First Vadham order showed up last week!
I was actually wicked impressed with shipping times; the estimate on the site for the shipping level I paid for was like roughly a month, and it got here in like a week? So, that was a very pleasant surprise! It was a small order – just a bunch of Nilgiri tea in different types since I just wanted to get a rough idea of what the company can offer, and I thought a comparison of one region of tea in different styles might be interesting.
This one was a free sample that showed up with my offer – a Darjeeling white tea with bergamot. Can’t say that’s something that I’d have ordered myself since I don’t love the taste of bergamot unless it’s paired with something else to cut the potency, like vanilla or other fruits. It’s also NOT on the site right now; I don’t know if that means it’s something they used to carry or if it’s something that they will carry. I typically try not to complain about free samples ‘cause, you know, they’re free but it does irritate me a little when I get a sample of something I can’t purchase. I mean, what if I LOVE it? I’m now kinda SOL, right?
Anyway, steeped up I was actually pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this one! It was pretty mild and soft, with more delicate notes of fresh bergamot and some floral/hay undertones. I will say that in general, bergamot is nice with the light, gentle profile of white tea. More so than I actually think it suits a black tea base. I think what really worked for me with this one was how fresh everything came across as, and the fact the bergamot was more of a gentle touch to accent the white tea rather than a blunt, heavy handed profile that masked the tea base. That would have likely tasted awful.
Also, this definitely got increasingly better as it cooled as well – so much so that I bet it would make a really lovely iced or cold brewed tea! I’ll try to mentally remember that for next time…