I wanted to drink something this early Saturday morning, after a rather rotten night's rest but felt I deserved something at least semi-special, even in my sleepy-eyed state. Once I chose this sample and opened it, I knew I had made a mistake. This wasn't semi-special, this was a whole new ball-game. Even without my glasses and half awake I was smart enough to say out-loud to myself, "What exactly is this? This is not a basic black morning tea." First of all this is a Darjeeling, so that should have made me pause before assuming this was something I could mindlessly dump into my infuser and 'use' as a 'tool' simply to awaken my senses. Then I saw the leaves in the bag and woke up real quick, because there was art in my hand. Full leaf colorful, gorgeous ART. I decide perhaps I should back away from the tea, leave the kitchen, put my spectacles on, get out of this ratty old robe, and come back to the room in a more appreciative state. This tea, whatever it was clearly demanded my full attention.
All that being said and done, and with amazing alacrity for one so arthritis-achy, I made all haste to get back to the kitchen dressed and freshly-scrubbed and ready to look again.
Yep, this is special alright. Lochan Teas has been kind to me with this one, I can tell as I brew it. No gongfu brewing style for this tea this morning,no gram scale brought out, no small gaiwan or tiny teapot. For this I want a glass infuser so I can see what the leaves do as they awaken. If the tea is this pretty dry, I know it's going to be a lively parade when the leaves start to dance. For it's that kind of tea, not one to simply hang in the water or sit on the bottom of the brewing vessel. I know this before I even pour the water.
And I am not wrong.
After the first brew I am on Lochan's site to see if I can afford a 100 grams or so of this. I want to start every morning with this tea. It's simply perfect. Let us read together the description on Lochan's website for this lovely and light, pretty Darjeeling I am now enjoying even as I type...
"Produced in very limited quantities during the 2nd Flush (Summer) season, this tea is crafted with the utmost patience, dedication and skill.
The cup brews a light golden liquor that goes very well in showing just how delicate this tea from Darjeeling tea. The aroma is very floral and light but commands complete attention from the drinker at all times.
The cup brews a light golden liquor that goes very well in showing just how delicate this tea from Darjeeling tea. The aroma is very floral and light but commands complete attention from the drinker at all times.
The leaves are beautifully long and tapered with unbroken tips. The gentleness of rolling is shown here completely with the complete absence of smaller, broken leaves so common in modern Darjeeling and Assam teas. In short, this is a tea to be enjoyed, not just drunk."
And all I can add to that well-worded description is 'Ditto!' from Buddha-Mom Tea and thanks to the universe for bringing me such bounty!