Marybong Darjeeling
“So magical, so mystical”
http://www.chamong.com/marybong-tea-estate.html
Type; Black Tea, Darjeeling, First Flush, FTGFOP
Price; aim for £ 8-9 for 100 grams (shy of 4 oz).
Reasoning;
A conversation with a friend, gossiping about which teas are favourites and which aren’t, leads into this blog post ; I feel it is time to announce my favourite of the black teas.
Marybong Darjeeling is my favourite black tea. And perhaps it is unfair to use this tea, as I have only found one tea-shop that carries it (Anteaques), but before we get into the Estate itself, I feel a crash course in Darjeeling is at hand.
One of the most interesting factors of a Darjeeling, is where they are grown. High in the Himalayas, the altitude, soil type, and atmosphere, are all reasons why this tea is so highly sought after. Darjeelings will have a first flush, and then a second flush tea. A usual safe way to analyze these two, is the first flush will be more crisp, with more citrus undertones, as well as floral, while the second flush is usually considered more well rounded, full-bodied, and contains sometimes a nuttiness to it. Usually a second flush is what is thought of when one has a Darjeeling. Another interesting fact is in regards to the amount of Darjeeling. The massive market for them is often times causing vendors to mix in teas with the Darjeelings. It has been suggested that 2x as much tea is labeled Darjeeling, than is actually grown there.
A fun fact is actually that Clipper ships, the tea racing ships, were created due to the market in variance in the two flushes of teas. First Flushes were highly sought after, and thus drove a demand for. This is also interesting because often times an individual will only like one, or the other, having a clear preference for either first flushes, or second flushes.
Another interesting fact that I always find, is that the same tea bush, can produce such a different flavour, in such a short period of time. This element is only compounded when one considers the different tea estates, and how each of these is very distinct.
Taking these elements into consideration, the Marybong estate is a smaller estate, and is less famous than others (say a Castleton or a Margaret's Hope). But I feel that this estate has one of the most distinctive first flushes. The elements of this tea are very complex, however the astringent, citrus undertones, with a floral mixture always make this one of my favourites. Letting it brew for longer than customary, one notes a peppery/zesty undertone which only compliments the notes further.
Currently this estate is in transitions to Organic, and while I am not completely sold in the matter, I can see this step only adding to the complexity of this tea. Located in the “Golden Valley”, Darjeeling teas are noted for growing at very high altitudes, and this tea is no exception, growing at 1970 metres above sea level. My friends who were drinking the tea thought they noted a peach undertone, or an apricot undertone, both of which I see possible in the delicate, delicious, divine, Darjeeling tea.
A tea well worth trying, especially if one wishes to try First Flushes. Delicate and Complex in ways that remind the drinker of a Chinese green, yet this tea is fully fermented, and is distinctly a black.
~~Tea Fanatic
