Darjeeling Sourenee Tea Estate 2020 2nd Flush

Darjeeling District, West Bengal State, India
100% Pure, Un-blended Darjeeling tea

2020 2nd Flush (June)

1st Flush Darjeeling – February/March and April 2020
2nd Flush Darjeeling – June (primarily)

Spring is the peak time for new leaf growth as the tea bushes awaken from winter hibernation. The early-harvest, first-plucked Darjeelings are known as 1st Flush teas. That plucking season is followed by the harvest of 2nd Flush Darjeeling teas, which completes the annual spring harvest cycle.

Darjeeling tea is highly sought after worldwide for its smooth, rich muscatel flavor and fine bouquet. It is often referred to as the ‘Champagne’ of tea because of its elegance and finesse in the cup. The Darjeeling tea gardens are located in the Lesser Himalaya Range of West Bengal in Northern India. The flavor of Darjeeling tea is greatly influenced by the mist-shrouded environment of the tea gardens (which are scattered over the hills and valleys at 5,000- 6,700 feet in altitude) and the slow maturity of plant development in cool, high-altitude locations.

Supremely elegant and lively in the cup, 1st and 2nd Flush Darjeeling teas are traditionally among our most prized teas.

Use 1 Tablespoon (2-3 grams) per 6 oz water
Steep 1 infusion at 3-4  minutes*
Water temperature should be 185°F-195° F

*Steeping Tips:

When steeped with a slightly generous measure (as we prefer to do) the liquor develops into a stunning copper/amber colour that we find mesmerizing. We are often tempted to steep a second cup too, and although lighter overall, we find it enjoyable and worth the effort.

This pluck is quite voluminous so it needs a generous measure if determined by volume measure rather than by weight. The 1 Tablespoon in our measurement will yield approx. 2.5 grams of leaf by weight.
rjh

Protected Origin Status Granted to Darjeeling Tea

My goal again this year regarding our Darjeeling tea selection has been to procure more variety and less depth than we formerly offered ‘back in the old days’. The weather seemed to agree and has helped to produce many delicious teas for 2020. We have Darjeeling 1st Flush tea with a softer, less astringent flavor profile, at least one bold and strident one, and also ones in the brisk, more modern ‘European’ (green) style. So whatever style you prefer – or if you enjoy them all – this is a great year for tea, and Darjeeling in particular (especially anticipated have been the 2nd Flush teas). The more normal amount of rainfall has increased the moisture in the leaf which leads to less breakage and a deeper flavor and better keeping potential. Also the teas will likely ‘age’ well and increase in flavor rather than diminish over the next 10-15 months.

I selected Tea Trekker’s 1st Flush Darjeeling teas for 2020 at a slightly later date than usual this Spring due to the pandemic, and those deliveries traveled by air courier to arrive only slightly ‘late’. Replacement inventory and new additions were added during the season, in between the challenges of floods, a monsoon, pandemic lockdowns and the related, necessary interruptions in land, air, and sea travel.

The 2020 2nd Flush teas are quite good this year, though extremely late to arrive! This is possibly the latest that our 2nd Flush Darjeeling teas have ever arrived…in 40+ years. Their time of harvest ranges from May into July, as the weather and garden access were finicky this season. The 2nd Flush teas have spectacular coloration, and the flavor is full and deep, due to a long growing season and reasonably late harvest time.

I trust that you will enjoy my selections.

rjh December 2020