Can anyone recommend a really good FF Darjeeling?
The only Oolong teas I drink are Taiwanese High Mountain Green Oolongs. Trying to compare the complexities of a good Oolong to the complexities of a good Darjeeling is like comparing Apples to Oranges.
Good Darjeelings will be complex. Just read the grandiose descriptions of Darjeeling teas on Mariage Freres website. It is this complexity of Darjeelings which defines what I consider as a good Spring Flush Darjeeling. Just a hint of astringency which adds to the flavor and not masking the other flavors present in the tea.
As the FF Darjeelings tend to be temperamental, that’s where I have a problem ordering sample quantities. It usually takes me several brews to nail the best parameters for a particular Spring Darjeeling. Since I always drink teas with my wife, a sample quantity is not enough so I always order at least 50g. Mariage Freres states specific brewing parameters which differs for each Darjeeling, and I usually start from there and adjust according to my tastes.
Some may claim it a sin but I too add a small amount of sugar. ¼ teaspoon which is just enough to enhance the taste of the Darjeeling tea. I’m also extremely finicky about the sugar I use and I buy the sugar each time I am in Japan. Mitsui offers a range of sugars and I use the high purity spoon brand in the blue bag. It adds sweetness only. I’ve tried the sugar from Mariage Freres and the taste is identical to the Mitsui Blue Spoon brand sugar but at a much higher price.
In your post, you requested advice on purchasing really good Darjeeling. There are lots of suggestions others have posted so try some or all and decide which Darjeelings you prefer as being really good in taste and flavor.
Happy Brewing!
Youve got me intrigued about the misui sugar now. i try to get the best white i can here in the UK, but i have noticed certain sugar adding too much to the flavour. i have also recently been trying low gi sugar such as stevia and it just doesnt work.
I don’t think Mitsu ships their sugar overseas. You can find more info here.
http://www.mitsui-sugar.co.jp/english/spoonbrand/products.html
You can try the sugar from Mariage Freres.
http://www.mariagefreres.com/boutique/UK/fa+rock-candy-300g-glass-jar+E43.html
There is no emphasis on 2015 here, I can send you my 2012 silver tip FF from Glenburn I got in this set : http://www.capitalteas.com/Connoisseur_Sampler_Set_p/3609.htm
I also have Butiki’s Oriental Beauty if you’d like a sample (as well as other OBs)
wow that would be amazing. ive never received a sample from another member before – is it the usual that i send you a similar amount back?
I love, love, OB. ive only got one type at the moment, drank my others
That’s your call. I’ll send you samples just because, but if you want to swap we can. Swapping is one of the best parts about Steepster :)
Just follow me and I’ll send a PM when I get home after work
The Mariage freres package turned up asap. amazing.
the Puttabong SFTGFOP1 DJ 61/2014 is lovely. clear taste with less astringency than i thought. I brew 2-3grams at 85 for 3 mins, i tried at the recommended 95 degrees but it was too strong for me
These FF have almost minty aromas and an almost cloying lovely aftertaste.
Not as good as my favourite Oolong but certainly a similar calibre. really really nice.
Still trying to get my head around the Arya FTGFOP1 DJ5/2014. its more complex than the Puttabong.
not sure about the Arya tbh! it tastes to me like a SF in lots of ways.
has a sort of chestnut thing going on first sip, then a really nice flavour thats sweet.
aroma in mouth is lovely, aftertaste is lovely. but that first bit i cant get my head around! its not muscatel like the SF ive tried (muscatel dream from imperial was the strongest in this regard)
Still nice – it really has a deep nutty smell reminding me of a SF!
For the Puttabong, try extending the steeping time. At 4 minutes, astringency slightly increases while the tea exhibits more body. The Arya is pretty sensitive so you can try varying the parameters, like cutting back on the amount of tea, to obtain the taste you prefer.
yeah i have, like 2g for ~2 mins. i prefer the puttabong atm, 3g 2:45 85 degrees.
got to be careful i dont drink the lot too quickly, its turning into a pretty expensive hobby
Oh, my singbulli silk is a 2014 DJ1 and really good. its nearly run out, and im gutted to hear it might not be the same again! it has a wonderful sweet astringent thing going on that makes your whole mouth taste nice
When you get a chance, you might want to try the Darjeeling FF Orange Valley from Mariage Freres. It has much of the qualities of a good FF Darjeeling at 1/3 the price compared to the top tier Darjeelings.
I know it’s not a Darjeeling, but Nepal teas come pretty close!
I haven’t had it myself, but thought you might be interested at the current discount:
http://what-cha.com/black-tea/nepal-1st-flush-2014-clonal-delight-black-tea/
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