Twinings Darjeeling Teabag

[stevewiess88]

Hey guys,

I was able to get hold of a single Twinings Darjeeling teabag and have just tried it a few minutes ago.

I tried it without sweetener and milk after brewing for about 2.5 minutes.

The taste was obviously not as strong as their breakfast blend, but it had bitter and slight acidic taste that didn't seem very pleasant to me. It wasn't a bad tea, but I was slightly disappointed as the box was advertising for its subtle taste. The conclusion was that it was just another typical teabag tea.

I'm getting a loose leaf sample of darjeeling tea from adagio on Tuesday, so I guess that one is going to be the 'real' darjeeling I'm going to taste first.

[Victoria]

I would say so. There is a world of difference between whole leaf teas and the bits and pieces they put in teabags.

Stand by, to be amazed. Which Darjeeling did you get?

[stevewiess88]

I would say so. There is a world of difference between whole leaf teas and the bits and pieces they put in teabags.

Stand by, to be amazed. Which Darjeeling did you get?

I ordered $50 worth of a teapot and sample teas and one of them is a darjeeling #2 sample. When I get the darjeeling, do you think I should try it plain black?

[Victoria]

Plain black? You mean vs how you normally prepare it?
If you add milk and sugar, I'd cut the milk.
If you are used to adding sugar, you might want to add that,
Darjeelings can be a little astringent.

Eventually working towards enjoy the tea with no additives
would be a good goal; more healthy and learning to enjoy the
true flavor of the tea.

By the way 3mins should be right - even if they recommend 5mins.

[stevewiess88]

Plain black? You mean vs how you normally prepare it?
If you add milk and sugar, I'd cut the milk.
If you are used to adding sugar, you might want to add that,
Darjeelings can be a little astringent.

Eventually working towards enjoy the tea with no additives
would be a good goal; more healthy and learning to enjoy the
true flavor of the tea.

By the way 3mins should be right - even if they recommend 5mins.

I've been drinking green tea without any additives as it is the only way to go. For black teas, I have only tried Twinings breakfast blend teabags (both Irish and English), and it was difficult for me to enjoy them without adding milk and sugar. A week ago, I've purchased a single tin of Twinings Earl Grey Loose Leaf and I was able to drink that one plain as the bergamot flavor was sweet enough to me and it was not that bitter for being a loose leaf.

[Victoria]

That's great! Then I would try a sip w/o the sugar - you can always add it
if you feel you need it.

Let me know how it turns out!

If you like the taste of Darjeelings, you might want to
try some Nilgiri. And OF COURSE - please try some OOLONGS!!

[kymidwife]

I got some of those same teabags... I thought they were fairly awful, not a remotely accurate representation of darjeeling at all. Hold out for the good stuff. If you enjoy Darjeeling #2, try #1 or Spring or Oooh Darjeeling... all are really flavorful and aromatic, and I drink them all straight-up with no sugar. If you fall in love after that... check out Tea Emporium!

Welcome to the real Darjeeling.

Sarah

[J.]

but it had bitter and slight acidic taste that didn't seem very pleasant to me

I totally think the same about that tea.
I never tried another Darjeeling but I really like Maloom from Nepal that is said to taste like a darjeeling.

[shardy53]

I find that with darjeelings, you have to be careful not to over infuse them and do not use superheated, overboiled water. I quickly learned to infuse mine for four mins. If you want it stronger, than add more tea, otherwise it can get bitter pretty quickly. I have tried the #1, #2, and #22 and they are all different, but I liked the #22 the best. There is a natural sweetness and a distinct floral boquet to them. They are a nice change from my usual Assams and Yunnans.

Enjoy,
Steve

[stevewiess88]

I find that with darjeelings, you have to be careful not to over infuse them and do not use superheated, overboiled water. I quickly learned to infuse mine for four mins. If you want it stronger, than add more tea, otherwise it can get bitter pretty quickly. I have tried the #1, #2, and #22 and they are all different, but I liked the #22 the best. There is a natural sweetness and a distinct floral boquet to them. They are a nice change from my usual Assams and Yunnans.

Enjoy,
Steve

I think darjeeling teabags are more vulnerable to oversteeping due to the dusty leaves. Anyway, I will take a note of what you wrote here. I guess a water temperature somewhere between black and green tea would be suitable for darjeeling. (85-90C)

[woozl]

I brew my darjeeling for 3 min with 190 degree water.
Darjeeling tends to be brisker than other blacks. (except assam)

[Ron Gilmour]

As teabags go, Twinings isn't usually that bad. I like their Prince of Wales and their Irish Breakfast. But their Darjeeling bags are just awful.

[JasonC]

I really love the Darjeeling #22 from Adagio. I -have- tried the Twinings Darjeeling, and it is simply no comparison to the real macoy(sp?). The best way I could describe it would be that the Twinings Darjeeling tea tastes a little "flat" and "dry" compared to the loose leaf version(s) of Darjeeling. I like mine with a little sugar, it seems to enhance the flavor a bit, however, it is good straight up as well. I haven't had any issues with steeping #22 for the full 5 mins, with boiling water. I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised when your order arrives.

Thanks,
--Jason

[J.]

As teabags go, Twinings isn't usually that bad. I like their Prince of Wales and their Irish Breakfast. But their Darjeeling bags are just awful.

Their Prince of Wales is a really good blended tea.
I confirm that their Darjeeling doesn't taste me at all.
I recommend Maloom (Nepal) to people that don't like the Twinning Darjeeling but that would like to drink a bitter but very flowery tea looking like darjeelings.

[shogun89]

In my opinion drinking any tea without sugar or milk or whatever is always the way to go.