Tea Emporium ( www.teaemporium.net)

The loose tea smells quite a bit like grass. Steeped, the scent is decidedly more complex: soy, pepper, and tobacco smoke. Thankfully, the flavor is mostly just floral, although fairly timid. I’m fine with nuance, but it’s kind of weak. Compared to my favorite Darjeeling of 2016, Puttabong Moondrops, this is nothing to experience.

Fantastically floral. Of the five 1st flush Darjeelings I’ve purchased so far this year, this is the standout. And aside from a very slight warm/savory/umami quality, the flavors are almost purely floral, with a heavy emphasis on orange blossom. It’s one of my favorite teas ever.