Another classic graded china variety Darjeeling tea sampled by Mr. Sudhangshu, proprietor Giddapahar. Last year we bought this tea and it was liked by a lot of our tea friends. We couldn't avoid buying this year's produce. An affordable Darjeeling muscatel tea for tea connoisseurs who are a fan of that musk flavor.

Dry Tea leaves: This Giddapahar Musk has a blackish overall appearance which seems to fulfill a satisfactory characteristics pertaining to a classic Darjeeling Second Flush variety. It has a clean and even outlook which maintains that proper sorting has been done to free it from other extraneous elements. Since its a china variety tea, processed to be a classic Darjeeling Second Flush, leaves are smaller. Its a neat tea, well rolled and twisted with fair amount of silver tips.The dry leaves seems to be highly fruity and nutty, reminiscent of almonds. The muscatel character is quite prominent which is accompanied by mild sweetness.

Wet Tea leaves: The most coppery infusion of all Second Flush we have purchased this season. The coppery infusion comprises of dark chocolate colored leaves with some hints of brown. It is fresh smelling giving the taster to assess its quality and flavor. This bright infusion has a marvelous musky aroma which comes mixed with various fruity characteristics. In addition to the above, it also has a pleasingly sweet aroma which appears to be slightly minty as well.

Cup or Tea Liqor: The cup has a rich mellow liqor, full bodied in the mouth. It has strength, color and fullness. The color tends to move more towards red-orange. A well matured tea's cup with exceptional flavor of muscatel. A lively brisk cup with fruity flavors accompanied by a slight flowery touch. The cup is sweet and also has hints of some maltiness which comes with fruity flavors of grapes. A well rounded cup that can be taken all day long. Do not steep it for too long as this too might develop some bitterness; 3 minutes recommended.

All the teas above Giddapahar Musk belong to the special reserve teas and this one belongs to the classic category Darjeeling Tea. Its an SFTGFOP1 grade attached with "tippy" which tells us that its a classic Darjeeling Tea with abundance of silver tips. An affordable tea sampled by Mr. Roy which we thought it to be fit for everyday tea and affordable by all. An affordable good quality organic Darjeeling Tea.

Dry Tea leaves: This is a classic variety Second Flush Darjeeling tea and mostly comprises of tea leaves taken from a china variety tea bush. The leaves are even in size and seems to have undergone fine sorting. Finely rolled and twisted, the overall appearance of the tea leaves lean more towards the brownish color. The brownish color is a mixture of light and dark brown leaves with abundance of silver tips. This vitange Darjeeling grade has mild hints of fruity aroma accompanied by very light malty notes.

Wet Tea leaves: The infusion is broadly coppery as should be in the case of classic Darjeeling Second flush. This lively bright infusion comprises of light and chocolate brown leaves. It has a pleasing nose which is fresh and fragrant. It emits mild fruity and nutty bouquet.

Cup or Tea Liqor: It has considerable amount of strength which is darker than the rest of the teas above. It is coloury tending more towards dark orange-red liqor. It has a lively brisk character which is also smooth when sipped. Steeping it for a longer period can make the tea develop some bitterness, 3 minutes time is recommended for a teaspoonful of dry tea leaves. Its a mature tea having good body and fullness. It has mild fruity and nutty flavor which tends to leave a sweet and lingering aftertaste.

This batch was specially ordered by one of our wholesale customers, but Goomtee sent us some extra sack. Just a sack is remaining with us and thought why not we put it up and let others try as well.

Dry Tea leaves: It seems to be a beautiful combination of yellow, black and green leaves, with an overall blackish-yellow appearance. The darker blackish leaves tend to have some yellow spots as if tending to peal off the dark façade and reveal the yellow inside. Quite a unique appearance. The leaves are curly, but not resembling that of bps grade which are much shorter in length. To be precise, it has got well rolled and twisted slender leaves which tend to curl. The first aroma gives an intriguing feel of roasted peanuts which is quite rare in a Darjeeling green. Recommended: Smell as soon as you open the pack. It has got considerable amount of tips and if observed closely, the black leaves tend to appear shiny due to the presence of minute silver hairs. Apart from the first roasted peanuts characteristics, it also imparts a slight fruity aroma, which also appears to have a very mild meaty character reminiscent of an oolong tea.

Wet Tea leaves: It has a mild sweet, honey toned nose. The leaves tend more towards the yellow-greenish color leaving the black hidden. The curly leaves tend to expand and reveal its true size. Apart from the slight sweetness, it tends to be more nutty similar to almonds; fruity and the roasted peanuts character can be found here as well. It also has that slight vegetal notes common in Darjeeling green and white teas. Mild meaty character also present, but not prominent.

Cup or Tea Liqor: It imparts a pale yellow colored liqor which has a weak body. The cup gets bitter if steeped for more than 3 minutes, so 2.5-3 minutes steeping recommended. It is slightly astringent leaving the middle of the tongue dry. It tastes like a green Darjeeling slightly vegetal, sweet, but also nutty as the black Darjeeling teas.

If you like to try what Darjeeling is doing behind the tea bushes, then we would highly recommend on trying this tea. We would love to hear your feedbacks. A rare and limited edition tea.

If you always encountered a bad Darjeeling green or would like to know what a real quality Darjeeling Green is like - Arya Emerald is a perfect example and a mark of excellent Darjeeling Green

Giddapahar has again surprised us with this unique second flush manufacture. First Flush was an excellent find for us and this second flush tea boasts of being an excellent buy at the cost we are selling it. Mr. Sudhanshu, owner of Giddapahar, saved us this batch of musk tea and we thank him very much. We just got about 50 kgs and when we asked for more, it couldn’t be provided. So this means this too is limited edition!

Dry Tea leaves: Truly, if we talk about the appearance of the dry tea leaves, its not attractive as as Sungma Clonal Wonder etc. but possesses an excellent musky characteristics as the name ‘musk’ suggests. Apart from the ‘musk’ character, it is sweet smelling which also tends to be layered by complex fruity and flowery aromas. Its also malty or chocolaty.

Wet Tea leaves: A marvelous coppery infusion which is a combination of dark brown and chocolate colors. The infusion has a sweet nose that is also chocolaty in nature, sugary and musky. It is also high on fruity and flowery notes.

Cup or Tea Liqor: A dark full bodied coppery infusion which is somewhat slightly smoky. Has an excellent fruity and flowery aromas that also tends to be chocolaty, malty and almondy. The cup is smooth and the taste can be described as being quite buttery, sweet with an overwhelming nutty character. It also has some fruity and flowery taste.

An excellent and affordable musky Second Flush Darjeeling tea from Giddapahar Tea Estate.