Darjeeling - Black Indian Tea - WS
Darjeeling - Black Indian Tea - WS
Internationally renowned Darjeeling teas come to us from the area in and around Darjeeling, a Himalayan town in the state of West Bengal in eastern India. The soil and climatic conditions that exist here create teas that are treasured for their exquisite taste. Often referred to as the "Champagne of teas", Darjeeling teas are so prized that the government there created a special logo that certifies that the teas bearing this logo were actually grown in this beautiful mountain terrain. These teas have a complex and delicate flavor that marries well with custard, eggs, grilled fish, curries and fresh fruit.
Our standard Darjeeling Black Tea is a blend of teas from all around the Darjeeling area, which are blended to create a consistent taste profile. These medium sized tea leaves brew to a dark amber cup and have a sweet musky smell with a smooth, medium body and pleasing citral tones that are bold but not overpowering.
Brew tea at 205-212º - steep for 3 minutes.
Quick Shrimp Curry with Darjeeling Tea Rice
Ingredients:
2 cups water
4 tsp Darjeeling tea leaves
1 cup uncooked white rice
½ cup onion, chopped
1 Tbsp butter
1 can (11 oz) condensed cream of shrimp soup
1 cup sour cream
½ tsp curry powder
1 cup cleaned shrimp
Preparation:
In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the tea leaves, cover and steep for 4 minutes. Strain out the tea leaves and return the tea water to the saucepan. Return to a boil and add the rice. Cook according to the rice package directions.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until the onions are tender. Add the soup and stir until smooth. Stir in the sour cream and curry powder. Add shrimp and heat thoroughly. Spoon over cooked rice and serve.
- In stock, ready to ship
- Backordered, shipping soon
I like but don't love this tea. Brew is medium bodied, with a nice smooth texture in the mouth. Not overwhelming in flavor, mostly notes of wood/oak. It reminds me a lot of the Darjeelings-in-a-teabag I've had in the past. I enjoy the tea but it isn't too notable. I've compared it directly with a number of other Himalayan offerings from S&V, and it generally doesn't stack up. Compared to single origin Darjeelings (I've tasted it with Dooteriah 2nd flush and Margaret's Hope 2nd flush), this blend is lacking in flavor, particularly the floral/fruity notes of the single origins. To me, those teas are worth the extra few cents per cup. I've also compared it to the similarly-priced Nepal Ilam tea, and found that much, much better; the Ilam had more flavor, especially with floral aromas.
A pleasant tea that provides a very affordable option for a Darjeeling tea. Not particularly distinct, but that is the necessary consequence of it being blended. Some vegetal, citral, 'Darjeelin'g notes. Worth a try and enjoyable.