Country of Origin: India
Leaf Appearance: small, dark and somewhat greenish
Ingredients: black tea
Steep time: 3 minutes
Water Temperature: 212 degrees
Preparation Method: porcelain teacup and mesh infuser
Liquor: deep gold
I previously reviewed the Golden Harvest autumn flush from this same estate so I was excited to compare them. This first flush is from Nudo Darjeeling’s summer delivery. For those that don’t usually enjoy the delicacy of first flush, this particular one is a good middle ground. The signature muscatel of Darjeeling was understated and stayed in the background for the most part. A slight astringency added a crisp, clean finish but it was not bitter at all. I really enjoy getting detailed information about the tea in my cup. Here is what Nudo had to say about the Nurbong Estate:
At the confluence of three rivers, cascading from the heights of the Himalayas to the river Ganges, the Nurbong tea garden was established in 1870. It is a truly exotic place – a third of the garden is covered by protected subtropical forest which is home to black leopards and tigers. During the hot late spring and summer season the wide canopies of the shade trees protect the delicate new leaves on the tea bushes.
I thought it was interesting that the taste wasn’t quite as a green as other first flushes that I have tried. When I first started getting into tea (about eight years ago) this is what most of the first flush tea that came my way tasted like. Two down and two to go, I’ll be reviewing the second flush and monsoon flush soon.
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