Giddapahar Muscatel – Second Flush – 2023 (SFTGFOP-1 Musk)

Description

Giddapahar Muscatel is an outstanding MUSCATEL tea and is also the FIRST TEA TO BE LISTED in our catalogue this summer. Giddapahar Tea Estate is a small tea farm which is nestled in the Kurseong Valley. It is run by the Shaw family where the present owners are the fourth generation. A total of about 95 Hectares are under plantation where 90% of the plantation is chinary bushes. The location and terrain of the garden is ideal for good muscatel teas. The garden has a rocky terrain and the valley is covered in mist most of the times. This is an ideal combination for the Jassids to inhabit the tea bushes which suck the sap from the leaves making them wilted (locally known as kakreko path) and the natural fermentation starts in the bush itself. This natural process adds a special character to the tea which is like fermented grape and is called Muscatel.

The dry leaves are in the shades of coppery brownish black and are longer in texture than the usual. They are well rolled and ideally fermented. The aroma is nutty and has roasted almonds like whiff to it. When brewed for full 5 minutes, we get a golden red liquor with a sweet musky and nutty aroma which is sweet and very balanced. As soon as we sip this tea we can say that this is genuine muscatel. The flavor is very thick yet subtle. It is robust yet sweet. This Muscatel tea is a perfect well manufactured second flush tea. It has a fruity aroma with hints of musk. As we sip the tea, we can feel that this tea is special. It has a full flavor which has a fruity note along with the roasted nutty hint. The sip ends well with a little astringency which makes it even more special. The aftertaste is prolonged and leaves a sweet trail on the palate. The infusion is whole leaf in the shades of coppery and some blackish green leaf. The aroma is sweet musky with a slight mint like trail.

It is for sure a Flavorful summer tea which you should try.

• DRY LEAVES: Fine rolled wiry blackish coppery leaves with a sweet nutty aroma.
• LIQUOR: Golden red with a flavorful strong musky aroma.
• INFUSION: Coppery dark brown crippled and semi open leaves with musky aroma,

STEEPING INSTRUCTIONS:

Fresh water brought to 1^st Boil (95C). Add 1 tea spoonful (2 grams) per cup of 150ml. Steep for 4 to 5 minutes. Strain to cup and sip as it cools. Second and third steep gives best result when steeped for full 5 minutes.