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Alex Zorach

RateTea Editor

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Member since Sep. 1st, 2009. Reviewed 1448 teas.

Reviews of Teas & Herbal Teas from Darjeeling, India

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Picture of Darjeeling Tea

Darjeeling Tea from Frontier

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

57 / 100 Aroma: 5/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 4/5
Jun. 23rd, 2012

This tea was stored in glass jars in a co-op. I have no idea how fresh it was; the dry leaf smelled fresh and pleasing, but the brewed cup was slightly disappointing. The storage conditions were not optimal, and there was no date, so it could have been that this was just a bit old.

Dry leaf is pleasingly aromatic,...

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Picture of Tumsong SFTGFOP1 Second Flush

Tumsong SFTGFOP1 Second Flush from Rare Tea Republic

Style: Darjeeling Second Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India

77 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Mar. 1st, 2012

A dark, smooth, full-bodied tea with a highly vegetal character and a pleasing, wintergreen quality.

Fairly complex...much less of the typical fruity tones characteristic of Darjeeling. Instead, there are biscuity-tones. Rare Tea Republic describes the aroma as "jam and sap" and I think this was a good description...

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Picture of Sungma 2nd Flush Darjeeling

Sungma 2nd Flush Darjeeling from Harney and Sons

Style: Darjeeling Second Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India

83 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Feb. 24th, 2012

The aroma of the dry leaf of this tea really got my attention: rich and strongly aromatic, fruity, deep, but also light and fresh. I received this and the Singbulli first flush as samples from Harney and Sons.

Like the Singbulli, I prefer brewing this tea for 5 minutes, as recommended. However, I also experimented...

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Picture of Singbulli Darjeeling DJ41

Singbulli Darjeeling DJ41 from Harney and Sons

Style: Darjeeling First Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India

100 / 100 Aroma: 10/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Feb. 22nd, 2012

After brewing this tea several times, I cautiously dole out yet another perfect score, the second one for a black tea.

Michael Harney sent me this sample after reading a post I wrote on my tea blog about black teas I found interesting, and I can't help but wonder if he hand-picked this one based on my descriptions, ...

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Picture of Darjeeling Tea

Darjeeling Tea from Novus Tea

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

70 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 3/5
Sep. 14th, 2011

Very dark for a Darjeeling, but still relatively light body and flavor. Complex and interesting aroma, including grapes, a pleasing hint of a tobacco-like quality that I find is rare in Darjeelings, and some tones of toasted rye bread. Flavor very smooth.

Good for two flavorful infusions.

Another good tea from ...

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Picture of Thurbo Estate TGBOP Cl/Tip First Flush (DJ-25)

Thurbo Estate TGBOP Cl/Tip First Flush (DJ-25) from Upton Tea Imports

Style: Darjeeling First Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India

67 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Jun. 21st, 2011

This was an interesting tea right from the first sip. Although there are some of the typical aromas characteristic of Darjeeling first flush, the overall character is somewhat different from any other teas I have had before.

Greener character, and aroma is more like Indian green teas than black teas: herbaceous ton...

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Picture of Darjeeling Estate Organic Black Tea

Darjeeling Estate Organic Black Tea from Wegmans

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

60 / 100 Aroma: 5/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 3/5
Apr. 6th, 2011

I suspect this is from Makaibari estate, not just because of the fair trade and organic certification, but because it bears the familiar aroma of black teas from that garden.

This particular batch is exceptionally fruity, one of the frutiest Darjeelings I've tried yet. There is an intense grape aroma, so sweet and ...

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Picture of Finest Darjeeling

Finest Darjeeling from Jacksons of Piccadilly

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

70 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Mar. 17th, 2011

Generous on the leaf--the teabag reads 2.5 grams, an amount similar to what I'd use for one cup when using loose-leaf tea, and it makes me realize how much a lot of companies skimp on the leaf.

This is a broken-leaf Darjeeling, with smallish pieces of leaf . The leaf is highly heterogeneous in color: many of the le...

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Picture of Makaibari Estate Darjeeling 1st Flush Black Tea

Makaibari Estate Darjeeling 1st Flush Black Tea from Arbor Teas

Style: Darjeeling First Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India

87 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Sep. 26th, 2010

I never cease to be amazed by what comes out of Makaibari estate.

The dry brownish leaves with a few greener leaves mixed in turn noticeably greener upon brewing--most of them become the color of a green tea, with a few olive-colored ones mixed in. The cup is a deep golden hue, no darker than some green teas.

Ar...

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Picture of Darjeeling Choice Teabags

Darjeeling Choice Teabags from Peet's Coffee and Tea (Peets)

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

67 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Aug. 16th, 2010

I tried this in a Peet's in the Philadelphia airport. I let it brew 2 minutes. Peet's said they normally include two teabags but I only used one and saved the other for later--and I'm glad because this tea would have been far too strong.

This is unusually strong for a Darjeeling, but this could just be due to a ge...

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Picture of Arya Topaz - Organic Darjeeling Oolong Tea 2009

Arya Topaz - Organic Darjeeling Oolong Tea 2009 from Thunderbolt Tea

Style: Darjeeling Oolong – Region: Darjeeling, India

53 / 100 Aroma: 5/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 3/5
May. 28th, 2010

Thank you Synth for sending me this one, and Marlena for sending some more. =)

This tea is VERY difficult to brew well, and is affected in major ways by subtle differences in water temperature and steeping time. That said, I've tried brewing this one multiple ways and I've gotten significantly better at brewing it,...

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Picture of Afternoon Darjeeling Tea Bags

Afternoon Darjeeling Tea Bags from Taylors of Harrogate

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

47 / 100 Aroma: 4/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 3/5
Apr. 16th, 2010

Fruity, even for a Darjeeling, and mellow, except for some very strong objectionable qualities that emerge. There's a harshness in the aroma that I could do without...the aftertaste is also very tannic even though at first this tea tastes smooth. Astringent for a Darjeeling.

Disappointing. Definitely recognizable...

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Picture of Darjeeling

Darjeeling from Darvilles of Windsor

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

67 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 4/5
Mar. 10th, 2010

This tea's complexity surprised me! Unusually vegetal for a black tea, with a hint of savory qualities. Dark in color, and full-bodied, but delicate. Fairly bitter, especially in the aftertaste...moderately tannic and astringent.

The aroma of this tea would place it on par with some of the better single-estate Da...

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Picture of Darjeeling (Loose)

Darjeeling (Loose) from Hampstead Tea

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

88 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Feb. 6th, 2010

This seemingly straightforward Darjeeling has quickly become one of my favorite everyday teas. Although "typical" in many respects, it is surprisingly complex...the aroma has many different aspects to it: a fruitiness, a hint of a rice-like quality, some floral tones, a bit of spice, a suggestion of fall leaves, and s...

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Picture of Castleton Estate TGBOP Ch. First Flush (DJ-25)

Castleton Estate TGBOP Ch. First Flush (DJ-25) from Upton Tea Imports

Style: Darjeeling First Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India

77 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Jan. 8th, 2010

Very green character, even more than typical for a first-flush, both in the appearance of the leaves and the aroma. The cup is a deep amber color. The aroma is light and mostly floral, almost reminiscent of queen Anne's lace blossoms. On my second brewing I did detect a faint suggestion of spearmint in the aroma, an...

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Picture of Steinthal Estate TGBOP First Flush (DJ-25) Organic

Steinthal Estate TGBOP First Flush (DJ-25) Organic from Upton Tea Imports

Style: Darjeeling First Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India

63 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 2/5 Value: 3/5
Jan. 5th, 2010

Disappointing for a first flush and even among broken-leaf Darjeelings. There's a heaviness to the flavor, even though it is smooth. I'm detecting neither the "fresh floral note" nor the "hint of citrus".

I'm not sure what to recommend with the brewing; if you go longer this tea becomes heavy, although not too bit...

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Picture of Golden Wire - GopalDhara

Golden Wire - GopalDhara from Fresh Darjeeling Tea

Style: Darjeeling Autumnal Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India

77 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 5/5
Jan. 2nd, 2010

Like the other teas I've tried from Fresh Darjeeling tea, this is totally unlike any other black tea I've ever tried.

Aroma very complex...malty, and much more vegetal than most black teas, and with some savory qualities, a hint of smokiness. Reminds me of a tippy assam more than any other Darjeeling I've tried. I...

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Picture of Monks Reserve-Castelton Estate

Monks Reserve-Castelton Estate from Fresh Darjeeling Tea

Style: Darjeeling Oolong – Region: Darjeeling, India

67 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Dec. 30th, 2009

Like the other teas I've tried from Fresh Darjeeling Tea, this tea is completely unlike anything I've ever tried! It is also the only Darjeeling oolong I've had that is rich and full-bodied.

Brews a dark color, darker than some Darjeelings I've seen classified as "black" teas. Malty, with a savory quality to it, a...

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Picture of Soureni Organic Oolong

Soureni Organic Oolong from Fresh Darjeeling Tea

Style: Darjeeling Oolong – Region: Darjeeling, India

83 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Dec. 29th, 2009

This tea is unlike any other I have tried!

Cup is very light in color, and aroma very vegetal and somewhat floral, with a clean, honey-like fragrance. Tones of asparagus and spice. Certain aspects of the aroma are reminiscent of a Tung Ting, but overall the tea is crisper, cooler in quality, more bitter, and less ...

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Picture of Barnesbeg Estate FTGFOP1 First Flush (DJ-6)

Barnesbeg Estate FTGFOP1 First Flush (DJ-6) from Upton Tea Imports

Style: Darjeeling First Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India

80 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Dec. 23rd, 2009

This tea has a much greener character, to the point it's barely recognizable as a "black tea", except for some lingering tones in the aftertaste. The cup is a gold color like a darker green tea or lighter oolong. Clean, fresh, a bit mild...I can see what Upton says about the notes of citrus and mint.

Extremely rea...

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Picture of Orthodox BOP Darjeeling

Orthodox BOP Darjeeling from Upton Tea Imports

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

67 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 4/5
Dec. 15th, 2009

This is a very mellow tea...aromatic and gentle, somewhat muted. Only a faint suggestion of the fresh herbaceous tones that some Darjeelings have. The aroma is floral and fairly complex, and the cup is light in color and quality, much more like an oolong than a typical black tea. Almost no bitterness, but some astri...

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Picture of Darjeeling Black Tea

Darjeeling Black Tea from Bigelow Tea

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

50 / 100 Aroma: 4/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 3/5
Dec. 11th, 2009

Definitely recognizable as Darjeeling...fairly smooth, with only some astringency lingering towards the bottom of the cup. Weak aroma, not terribly complex, but pleasant. Much lighter than most of Bigelow's other black teas. This was enjoyable, although noticeably less so than other more pricey Darjeelings I've had ...

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Picture of Darjeeling Highlands (Teabags)

Darjeeling Highlands (Teabags) from Harney and Sons

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

67 / 100 Aroma: 5/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Dec. 7th, 2009

The teabag reads "Mellow and Light Indian Black Teas" and I agree wholeheartedly. This is very mellow, especially for a Darjeeling in a teabag...this is not the usual stuff put in teabags; it has a fair amount of first-flush character.

The aroma is complex, but could be stronger. The main downside is that this tea...

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Picture of Makaibari Estate Long Leaf Green (DJ-456)

Makaibari Estate Long Leaf Green (DJ-456) from Upton Tea Imports

Style: Darjeeling Green Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

97 / 100 Aroma: 10/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Nov. 21st, 2009

I was sad to see this tea removed from Upton's listings, as I enjoyed sampling it. [Update: it seems Upton has added a new lot, and I'm eager to try that one!]

Extremely flavorful and complex, with many different aspects of the aroma: dark, vegetal tones, rich grassy tones similar to a good dragonwell tea, and a hi...

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Picture of Organic Darjeeling Black Pyramid Tea

Organic Darjeeling Black Pyramid Tea from Equal Exchange

Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India

80 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Oct. 31st, 2009

Aroma spicy, unusually vegetal for a tea this dark, and unusually malty for a Darjeeling. Very interesting and complex! Dark liquor and tastes more like other black teas than most Darjeelings; I would not describe it as "golden" or "light". Remarkably bold and full-bodied and yet with little bitterness or astringenc...

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