Phuguri FTGFOP1 Darjeeling is well worth its long acronym, displaying fruity, berrylike, sweet characteristics. It tends to be light in body, but is an extremely enjoyable, easy-to-drink tea. Only a small amount is available and we are not sure next year's harvest will be comparable, but we are very happy to be offering what we have now.
Phuguri is unusual in that it displays both silver and gold tips - a characteristic that denotes the inclusion of a high percentage of young tea buds and also special care during production. The majority of black teas only show gold tips.
Probably the best-known Indian tea on the planet, the Darjeeling District is located in the northeastern part of the country, bordering the Himalayan mountain range. So popular are Darjeelings that teas from other areas and countries are often fraudulently labeled and sold under the well-known moniker. Only 20,000,000 lbs. of Darjeeling are produced annually, but up to 3 or 4 times that amount of leaf is sold as Darjeeling. See here for more information about Darjeeling teas.
- Scoop a slightly heaping teaspoon of tea leaves into your infuser.
- Heat water to 190° - 200° F (just before boiling).
- Pour 8 oz. of water over tea leaves.
- Steep tea for 3-5 minutes (depending on taste preference).
- Remove infuser and enjoy tea.
Simply add to your infuser one heaping teaspoonful of leaf per 8 oz. of water and place it in your pot, then add the appropriate amount of 190° water and let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the infuser and serve!
Our opinion is that a cooled concentrate works best, as regular-strength brew tends to become watery as the ice melts. So, use the above leaf quantities, but half the water, allow it to cool, then pour it over ice and enjoy! The brew will dilute down to proper strength as the ice melts.
