ARIEL Darjeeling Thurbo

Darjeeling is often called the Champagne of teas, and this one shows why. Grown high in the Himalayan foothills of northern India, on the Thurbo estate, our Darjeeling Thurbo is a whole-leaf black tea with a bright, lively character and a delicate floral aroma. It's lighter and more refined than most black teas, a cup for slowing down and paying attention.

Tasting Notes

The cup is bright and clear, brisk without being heavy. Expect a delicate floral aroma, a soft golden sweetness from the young leaf tips, and the signature muscatel note Darjeeling is loved for, a fruity, almost grape-like character. A gentle, mellow astringency keeps the finish clean and crisp. It takes milk if you like, but it's at its most expressive on its own.

Origin

Darjeeling sits high in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal, where cool air, altitude and mountain mist shape a tea unlike any other. This one comes from the Thurbo estate and is graded FTGFOP, one of the highest grades a Darjeeling can earn, with plenty of golden tips from tender, hand-plucked leaves. After plucking, the leaves are withered, rolled, oxidized and dried in the traditional way, drawing out the bright, terroir-driven character of the region.

Brewing

Heat fresh water to 95 °C, just off the boil, and steep 2.5 g of leaves (about one teaspoon) for 3 minutes. A shorter steep keeps it bright; a longer one deepens the body.

Additional Information

• Ingredients: Whole leaf black tea
• Formats: 100 g loose leaf, 1 kg loose leaf
• Certifications: Kosher
• Foundation: Humaniterra Foundation