriorate faster. For steeping (tea tasting) it is recommended that you use another set of dry tea leaves.

There is another way as well to get the real aroma of dry tea leaves, but this action involves moisturizing the tea. If you have an aroma cup (you can use any china cup), put the dry tea leaves, add just 3-4 drops of hot water and shake the cup a little with its lid closed, now smell it – this gives a marvelous aroma which you may not have experienced before. Some people may ask that this is the same as preparing an infusion – yes it may seem so but I would call it testing the dry tea leaves more profoundly as when the leaf is fully infused, its characteristics are shared with water after a certain period of stipulated steeping time. With this you are smelling instantly and not waiting for the tea leaves to steep and there is actually no steeping interval involved. Friends try it yourself and you will know the difference. The fully infused leaves can have a totally different nose.

Well these are the few things I wanted to share with my tea friends, nothing special, but just basic and worth trying for you to fully enjoy your cup of tea. Don’t ask me deep rooted scientific equations for the phenomenon – its just some simple tips got from experience! Enjoy your cup!

Our First Flush 2011 Darjeeling Teas:
Yes, please do hurry if you haven’t purchased our First Flush 2011 teas – some of the teas are already running low for instance, Arya Pearl, Arya Ruby, Giddapahar Classic Delight and Singbulli Clonal Classic Super Fine. We have some Castleton Moonlight left, but is way low than we anticipated. Its one list of good teas we have for you and we hope you guys like it. We don’t want you to miss out on any. We will refund your full money back if you don’t like it and guess what you don’t have to return the tea either :) First Flush 2011 page

Thanks to all our tea loving friends who have ordered from us. Enjoy the teas!

–> And not to forget the ongoing 40% discount on our Second Flush 2010 teas – still good in quality and very delicious – otherwise money back guarantee :) Our tea club members are receiving 60… Second Flush 2010 offer page

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Happy Tea Sipping!

Darjeeling Tea tasting Darjeeling Tea tasting Darjeeling Tea tasting
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Goomtee Yellow Tea, Second Flush Darjeeling

By on February 26, 2010 in darjeeling second flush, darjeeling second flush tea, First Flush, first flush darjeeling tea 2010, Second Flush, Tea Reviews

Ah haven’t been able to update my blog for long. I recently wrote a description for the Goomtee Yellow Tea for Thunderbolt Tea sale page, thought I would share it here too. At least gets my blog rolling! :)

Without the tea maker, the tea really ceases to exist and thanks to Mr. Sagar Rawat, Manager Goomtee Tea Estate for this unique Darjeeling Yellow Tea. I was quite surprised at its attributes because it resembled black with the nutty character, green and white tea with its vegetal notes and oolong with its faint meaty character.

This particular grade of tea can be called one of the first Darjeeling Tea experimented at Goomtee Tea Estate by the Manager, Mr. Sagar Rawat. Its similar to green tea, but most Darjeeling green teas are average quality except for a few grades such as Arya Emerald. Most of Darjeeling green teas part a light vegetal note with accompanying light Darjeeling characteristics, but this as being a yellow tea imparts a total different character. The processing of yellow tea is similar to that of greens, but supposed to have a slower drying period. This yellow tea has come out to be quite different because of the Darjeeling characteristics present. If nurtured and processed well, this can have a new market of its own with a different fan base.

This batch was specially ordered by one of our wholesale customers, but Goomtee sent us some extra sack. Just a sack is remaining with us and thought why not we put it up and let others try as well.

Dry Tea leaves:
It seems to be a beautiful combination of yellow, black and green leaves, with an overall blackish-yellow appearance. The darker blackish leaves tend to have some yellow spots as if tending to peal off the dark façade and reveal the yellow inside. Quite a unique appearance. The leaves are curly, but not resembling that of bps grade which are much shorter in length. To be precise, it has got well rolled and twisted slender leaves which tend to curl. The first aroma gives an intriguing feel of roasted peanuts which is quite rare in a Darjeeling green. Recommended: Smell as soon as you open the pack. It has got considerable amount of tips and if observed closely, the black leaves tend to appear shiny due to the presence of minute silver hairs. Apart from the first roasted peanuts characteristics, it also imparts a slight fruity aroma, which also appears to have a very mild meaty character reminiscent of an oolong tea.

Wet Tea leaves:
It has a mild sweet, honey toned nose. The leaves tend more towards the yellow-greenish color leaving the black hidden. The curly leaves tend to expand and reveal its true size. Apart from the slight sweetness, it tends to be more nutty similar to almonds; fruity and the roasted peanuts character can be found here as well. It also has that slight vegetal notes common in Darjeeling green and white teas. Mild meaty character also present, but not prominent.

Cup or Tea Liqor:
It imparts a pale yellow colored liqor which has a weak body. The cup gets bitter if steeped for more than 3 minutes, so 2.5-3 minutes steeping recommended. It is slightly astringent leaving the middle of the tongue dry. It tastes like a green Darjeeling slightly vegetal, sweet, but also nutty as the black Darjeeling teas.

I rarely do reviews of teas because the very thought about not reviewing is – I want tea lovers to review it. I want to be an audience which entitles me to pick up my flaws and improve further. Well hope you like this one. Can be found on Thunderbolt Tea’s site as well! But on second thought, I will try reviewing some from now onwards, any tea, from anywhere!

First Flush Darjeeling Tea 2010
Now this is end of February and I am eagerly waiting for some of Darjeeling First Flush Teas from 2010. Very little rain till now and hope it improves. The silver lining for rain is there because its been quite cloudy for a couple of days. Just that the clouds are not being able to accumulate the amount of droplets needed :)

Regarding the Yellow tea above, a tea friend of mine, Max, has reviewed it as well, but is in Swedish language. You can check his review here

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If you are unaware of our Darjeeling Tea Discount Offer

By on June 12, 2009 in Darjeeling Tea Offers, First Flush

sale With the incoming of Second Flush Darjeeling Teas 2009, we decided to cut down the pricing on our recent First Flush Darjeeling Teas.

If you are unaware, then we are giving a flat 20% discount on our First Flush teas (2009). If you are a member then just log in and you will know the discount you are getting – Just a win win situation for you!.

This all comes with the free shipping option – make your total order of USD 49 or above and you don’t pay a penny more for the shipping – Its Free anywhere in the world! Kindly read the shipping options info before you order – its there on the order page.

Second Flush is coming and we have already updated some to our sales page, more to come soon. The second flush quality came late and its now in its peak – so get the best and get full value for your money.

Until then, Happy Tea Shopping and Happy Tea Shipping!

Get it Here!!

First FLush Darjeeling Tea 2009
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