This is a really great tea and excellent value for money. It has a classic second flush character with warm, mellow fruit and flower tones but with a lovely, clear hint of 'Muscatel'. In Darjeeling in the foothills of the Himalayas, spread across two hillsides thickly populated with tea bushes on the crests and thick forest in the valleys, the beautiful Avongrove tea estate overlooks the Balasun River meandering along its course below.
At Avongrove, they manufacture tea the traditional way, nurturing every leaf from the time it is carefully hand-picked to when it is packed with pride as the finest Darjeeling.
Teams of fifteen pluck different sections of the estate, taking care to ensure that the leaves are just the right size for the finest quality, handling plucked bundles gently so they don’t get crushed or ruptured. The processing factory is masterfully and constantly monitored by the veteran manager, continuously tasting and making adjustments so a rich and lasting flavour is drawn. The various processes of withering or removing moisture, gentle rolling, oxidizing and finally firing of the leaf must be perfectly tuned as the optimum ratio differs from season to season and even day to day. During the first flush period in early February and March, the leaf offers a crisp, light brew; during the second, the finest Avongrove cup is a gentle gold in colour, smooth and flavourful.
Five hundred workers live on the estate with their families, in small houses decorated with orange trees and flowers. As the manager walks by, the old hands smile and their children zip past him on improvised skateboards. Life is simple, nobody disturbs the hills and we always welcome our frequent bird visitors drawn to Avongrove as an organic estate, free from chemicals. For visitors, also always welcome; sipping a cup of tea, relaxed on the hilltop, enjoying a misty, magical dusk is indeed satisfying.
At Avongrove, there is a quiet passion. We’re confident that you will enjoy this lovingly crafted tea, savour the rich muscatel flavour and the soft aroma.
