Darjeeling first flush tea
दार्जिलिङ चिया · light, flowery spring tea brewed below boiling, without milk
Darjeeling's first flush is picked in March and April on estates clinging to the hills above the town, and in Darjeeling's tea rooms it is served plain: pale gold, flowery and slightly astringent, with a 'muscatel' note in the later second flush. It is the opposite of a strong breakfast tea, so it is never boiled, stewed or given milk. Hill families drink it from morning till dusk, and it is a souvenir every visitor buys from Chowrasta. Chef's tip: use water just off the boil (about 90°C) and time the brew; overheated or overbrewed first flush turns bitter and loses its scent.
- Total time
- 6 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Warm the teapot with a splash of hot water and pour it away.
Step 2: Bring 2 cups fresh water to the boil, then leave it for about 1 minute so it drops to around 194°F.
2 minStep 3: Put 2 tsp Darjeeling first flush leaf tea in the pot, pour over the water and steep for 3 minutes, no longer. The tea should be pale amber-gold and smell of flowers. Common mistake: using a teabag-strong brew or adding milk; first flush is too delicate for either.
3 minStep 4: Strain into cups and drink as it is, or with a little 1 tsp sugar if you prefer.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 2 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 0 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does darjeeling first flush tea take?
- About 6 minutes in total: 2 minutes to prepare and 4 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
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