2009 Darjeelings

[Trioxin]

Hi everyone. Just wanted to know everyones thoughts of the 2009 Darjeelings? Any winners out there? Any losers?

[Victoria]

I ordered a bunch of sample and small sizes today from 3 different vendors.

The only one I have tried was nice, but not outstanding.

[bambooforest]

I hear this is a tough year for Darjeelings, that they had a drought.

Le'ts hope though, that there are some real winners out there nevertheless.

[olivierco]

I haven't bought any so far. I am waiting for my last year favorite to be available.

[kymidwife]

Tea Emporium folks told me the Castleton Moonlight was quite disappointing this year, which I hated to hear because it was so amazing last year.

I've had their Margaret's Hope FF so far, and their Puttabong FF. MH was just ok, but I found the Puttabong much better... still noticeably not as good as last year's offerings. I have a new package from them now that I haven't opened yet, but I remember ordering a couple of new things when I reordered the Puttabong... stay tuned, and I will post some info when I try them.

Sarah

[Victoria]

Sarah, I was waiting for you to weigh in. The Puttabong was nice, but I'm still hoping there is something that is stunning. Even though I know about the drought and the dire reports of the FF, I'm afraid to say I bought into the "higher elevation" and "reserve crop picked only for us" marketing. Plus I am using two new vendors I have never bought from; one in England, one in Canada. Fingers crossed.


I'm anxious to hear about your samples.

[bambooforest]

I wonder how long first flush Darjeeling maintains its freshness.

Well, I'm drinking an 08 Darjeeling first flush right now, from Upton, and it tastes pretty fresh to me.

If this crop is really disappointing, maybe I'll just purchase last years. :]

[Victoria]

You have a point. My Adagio Spring Darjeeling is holding up well also. I just repurchased it a few months ago. It beats the 2009 Puttabong in my book.

[Trioxin]

Tea Emporium folks told me the Castleton Moonlight was quite disappointing this year, which I hated to hear because it was so amazing last year.

I'd like to take a moment to apologize for introducing the boards to the Castleton Moonlight. Once you've tried it, nothing else just seems to do and we'll forever be searching for something comparable. I'm running really low on last years first flush Moonlight. Its depressing. I'm going to have to switch to the Thurbo until I can find another gem.

Has anyone tried any of the 2009's from Thunderbolt yet?

[Beidao]

I've tried the Tumsong FF-2009 and I really did not like it at all. It tasted cabbage and public toilet. I sent it to a tea-friend who enjoys Darjeelings very much, though, and he thought it to be good, so it may just have been me. But it kind of turned me of from venturing deeper into 2009 FF. Damn it, this would be the year I really dived into the Darjeeling ocean But I think I will go for Second Flushes, I tend to like them more.

[teanoob]

The drought was not as bad as initially feared, I managed to get some Gopaldhara's Wonder Tea from a friend and it was as good as last year.

[silverneedles]

It tasted cabbage and public toilet.

[kymidwife]

I broke open my Tea Emporium order today. My first new try was the Balasun China Classic FTGFOP1.

Dry leaf: Nice aroma but not a knock-you-down wow... leaf had a darker appearance than my Puttabong or other FFs, but turned a pretty green color when brewed.

Parameters: 2 tsp. dry leaf in 12 oz. water, just off-boil, first infusion about 2.5 minutes. Nice but mild aroma from the brewed cup... color is light amber, a bit darker than some other FFs... taste is bright, floral, not as much umami as the Puttabong, and slightly more astringent. I will lower my temp a bit on next attempt, but will infuse these leaves one more time.

At 11 USD for 100 grams, this is an above-average tea well worth the price... but not the knock-your-socks-off of last year's offerings, and not as good as the Puttabong. For those not wanting to foot the bill for the Puttabong at 23USD/100gm... if you're going to take a step down, I think this Balasun is about as good as the more expensive Margaret's Hope (17USD/100gm)... definitely a better value in my opinion.

Sarah

[Janine]

I know next to nothing about darjeelings. Yesterday I was at a tea shop and bought some "Singbulli Oolong" to try. I'm quite enjoying it and the leaves are beautiful. Could someone enlighten me on "oolong darjeelings?"

(Sorry if this is the wrong place to put this)

[hooksie]

I know next to nothing about darjeelings. Yesterday I was at a tea shop and bought some "Singbulli Oolong" to try. I'm quite enjoying it and the leaves are beautiful. Could someone enlighten me on "oolong darjeelings?"

(Sorry if this is the wrong place to put this)

I too would like to know about this.