DARJEELING LEOPARD'S VALLEY SECOND FLUSH BLACK TEA

This rich liquoring infusion yields the classic 'muscatel' character with hints of almond or walnut and green apples depending on infusion time. The aroma has hints of peach, floral notes and caramelised sugar. All this and with a delightful honey finish. It is considered a 'sky' or celestial tea for good reason. It is a blend of two special teas from the Mim and Margaret's Hope gardens. The Mim garden was once managed by a British manager who died due to a sudden illness. After his death, it was his wife who started taking care of it. Thus people referred to this garden as a Mem Kaman which in the local Nepali language means a garden run by Memsahib (a word used to address British ladies). In the course of time, the word Mem became Mim and it remains today. The Margaret's Hope plantation which is between Darjeeling Town and Kurseong was named after the owner's daughter Margaret in the 1930's. She loved the garden very much. It grows only the old slow growing Chinese type bushes and with the cool mountain air is ideal for producing the very best second flush teas. The beautiful, undulating slopes are filled with tea bushes and present an enchanting spectacle. The second flush term refers to teas plucked during May to June in the gardens of Darjeeling. Each 'invoice' from the 90 or so gardens is unique and amounts to approximately just 90kgs. The best of these teas are picked during a short period in late June and early July. The famous 'muscatel' character is truly in evidence then. It is variously described as reminiscent of muscatel grapes, a fragrance like a rose garden in bloom or the sweet scent of peach skin and honey. The teas we source are from gardens where sound social and environmental policies are in place. They belong to many associations including IMO, USDA Organic, India Organic, Ethical Tea Partnership, Fairtrade, UTZ and the Rainforest Alliance. MIM85MGTSHOPE75