This summer, a number of you will be heading off on your travels. The Toy Train, too, is preparing for a scenic journey, as it leaves the station in Darjeeling. In eight hours it will be on the Terai plains, two thousand metres lower.
Powerful and full-bodied, Assam teas are worth a detour. Yet these teas are still not that well known. If you like Burgundy wines, I recommend them. You will find the same astringency and lovely finish in the mouth, the spicy, woody notes sometimes accompanied by tobacco and honey aromas.
Don’t these cheerful pluckers make you want to learn more about their tea?
Every year I set off on an exploration of the tea plantations with senior staff from Palais des Thés. It is an opportunity to introduce them to an extraordinarily beautiful region of the world and it allows them to familiarise themselves with different cultures and, of course, to learn about every stage in the production of tea.
It is also a chance to spend some good times together, like here at Tumsong, where we are enjoying a delicious meal.
It’s summertime! I’d like to welcome you into the new season with a delicious iced tea. Steep your tea in water at room temperature and then chill in the fridge. Before serving, add a spoonful of honey, a slice of orange and perhaps a few mint leaves, and you will have a drink that is both delicious and refreshing.
There is nothing better than an iced tea to serve friends, young and old, like here on the veranda at Tomsong in Darjeeling. Here’s to tea!
In Darjeeling, some very experienced planters supervise a number of plantations. This is the case with Anil Jha, for example, or Gopal Somani, pictured here in the company of Rajesh Pareek, Manager of Puttabong Tea Estate and Ravi Jakhmola, Manager of North Tukvar Tea Estate.
Gopal fulfils this role of mentor brilliantly.
After several days of fine weather, the rain has returned, incessantly, in Darjeeling. Day and night. Heavy rain – without a break. Sometimes accompanied by strong winds and hail. With rain like this, nobody can produce good tea because the leaves grow too quickly.
Luckily, just as the rains started I bought three incredible batches: Puttabong Clonal Queen DJ232, Puttabong Kakra Muscatel DJ223 and North Tukvar Delmas Bari DJ101.
That’s it! I’ve just finished choosing the first flush Darjeelings. I’ve tasted up to 200 samples a day for just over a month, and have finally narrowed it down to the best. This year, some plantations have achieved a better quality than in previous years. This is notably the case with Hilton, Rohini and Teesta Valley. Other reliable gardens like Puttabong, Margaret’s Hope and Singbulli have surpassed themselves.
I have also thought of those who are not yet familiar with first flush Darjeelings, and have selected a Gielle DJ117, which is more approachable for the palate.
Overall, it is fair to say that the quality of the 2013 harvest is significantly higher than in previous years. It has been a long time since this region last experienced a spring unaffected by either excessive cold or severe drought.
Margaret’s Hope has one of the best reputations among Darjeeling gardens. It has built this recognition mainly on its second flush teas, those harvested from mid May to mid June. However, it does also produce some very good first flush teas. Indeed, I have just bought a truly unique batch from Margaret’s Hope, made up almost entirely of buds. It looks like a white tea. It is exceptionally subtle. In the cup, it develops smooth, sweet, elegant qualities that are totally unique.
It is without doubt the very best batch of its kind produced by this garden in recent years. Tea drinkers with an educated palate and who appreciate the rarest fine teas will love it.
