Darjeeling Sourcing?

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Aug 21st, '14, 23:22
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by Tead Off » Aug 21st, '14, 23:22

daidokorocha wrote:This is good information... as I've been thinking about adding some darjeeling to my collection as of late... but I can't bring myself to spend money on darjeeling.
Why would that be?

Aug 21st, '14, 23:27
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by daidokorocha » Aug 21st, '14, 23:27

Tead Off wrote:
daidokorocha wrote:This is good information... as I've been thinking about adding some darjeeling to my collection as of late... but I can't bring myself to spend money on darjeeling.
Why would that be?
Well, a lot of these places are tempting, I will say. However, they seem to be geared to selling in bulkier sizes. 100 grams is something I'll easily grab of a sencha, as I'll drink that every day, but I honestly have no idea how often I'd reach for a darjeeling and they can be much pricier than an Assam, which I'd honestly prefer. Not that $10 for 100 grams is a bad deal in any way, and I do want to try a nice high quality darjeeling at some point, but I would prefer to do it at an ounce/2 oz. quantity. Any suggestions?

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Aug 21st, '14, 23:50
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by Devoted135 » Aug 21st, '14, 23:50

Tea Trekker tends to carry a couple darjeelings each season, and I've found them to be passable. Certainly I'm sure that the other vendors mentioned in this thread would blow them out of the water, but perhaps this would be a good entry point for you? I believe they sell them in 2oz pouches.

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Aug 22nd, '14, 00:52
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by Tead Off » Aug 22nd, '14, 00:52

daidokorocha wrote:
Tead Off wrote:
daidokorocha wrote:This is good information... as I've been thinking about adding some darjeeling to my collection as of late... but I can't bring myself to spend money on darjeeling.
Why would that be?
Well, a lot of these places are tempting, I will say. However, they seem to be geared to selling in bulkier sizes. 100 grams is something I'll easily grab of a sencha, as I'll drink that every day, but I honestly have no idea how often I'd reach for a darjeeling and they can be much pricier than an Assam, which I'd honestly prefer. Not that $10 for 100 grams is a bad deal in any way, and I do want to try a nice high quality darjeeling at some point, but I would prefer to do it at an ounce/2 oz. quantity. Any suggestions?
Don't be a cheap charlie. Even at $25/100g, you can get excellent tea that will keep for years if you take care of it. I am drinking 3 year old Darjeelings that are still delicious.

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Aug 22nd, '14, 07:36
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by Poseidon » Aug 22nd, '14, 07:36

Tead Off wrote:
daidokorocha wrote:
Tead Off wrote:
daidokorocha wrote:This is good information... as I've been thinking about adding some darjeeling to my collection as of late... but I can't bring myself to spend money on darjeeling.
Why would that be?
Well, a lot of these places are tempting, I will say. However, they seem to be geared to selling in bulkier sizes. 100 grams is something I'll easily grab of a sencha, as I'll drink that every day, but I honestly have no idea how often I'd reach for a darjeeling and they can be much pricier than an Assam, which I'd honestly prefer. Not that $10 for 100 grams is a bad deal in any way, and I do want to try a nice high quality darjeeling at some point, but I would prefer to do it at an ounce/2 oz. quantity. Any suggestions?
Don't be a cheap charlie. Even at $25/100g, you can get excellent tea that will keep for years if you take care of it. I am drinking 3 year old Darjeelings that are still delicious.
Do you think some of these sites with 2013/2012 flushes for up to 50% off could be a nice deal because they have "aged" in a sealed bag? If so, thats one hell of a deal.

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Aug 22nd, '14, 09:05
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by Tead Off » Aug 22nd, '14, 09:05

Depends on how trustworthy the dealer is and how it has been stored.

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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by daidokorocha » Aug 22nd, '14, 10:05

Tead Off wrote:
daidokorocha wrote:
Tead Off wrote:
daidokorocha wrote:This is good information... as I've been thinking about adding some darjeeling to my collection as of late... but I can't bring myself to spend money on darjeeling.
Why would that be?
Well, a lot of these places are tempting, I will say. However, they seem to be geared to selling in bulkier sizes. 100 grams is something I'll easily grab of a sencha, as I'll drink that every day, but I honestly have no idea how often I'd reach for a darjeeling and they can be much pricier than an Assam, which I'd honestly prefer. Not that $10 for 100 grams is a bad deal in any way, and I do want to try a nice high quality darjeeling at some point, but I would prefer to do it at an ounce/2 oz. quantity. Any suggestions?
Don't be a cheap charlie. Even at $25/100g, you can get excellent tea that will keep for years if you take care of it. I am drinking 3 year old Darjeelings that are still delicious.
Well, I would, but I'm moving countries soon and I've been trying to only buy things I'll finish before then to limit what I have to bring. I might be leaving my pu-erh behind for awhile! Moving isn't cheap after all. Maybe I'll make an exception for darjeeling. Who knows, maybe I'll love it and drink it all in a month. Or perhaps I'd just stash it with the pu-erh if it won't go off.

Thanks for the recommendation Devoted.

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Aug 22nd, '14, 12:23
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by teaformeplease » Aug 22nd, '14, 12:23

One of my go-to's for Darjeeling is Happy Earth Tea

http://happyearthtea.com/

The owner Niraj is originally from Darjeeling and is genuinely one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

Aug 24th, '14, 23:51
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by Bef » Aug 24th, '14, 23:51

Tead Off wrote:Stop worrying and buy from Tea Emporium online. This small shop in Darjeeling deals directly with the various gardens and Rajiv is a good guy who knows his tea well.
Just ordered 3 different 2nd flush from them. Thanks for the reference, I didn't knew about Tea Emporium.

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Aug 25th, '14, 08:35
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by Poseidon » Aug 25th, '14, 08:35

entropyembrace wrote:http://www.thunderbolttea.com/ is another place you can get top notch darjeeling from :)
Thanks ent! I ended up going with a pack from here with a cheaper option from upton until I can find a farm/flush/style I enjoy! Sip on my friends!

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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by Bef » Sep 1st, '14, 17:39

Bef wrote:
Tead Off wrote:Stop worrying and buy from Tea Emporium online. This small shop in Darjeeling deals directly with the various gardens and Rajiv is a good guy who knows his tea well.
Just ordered 3 different 2nd flush from them. Thanks for the reference, I didn't knew about Tea Emporium.
My Tea Emporium order was shipped from Darjeeling on Wednesday, and it was at my door on Friday. Quite fast, considering that I live in Canada!

Just tasted one of the three teas I bought, the 2nd flush Risheehat/Kakra Musk. I'm very impressed, it's very good, I love it. I think that I will stick to that vendor for the next years.

Thanks again to Tead Off for refering that vendor.

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Sep 2nd, '14, 08:28
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by Poseidon » Sep 2nd, '14, 08:28

For those of you who want some mid grade First Flush for every day, or in my case every morning, try the TD08: Season's Pick Darjeeling First Flush FTGFOP1 Blend from UptonTea. Yes, its a 2013 blend but for 12 bucks/200g of leaf, its a pretty nice deal for a quick morning brew. Not as punchy as good single estate but certainly has all the classic first flush flavors one would expect.

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Sep 11th, '14, 22:29
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Re: Darjeeling Sourcing?

by ploutos7 » Sep 11th, '14, 22:29

teaformeplease wrote:One of my go-to's for Darjeeling is Happy Earth Tea

http://happyearthtea.com/

The owner Niraj is originally from Darjeeling and is genuinely one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.
I was also going to suggest Niraj as a source. He's got alot of knowledge of the region being from there, and sources top notch teas. It must be noted that he only carries from plantations that certify organic, it's the niche of his business.

Check out this Phoobsering, http://happyearthtea.com/collections/bl ... 14-organic

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