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Thunderbolt Darjeeling from tealeaves.com

Steepster Score 1 Rating Rate This Tea

70/100

Thunderbolt Darjeeling

Black Tea by tealeaves.com

In a sudden flash, a lightening bolt struck just below me. Seconds later, a thunderous clap made my hair stand on end. Laughingly, I was told that Indra, the Thunder God, was just waking from his nap. Welcome to Darjeeling, the “Land of the Thunderbolts.”

Similar to the champagne designation in France, only black teas grown in the Darjeeling region (cultivated, grown, and processed in the hilly areas of Sadar, Kalimpong, Kurseong, and Silguri) are allowed to be called “Darjeeling Tea.” The annual production of the entire region is approximately 10,000 tons which has led to “false” or “fake” Darjeeling, with worldwide sales exceeding 45,000 tons.

Charged with the distinct, high-grown muscatel character of the Land of the Thunderbolts, this 2nd flush Darjeeling is a cup of complexity.

1 Tasting Note

Shizuka-NIX
45

I decided upon this tea for a meeting this morning, sipping away as the speakers made their presentations. Despite its sweet and slightly floral aroma, I must admit that this tea was not what I was expecting; at least, not compared to the darjeeling I had tried previously. I returned a few times to the station at the room’s rear to add more sugar or milk, trying to ease its strong bitterness. In the end I simply nursed the cup until the tea had gone, not enjoying it as much as I had hoped.

I’m tempted to write off the bitterness as being a result of the wooden stir sticks that were offered – I don’t usually use them unless I have to, as I find they affect the taste of the tea(s) – but it was rather strong to be a result of just that. The sweetness managed to come through a bit. I think that, perhaps if I prepared it a bit differently, I could enjoy this tea. This cup, however, did not impress.