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Tea preparation
Whether First Flush, Second Flush or Green - our Darjeeling is a top-quality tea. In our silver package with the green label, you find the result of the most careful selection and the most stringent quality controls. Now it's up to you to allow the "champagne among teas" to achieve its peak flavour.
We recommend about 8g of tea leaves for one liter of water. Steeping time of black tea about 3 minutes, steeping time of Green Darjeeling about 2 minutes. However, the desired balance of steeping time and amount of tea leaves used in preparation will be the result of experimentation and personal taste!
Storage
Always keep tea in a well-sealed container. If you store it in the silver bag, an odour-free closet shelf will do.
Water
Use fresh tap water. Water quality varies by region. If necessary, buy non-carbonated mineral water.
Brewing
For best results, brew tea in a container without net. Tea nets and especially tea infusers compress the leaves too much. Pour water when it's fully bubbling.
Measuring and Time
The tea's stimulating caffeine develops its full energy within two minutes. Longer steeping adds tannin, which has a calming effect on the gastro-intestinal tract. Pouring off
Before pouring the steeped tea into a teapot for serving, pre-heat teapot with hot water. Pour through a tea strainer into the pot.
Serving
Darjeeling, especially the Second Flush, may be enjoyed with a drop of milk. Do not sweeten tea too much, just balance the natural bitterness. Because of its delicate character, we recommend white candied sugar. A teapot-heater spoils the tea - better to keep it hot with a tea cozy.
Green Tea
Its preparation is a little different. Do not boil the water; just heat it up to 70 - 80º C. (Or you bring the water to a boil and let it cool down for about 10 minutes then it should have the right temperature.) Steep for 2 to 3 minutes only.
While steeping, do not cover the pot, so as not to scald the leaves.
Green tea leaves may be used for a second or third infusion.