i havent had any indian black teas that are mild, i find them on the harsh side.
keemun maybe, but if you get a good one,
yunnan gold more likely to be mild
Oct 11th, '09, 01:11
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Re: Looking for mild black
You haven't tried the 'right' Indian teas, if you find them all on the harsh side. There is a wide variety of lovely Indian teas that aren't too heady.silverneedles wrote:i havent had any indian black teas that are mild, i find them on the harsh side.
keemun maybe, but if you get a good one,
yunnan gold more likely to be mild
I'm sipping Goomtee Muscatel at the moment. It's a 2nd Flush 2009 Darjeeling I received 2 days back from Lochan tea. I accidentally forgot the brew in the pot for 6 minutes, yet the outcome proved excellent. No harshness or astringency at all.
The worst you can do to spoil Indian blacks generally is to brew too long a time. Some other Indian blacks might also do better with a lesser amount of leaves, especially the strongest Assams.
The best thing to do is to stick to single estate teas, both in Assams & Darjs, if your purse tolerates the prices. You know exactly, what you're getting for your money's worth. For me buying blends is always a card game. It's not too often in a poker play you'd get a Royal Flush. The same goes for tea blends. There are better ones, and then there are umpteenth worse ones. Why buy a blend if you want a specific distinguished taste. And the blends aren't that cheap either, unless they're put together of low quality teas. A good single estate Second Flush is a far better choice than a Royal Flush you might never get
Then there are excellent Nepalese black teas you might want to try. 2nd Flush Maloom is a less strong one with an overlay of floral notes. It neither gets harsh nor too astringent, if you brew it for 5 minutes. Though the recommended steeping time for it is 2,5 to 3 minutes.
Then there's Nepalese Meghma Honey Oolong 2nd Flush, that is mild and mellow. But this one isn't a black tea, of course. You might still want to try this one, it has a very interesting slight saltiness, even though it's naturally sweet at the same time. To my palate it's like a combination of Roquefort cheese topped with honey.
Re: Looking for mild black
I am loving my Nepalese teas.
I have Shangri La hand rolled tips from Illam district.
this is like a first flush darj. yet smoother.
Also Everest hand rolled from Sindhuplachok.
This second is very supple, honey nuances like a good Ceylon.
I have Shangri La hand rolled tips from Illam district.
this is like a first flush darj. yet smoother.
Also Everest hand rolled from Sindhuplachok.
This second is very supple, honey nuances like a good Ceylon.
Oct 11th, '09, 10:53
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Re: Looking for mild black
smooth DJ/indian black? i want some of that
whats a good source? thunderbolt? lochan?
how much grams + water, time?
whats a good source? thunderbolt? lochan?
how much grams + water, time?
Re: Looking for mild black
The Everest is a rounder cup.
http://www.teatrekker.com/09_nepal.htm
I haven't had the white, it looked nice, but I was loaded up already
http://www.teatrekker.com/09_nepal.htm
I haven't had the white, it looked nice, but I was loaded up already
Oct 11th, '09, 14:43
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Re: Looking for mild black
"Milder," not "smoother" is the OP's question.silverneedles wrote:smooth DJ/indian black? i want some of that
whats a good source? thunderbolt? lochan?
how much grams + water, time?
Just about any Darjeeling can be milder if prepared English style and reducing brew time to 2-3 minutes. So, 2.3 grams per 6 ounces water. 2ish minutes for most FF, and 3ish for most 2nd flush.
One exception would possible be a BOP ... or fannings of course.
Oct 11th, '09, 15:48
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Re: Looking for mild black
thx Chip, i adressed the OP's Q, I was responding to another replyChip wrote:"Milder," not "smoother" is the OP's question.silverneedles wrote:smooth DJ/indian black? i want some of that
please follow the thread.
captarne12 wrote:I would like to find something a little milder. Any suggestions?
silverneedles wrote:i havent had any indian black teas that are mild, i find them on the harsh side.
woozl wrote:first flush darj. yet smoother.
silverneedles wrote:smooth DJ/indian black? i want some of that
Oct 11th, '09, 16:13
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Re: Looking for mild black
OK, my mistake. Although I have followed the thread, just missed that wording.silverneedles wrote:thx Chip, i adressed the OP's Q, I was responding to another replyChip wrote:"Milder," not "smoother" is the OP's question.silverneedles wrote:smooth DJ/indian black? i want some of that
please follow the thread.
captarne12 wrote:I would like to find something a little milder. Any suggestions?silverneedles wrote:i havent had any indian black teas that are mild, i find them on the harsh side.woozl wrote:first flush darj. yet smoother.silverneedles wrote:smooth DJ/indian black? i want some of that
Re: Looking for mild black
I rely on Thunderbolt, Lochan Tea & Tea Emporium (NOT the Canadian outlet with the nearly same name, but the Indian one) on Darjs.silverneedles wrote:smooth DJ/indian black? i want some of that
whats a good source? thunderbolt? lochan?
how much grams + water, time?
One of the smoothest 2nd Flushes this year (in my mind) have been:
Tea Emporium's Castleton Moonlight, pricey - but worth the dough. And they still have it!
Thunderbolt's Arya Topaz, but this is an Oolong.
Thunderbolt's Giddapahar Musk (DJ 29). This is on sale & you won't find any other single estate Darj for this price, I guarantee! Just don't over brew!
Thunderbolt's Sungma SFTGFOP1 Clonal Wonder (Turzum) is another top bet by me for 2009, but I believe they're running out of it very soon.
The Lochan family stocks both the Nepalese teas I mentioned before:
'Maloom' 2nd Flush 2009, I believe they have several grades of it.
'Meghma' Honey Oolong 2nd Flush 2009.
If you purchase from any of these vendors, you'd get brewing instructions by request, I'm sure. I hope this helps a bit