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Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Adagio Teas Loose Leaf Black Tea 'Rohini first flush' Darjeeling

Tea: 
Adagio Teas Company Loose Leaf Black Tea 'rohini first flush' Darjeeling

March 2023 harvest

Origin: Darjeeling, India
Farmer: Jhapan Thapa

The 'first flush' tea of the spring in Darjeeling is famous for its lively bite and abundance of fresh flavor. These rare teas look almost like green teas, but they are actually black tea. This year’s Darjeeling First Flush comes to us from the misty slopes of the Rohini Tea Garden in Darjeeling, India. This very early first bud plucking is called jethri kupi which translates from Nepali to the honorable designation “Eldest Daughter” denoting the very first growth of the spring season. Interestingly, jethrikupi also a word from the Manipuri dialect that means “jasmine flower” – perhaps a nod to the floral notes in this early plucking. The leaves offer a nice quantity of fuzzy leaf buds that soften the cup but increase the complexity. A little smoother, more silker on the palate than the typical Darjeeling First Flush, the spring blossom notes here really caught our attention. Traditionally steeped as a black tea with boiling water, some may prefer a green tea treatment with brisking steaming water for multiple infusions and a more delicate finish. Green oolong tea drinker should also try this one. Grown at roughly 1000-1500 ft, the spring weather was favorable for a third week of February plucking.

Steep: 
2 tsp
212°F
2 min
kati loose tea system 12oz 

Tasting Notes: 
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet, floral, fruity (grapes, stone fruit)
Steeped Tea Smell: slightly grassy, fruity, light floral 
Flavor: vegetal, nutty, stone fruit (nectarine)
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: fuzzy
Liquor: translucent light orange brown

Resteep: 
4 min
smell: floral, vegetal
color: darker orange brown but still translucent
taste: vegetal, floral, sweet (nectarine), fuzzy mouth feel finish

Resteep: 
6 min
astringent, should have steeped for less time

Update 5 min less bitter and tasty


Rating: 3/4 leaves
Leaf system: 
1=Bleh! not again if it were free 
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options 
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out 
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing 

Photos:


Statement of Sponsorship or Advertisement: 
I received this product for free in return for writing a review. 

Disclaimer: 
All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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