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Darjeeling Gopaldhara Rare Muscatel Gold 2021

Darjeeling Gopaldhara Rare Muscatel Gold is a traditional Second Flush Darjeeling from Gopaldhara Tea Estate, made from the 130 year old China bushes planted by the British. It produces a smooth muscatel liquor with light fruity notes of smoked prunes and a clean mineral aftertaste.

Brewing guide: 2.5g in 250ml water at 90°C for 3-4 minutes

£1.95£6.75

(10-50g)

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Origin:Gopaldhara Tea Estate, Darjeeling, India
Elevation:1,700 - 2,100m
Cultivar:130 year old China Bushes
Harvest time:June 2021
Sourcing:Direct from Gopaldhara

Description

Darjeeling Gopaldhara Rare Muscatel Gold is a traditional Second Flush Darjeeling from Gopaldhara Tea Estate. Made from leaves harvested from old China bushes that were originally planted by the British, some 130 years ago, that grow at a special, higher section of the Estate; at an altitude of 1,700-2,100 metres. It is more robust than the First Flush teas from Gopaldhara but is also more complex when compared to their Classic Second Flush tea. It has a smooth profile with muscatel and fruity notes. This batch is FTGFOP1 ‘China Muscatel Gold’ grade from the second flush crop picked in June 2021.

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.

Second Flush Darjeeling teas generally have more robust profiles when compared to First Flush Darjeeling. A good Second Flush Darjeeling certainly should exhibit a character that is more rounded, having a stronger overall flavour. But these stronger flavours should be well balanced – just like in this fine Second Flush example from Gopaldhara. The usage of leaves from old China bushes leads to a more nuanced flavour in this tea, featuring complex sweet muscatel flavours.

Darjeeling Gopaldhara Rare Muscatel Gold tea has a dark leaf with bold red and golden colours, indicating a higher degree of oxidation. The liquor produced has a dark reddish colour with a light aroma. The fruity profile has sweet muscatel notes that are light and smooth. There is pleasant floral aspect underpinning the taste. The fruity notes are somewhat reminiscent of smoked or roasted prunes. There is a mineral aspect present, however it does not translate into any bitterness or astringency. The aftertaste is very comforting with lasting fruity notes.

We suggest brewing parameters of 90°C for 3-4 minutes according to your taste, brewing multiple times.

This Darjeeling Gopaldhara Rare Muscatel Gold black tea was first featured in our November 2020 Curious Tea Subscription Boxes.