I have, with me, a 10 years old tin of Darjeeling
I bought this quite some years ago in New York city, some first flush stuff that I never really drank much of. I carried it with me to many places, and after numerous moves (and multiple times considering whether or not to throw it away) it is still there
Having had some fresh first flush recently from Lochan tea, I can say that the muscatel from this aged darjeeling is much more subdued. There’s a different character that shows up early in the cup — some form of sweetness. The tea is still bitter if you overbrew it, but there’s less of a bite and a little more rounded, I think, than fresh stuff. It’s not quite as aromatic, and will certainly taste a little strange to someone expecting the usual. I do wonder though… are these things ageable?
3 responses so far ↓
Anonymous // August 22, 2008 at 6:53 am |
Marshal,
I have been keeping some first flush Darjeeling in a Japanese clay pot for about a year.
I find it to be much more pleasant than when I first tried it – less sharpness and more fruit.
lewperin // August 22, 2008 at 1:42 pm |
Looks like a lot of dust and tiny flakes at the bottom of the cup. Maybe with a fine (e.g. gourd/silk) strainer the liquor would be sweeter?
MANDARINstea // August 22, 2008 at 2:21 pm |
We are “aging” everything now : ) I do have some 3 years “aged” Gopaldhara Estate Darjeeling. Hmmm, interesting. Thanks for the reminder. Cheers – T