It went from incredible summery warmth to sudden spring coolness practically overnight. June started out with lots of rain, but I'm thankful for it! I think I tend to enjoy tea more when it's ever so slightly cool outside. Seeing as I didn't particularly want to go out I decided it would be a perfect time to review a tea! Today I'm drinking a sample sent over from Golden Tips Tea -- their Thurbo Moonlight Darjeeling! This is a second flush Darjeeling (picked summer 2014) and is FTGFOP1 'Moonlight' grade. The leaves are brown with golden tips and hues of warm green scattered throughout. I was instantly reminded of autumn foliage when I opened the bag to look at them.
This isn't the sort of tea that's meant to be consumed as a morning pick-me-up. It's a very light & mellow cup which is best suited for enjoying during the day. It brews a light gold color and the aroma is very mild but sweet.
The tea has no astringency that I can detect. The muscatel note is prominent upon first sip, and lingers into the aftertaste with a slight tartness. It is ever so slightly floral which sweetens the cup and makes the flavor seem more refined. I am almost reminded of lychee fruit -- sweet & tangy with an almost perfumey floral flavor coming into play. Instead of lychee flavor outright, however, the core of the tea is a soft grape. This Darjeeling is incredibly pleasant to drink. It is definitely one of those brews that encourages you to savor every sip you take.
This tea is the perfect companion to a good book and soft music. Once I finish this post I'll be brewing the remainder of the sample and spending my afternoon reading and relaxing!
Check this tea out along with others at the Golden Tips Tea website!
Hi! Since moving out to the 'burbs (Hatboro) I don't have easy access to my tea supply places, so I may be forced to do online purchasing now. I know you've tested a lot so I want your advice on places to get good teas. I'm looking for the basics: breakfast blends and the staple: earl grey. I'm starting a morning tea routine with friends here (probably on Sundays) and am running low on those basic blends, but would also like to get some exotic varieties as well. :)
ReplyDeleteHello, neighbor! Hatboro is a stone's throw from where I am in Warrington. :) For my breakfast staples I've found myself returning to three teas from Harney & Sons. Earl Grey Supreme, Paris, and Queen Catherine are constantly restocked and loved by friends and family. I've branched out and tried other brands for Earl Grey, but Harney's Supreme variation is strong on bergamot (yum!) and brews a smooth but robust cup. For my fancier Chinese teas I tend to turn to Verdant Teas. The Early Spring Tieguanyin is my absolute favorite. They can get a bit expensive, but I feel their oolong offerings in particular are better than anywhere else I've tried. Mellow Monk stocks the best Japanese green teas I've had and won't cost you and arm and a leg to order from online (unlike Ippodo Tea Co., who also has incredible Japanese tea but shipping is outrageously expensive). Red Blossom Tea Co. also has an excellent Organic Golden Monkey.
DeleteWhew! I hope that helps! :)
Awesome! Thanks a bunch! We may have to meet up for a cuppa some time! :D
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!! :) I'm convinced if we don't meet up someday we'll just end up running into each other at some point given our mutual interests and (now) close proximity.
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