Organic Makaibari Estate Darjeeling 2nd Flush Black Tea Tea by Arbor Teas

Organic Makaibari Estate Darjeeling 2nd Flush Black Tea

This outstanding tea is biodynamically farmed at the Makaibari estate in India’s Darjeeling district. Established in 1859, Markaibari is the oldest estate in Darjeeling, where a strong commitment to sustainable farming prevails. This organic and Fair Trade Certified tea is made from the new growth of the tea plant a few months after the first harvest of the year, referred to as the “second flush.” Second flush black teas from the Darjeeling region offer a darker liquor and stronger body than teas of the first flush, with far less “green” character. This tea is no exception, having an exquisite aroma and amber color, with fully-ripened Muscat grape and wildflower notes, and a punchy astringency.

Sustainability is a cornerstone of Arbor Teas’ business philosophy. In addition to offering an exclusively organic selection of teas, they recently became the first tea company to offer their whole catalog in 100% backyard compostable packaging. They’ve also carbon-offset the entire supply chain of their products, from origin to the customer, making Arbor Teas the greenest option for Earth-conscious tea drinkers, and one of few tea companies recognized by Green America.

9 Tasting Notes

Tabby 5 tasting notes

I’m celebrating Fair Trade Month early with my first darjeeling. Thank you, Taylor!

I knew I was going to like this tea the second I opened the bag and sniffed. It smelled so deliciously sweet and enticing, but dark. Like the woods in fall. The leaves don’t look like a traditional black I’m used to. They were a lighter brown, and had bits that remind me almost of a white tea mixed in.

I could hardly wait the five minutes I let it steep. The initial flavor is a cultured, smooth black tea with a hint of honey. It also has a sort of fruity zest to it, sort of lemony. There is no bitterness at all, and it is not astringent in the least. I can suddenly understand why people call darjeelings “the champagne of tea”.

This might be my mainstay black tea from now on.

2010-09-23 15:39:18 -0400

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The guys and I are sharing a pot of this tonight with the balcony door left open. My glass mug is still steaming furiously, but I keep trying to steal a sip anyway. I’m impatient. I still love this tea. It’s such a complex and summery thing.

We’ve been having a pot of tea every night, since I always have at least one person hanging out at my place these days. Previously, I’ve been blending my teas and not logging it because I don’t really like making pages for custom blends. But I’ve been mostly making “fall” teas. Apple cranberry, vanilla assam, stuff like that…

2011-11-16 20:03:17 -0500

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Made a pitcher of this tea today. Been sipping it iced all day. It’s a special tea to me, and I’m happy to have it again. It makes the farmer’s market blend seem sharp and coarse in comparison. Deliciously smooth, both fruity and floral at the same time. With a hint of apricot. Wonderful.

2011-05-01 21:52:02 -0400

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Backlogging from earlier today. My brother and I had this iced with a little sugar. It came out perfect this time, I think. I let the water stop bubbling just before it hit the leaves, which I think keeps it from getting that odd aftertaste darjeelings can have if the water is too hot. It’s almost like an oolong that way. Anyway, I’m going to have to make a pitcher after tasting it again. So good.

2011-09-08 00:59:18 -0400

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Backlogging from around 2:30 today.

So sad to be at the end of this sample. I had been holding out, but I’m back from vacation and wanted to have something nice on my first day back. My friend had never had darjeeling before, so I was happy to introduce him to it today. He was out of regular sweetener or sugar, so we used brown sugar instead. That made this seriously decadent. I probably should have given it one more minute to really bring out the muscatel flavor, but I’ll know next time.

Yeah, I’m definitely getting myself a bag of this. I’d miss it too much otherwise.

2010-10-18 18:58:05 -0400

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cody 6 tasting notes

I still haven’t decided how I feel about Darjeeling in general. I think I like it, but I still haven’t really put on finger on what it is I like or dislike about it.

It’s kind of… sweet. And fruity. And a bit spicy? Hmm.

2010-08-03 10:51:02 -0400

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