English Tea Store Loose Leaf, Margarets Estate Tea Pouches, 4 Ounce

This is a 2nd flush Darjeeling, grown at 6800 feet above sea level. The tea has a distinctive 'muscatel' character, with a hint of currant and an almost wine-like taste. The estate is named after the daughters of the owner, who died in the 1930s on the boat back to England, after falling in love with the plantation. The bushes at Margaret's hope are almost entirely the Chinese jat (genus) accounting for the green leafed tippy appearance of the manufactured leaf and the superb fragrance. Because the tea is grown at such high altitudes and in relatively cool weather the bushes do not grow quickly, and as such the production is limited. The best time of the year for quality is during 'second-flush' (end may - end June). During this time Darjeeling's are incomparable to any other tea in the world. The fragrance and taste is a complex bouquet that reaches right out of the cup. Some would describe the taste as nutty; others find it reminds them of black currants, but most often it is described as similar to the taste and fragrance of Muscat grapes. The are 3 main times of year for producing good quality Darjeeling's: 1st flush - springtime harvested teas from late Feb. To mid April. The young leaves yield a light tea with generally intense muscatel with 'point'. A gentle afternoon tea. 2nd flush - harvested in June, these teas are more fully developed. The liquor is bright and the taste full and round excellent muscatel. An superb afternoon tea that is especially good with scones and raspberry conserve. Autumnal - not always available depending upon the weather, they are typified by a round taste and coppery liquor. Excellent as a breakfast tea.