I'm tempted by these darjeelings from Mariage Frères:
Happy Valley - SFTGFOP1 Autumn flush (euro 35.00 per 100 g)
Gold Himalaya - Nepal First flush (euro 50.00 per 100 g)
As they're quite expensive and the minimum amount is 100 g, I'm gleaning info before putting my order...
Did you taste them? Any comments?
[maybe Victoria, Olivierco.. I've read here on TC you bought them, but I didn't seek out any remarks..]
Moreover.. even if they come from different regions and flushes, can we compare them? too foolish?
And finally.. I'm used to steep darj for 3.5-5 minutes for the first brew, and a bit more for the following, yielding a still decent second cup and a not to bad third one. So.. what about these teas? Do they perform the same? I guess that for this range of price, having a fair 2nd cup could be crucial.
Baku
Re: Happy Valley & Gold Himalaya - Mariage Frères
I had a sample of the Gold Himalaya, thanks to Olivier. I haven't tried the Happy Valley. At the time I had the Gold, Olivier also sent along the Saphir and I was so taken with the Saphir I didn't pay all that much attention to the Gold. Although I think he preferred it. When I then made the last of my sample, after I had ordered the Saphir, I remember thinking wow, this is really good.
I don't think you can go wrong with either. And yes, they will stand up to multiple infusions. Just be careful not to order too much, you saw what happened to me and customs, right?
I don't think you can go wrong with either. And yes, they will stand up to multiple infusions. Just be careful not to order too much, you saw what happened to me and customs, right?
Re: Happy Valley & Gold Himalaya - Mariage Frères
Thanks Victoria
I know you're fond of darjeeling, so I'll take heed of your remark about Saphir too.
baku
I know you're fond of darjeeling, so I'll take heed of your remark about Saphir too.
yes...I read your thread, very disappointing... customs clearance could be a true nightmare, and that's the reason why I don't place expensive order from outside Europe anymore.. but living in Europe, I can buy from MF with no fear of extra fees.Victoria wrote:Just be careful not to order too much, you saw what happened to me and customs, right?
baku
Re: Happy Valley & Gold Himalaya - Mariage Frères
Oh so you are, forgive me, I forgot. Well then!
Let me know how the Happy Valley is, I have
been wanting to try one from there. But, I'll pick it
up over here.
Oh and the Blu Himalayan was a decent, but more
an everyday type cup.
Let me know how the Happy Valley is, I have
been wanting to try one from there. But, I'll pick it
up over here.
Oh and the Blu Himalayan was a decent, but more
an everyday type cup.
Re: Happy Valley & Gold Himalaya - Mariage Frères
I only had the Gold Himalaya (2009 and 2008) Very good and not so expensive as with 2g you can get three steeps (100-120ml for me but you could get more with the same amount of leaves).
Re: Happy Valley & Gold Himalaya - Mariage Frères
Never mind!Victoria wrote:Oh so you are, forgive me, I forgot. Well then!
Let me know how the Happy Valley is, I have
been wanting to try one from there. But, I'll pick it
up over here.
Oh and the Blu Himalayan was a decent, but more
an everyday type cup.
I've just seen your pic of the Blu Himalayan... it looks fine... and at last, I dug it out on MF... their web site's a maze.
and ok.. I'll let you know something about Happy Valley asap...
Re: Happy Valley & Gold Himalaya - Mariage Frères
oh thanks.. glad to hear that you steep it three times (120-130 ml is my usual amount of liquor as I brew in a medium size gaiwan)..olivierco wrote:I only had the Gold Himalaya (2009 and 2008) Very good and not so expensive as with 2g you can get three steeps (100-120ml for me but you could get more with the same amount of leaves).
I'll get it for sure.
Re: Happy Valley & Gold Himalaya - Mariage Frères
Is there any American source for Dammann? Oh please, say yes and tell me!
Re: Happy Valley & Gold Himalaya - Mariage Frères
I don't really know anything about Dammann, but a quick google search for Dammann tea found several vendors. Most only had a couple of varieties though, so you may have to search a bit for the exact tea you want.marlena wrote:Is there any American source for Dammann? Oh please, say yes and tell me!
Re: Happy Valley & Gold Himalaya - Mariage Frères
There do appear to be a few US based online retailers and upscale market chains that sell their blends, although I haven't seen the more expensive single source teas.