How to Pick a Darjeeling Tea

Darjeeling is the queen of teas, the champagne of teas. Darjeeling tea color varies from golden yellow to rich amber, and the flavor can be floral, nutty, or even delicately fruity, with what are called muscatel notes. Darjeeling tea is grown in India, on more than 90 highland and mountain estates. These estates are in the foothills of the Himalayas, from 2,500 to 6,500 feet. Namring, Goomtee, Castleton, Puttabong, and Margaret's Hope are some of the more well known of the tea estates. You can almost always count on these names for quality, but don't hesitate to try others. You may find an overlooked gem!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Catalog or website with a selection of Darjeeling teas
• Heavy teapot that will hold its heat
• Tea cozy (optional, but it's a nice touch)

1. Look for flush and grade when picking a Darjeeling tea. Flush refers to the season of harvest, usually first, second or autumnal. Grade is indicated by the letters that follow the name of the tea, which look complex but are really quite simple.

2. First flush teas are picked early in the spring. They have a particularly fresh, refined flavor and aroma, usually with more astringency. They typically are more delicate but more brisk, and should be brewed at lower temperatures than most other black teas.

3. Second flush teas are picked in early summer, when the plants are more mature. They have a more full bodied flavor, and are frequently compared to vintage wines. The taste is more developed and rounded, with more fruity and nutty characteristics. Second flush teas should be brewed with boiling water, for 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Autumnal flush teas are picked after the summer rains, and have a more subdued character, but with more maturity and depth than first or second flush teas. Brew these as you would a second flush tea.

5. 
   SFTGFOP1 Darjeeling Tea

   Learn about grade. A tea might be described as SFTGFOP1--Super Fine, Tippy, Golden Flowery, Orange Pekoe, 1st quality. Other examples of grade might be FTGFOP1, FTGFOP, TGBOP, FBOP, GFOF or D. Super Fine or Fine means that it is a premium grade. Tippy means that the tea contains a high percentage of fine leaf tips, which contributes to its delicacy and refined quality. Golden Flowery is an indication of aroma and body.

6. Orange Pekoe is an indication of leaf size. Those OP leaves are Whole Leaf, Broken Leaf, Fannings or Dust. BOP refers to Broken Orange Pekoe, OF is Orange Fannings, and D is Dust. In addition, you may see the letters Cl(onal), Ch(ina) or spl(special), but these refer more to the cultivation process than the flavor.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that most grade information is based on appearance. You'll often find Broken Leaf teas at a bargain price. They won't be as pretty, but they may brew a cup of tea as delicious as one with all the pretty leaves and fancy grade letters.
• You can frequently buy inexpensive small amounts of tea, 12 to 15 gram packets, so that you can try them first. If you find an estate you like, then you can spend more, or try various styles from that estate. Still, if your tea merchant has any of the names listed above, don't hesitate. You are guaranteed a tradition of exceptional quality.
• Make sure you brew your tea with freshly drawn water, preferably filtered or bottled. Chlorine and other components of tap water will change the taste.
• Don't reboil your water. You want water that is freshly drawn and fully oxygenated.
• Don't confine your loose leaf tea. Use a tea sock, or leave it loose in the pot and strain it out. You want room for your leaves to fully expand and release all of their flavor.

Resources

• The Official Darjeeling Tea Page
• Upton Teas--a great variety of Darjeelings