What's so great about Darjeeling tea?

[cha cha cha]

Hey guys,
I've only ever tried Adagio's Darjeeling #22, but it was, by far, my least favorite tea in the black tea sampler. On the other hand, a lot of people seem to be fans of this so-called 'champagne of tea.' Did I miss something? Maybe I brewed it incorrectly? What do you love about Darjeeling? Oh, and why is it called the 'champagne of tea'?

[kymidwife]

Well, I'm no expert at all, being fairly new to Darjeelings, but I agree that #22 was "just ok" to me... and colored my initial impression of Darjeelings until I expanded to some others.

The nicer Darjeelings I have tried are extremely aromatic, very smooth on the tongue, minimal astringency, not bitter, with a hint of after-sweetness. I am a greenish oolong lover, so I tend to go for tea that is not too fermented/processed/roasted.

So, along those lines, I like greener Darjeelings, which don't taste much like traditional black teas at all to me. I've had several 1st and 2nd flushes and enjoyed them all, but like the 1st flushes much more so far. Adagio's selection is limited right now, but when they get new harvests in, I'd recommend trying the Darjeeling #1 or the Spring Darjeeling... or any Castleton Moonlight 1st or 2nd flush (I got mine from Tea Emporium)... or from Teavana, I actually REALLY enjoyed their little Darjeeling tea chest which contains 1st Flush Maharani, really delicious... and I also got some Darjeeling Puttabong from Teavana that was delicious, but the price was too high (typical for Teavana) so I will be looking for that same tea elsewhere.

Anyway, I'm not sure if that answers your questions... except to say that Darjeeling 22 is one narrow example of what Darjeeling can be... and on the opposite end of what I enjoy most about Darjeelings in general. Some folks love it and list it as a favorite... but that's the fun thing about tea, so many varieties for so many different tastes.

Sarah

[geeber1]

I have some Adagio #22 and found that if I steep it for 3 minutes rather than the recommended 5, it's less astringent. Of course, that's one of the things that people like about Darjeeling.

Sarah's suggestions are good, I would try different varieties and maybe you'll find one that you really like. Or maybe Darjeeling just isn't for you. It's not my favorite, either, but sometimes it hits the spot.

[Victoria]

Wow Sarah, that was very good and pretty much dead-on about how I feel too. Unfortunately I'm not as good at putting it into words, not a good reviewer at all. I know what I like but that's it. I guess I better get better with the TC/TCR tastings coming up. I doubt I'll get by on "Ditto".

Many years ago when a friend introduced me to Darjeelings, knowing I was a black tea lover, I didn't really get it at first either. She made such a big deal about how different they are and how that is all she likes. Well I see it now, and in a big way. Since I have been getting into first flushes and estate teas, I have no real interest in Assams or Ceylons now. I'm surprised myself.

[Victoria]

I have some Adagio #22 and found that if I steep it for 3 minutes rather than the recommended 5, it's less astringent. Of course, that's one of the things that people like about Darjeeling.

Ditto and Ditto

[auggy]

I wasn't a huge fan of #22 either, but that was something that I tried at the first of my tea journey. I think my tastes have changed a little since then. Anyway, it took me a while to try a darjeeling again but I tried Teavana's puttabong and it made me realize what was so yummy about darjeelings. Since then, I've found others I liked more but I think some of the reason I like darjeelings so is because I like oolongs and havne't really found any (non-darjeeling) blacks that I enjoy and the darjeelings strike the right balance between the two tea types.

If that makes any sort of sense.

[gingkoseto]

I feel it interesting that for many times, I heard people saying "oriental beauty" (Bai Hao oolong) is the "champagne of tea", and once I read from a white tea package saying white tea is "champagne of tea", and then, darjeeling. Why do they have to use "champagne" to describe tea

[murrius]

How about "I think champagne is the sencha miyabi of wine"....

[Sydney]

Most darjeeling I've tried has suited me just fine. It's one of my favorite categories of tea.

I've even had moderately cheap darjeeling in teabags and found it decent enough (although that was before I got m'self spoiled on loose leaf).

[trallis]

i tried darjeeling #22 when i was fairly new to brewing and it was bland. i put it aside for a few months as a backup tea.. ended up trying it again and it was really pretty good. the only difference was this time i preheated the entire brewing vessel and infusing basket. steeped for 3 mins

[Lord Brown]

I enjoy how a good Darjeeling can, at times, possess all the flavors of a very good dessert tea. Castleton 2006 FTGFOP 2nd flush had a wonderful jammy characteristic reminiscent of apricot preserves with a pastry-like aroma, in addition to the usual tea bouquet. I think a complexity of flavors appeals to many tea drinkers who, in turn, gravitate to Darjeeling as their black tea of choice.

[cha cha cha]

thanks for all the advice guys!
I just had a cup of darjeeling #22, after having set it aside for a couple of weeks. I am definitely coming around to it! It's fascinating how fast my tastes have changed.

[Salsero]

It's fascinating how fast my tastes have changed.

I love how my tastes evolve and I love the interaction between my tastes and my brewing ability.

[chad]

I've been enjoying Margaret's Hope, an estate darjeeling, as my "go to" tea at work for a couple of weeks.

I just really like the "honesty" of the brew. It changes a bit with each infusion and is very forgiving in an office environment where I sometimes get distracted!

[Ashiro]

I used to think this way. It took me quite a while to develop a taste for Darjeeling. I find its better in the evenings when a traditional black tea like Assam is a bit too much.