India’s Darjeeling region is shrouded in mists amongst the foothills of the Himalayas. Its unique terroir produces exceptional crops of tea in spring and summer. These are known as Darjeeling First Flush and Darjeeling Second Flush. Unlike the opulently fruity flavor of Second Flush Darjeeling black teas, our Darjeeling First Flush Rhapsody No. 1 has a refreshing, floral flavor that speaks of the freshness and abundance of springtime. Harvested at 7,000 feet elevation on the certified organic, award winning Sungma Estate, this tea’s small black leaves infuse into a coppery red brew with a clean, complex, roasty, mineral-tinged, fruity and floral aroma. Its flavor is brisk, with a sweet-astringent balance and notes of cinnamon, dark chocolate, hardwoods, dried flowers, stonefruits and pears. The refreshingly clean aftertaste hints at unripe pear and the second infusion is sweeter, mellower and less astringent. Like many Darjeelings, our Darjeeling Rhapsody No. 1 is great with breakfasts and brunches of all kinds. It’s also delicious with fruity desserts..

Tea to Water Ratio 1:1. If you prefer a stronger flavor, use up to two grams of tea for each cup of water.

Water: Filtered water is best. Use water at 212ºF (fully boiling)

Traditional Steeping: 3 to 5 minutes

Flash Steeping: First, we run warm water over the tealeaves and pour it off very quickly. This removes any impurities and “awakens” the tealeaves for brewing. Then, we steep the tea – 35 to 60 seconds.