Republic Darjeeling

I just bought this tea and made a pot of tea yesterday. I enjoyed it very much. From reading All the Tea in China, I learned that this tea came from the work of Robert Fortune for the East India Company in the late 1800’s. He “gathered” tea seeds in China and the tea plants that sprouted from those seeds were planted in India…Darjeeling tea came from that “project”.

According to the story on the package, this particular tea is second and third flush tea. ie, they were part of the second and third annual picking of these tea plants.

Smoky, some depth of flavor, but not my thing. It’s not as full-bodied as I was hoping, and the smoky bitterness is really not up my alley. Glad to try a Darjeeling, but this one isn’t a keeper for me.

To quote Randy Jackson “It was just a’ight for me”.

I was on the road for a whole month, and spent the time prior to using up tea in the house and haven’t had the free time to place an order since I got back, and so I am stuck drinking Republic of Tea from the bulk bins at Central Market.

I’m surprised every time I drink this tea. I expect a Darjeeling that isn’t as good being that it’s not a first flush (probably not a fair presumption). I’ve yet to brew it in a way that makes it astringent. I really that it’s a full bodied. Overall a surprising good Darjeeling tea.

very smooth

I was surprised by this tea! I got it as a gift and was expecting it to be just “ok” but it was nice. When I’m out of my 2nd flush darjeeling I brew this one until more of my favorite arrives in the mail… And I’m never unhappy with it. :)

This tea in iced tea form is outstanding – comes in a nice bottle too.

Republic’s Darjeeling is surprisingly decent, but not up to par as far as all the other Darjeelings I’ve tasted. It’s a blend, which rarely sits well with me. It’s rounded, which is good for most drinkers, but lacks the punch I look for in most Darjeelings. It’s the only Darjeeling I’ve considered putting honey in; all others I drink straight.