The best way to make a cup of first flush Darjeeling


29 March 2013
The best way to make a cup of first flush Darjeeling

For those of you who are getting your first taste of a first flush Darjeeling, I’d like to remind you that these are rare and fragile teas that need to be prepared with care. The infusion time, for example, should not exceed three minutes and 45 seconds. A fine tea is all about harmony. We look for a balance between the textures, flavours and aromas. With first flush Darjeelings, the best way to find this harmony is to keep the infusion time to between 3’30 and 3’45.

You like this post?
Comment
0 thoughts on “The best way to make a cup of first flush Darjeeling
  1. Thanks for sharing this. I would have needed your advice when I was a tea newbie and I did the mistake of oversteeping my black teas and thinking that it’s strange they have such a bitter aftertaste.

  2. I just want to say how much I enjoy this information. François-Xavier, What motivated you to call this blog “The best way to make a cup of first flush Darjeeling”, not that the title does not go with the content, I am just wondering. Great job François-Xavier.

  3. Well, if you don’t prepare Darjeeling teas carefully you may get too much bitterness and astringency. That’s why for those teas especially one should be carefull while infusing them.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share

Similar articles

First flush Darjeelings: the good way to infuse them

13 March 2012

If there’s a group of teas that is particularly sensitive to the infusion time, it’s the Darjeelings. Thirty seconds too long and your tea will be bitter due to excessive…

Share on Facebook. Tweet this!

Infusion time for first-flush Darjeelings

27 March 2015

First-flush Darjeelings should be infused for between 3:30 and 4 minutes. The easiest way is to set your timer for 3:45. You have to be accurate when preparing this type…

Share on Facebook. Tweet this!

Length of infusion varies from one tea to another

25 November 2011

Tea needs infusing for a specific length of time, and this can vary a great deal from one fine tea to another. A Japanese Gyokuro, for example, only needs infusing…

Share on Facebook. Tweet this!

The first selections of first-flush Darjeelings

7 March 2014

As happens every year at the same time, the first samples of first-flush Darjeelings are starting to arrive. There are never many during the first week, then during the peak…

Share on Facebook. Tweet this!