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Roughage

Arya Emerald Second Flush Green Darjeeling from Canton Tea Co

Roughage drank Arya Emerald Second Flush Green Darjeeling by Canton Tea Co

Ok, back to the Emerald again. This time I have started afresh with a brew of 1 heaped tsp in a 250ml glass pot at 60 degrees and steep time of 1m 30s. I have kept the steep times and quantity the same so that I can compare the flavour at different temperatures. The cooler temperature gives stronger fruity flavours and a longer aftertaste. There is a slight hint of a pleasant astringency to the aftertaste, which goes on much longer. I think this tea definitely merits brewing at a cooler temperature than the recommended 70 degrees and that the result is worth it. For me the 60 to 65 degree range seems to be about right. For this reason I have increased my rating of the tea. I am now running low on it, but shall probably restock it when I have used up enough of the other teas in my cupboard to merit ordering more. Yes, I am trying to be controlled about my tea buying! :-)

2012-01-21 06:45:00 -0500

145 °F / 62 °C

1 min 30 sec

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Anthony Bazic 2012-01-24 16:29:16 -0500

I would love to have a cup of Arya Darjeeling ! I only got a Darjeeling blend from Teavana and got the idea what it would taste like, but I figured a first flush or second flush straight from an estate would be more robust in flavor. The tea I currently have is a bit too light and a little mute, guess I have graduated to secnf flush. lol Never tasted a straight second flush but a blend but its really the taste Darjeeling in my opinion and first flush is more of an introduction to Darjeeling.

Roughage 2012-01-24 17:57:56 -0500

I like the Arya teas. Canton Tea Co had a Darjeeling special last year. Darjeeling has been my favourite tea for many years, so I invested in the Ruby, Emerald and Pearl. Each is different and I have really enjoyed them all. I would certainly recommend trying them if you can. My only problem is that I have now finished the Pearl and the Emerald and the Ruby is almost all gone. Perhaps when I buy more we could do a tea swap so you can try these.

Anthony Bazic 2012-01-24 20:32:59 -0500

I welcome a swap , I just need to have a wide range of varieties for a more equal worthy swap. I have in my collection 2 types of Japanese greens made by Maeda-En and Y.M.Y., 500grams of Turkish Black made by Caykur, and a Darjeeling blend made by Teavana. I used to have a tisane Rooibos blend called Tropica from Teavana but it ran dry a week ago. The swap is quite limited only green and black tea, so we I do have enough variety we’ll swap and i’m looking forward to it:)

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I am a professional Vikingologist and I like tea! To be honest, I have always liked decent tea, but in 2011 I started working at learning what good tea really is. I am busily expanding my tea horizons quite significantly, much to the chagrin of my wife, who despairs of my enthusiasm. My favourite teas are Darjeelings and sheng puerhs, but I struggle to find black teas (other than Darjeelings) that really float my boat. My absolute favourite teas at the moment are Anji Bai Cha and Dong Fang Mei Ren both from Canton Tea Co, neither of which are shengs or Darjeelings. Seems odd, but that’s the way it is. I do wonder if the scores I give out actually reflect my predilection for Darjeelings and shengs.

I am slowly adding to my experience by trying as many different products as possible. I like to think that I am developing my palate and becoming more learned about tea, but I suspect that may be wishful thinking!

I find rating the teas difficult. Often a particular tea will appeal to me because of my mood, even though it does not get a top rating on here from me. As a general guide, I use the following ratings:

0-25 Undrinkable
26-50 Really not to my taste
51-75 Ok to good
76-99 Always welcome in my pot
100 – There ain’t no such thing as a perfect score!

As I rate teas, I try to revisit my scores and check that my old scores are in line with the new ones.