95

I was lucky enough to have a sample of this tea, and it is a fantastic Darjeeling. Or it is a fantastic first flush in my opinion because it exhibits some characteristics that I’m not used to.

As much as I enjoy Darjeelings, I find myself liking summer, autumn, or second flushes the most, especially if they have some spiciness, muscatel qualities, and the allusive cocoa-chocolate notes. First flushes for me are usually very grassy, almost like a herbal spice such as basil which is why I hesitate with them. Though they exhibit floral qualities like an oolong, they are usually more drying which is why I wait for highly recommended ones to come along before I purchase them.

I took the $39 budget as an opportunity to try this one, and unlike other first flushes, this tea has more of a bready, chocolate quality along with the more herby and spicy tones. Smelling the leaves gives me the impression of basil and butter smothered bread, with a few pieces of chocolate covered raisins waiting in the background to cleanse my palette. The taste produces a similar effect, but with a buttery smooth body of a mildly sweet dark chocolate with a heavy herby and spicy aftertaste for a tea sans astringency. That profile persists, and the tea is even better when you eat a chunk of 70% dark chocolate for company. The first time I tried this I did exactly that, and then finished off my decadent experience with a Tawny Port Wine. Yes, I’m a snob and enjoy the hell out of that fact.

I’m not sure that everyone would find the chocolate qualities, but drinking this tea straight would definitely find a sweet and savory profile dried up by the herb spiced aftertaste. It’s a black tea with a black teas sweet body but a first flushes green profile. I would highly recommend a try of this tea, though I think that people newer to tea might not get the same impressions that I do, and I am not sure how a Darjeeling connoisseur would think of it.

Flavors: Bread, Butter, Chocolate, Cocoa, Drying, Floral, Herbs, Smooth, Spicy

Teatotaler

As a Darjeeling fanatic I couldn’t agree with you more! In fact, I am sipping a cup of No.78 Jungpana Second Flush SFTGFOP1 from Bellocq Tea Atelier at this very moment. I’m adding India Darjeeling 1st Flush Jungpana to my must have list. Great review!

Rasseru

Not sure if you have tried some of the Nepalese teas from What-cha, but their closeness to Darjeeling (& methods?) give them similar characteristics which I enjoyed, also being a DJ fan.

Teatotaler

Oh yes! I recently acquired some No.70 Himalayan Rani Bhan Nepalese from Bellocq. It was indeed very similar to a wonderfully rich second flush Darjeeling. Loved it! It’s one of the best teas I’ve ever tasted! I definitely plan on further exploring teas from Nepal. I must check out What-cha’s Nepalese teas next. Thanks, Rasseru!

Daylon R Thomas

One thing I usually notice that the Nepalese teas are like tangerine leaning Darjeelings. I need to try some more from What-Cha, but there was one Nepal black I had that was like a great combo between a Yunnan and a Darjeeling.

Rasseru

Yeah, I just tried that one. Everything I have had from nepal has leaned towards FF darjeeling territory, or also white tea (the processing is pretty similar, just reading a little on the subject)

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Teatotaler

As a Darjeeling fanatic I couldn’t agree with you more! In fact, I am sipping a cup of No.78 Jungpana Second Flush SFTGFOP1 from Bellocq Tea Atelier at this very moment. I’m adding India Darjeeling 1st Flush Jungpana to my must have list. Great review!

Rasseru

Not sure if you have tried some of the Nepalese teas from What-cha, but their closeness to Darjeeling (& methods?) give them similar characteristics which I enjoyed, also being a DJ fan.

Teatotaler

Oh yes! I recently acquired some No.70 Himalayan Rani Bhan Nepalese from Bellocq. It was indeed very similar to a wonderfully rich second flush Darjeeling. Loved it! It’s one of the best teas I’ve ever tasted! I definitely plan on further exploring teas from Nepal. I must check out What-cha’s Nepalese teas next. Thanks, Rasseru!

Daylon R Thomas

One thing I usually notice that the Nepalese teas are like tangerine leaning Darjeelings. I need to try some more from What-Cha, but there was one Nepal black I had that was like a great combo between a Yunnan and a Darjeeling.

Rasseru

Yeah, I just tried that one. Everything I have had from nepal has leaned towards FF darjeeling territory, or also white tea (the processing is pretty similar, just reading a little on the subject)

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First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.

Location

Michigan, USA

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