I’m continuing to trample through the tea fields of Darjeeling, and I like what I see. Taste. I like what I taste…
I greatly appreciate the herbal notes that cut through the more familiar black tea richness. I really like Chinese black teas, but they can definitely be a bit much whether with maltiness, nuttiness, or even fruitiness. The greenness of these FF Darjeelings are like a good aperitif – the sharper flavors stimulate your taste buds and create waves of flavor with the underlying richer flavors.
I should note that I am continuing to gong fu these teas. I really want to experience all the nuances with flavor. Maybe once I commit to purchasing something more than my 10g samples I will branch out and try some more traditional preparations.
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Dry leaf – peanut shell, pistachio, hay, wheat bran, grape leaf, dried parsley, hints of sassafras, stewed tart berry. In preheated vessel – thick wildflower honey and pungent stewed red fruit notes arrive.
Smell – roasted nuts, grapeleaf, note of lightly toasted marshmallow
Taste – arrival of very nutty notes – peanut and pistachio, with grapeleaf and milky black tea. Development of light malt, marshmallow. Finish of dried parsley, red currant, and hint of milk chocolate. Aftertaste of mint and parsley with hint of chocolately sweetness with tangy red fruit.
