Tea Adventure: Arya Ruby 2nd Flush 2011 from Thunderbolt Tea

Here is the latest “Tea Gang” adventure with:


Arya Ruby 2nd Flush 2011 from Thunderbolt Tea[More company info]This is a Straight Tea [About straight teas vs flavored teas.]

Another wonderful tea adventures with tea from Arya gardens sent to my humans by our buddy Benoy at Thunderbolt Tea. This tea was harvested after the 2nd period of growth for the season.

The sample, like all he sends, was vacuum packed and heat-sealed. The tea inside is what’s important. No steeping instructions come with these teas, so this intrepid little teapot and his buddies go by past experience. This Little Yellow Teapot did the steeping honors with his best buddy Libre Tea Steeping Mug serving as overseer (wearing the all important sash) and served up in one of the delicate bone china teacups and saucers that my humans own as part of their small but very treasured collection. (These teacups tend to really compete to be chosen for this honor, and this teacup felt especially honored here.)

Once again, a nice whiff of the dry tea leaves told us this was a premium Darjeeling tea and that Benoy had sent another winner. The aroma was fruity and yet nutty, and the broken leaf pieces were a mix of dark brown, tan, and green. We steeped 3 times in water heated to 190° F — the 1st for 3 minutes, the 2nd for 3½ minutes, and the 3rd for 4 minutes. The liquid was a golden-reddish color with a richly fruity aroma. The flavor was mild with a tangy fruity finish that was stronger in the 2nd infusion. The 3rd infusion was weaker overall but did not lose that Muscatel character.

Once again and as always, a nice tea from Benoy, our tea guy in Darjeeling. Toot!

Disclaimer: This tea was provided by the company named. However, any opinions concerning this tea and the company are always strictly objective.

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