First Time Tasting
So I just got my package of 2013 Autumn Flush Giddhapahar Darjeeling and had my first cup. The flavour is so…. I don’t know how to describe it that well. All I can pick out of the many nuances are flowers and earthiness, and even then I’m not really sure if that’s what they really are. Do you have any tips for a tea newbie with regards to tasting notes? :)
You can find a wonderful article on how to taste tea here: http://butikiteas.blogspot.ca/
Thanks for the help! I now know a lot more about how the procedure is supposed to go. Just a question, what does it mean if the leaves aren’t whole, and the tea has stems mixed in?
I’ve read the Butiki article before but it was nice to review it again. There is a lot of info in it and is well worth reading a second time! Not only do we learn something new every day, but some of us need to be exposed more than one time to begin to understand/learn it! ;-) Virginia, thanks for putting it on here again! :)
The Butiki article is very good. All the way through it is a constant urging to take your time and enjoy every aspect of the session. Enjoy the leaf dry and wet. Touch the leaf if you feel the urge. Enjoy the liquor before tasting it as well as the aroma. Enjoy the taste and how it feels. For me one important aspect is watching the dance of the leaf while steeping, that is why I use a clear glass press.
One thing to remember – a tasting note is simply your experience. If you taste flowers, then its flowers to you. It isn’t necessary to narrow it down to a particular type flower – unless you can. It also doesn’t matter if every one else reports fruit instead of flowers. This a note of your time with the cup. I think your description above is very good. I now have a feel for what you got out of the experience. Fancy words and deeper layers will come with practice and exposure.
Here is one we did specifically for Darjeeling teas:
http://www.wanlingteahouse.com/article.php/81/darjeeling-taste-profile-tea-tasting
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