Description
Darjeeling Gopaldhara ‘Classic’ First Flush is a medium oxidised Darjeeling from Gopaldhara Tea Estate. Made from leaves harvested from Old China and China Hybrid bushes in March, it has a fresh, fruity character. As it is medium oxidised, it has a light taste with pronounced flavours. This batch is FTGFOP1 ‘Classic’ from the First Flush crop picked in March 2022.
Like all our Gopaldhara teas, we source this tea directly from Rishi Saria, the owner and director of Gopaldhara and Rohini Tea Estates. Gopaldhara Tea Estate is nestled in the Mirik Valley, in the Himalayan foothills, and is one of the highest tea estates in Darjeeling with elevations of up to 2,100m. It is renowned for producing teas of exceptional quality and very often quite unusual character.
This ‘Classic’ First Flush Darjeeling from Gopaldhara Tea Estate is a medium oxidised tea that has a light traditional First Flush character. It is created by Gopaldhara to achieve a flavour with the most typical First Flush profile that is light, yet full of character. The bushes used to create it are a mixture of China Hybrid and old China bushes originally planted by the British over 135 years ago. The plants experience low temperatures over the winter months so the first shoots experience slow growth, resulting in a concentrated flavour. The young leaves used in making of this tea consist of single leaf or two leaves and a bud, lending a smoothness to the favour, while also providing a lasting, satisfying aftertaste.
Darjeeling Gopaldhara First Flush black tea has dark mixed wiry leaf. The leaves have a mixed colour, pointing towards the medium oxidation. The golden-coloured liquor is bright with a slight mineral aroma to it. Overall you can immediately sense that it is a light and perfectly smooth First Flush Darjeeling. The character is soft, bright with a fruity profile and spiced notes. The fresh taste is juicy, with flavours reminiscent of citrus peel. It has a prominent long-lasting aftertaste that has a pleasant degree of sweetness, creaminess and astringency.
We suggest brewing parameters of 90°C for 3-4 minutes according to your taste, brewing multiple times.
This Darjeeling Gopaldhara ‘Classic’ First Flush black tea was first featured in our May 2019 Curious Tea Subscription Boxes.