First Flush Garden Darjeeling

First flush teas, which are plucked between March and May, have a flowery character giving a refreshing cup with a complex flavour and beautiful floral aroma that in the finest qualities has a fragrance of fresh blackcurrants on the bush. It is a distinctive and rare character that belongs exclusively to the best of the new season invoices. The new shoots in this tea have a satin silvery grey appearance. The deceptively light colour from lime yellow to copper belies the intense, powerful flavour and stimulating infusion that shows great variety from garden to garden. It makes a delightful afternoon tea. Amongst this selection you will find some of the best tea from anywhere in the world. Oddly, the better these teas are the more difficult they are to brew! I recommend the use of an infuser or infuser teapot to take the leaves out at two minutes infusion time. This preserves the desired bright, lively character and pleasant astringency. Too long and these teas can really bite back. The more intense types benefit from using just off the boil water too. They are best appreciated without milk although a longer brewing time will yield sufficient colour to take a splash. If you want to enjoy it Indian style try it with a lump of sugar.