First Flush Darjeeling Tea 2011: NOW 25% OFF

FIRST FLUSH DARJEELING TEA SAMPLER PACK - 35 GRAMS EACH - 8 TEAS - "NEW 2011"

An offer on our exclusive range of First Flush Darjeeling Teas procured this 2011. We had never sold tea samples before, but started from the recent Autumn Flush 2010 on requests from our tea loving friends. Thanks for all your feedbacks. We thrive on your feedbacks which helps us improve and rectify any wrongs. Here you are with the 2011 First Flush teas.

During the Autumn Flush we had offered tea samples of 50 grams each, but this First Flush we have reduced the quantity to 35 grams as it was proving expensive. The reduced quantity widens affordability and a chance to taste all teas and hence decide on your palate likings. If you want more, you can always order, but please keep in mind that teas don't stay on this page forever :)

Previously, this tea sample pack consisted of 7 teas of our First Flush Darjeeling Tea 2011 priced at USD 61.20. With the arrival of new Arya Darjeeling First Flush we are now including 8 teas for USD 67.71. We haven't included Arya Pearl as this is very limited with us and also increased the cost of the sample drastically.

Teas that are included on the pack - Click here!

Hope you enjoy the teas!

RISHEEHAT VINTAGE SPRING (CH) [DJ 32]: ORGANIC DARJEELING TEA (DARJEELING FIRST FLUSH 2011)

Two teas chosen from Risheehat Tea Estate this Darjeeling First Flush – this china grade “Vintage Spring” and the other clonal variety. Being a high grown Darjeeling tea, it inhibits fast growth and the slow growth of the tea leaves bear some of the juiciest tea leaves which culminates into a product such as this fine vintage Darjeeling. Picked at its peak time in perfect weather conditions, it bears the real character of a classic Darjeeling First Flush tea – the quality of any particular Darjeeling highly depends on the time of its production and as said above, this tea was procured during its peak quality time. You are the judge and you can compare the quality, so don't miss this high end classic First Flush Darjeeling tea.

Dry Darjeeling Tea leaves of this First Flush Darjeeling:

Picked from smaller shoots (two leaves and a bud) which is a common characteristic of raw china tea leaf grade in Darjeeling. China grade always seem to have a smaller size when compared to the clonal varieties, but are renowned to own the classic Darjeeling character which is bit less in a clonal. Clonal has evolved to own its own unique properties which is totally a different world encircling within the frivolities of Darjeeling. The leaves have an overall greenish appearance with a uniform blend of different shades of green, browns and grays. It has a marvelous bloom and the luster arising from its silver hairs make it adorn a stylish look. It has abundance of silver tips or buds which further beautifies the appearance. Some tips are yellow which can be well compared to golden tips, hence denoting high quality tea. The leaves seem well rolled and twisted, and great care has been taken in the manufacture keeping in mind the overall look of the tea leaves and the first flush qualities that it should possess. It is an art to maintain both the quality of appearance and inherent characteristics of a particular tea and in this case, only Mr. Kumar from Risheehat knows how to bring about the end product. It has a fresh sweet fragrance, floral in nature. It is honey toned and nutty which spreads its wings to cover caramel bouquet. Slightly spicy as well.

Wet Darjeeling Tea leaves of this Darjeeling First Flush:

It bears a bright and lively green infusion with a slight tinge of light yellowish blend. The well rolled and twisted tea leaves now beautifully opens up and unfolds from its prior state of attachment. The abundance of silver tips are visible in silky needle shaped form. It emits faint notes of Indian spices which comes as a complex mix package with the inclusion of nutty, flowery and fruity aroma. The faint sweet notes depicts the tenderness of the tea leaves when plucked and tends to clamor about the situation and region it has grown from.

Cup or Tea Liqor of this First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

It has a delicately ornamented light golden brew that is light and bright in appearance. The hint of complexity of flowery and fruity undertones are invigorating and elates the mind with a lively fresh feeling. Little bit of spiciness can be felt which is equally balanced by sweetness which is honey toned. It has some astringency which starts with a lively brisk character in the mouth. It has an aromatic cup with a definitive bite. It is also nutty and buttery in taste which contributes to its smoothness in the mouth. Some portions of the tongue experience the astringency and some that slippery or buttery sensation. It has a sweet floral and grape like aftertaste that lingers on. 3 minutes steeping time is recommended.

A well balanced and top notch classic china variety Darjeeling Tea from First Flush. A classic organic Darjeeling Tea grown on extreme steep slopes of Risheehat surrounded by mist, fog, rain, clouds and sun and not to forget the beautiful location of the blue hills! Its a story you have to listen with every sip you savor!!

ARYA SFTGFOP1 PREMIUM [DJ 12]: ORGANIC DARJEELING TEA (FIRST FLUSH DARJEELING TEA 2011)

Spread over an area of 125 hectares, Arya Tea Estate is located in the vicinity of Darjeeling town and is one of the highest altitude tea gardens like Risheehat. Apart from its range of jewel teas namely Diamond, Ruby, Emerald etc., Arya also produces excellent traditional or classic Darjeeling teas such as this classic premium. Mr. Roy the manager of Arya was kind enough to sample us the classic grades as well along with its other jewels. We liked this DJ 12 invoice and bought it. Like the crown jewel teas, this classic premium renders all the authentic qualities of a good First Flush traditional Darjeeling tea. Hope you all like it!

Dry Tea leaves of this First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

Like all vintage or classic graded First Flush Darjeeling teas, this Arya Premium has an overall greenish appearance with a perfect blend of light and dark green leaves, some browns and black colors. The leaves are well rolled and twisted. The size of the tea leaves are smaller pertaining to its originating china tea bushes. Arya always does special care on quality rather than quantity and this tea has been manufactured keeping in mind all essential qualities that need a retention – in this case, the leaf appearance. On closer inspection, the tea leaves are covered in fine silver hairs. It has abundance of silver tips clothed in fine silver and shiny hairs. The leaves are highly aromatic that smells sweet and fresh. It has a light caramel like aroma accompanied by some mild spicy characteristics. It has a unique floral and fruity aroma which seems a complex mix of ripe fruits and fresh flowers.

Wet Tea leaves of this Darjeeling First Flush:

This Arya Premium has a beautiful green infusion with a combination of light and brown colored tea leaves. The infusion is bright and lively; invigorates the mind with freshness and fervor. The lively bright infusion predicts bright liquor depicting good quality tea. It has a thoroughly pronounced bouquet of fresh spring flowers. It has a sense of that nose which resemble a mixture of Indian spices ready to be mixed in a curry preparation, specially used in South Indian cuisines. And at the same time, sweet and malty like the pastry.

Tea Liqor of this First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

As the bright and lively infusion foretold the story of the cup beforehand, it has a beautiful bright and light golden cup, highly aromatic and a tasty treat for the taste buds. It has a little darker cup meaning having more body than other classic Darjeelings belonging to the china grade. It has some desirable astringency which spreads from a particular point on the tongue. The briskness bursts in the mouth with a sweet taste. It has marvelous fruity and floral flavor accompanied by some spice like characteristics. It is also nutty like the almonds to some extent and buttery effects can be felt that governs smoothness. Recommended steeping time is 3 minutes – Longer steeping time can cause an increase in bitterness and astringency. It has a sweet floral aftertaste.

An overall first grade organic First Flush classic Darjeeling tea procured during peak First Flush production time. A reasonably priced good quality Darjeeling Tea, recommended for all tea connoisseurs!!

CASTLETON MOONLIGHT [EX 4]: FIRST FLUSH DARJEELING TEA 2011

A beautiful Darjeeling First Flush tea from the world famous Castleton Tea Garden. Castleton lies between Makaibari Tea Estates and Kurseong town, on the way to Pankhabari Road which leads to the hot plains of Siliguri town (about 80 kms away from Darjeeling). Many people get confused with Siliguri and Darjeeling - Siliguri is the hot plains where no tea grows, Darjeeling is totally a different town with different ethnicity and background. Castleton is renowned for its muscatel teas which gets produced during the Second Flush tea season. They produce good quality teas during the First Flush and Autumn Flush as well – Mr. D.B. Gurung, the main man behind Castleton's quality tea production was kind enough to send us numerous samples of his garden's First Flush production. From among several, we chose Castleton Moonlight. Thanks to Mr. D. B. Gurung for sending us such lovely teas. Mr. Gurung is a real Tea Guru carved out through years of experience, hard work and sincerity.

Dry Tea leaves of this Darjeeling Tea First Flush:

The dry tea leaves of Caslteton Moonlight fall into the larger category with chunky silver tips. The overall appearance of the tea leaves is greenish with a mix of various shades of brown all blended perfectly to give it a definite style and color. Two leaves and a bud are prominent and visible. The chunky tips are marvelously covered with a gray or white sheen due its silver hairs giving it a definite shine. The tea leaves are rather light weight and voluminous needing a larger container for storage. Use of more tea leaves is recommended for steeping. It has a very sweet and fresh aroma, honey toned accompanied by mild white chocolate like fragrance. It also resembles some aromatic characteristics to that of freshly baked vanilla cake. A complex underlying notes of spring flowers present itself as a welcoming note and makes you realize that you are about to drink one of the highest grade Darjeeling tea First Flush variety.

Wet Tea leaves of this First Flush Darjeeling:

The wet leaves are quite large and has an overall dark greenish appearance with a mix of bottle green, brown and slight yellow colors. Two leaves and a bud are visible and prominent. The infusion is bright and lively. It has a lovely thoroughly pronounced sweet floral nose with a light spicy character like the mix of cumin seeds and pepper. It also has a varied range of fresh and fruity aroma which intrigues the mind and make you wanna taste the cup soon.

Tea Liqor of this First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

It has a marvelous light golden-yellow brew with a typical bright character which speaks of good and careful manufacture and hence a sign of high grade quality tea. It has a rich mellow liqor with an excellent brisk character. The cup is smooth and very less astringency can be experienced. The lively taste in the liqor comes packed with various levels of complex fruity and floral character. There is this overwhelming sweetness which fills your mouth and spreads in all directions. It also tastes somewhat nutty like roasted cashewnuts. The overwhelming sweetness which spreads as soon as you sip in, retains even after you have gulped in and forms the aftertaste which lingers for quite sometime. Use more of the tea leaves and steep for about 4 minutes so that the leaves can play its part.

A very delicious First Flush Darjeeling Tea from Castleton Tea Garden made from pure clonal AV2 tea leaves. A top quality tea, delicate, yet complex and complete in its nature. Due to its overwhelming sweetness, we would tag this tea “Sweet Darjeeling”.

ARYA PEARL [EX 5]: ORGANIC DARJEELING WHITE TEA (FIRST FLUSH DARJEELING TEA 2011)

This tea is the one, if you are looking for a perfect organic Darjeeling White Tea; a tea made during peak Darjeeling First Flush time from tender clonal tea leaves. Its 100% hand crafted tea with no machinery involved. This tea is impossible if there is no sun. In short this is the most natural form of tea we have ever come across and not to forget the quality. Quality is top notch and as the tender leaves impart an attractive appearance with a very sweet nectar like liquor, we have referred to as the "Nectar of the Gods". Made in very limited quantity, Arya Pearl is the one which you shouldn't miss even if you don't like whites that much.

Dry Tea leaves of this Darjeeling First Flush:

Seems almost as if its in its natural state as it was growing from the tea bushes. Most of the "two leaves and a bud" are intact with an amazing luster which gets derived from its glistening tiny silver hairs on almost all of the tea leaves and buds. It has an overall very greenish appearance which is accompanied by elongated silver (white) tips which tapers at the end. The chunky silver tips further ornaments the style of the leaves giving it a very attractive bloom. The tea leaves are voluminous which takes up a larger space and very light in weight. It has a very fresh sweet nose which also tends towards becoming flowery. It also has very slight hints of bread like fragrance which can be observed and sensed with a deeper and prolonged inhale. It also has attributes which seem like fresh boiled mixed vegetable.

Wet Tea leaves of this Darjeeling First Flush:

The infusion is a marvel to watch at. It seems as if you have picked up some grass and done the brewing – its so green. The overall appearance of the infused tea leaves turn out to be green with slight hints of pale yellow mixed beautifully. The tea leaves which previously in the dry state seemed glued to its counterparts, magically opens up and reveals the glory. The infusion is bright and has a lively fresh bouquet. It has a thoroughly pronounced veggie aroma accompanied by slight bread like and floral.

Tea Liqor of this Darjeeling First Flush Tea:

It has an almost colorless cup that is bright and aromatic. This light bodied tea tastes sweet and tender and feels like its rejuvenating your whole body through and through moving you towards total relaxation. It has an underlying complex undertone aromas of different flowers. The veggie aroma is prominent from the dry tea leaves to the cup. It has slight hint of grassy notes. It has a sweet aftertaste with very slight astringency. First Flush teas tend to turn bitter if steeped for long, but this one is one tea which shows no sign of bitterness. Infact to get the best of this tea, try using more of the tea leaves and steep it for atleast 4 minutes at about 85 C.

One tea you shouldn't miss! Very limited and ethereal – We call it the “Nectar of the Gods”. Very Very Limited at hand!

RISHEEHAT EXOTIC SPRING (CL) [DJ 33]: ORGANIC DARJEELING TEA (FIRST FLUSH DARJEELING 2011)

Risheehat is one of the highest elevation tea gardens in Darjeeling. The factory is perched on a hill top with Orange Valley and Arya Tea Estate lying on adjacent side but on different hills and slopes. It is an organic tea garden owned by Jayshree Tea and Industries Ltd. Risheehat flushes a bit slow due to the slow growth of its tea bushes – simply because of its high altitude. All high grown teas growing among mysterious mist and fog are said to have high quality production and Risheehat undoubtedly belongs to this 'high quality tea production' category, be it in relation to First, Second or Autumn Flush. Mr. Kumar, the manager of Risheehat Tea Estate, is one fine person and an awesome tea maker. He sampled us about 8 tea samples and we chose 2 teas, one china and one clonal – both can be set to be fine examples of high grown and quality Darjeeling First Flush teas.

Dry Tea leaves of this Darjeeling First Flush:

The dry tea leaves of this clonal variety from Risheehat has an attractive bloom, larger than normal size and stylish in appearance. Longish/elongated, well rolled and twisted. It has an overall greenish appearance which forms an inherit First Flush character. Apart from the overall greenish appearance, it has a flawless natural blend of complex set of colors – different shades of greens, browns, grays and whites. It has a beautiful luster with most of the tea leaves having a furry attire originating from marvelous tiny and shiny white hairs. The presence of silver hairs on tea leaves depict careful manufacture and a first instance of high quality tea. It has high content of silver tips or buds, kept intact, and got from early First Flush pluckings from lush green special clonal tea leaves. It has a marvelous spicy element added with its other aromatic properties. It has a fresh and sweet smell, honey toned, with mild saltiness. Slightly caramellic which runs parallel with a nutty nose like that of roasted almonds. It also comes with a marvelously crafted floral nose and fruity aroma.

Wet Tea leaves of this Darjeeling Tea:

It has an authentic and even infusion with an overall appearance of green mixed with slight yellow and brown tinge here and there. The infusion is bright and lively and is very tempting to taste the cup. It is said that the infusion can foretell the quality of the cup and in this case, the cup outta be real good. The temptation builds up even more with its sweet and lovely floral nose which seems decked up with a complex set of different varieties of floral essence. Slight veggie notes can be found as well accompanied by mild fruity and nutty character.

Cup or Tea Liqor of this Darjeeling First Flush:

A beautiful golden brew that is light and bright in character. The body is light, but the sip you take in, fills your mouth with buttery effects. The cup has a welcoming smooth character with light and desirable astringency that affects upper part of your buccal cavity and slowly spreads to the middle of the tongue. It has an exceptional sweet honey toned quality flavor which seems to linger on as an aftertaste. It has a beautiful light floral flavor along with some nutty characteristics.

One super fine quality First Flush Darjeeling clonal tea from Risheehat. Each tea garden has its own specialty and many came our way, but we had to reject quite a number when a comparison was done with this – thus this tea was procured. We surely would like to recommend you this tea for its super quality.

ARYA RUBY [EX 6]: ORGANIC DARJEELING TEA (FIRST FLUSH DARJEELING TEA 2011)

Arya’s Ruby Tea has always been a consistent one irrespective of seasonal change. We don’t know how the tea maker (Mr. Roy) manages to bring out the flavors associated with Ruby. Some difference can be found on the strength of the liqor, leaf appearance and some associated seasonal flavors in particular flush or season but the overwhelming chocolaty, cocoa characteristics always remain intact. This however seems Arya’s secret. Almost all of the tea gardens will have a greenish product during the Darjeeling First Flush season, but this first flush Ruby can also be compared to a Second Flush and Autumnal as well and defies the traditional greenish appearance of a First Flush product. However, it is not similar to classic Darjeeling First Flush. This tea is totally different.

Dry Tea leaves of this Darjeeling First Flush:

This year’s Darjeeling First Flush Ruby is delicately made and we believe that they have started to refine more on the art of making Ruby. The overall appearance is brownish with a mixture of a complex set of colors, most of it being shades of brown. Since a first flush very slight green tinge is there, but hardly noticeable. The leaves are delicately rolled and twisted. The amazing wiry texture they have brought this year is worth a praise. If talking of silver tips or buds, it has abundance of silver and golden tips/buds which is a sign of high quality tea. Almost most of the dry tea leaves are covered with a thin film of minute silver and golden hairs giving it a definite luster which again claims to be categorized as a high quality tea. It has an overwhelming chocolaty aroma like the cocoa accompanied by complex layers of flowery notes. It seems nutty to some extent and caramellic.

Wet Tea leaves for this First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

The wiry tea leaves now open up marvelously when infused in hot water into brown leaves with a slight hint of green. The opened up infused leaves actually reveals the original size of the tea leaves which went wiry, like thin curly wires, due to the process of careful rolling. The chunky silver and golden tips seamlessly integrate with its counterparts giving it the brightness it desires. This bright and lovely infusion has a definite chocolaty nose which also seems like vanilla. It has also underlying complex tones of being flowery and nutty.

Tea Liqor for this First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

Most of the first flush Darjeeling teas are rather lighter in the cup, but not this one. It has more body than the rest, but less than when it is produced during the Second Flush. The ruby color which is more prominent during the Second Flush is less during the First Flush, simply because those are the characteristics of any First Flush product which is inevitable, but just some tweaks in the manufacture can make a difference and make it ornament itself with more body. This is Arya’s secret. The initial nose gives hints of chocolate with flowery and creamy taste bursting in your mouth as you sip. It is sweet, nutty and milk like in taste. Slight astringency is there, but very little otherwise a smooth cup. Leaves a lingering sweet aftertaste. The name Ruby is due to the color of the liqor.

One tea which is worth trying and we advise not to miss it as its one of the souls of Darjeeling, unique in manufacture and taste, which have attained new heights of quality production. Thanks to Mr. Roy for making this tea available to us. Due to its aroma and nose from the infused leaves, we call it the "Chocolate Tea".

SINGBULLI CHINA CLASSIC SUPER FINE [DJ 24]: ORGANIC DARJEELING TEA (FIRST FLUSH DARJEELING TEA 2011)

A first grade classic First Flush Darjeeling Tea from Singbulli Tea Estate. Singbulli is well known for its First Flush teas and not only tea connoisseurs like us know about it, but all the Darjeeling tea gardens are aware of Singbulli's quality First Flush teas. Last year too, we couldn't resist the teas which came in various sample packs. This year we chose this invoice "DJ 24", china variety. Hope you all like it!

Dry Tea leaves for this First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

As reminiscent of First Flush classic Darjeelings, this Singbulli's offering has an overall greenish appearance with a beautiful blend of light and dark-bottle green colored tea leaves. It seems to be well sorted and has a definite bloom with considerable amount of silver tips. The tea leaves are well rolled and twisted. Being a classic china graded tea, the tea leaves are smaller than its clonal counterpart. It has a sweet and fresh aroma accompanied by some spicy elements. Somewhat caramellic (milky) and honey toned as well. It has the smell of fresh flowers of different origin which is layered. It has that fruity character with undertones of nuttiness like the almonds.

Wet Darjeeling Tea leaves for this First Flush:

It has a marvelous lively bright infusion with an overall greenish appearance. The overall greenish appearance comes mixed with different colors of light and bottle green with a slight hint of light brown as well. It has sweet honey toned aroma which is accompanied by faint fruity characteristics which resembles orange peels. It has a complex floral scent layered one upon another and a distinct conclusion of a particular floral essence is difficult. A mild and sweet nutty nose can also be found which comes mixed with the essence of somewhat white chocolate in resemblance. Slight notes of spiciness can also be found.

Tea Liqor for this First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

It has a light golden-yellow cup which marks the sign of any good quality first flush tea. The reflective quality of liqor or in simple words the brightness of the cup is lively and fresh smelling. It has a beautiful floral aroma somewhat rosy in character. Slightly grassy, but well balanced by prominent sweet and nutty characteristics which resemble almonds. The cup is smooth with buttery mouth-feel. Some spicy hints can be felt as well. Slight astringency can be felt and a very mild bitterness, yet sweet in taste can be observed. It leaves a sweet and buttery aftertaste at the tip of the tongue. Recommended steeping time is 3 minutes, greater steeping time can increase astringency and bitterness simultaneously.

One great quality classic Darjeeling First Flush tea from Jayshree's finest Flush Flush tea producing tea garden – Singbulli. Don't miss this, you'll miss the real Darjeeling classic character for which Darjeeling First FLush is famous for.

GIDDAPAHAR SFTGFOP1 CLONAL FINE [EX 2]: FIRST FLUSH DARJEELING TEA 2011

Giddapahar has been consistent these few years in bringing beautiful teas every tea season. Actually Giddapahar Tea Estate is one tea garden that have most of their tea fields covered with “chinery” or china tea bushes producing classic Darjeeling Teas, but from last year, they have a small section where clonal variety has been growing. This tea is from this small section of this family own Darjeeling plantation. Quality is what they have been stressing on for quite a number of years and we believe they have succeeded in bringing awesome and delicious teas. This Darjeeling First Flush clonal variety is one that we chose from other clonals harvested at different intervals.

Dry Tea leaves for Darjeeling First Flush Tea:

The dry tea leaves bear a clean and well sorted look. It is well rolled and twisted giving it longish appearance that curve like the crescent moon. The over all color of the dry tea leaves is greenish with a compelling mix of bottle green and hints of black. The leaves are quite chunky and there is abundance of silver tips to be found covered by those miniscule shimmering hairs. Made in the classic fashion, this tea has sweet, fresh and flowery aroma. It has slight hints of saltiness which also refers to being spice like and nutty to some extent.

Wet Tea leaves for First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

The well twisted leaves unfold beautifully when infused in hot water, giving it a bright infusion with an overall greenish appearance which is a flawless blend of florescent green, pale yellow and dark green colors. The bouquet of the wet leaves expresses its freshness and has pronounced sweetness which can be future categorized as being minty. It attributes to having slight, but desirable grassy aroma which comes in a mix bag with some spicy and nutty aroma. It also has a marvelous flowery nose.

Tea Liqor for First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

It has a lively bright cup with a yellow hue. It has a weak body as is eminent of a classic Darjeeling First Flush manufacture. The cup has a sweet nose with embedded saltiness. The exceptional quality of the liqor speaks of exceptional flavor, minty and flowery in nature. It has a lively brisk taste followed by very mild grassy characteristics. It has some amount of astringency. The tea can become bitter if you steep for longer period – 3 minutes steeping time is recommended, but it is known that some tea lovers love some of the bitterness that occurs with Darjeeling first flush teas. It also has some nuttiness in taste and leaves the mouth lingering with a sweet aftertaste.

A fine clonal version of Giddapahar Tea Estate's limited edition tea. Sweet, spicy and delicious.

GIDDAPAHAR SFTGFOP1 CLASSIC DELIGHT [DJ 6]: FIRST FLUSH DARJEELING TEA 2011

The original Giddapahar style Darjeeling First Flush Tea made from pure china tea bushes. The Eagle's Craig so famous in the Kuseong region, where Giddapahar resides is filled with chinese tea bushes. Clonals are produced less as its only got a small clonal section from which our Giddapahar clonal tea comes, but when it comes to china grade, they do bulk production. Since numerous invoices (1 invoice, eg. “DJ 6” comprising of about 105 kgs) fall in the china category, Mr. Sudhangshu was kind enough to sample us numerous invoice samples and we picked up this DJ 6 invoice. Its a marvelous tea!

Dry Tea leaves First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

Most of the classic grades specially the teas made from china tea bushes are smaller in leaf size but this time Giddapahar has excelled in the the manufacture, keeping the leaf size at its maximum. A true SFTGFOP1 size we may call it for a china grade where the tea leaves are quite large. The tea leaves seems well rolled and twisted giving each one not only the twist it needs, but a whole curvy edge to the whole body (strand) of the leaf. The overall color of the tea leaves is greenish with a mixture of dark and deep green colors. It has abundance of silver tips and presence of tiny the silver hairs give it a definite bloom to the overall appearance, making it very attractive. The tea leaves are highly aromatic and has an overall freshness that seems to relax the mind. It has also complex mixture of fragrance that is sweet, tender, grassy, spicy, salty, flowery and nutty like the almonds.

Wet Tea leaves of this First Flush Darjeeling:

The leaves open up to its original size which is quite large for a classic china grade. It has an overall bright infusion mostly green but comes blended with a slight hint of pale yellow and other shades of green, also some browns. It has an intriguing spicy nose which comes parceled with mild sweetness and veggie aroma. Some grassy and minty nose can be found which depicts freshness. It is also floral and nutty to some extent.

Tea Liqor of this Darjeeling First Flush:

As a classic graded tea made from pure china tea bushes and also being a First Flush, the cup doesn't differ and has a light liqor, pale golden-yellow cup. Pale doesn't mean a dull cup here, the cup is light and bright which reflects back to the hands of time, at the time of careful manufacture. It has a definite briskness which intrigues the tongue with freshness and relaxation. The liqor becomes a well rounded cup if done with the correct steeping time. 3 minutes is recommended for steeping because the tea can turn bitter if steeped for longer time and the smoothness can be lost. It gives you a beautiful mouth-feel filling with all its characteristics that refers to being invigorating, sweet, almondy (nutty) and flowery. It has slight astringency which can be felt at the tip of the tongue, but gradually wades off leaving a sweet and spicy aftertaste.

If you are a classic Darjeeling First Flush fan, then you shouldn't miss this tea by any chance. Its one tea we chose from 10 different classic china tea samples and the classic Darjeeling aroma is worth a mention here. A tea which invigorates your senses!

SINGBULLI CLONAL CLASSIC SUPER FINE [EX 1]: ORGANIC DARJEELING TEA (FIRST FLUSH DARJEELING 2011)

Located among numerous other Darjeeling tea gardens in the picturesque valley of Mirik region (about 65 kms away from Darjeeling), Singbulli Tea Estate is one of the prized tea estates renowned for its top notch quality Darjeeling Tirst Flush Teas. Among 6 tea estates belonging to Jayshree Tea Ltd., Singbulli is one of their finest tea gardens. Mr. Parikh and Mr. Mantri were kind enough to send us a huge number of tea samples from which we could choose 2 of the teas which suited our palate, one china and the other being this clonal classic. This clonal comes from their best clonal growing region known as 'Tingling' division. This tea is limited at hand.

Dry Darjeeling Tea leaves of this First Flush Tea:

A classic clonal grade tea made with utmost care in manufacture retaining all the essential characteristics for which this tea has excelled. It has a overall greenish texture with a mix of light brown color. The leaves are elongated with those longish look, thin, well rolled and twisted. It has high existence of elongated silver tips or buds. Most of the tea leaves seem clad in white furry coat which is a result of its prominent fine silver hairs. The aroma speaks of mild and pleasing 'confectionery' like smell – varieties of pastries. It has a sweet floral nose accompanied by fruity aroma reminiscent of pineapple. Somewhat nutty to some extent. Has mild spicy character as well.

Wet Darjeeling Tea leaves of this 1st Flush Darjeeling:

A lively greenish-brown infusion with a blend of shades of yellow. The infusion brightens with the soaked silver hairs giving it a definite and indirect shine forecasting good liqor quality. It lends a sweet floral nose accompanied by mild vanilla like essence. It smells sweet and tender and refreshes the mind as you inhale. It again emits mild pastry like aroma which also seems like mixed with fruity nose like the pineapple. Light spicy and nutty characteristics can also be found.

Liqor of this First Flush Darjeeling Tea:

The cup seems lighter than its china variety. Clonals always seem to be lighter in the cup when compared to china variety. Clonals are usually larger in size than the chinery teas, but smaller clonal sized leaves can produce stronger cup. Mantra is smaller the tea leaves, stronger the cup; larger the tea leaves lighter the cup. It has a light golden-yellow cup which is bright and highly aromatic. It has a smooth cup with desirable complex fragrant floral aroma. Has a very mild biscuity taste. It has a lively brisk taste that sparkles and bursts in the mouth which seems very invigorating. The tea is sweet, vanilla like and floral. Some fruity character can be noticed along with almondy character. It has very little astringency and leaves the tip of the tongue with a sweet aftertaste. 3 minutes steeping time recommened.

An all in all a top quality First Flush clonal tea from Singbulli Tea Estate. Very less in quantity! Highly recommended for serious tea connoisseurs who wants to experience delicacy and the complexity of a high grown quality Darjeeling tea!! Once again very limted at hand!