Arya Ruby first Flush 2010

So loving these wonderful teas from Thunderbolt Tea in their heat-sealed foil pouches with all the air sucked out! So fresh when my humans open them! This one is another hit with us and lives up to the Darjeeling name. Photos and details: http://lyt-tea-reviews.blogspot.com/2010/11/review-thunderbolt-teas-2010-sample-2.html

Much darker in colour and rather stronger in flavour compared with other first flush Darjeeling teas. Drinking a cup in comparison with the Arya autumnal flush from last year. The Ruby has a distinctly greener taste, less fruity, although it is also a bit toasty. Less muscatel flavor in teas from this estate? They both have the flavor profile that I associate with Darjeeling but it is subdued. This is a lovely tea to look at, the leaves are extremely long, thick and beautifully twisted.