Boy, you really have to WANT to leave a note around here lately! OK, ‘nuff said. Maybe we’re back now!
As a long-timer, as I was steeping up this very old sample, I was just pondering all the tea companies that have come and gone since I started hanging out here. I think this one may be in the “gone” category; the only Tea Merchant I see when Googling is in South Africa, and I don’t believe it’s a match.
At any rate, this little packet has held up well despite significant neglect. I don’t do a lot of Darjeeling…a little too thin and dry for me, but this one gets a better-than-average on my scale. Some of that nice grape-peel flavor, but it doesn’t make your mouth dry like you’ve been licking paper. I’m glad to have some left just to change up the morning routine a little.
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You’re right, leaving tasting notes has been quite a chore lately. As someone who felt the same way about Darjeelings a few years ago and now loves them, I might recommend lots of leaves, a relatively short steeping time (3 or 3.5 minutes), and water around 195F or even 190F. I find second flushes to be sweeter and have less astringency than their first flush siblings. Sorry if you’ve heard all this before. :)
I am the product of Depression-era hoarder parents. I tend to be very chintzy on leaves and need the reminder to loosen up!
I also tend to be too stingy with my leaves and brew my tea until its last gasp of flavour. I usually steep my Darjeelings three times until all I can taste is the tannins.
I remember The Tea Merchant! (Because I still have a sample or two of their teas in my cupboard. egads)
You’re right, leaving tasting notes has been quite a chore lately. As someone who felt the same way about Darjeelings a few years ago and now loves them, I might recommend lots of leaves, a relatively short steeping time (3 or 3.5 minutes), and water around 195F or even 190F. I find second flushes to be sweeter and have less astringency than their first flush siblings. Sorry if you’ve heard all this before. :)
I am the product of Depression-era hoarder parents. I tend to be very chintzy on leaves and need the reminder to loosen up!
I also tend to be too stingy with my leaves and brew my tea until its last gasp of flavour. I usually steep my Darjeelings three times until all I can taste is the tannins.
I remember The Tea Merchant! (Because I still have a sample or two of their teas in my cupboard. egads)