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drank Darjeeling Thurbo DJ-19 1st Flush by Camellia Sinensis
6444 tasting notes

I was not expecting to like this. Darjeelings are usually sharp and drying and overtly floral. It came as a sample in my order with my first gaiwan so I guess in a way I should be thanking Roswell Strange for this one. Thank you, Ros!!

This is really smooth. It’s the slightest bit peppery and maybe a bit floral. But it really doesn’t have much flavor to it. It’s not bad and an easy drinking tea because of that. I just also don’t find it particularly interesting though.
5 comments
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Leafhopper
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I really liked the Thurbo Darjeeling I had from this company in 2018 or thereabouts, and found it had a nice muscatel flavour. Too bad your batch wasn’t that interesting. Enjoy your new gaiwan!

VariaTEA
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I have a little bit more from the sample. Perhaps that cup would be more successful. Could also be age since this is from July 2019, though as a straight tea I feel like there shouldn’t be too much flavor deterioration

Leafhopper
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You’re right, it could be due to age. My Rohini Golden Buds from What-Cha, which was wonderful when it was harvested in 2019, is starting to lose its flavour.

derk
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I just bought a sealed bag of the Rohini golden buds. I hope they fare as well as my first go with them. In my experience, freshness is almost paramount with Indian teas.

Leafhopper
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I hope the seal helps. I also wasn’t measuring very carefully during my last session with this tea, so I may not have used enough leaf.

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Leafhopper
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I really liked the Thurbo Darjeeling I had from this company in 2018 or thereabouts, and found it had a nice muscatel flavour. Too bad your batch wasn’t that interesting. Enjoy your new gaiwan!

VariaTEA
Delete

I have a little bit more from the sample. Perhaps that cup would be more successful. Could also be age since this is from July 2019, though as a straight tea I feel like there shouldn’t be too much flavor deterioration

Leafhopper
Delete

You’re right, it could be due to age. My Rohini Golden Buds from What-Cha, which was wonderful when it was harvested in 2019, is starting to lose its flavour.

derk
Delete

I just bought a sealed bag of the Rohini golden buds. I hope they fare as well as my first go with them. In my experience, freshness is almost paramount with Indian teas.

Leafhopper
Delete

I hope the seal helps. I also wasn’t measuring very carefully during my last session with this tea, so I may not have used enough leaf.

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My cupboard has grown exponentially since joining this site and I have a lot to share. Feel free to snoop through my cupboard and message me if anything interests you – I am always happy to swap!

For me, flavored teas are definitely my sweet spot. I will most often reach for black teas and rooibos or honeybush blends but I do keep some flavored whites and greens around for when the mood strikes. I have a few herbals/tisanes but most of the time I find myself disappointed by them as they often smell deliciously sweet and then end up tasting tart/sour. I have a little bit of an aversion to pu’erh and oolong teas. I am also wary of florals, earl greys, and chai teas. I do not like overpowering citrus flavors nor do I usually like hibiscus, licorice or chamomile. I love dessert teas – caramel, vanilla, toffee, cookie, cream, and other sweet flavors make me smile. Fruits like strawberry, peach, mango, and pineapples will often catch my attention as well.

I have also realized that although I really enjoy adding frothed milk to some of my teas, if I do not like the tea with zero additives (just in plain water without milk or sugar), I probably won’t drink it. The one exception is flavored matchas which I will happily drink in cold milk if I do not like it mixed with hot water. My theory is if the tea can’t stand on its own then it is not for me and I will more than likely try to swap it out for something else.

Tea Ratings Guide (as of December 10, 2017)
90-100 Teas I NEED on hand at all times
80-89 Teas I want to keep around for a cup every now and then
70-79 Teas I am glad I have around and can experiment with but probably don’t need more than what’s in my cupboard
60-69 Teas I would not turn down a cup of from a friend but that would probably be enough
50-59 Teas I can see why someone would enjoy but are not for me
Under 50 Teas I really did not like and most likely got dumped

Location

Waterdown, Ontario

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