Darjeeling Blend

Sample cube 8/18

Admittedly I haven’t had much experience with Darjeelings in the past, so I don’t have much to compare this to. The dry sachet had a very woodsy aroma with a hint of something coffee-like. The tea brews out to a deep red-orange color. First steep was, for some reason, quite bitter in spite of being fragrant. Not just astringent, not one of the other natural flavors in tea that might be mistaken for bitterness, but literally bitter. Second steep, however, was much smoother, with no bitterness, a light muscatel note, a hint of woodsy smokiness, and a crisp, slightly astringent profile that definitely says black tea, but is not as in-your-face as some other English-styled black tea blends can be. I’m rating this based on the second infusion since I may have let the first sit for a little too long.

Tasted similar to the harney & sons Hao Ya B, but lighter. Will have to try again with and without sugar.

I received a very generous sample of this from boychik in her “Explore Darjeeling package”. Thank you!

This is really hitting the spot this afternoon. I am working on my second cup. After the TTB I am a little burnt out on flavored teas. For the last day or so I have been sipping quite a few of my straight black teas. This tea doesn’t have much spunk. There is nothing notable about it, but it is very enjoyable. It is a light cup, with a very dry feeling. It has hints of fruit and a tad bit of that muscatel (sp?) taste at the end of the sip. I will have no problem finishing this sample but the verdict is still out on a repurchase.

Backlog:

I received this tea as a sample sachet with one of my past orders. (Not my most recent order, there was no sample in that package, but I guess that’s because it was kind of a small order … a few samples as well as a tin of tea that I ordered for my oldest daughter for Christmas … one of my smallest orders placed with Harney yet. But I have SO much tea!)

Anyway … this is a really nice Darjeeling blend. The dry leaf smells sort of woodsy with some hints of earth and flower and fruity overtures. The fruity tones are somewhat muscatel-esque, with notes of currant and grape. Sweet and tangy. This is not quite as astringent as some Darjeeling teas I’ve encountered.

A pleasant cuppa.

Darjeeling isn’t my favorite tea, so that will color my review. I didn’t think this was anything special. It was pleasant to drink but I wasn’t blown away like some other reviewers were. It definitely tastes “woody” as others have mentioned, but I’m not tasting any of the caramel others are. I think I prefer oolongs.

Dry leaves are long, stringy and dark. Brewed for five min. as per directions. Wet leaves are unwrapped broken leaves with quite a bit of green showing now. Nose is lemony wood. Taste is lighter than most Darjeelings I’ve had. Moderately brisk, but doesn’t grip the sides of your tongue. Some minerality, but not very complex. Not really picking up any layering with flavors.

Harney and Sons’ Darjeeling was my first love and has since led me to explore the wonderful world of tea. I always have massive cravings for this simple blend now and then. Today I’m sipping it as a post-Sandy celebration. Delicious. Simply, quietly, and elegantly delicious. The color is dark warm amber. The mild aroma is a bit flowery and leafy. A lump of rock sugar added and it is just perfect, both as my post-Sandy treat and as my first tea to be reviewed. :)

It has a light, pleasant aroma, with just a hint of green tea scent. The flavor is very light and pleasant as well, not robust like an Assam and a bit dusty but not as dry as a Keemun. A little sugar is fine, but not too much as the flavor is too light to handle it. This is an excellent blend for those who shy away from strong teas but still want a genuine black tea flavor.

Great for mornings when you need something hot with a little caffeine. It’s a little on the woody side, but has great flavor and is best drunk without anything added. Perfect breakfast tea with eggs and toast.

I’m a fan of this for breakfast!