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Summer in India begins early, in May, with the end of June to early July bringing in the monsoon. The teas in this box are made in late spring. In Darjeeling, each tea farm starts producing spring teas at different times based on the altitude of the tea garden. The higher the altitude, the later the tea is plucked. However, this does not mean it's not of good quality. In fact, you might be pleasantly surprised. The young leaves that have been more stressed during the winter months might produce teas that are extremely complex and nuanced.
With our tea box, you'll notice the progression in the teas you receive. We're moving from Darjeeling first flush black teas, white and green teas to early summer oolongs and black teas, eventually welcoming Darjeeling second flush and Assams.
These teas are only a few weeks old and come to us from all over India by air. Our farmers are thrilled about our fine tea club and are dedicated to creating delicious, innovative teas for you to try. We are particularly excited about this box. Our farmer friend from Meghalaya has crafted an exceptional white tea, completely unrolled, which we believe to be one of the best white teas from India. We also have tea from Bihar, a new and unusual tea-producing state for us, from a micro tea garden called Doke.
This is the last Darjeeling first flush in our box. Yanki and her son Allan did an exceptional job making this for us. Yanki has a beautiful story, and she used to be a tea plucker and arose against all odds to start her own co-operative tea factory and now empowers the villagers in hers and neighboring villages. We first met her and Allan in July 2022 and fell in love with their Yanki Red Oolong and Yellow Tea. Their village is located in a beautiful valley in Mirek, and has beautiful wildflowers and orchards with oranges and pineapples. Yanki also makes the most delicious dumplings.
Darjeeling Spring Wonder Tea is extremely aromatic, with notes of spring flowers, cucumber, and seaweed. It has a rich mouthfeel, minimal astringency and a joyous aftertaste.
Steeping Instructions:
Gongfu Style: 6g, 4-6 fl oz, Water Temperature 190°F, 20 seconds (first steep), 15 seconds, (second steep), continue for multiple steeps
Western Style: 4g, 6 fl oz, Water Temperature 195°F, 1 minute (second steep for 45 seconds)
This tea comes from Bihar, an off beaten tea-growing region in India, from a small micro garden. Sourcing from this region is new for us. Though near Darjeeling, the area is flat and almost at sea level, similar to Assam. Made late April 2024, from p126 variety of Camellia sinensis assamica bushes, this tea has the malt and honey notes of an Assam, with additional fruity notes and a sprinkle of allspice.
Steeping Instructions:
Gongfu Style: 6g, 5 fl oz, Water Temperature 195°F, 15 seconds (first steep), 10 seconds (second steep), continue for multiple steeps
Western Style: 4g, 6 fl oz, Water Temperature 200°F, 1 minute (second steep for 45 seconds)
Made in early April 2024, this white tea is exceptional, likely the best we've had from India and among the best from any country. This small boutique tea garden also produces our Meghalaya Silk Cloud and Meghalaya Silver Needle. Located on the banks of Umiam Lake, this small microgarden's white tea has a rich, silky mouthfeel. The first steep offers notes of butter, daisies, fresh herbs, cucumber, and seaweed. The second steep is more herbaceous and floral, with butter notes in the background and a subtle hint of citrus.
Steeping Instructions:
Gongfu Style: 6g, 5 fl oz, Water Temperature 170°F, 20 seconds (first steep), 15 seconds (second steep), one more third steep.
Western Style: 4g, 6 fl oz, Water Temperature 170°F, 1 minute (second steep for 45 seconds)
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