So, I am finally getting to a tea that was finished less than a week ago. Isn’t everyone proud of me? I ended up buying a sample of this tea and rushed to try it ahead of schedule because I was intrigued by What-Cha’s description of it. It was presented as a low cost first flush Darjeeling “with vibrant floral notes and an apricot finish.” Not only did that sound lovely to me, but the Gopaldhara Estate has such a reputation for quality and consistency that I was eager to see how one of their lower end teas would compare to some of their rightfully lauded luxury products. All in all, this was not a bad first flush tea in the least, though I did find it to be significantly less refined and less flavorful than some of Gopaldhara’s higher end teas.
I prepared this tea in the Western style. I steeped about 3 grams of loose leaf material in approximately 8 ounces of 194 F water for 5 minutes. I did not attempt any subsequent infusions.
Prior to infusion, I noted subtle aromas of Muscatel, herbs, straw, and grass. After infusion, I found aromas of straw, grass, Muscatel, herbs, and hay. In the mouth, I noted fairly delicate flavors of herbs, cream, butter, grass, straw, hay, apricot, Muscatel, violet, dandelion, pine, almond, and spinach. The finish was smooth, yet fleeting. I noted very subdued impressions of cream, pine, Muscatel, grass, and flowers that did not linger all that long in the mouth after the swallow. I failed to note apricot on the finish. Maybe it was just me.
As stated above, this was not a bad first flush tea. I recall trying several other first flush teas from Gopaldhara and I recall them striking me as being somewhat hit or miss. At this point, I suppose I just tend to naturally favor their summer and autumn flush teas. Overall, this tea displayed admirable complexity compared to some other Darjeeling teas I have tried at or near this price point, but it did not display enough strength or longevity for my taste. Still, I could see this being a decent daily drinker or an adequate introduction to first flush Darjeelings.
Flavors: Almond, Apricot, Butter, Cream, Dandelion, Grass, Hay, Herbs, Muscatel, Pine, Spinach, Straw, Violet
I have to wonder if it contains only part Darjeeling tea. The strike did some real damaga
It’s 100% Darjeeling, purchased before the strike even happened and direct from Gopaldhara Tea Estate, where I’m in direct contact with the garden owner.
While the strike has done definite damage, for small buyers such as myself with a long standing relationship with Gopaldhara, I’m still able to purchase teas without any issue. I’ve just ordered a very high grade Autumn Flush and pre-ordered a late Autumn/Winter Flush tea.
It’s the large wholesalers who will struggle as the quantities they require would not be available and the prices will be higher, this will then knock on to the small/medium sized retailers who buy from the wholesalers.
Ah cool insight, thanks!! I attended a talk given by Deepak Banskota’s son last night, who planted the first tea garden in Nepal. He mentioned that tea retailers might not be aware that distributors are substituting other teas in the mix. Didn’t mean to say that it was your doing at all. I’m glad it doesn’t affect you! :)