Darjeeling #22 [DUPLICATE]

I’m getting back into my regular life a bit, and the clearest sign of that is that I’m doing more with tea again. My husband even treated me to a tea kettle I’ve been wishing for some time: http://www.cuisinart.com/products/tea_kettles/ptk-330bk.html

I also got the black tea samplers from Adagio. I’ve been wanting to for about a year, but was also avoiding caffeine for the entire time, so I’d been putting it off. Now, it’s time to get down to it!

So, I kicked it off with the Darjeeling. It’s a good cup. I think this one would probably appeal to people who aren’t tea drinkers but are interested in getting started. It’s an easy one to drink, doesn’t really need any sweetener or cream, and is just a solid cup of tea. Yay!

Still not one of my favorites, but with a shorter steep and a little milk to soften it I’m beginning to see why people like Darjeelings.

I’m not really sure how good this particular darjeeling is as compares to other darjeelings, but it was basically exactly what I wanted right now, and it’s really hitting the spot.

So much of the nose of this tea reminds me of the Royal Garland I have from Samovar, despite the fact that I’ve been brewing the latter at 175. I probably would’ve made more mention of that in my Royal Garland note had I more experience with plain darjeeling tea, but there you go…always learning. They both seem to have the same ‘high’ notes, and the differences are largely in the foundation on which those notes rest; in Garland they’re obviously the buttery floral roundness of oolong; here in this cup, they’re less complex, black tea touched by a very subtle reminder of raisins, as with many black teas.

I fully expect that the sweet muscat-y fruity tang that’s foremost when very hot will mellow down to something less tangy and more bready as the cup cools, in just the same way as it did with the garland, but I actually picked this out of the cabinet feeling like I wanted some of that tangy grapeskin taste, so it may not survive quite long enough for the tea’s edges to round themselves off.

There’s a thickness to the tea mid-tongue that reminds that this is assuredly a black tea, and which melts at the end of the sip to whole-mouth shining sweetness.

…man. Nothing like a nosebleed to ruin a good zen moment with a cup of well-chosen tea. Argh. Springtime? You can stop by anytime now, for serious.

Light amber, sweet smelling with all of the delicate flavor I expect from a good Darjeeling.

I have a soft spot for Darjeeling tea. It’s smooth, delightful, very little astringency. It’s not overly dark or intense, just very enjoyable.

I have added some new artwork with “I love tea” message here:
http://www.antemeridiemdesign.com/fun/tea/

If you like it feel free to use it :) Personal use only.
Intended for: printing on a t-shirt, bag, hoodie or anything you like.
Clarification: Keep in mind that on the monitor the size looks huge but when printed it will be much smaller.

Second steep

Smells and tastes are the same as the first steep but less pronounced.

Still very tasty, but I’m not sure that the tea would last for a third steep. I’m going to try mixing it with the Ceylon Sonata sometime in the future, which should be good.

It feels like it has been a while since I have had a black tea, so I went for this one. I seem to always enjoy this one when I make it.

Smooth taste with just a bit of bitterness. Great aroma, and overall a very enjoyable tea.

With agave syrup and a touch of whole milk, this tastes a lot like Thai tea.

Second steep, 5 mins. added honey. better. I think the first steep should be shorter, will try 2:30 next time. Honey is good