5 Best Darjeeling Teas to try

 

5 Best Darjeeling Teas to try 

Darjeeling tea is among the most sought-after teas by connoisseurs and avid tea drinkers across the globe. The one-of-a-kind taste of Darjeeling teas comes from Chinese tea genetics mixing with Indian terroir, along with the intricacies of harvesting and processing.

We checked with some of India’s leading tea experts to learn about what makes Darjeeling tea so special. Here’s what they had to say.

“Darjeeling constitutes only 0.1% of the world’s tea production. Darjeeling tea is known for its distinctive flavour and aroma, which is unique only to the region. This flavour and aroma are attributed to the Chinary variety of planting material and terroir.

The 87 tea estates in the Darjeeling hills are unique by themselves. Because of their uniqueness, these plantations get production under the Geographical Indication (GI) trademark,” states Sanjay Das, Manager, of Makaibari Tea Estate.

Grown in the Himalayan foothills, Darjeeling tea has a delicate fruity essence, which is why it is so well-loved. “The musky-sweet tasting notes of Darjeeling tea will remind you of wine.

Darjeeling tea has three flushes—

·        First Flush,

·        Second Flush and

·        Autumn Flush.

The first and second flushes are usually the best ones that have fresh, rich and complex flavours, which are best consumed without milk or sugar. Even if you’re not an avid tea drinker, a good Darjeeling tea is fresh and beautifully balanced, so it's definitely worth a try,”

Furthermore, Darjeeling tea has a rich history and legacy. “In the 1800s, tea seeds that were smuggled from China made their way to Darjeeling in India. This region has a special place in tea history for me.

While Darjeeling is renowned for its unique muscatel flavour, I remain in awe of the rich history and culture of this land. Sipping a cup of Darjeeling tea brings back the old-world charm. It’s like time travel for me,” remarks Snigdha Manchanda, tea sommelier and founder, of Tea Trunk.

5 Best Darjeeling Teas to Try

1. Muscatel,Darjeeling Second Flush Tea:

This black tea is the perfect ‘pick me up.’ Hand-plucked between May and June after the green flies have been feeding upon the leaves gives this tea its unique grape-like flavour and a coppery shade. The tea leaves undergo long withering to remove 65% of the moisture.

The brewed tea reveals a deep coppery amber note, a strong muscatel punch with fruity undertones, which is a delight to the discerning palate.

2. Arya Emerald Tea’s :

This green tea was developed in 2004. The tea finds devoted connoisseurs in Japan, even though the country itself produces some of the finest green teas in the world.

Its unique balance of sweetness and astringency with notes of fresh corn, make it a favourite amongst tea drinkers in Tokyo. Select leaves are plucked from chosen organic tea bushes between June to November and delicately processed with no oxidation.

The emerald green dry leaves with flecks of white tips are rich in antioxidants and possess strong revitalising properties. The cup is a taste of the surrounding forest on dewy mornings—a clear brew that is fresh and lively on the palate.

3. Silver Tips Imperial, Darjeeling Full Moon Oolong:

This tea is the crown jewel of the entire Darjeeling  Tea collection. A winner of several international awards, this globally acclaimed Darjeeling tea is plucked through the five full moon cycles during Summer Solstice in very limited quantities. The skilfully harvested two leaves and a bud are masterfully hand-processed with utmost care well before dawn as the farmers at the estate believe that sunlight alters the tea’s aroma and consistency.

4. Darjeeling Spring Chinary:

Unanimously chosen,  this exquisite Darjeeling tea is an artisanal blend of superior first-flush black teas sourced from renowned high-elevation tea estates in the region of Darjeeling. Chinaries have a reputation for harbouring a multitude of flavours and are immensely popular with first-flush admirers. This blend of the best spring chinaries of Darjeeling makes for an exquisite cup that has a sweet vegetal feel to it.

5. DarjeelingWhite Tea:

One of the most premium varieties of Darjeeling tea is white tea. It has innumerable health benefits given that the prime parts of the plants such as the young leaves and silver buds are handpicked with care. The leaves are steamed and dried in the sun, which helps in the retention of antioxidants and also contains the least caffeine due to minimal processing. This Darjeeling White Tea makes a delicate cup of tea.