First Flush Darjeeling Heritage Moondrop Oolong
Darjeeling Heritage Moondrop Oolong
Darjeeling Heritage Moondrop Oolong
Darjeeling Heritage Moondrop Oolong
  • SKU: STF03

Darjeeling Heritage Moondrop Oolong

This Darjeeling first flush is an exquisite whole leaf oolong from the high-altitude Mirik Valley, reminiscent of a Himalayan spring orchard. Enjoy a delicious complexity and nuanced notes of green grapes, honeydew, chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, grass, and holy basil.

Each 1.06 oz Tin contains approximately 10-12 servings. Depending on steeping method, each serving can yield 2-3 cups, for a total of 20-30 cups per tin.

$15.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Mirik Valley, Darjeeling

Origin

Mirik Valley, Darjeeling

Season - First flush, March

Season

First flush, March

Altitude - 5500 - 7000 ft

Altitude

5500 - 7000 ft

Cultivar - Old clonal bushes

Cultivar

Old clonal bushes

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Tea Type

Whole leaf oolong tea

One of our favorite first flush Darjeeling teas, the Moondrop Oolong, has flavors reminiscent of a Himalayan spring orchard. We have chosen this tea because it is well balanced with exquisite sweet, floral, fruity and herbaceous flavors. It steeps into a delicious medium bodied cup which is rejuvenating to the soul. Luscious fruity aromas and flavors marked by notes of green grapes and honey dew are complemented with sweet floral and herbaceous notes. The whole experience of drinking this tea is highly unique and refreshing. Heritage Moondrop Oolong is the champagne of teas, and is one of the most exquisite first flush Darjeeling teas. It is very special, and definitely a high quality tea that we are very proud to have. 

The tea leaves are handpicked from the topmost elevation in Mirik Valley, Darjeeling from fine heritage tea bushes in late March when the tea bushes are just emerging from hibernation. This is a very tippy tea and is composed of the most tender two leaves and a bud. Following plucking, this tea undergoes gentle bruising, oxidation and is fixed prior to drying and so is made in a manner that is slightly different from the traditional Darjeeling first flush teas. We definitely think this tea is a must try and perfect for a tea enthusiast or aficionado. 

Dry leaves

Olive green whole leaves that are rolled, few silver tips. Sweet honey, fruity and hay aromas.

Wet leaves

Bright greenish-brown whole leaves with aromas that are honey, fruity, floral, grassy and baked like a dinner roll.

Tea liquor

Translucent golden yellow color with sweet honey and floral aromas. The tea is medium bodied with a rich mouthfeel, juicy texture, and a lasting aftertaste that envelopes the palate. Overall sweet, it has a hint of sour and bitter undertones. Luscious fruity aromas and flavors marked by notes of white grapes, golden raspberries and oranges, which are complemented with sweet, floral chrysanthemum and honeysuckle. With the second steep undertones of holy basil are revealed.

Tasting Profile

Fruity - green grape, honeydew
Floral - chrysanthemum and honeysuckle
Woody - birch
Vegetal - grassy, herbaceous

Caffeine Level

Caffeine Level Caffeine Level Caffeine Level Caffeine Level

Low-Moderate

Make the perfect tea

Steeping Instructions

Western Style

Number of infusions per 2.5 g: 3

1
Quantity
Quantity

2.5 gms of tea (use a digital scale)

2
Temperature
Temperature

120-150 ml ( 4-5 fl-oz) or 1/2 - 2/3rd cup of water at 85°C - 90°C (or 185°F - 195°F)

3
Steeping Time
Steeping Time
  • 1st infusion:1-2 minutes
    Pour and enjoy
  • 2nd infusion:30-45 seconds
  • 3rd infusion:45 seconds - 1 minute

Gongfu Style

This tea works great for the gongfu method of steeping as it helps coax out all the subtle flavors.

1
Quantity
Quantity

We recommend 5 gm of tea

2
Temperature
Temperature

100 ml water (approximate 10-20 ml of water per 1 gm of tea) at 85°C - 90°C (or 185°F - 195°F).

3
Steeping Time
Steeping Time
  • Steep the tea for 10s, 15s, 20s, 30s, 45s, and then maybe a minute each time until it loses flavor.
Darjeeling

Origin

Where your tea comes from

Mirik is a small charming town nestled in the serene hills of Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. At an elevation of 5000 ft., it is surrounded by lush tea gardens, orange orchards, cardamom plantations, and forests of tall, dark Japanese cedars. Mirik, pronounced as Mir-yok, means ‘a place burnt by fire’ in Lepcha. Its cool and moist climate make it the perfect setting for growing tea.

Meet

Chaiwala Panda

Red pandas dwell in the Eastern Himalayan region of India and also in China. They are skillful acrobats that are arboreal. They are mostly herbivorous and their name comes from a Nepali word “ponya” which means one who eats bamboo. Red pandas are endangered and there are about 10,000 animals left, of which over 50% live in India.

Chaiwala Panda

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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C
Cameron
Amazing Oolong, a new favorite

I'm usually not a fan of Oolong. I have tried many Oolongs & teas in general. Not many can even compare to this Darjeeling Heritage Moondrop Oolong. This tea is very, very good. It has an amazingly sweet dark chocolatey aroma as soon as you open the pouch. Taste is very smooth, not overpowering like other Oolongs. Taste is uniquely in the middle of a green tea and black tea. Highly recommend.

S
Suzanne Nerison

I gave this tea as a gift, and the recipients said that it’s delicious and that they love it.

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