Tasting Notes: white grape, lilac, stone-fruit, muscatel

Description: This tea has all the wonderful qualities of an exceptional first flush.  It's the perfect example of what makes Darjeelings the Champagne of teas.  

A delicate yet complex tea with crisp and herbaceous notes lingering with honeysuckle nectar, lilac, stone-fruit, and white grape.  A strong muscatel character is present throughout this tea.  A crisp and dry mouthfeel finish makes this a tea to linger on your palate - truly unforgettable! 

Muscatel is a distinct tea term used to describe the characteristics of Darjeeling teas. Muscatel can be described as a flavor that is a mix of woodsy, honey, stone-fruit, fresh grape, nectar, hay, and grassy notes all rolled into one.

First Flush Darjeelings are spring harvest teas from the Darjeeling region of India. These teas are produced during the early spring thaw when two leaves and a bud are plucked during the earliest spring growth of the plant, which, depending on the year's weather, can range from February all the way through April.  These spring leaves are more young and tender, therefore, they produce tea that is delicate, floral, fresh, and astringent in flavor.  To preserve the fresh spring flavor, First Flush Darjeeling teas are generally less oxidized during processing and appear more greenish in color.  They are also more light-bodied than a typical black tea.  These teas are meant to be enjoyed straight up without milk, honey, or sugar.  

First Flush Darjeelings are some of the most prized and expensive teas on the world market.  These teas are so special and exclusive that tea connoisseurs consider these first harvest Darjeelings to be the Champagne of teas. The limited production, labor-intensive production process, high-quality standards, and global demand all contribute to the price of Darjeeling tea.  The unique taste, aroma, and quality of Darjeeling tea make it a prized possession for many tea lovers around the world.  

This Monteviot Organic First Flush Darjeeling is sourced from the Monteviot Estate, located in the southern part of Darjeeling at an elevation of 5,500 feet.  The name of the garden Monteviot is derived from the French word Montevoit which means rock.  The Monteviot Garden was founded in 1856, it is one of the oldest and smallest tea gardens in India, where they produce only 25 tons of tea per year on 200 acres of land.  This boutique tea garden specializes in exceptional teas made in the traditional Darjeeling style — lively, fresh, aromatic, and pleasantly astringent.

Ingredients: organic Darjeeling First Flush (spring harvest) black tea from the Monteviot Estate in India 

Steep Directions: steep 1 heaping teaspoon of tea per 8 oz of 195-205-212°F water for 2-4 minutes