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Loose leaf

Vahdam Darjeeling First Flush Loose Leaf

First pick of the year. Floral, muscatel, almost wine-like.

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Form

Loose leaf

Leaf

Black

Brew temp

195°F

Steep time

3 min

The verdict

Where this pick fits.

The first picking of the year off the Himalayan slopes, light-oxidized into something more like a green than a typical black. Floral, muscatel, almost wine-like. Spring in a tin.

First pick of the year. Floral, muscatel, almost wine-like. It earned its spot in our lineup by solving the stage it's supposed to solve — without pretending to solve every stage after it.

Quick take

  • Best for: spring drinking, connoisseur, wine palettes
  • Format: Loose leaf
  • Leaf: Black
  • Caffeine: high

Best for

Where it earns its keep.

  • · spring drinking
  • · connoisseur
  • · wine palettes

Keep moving

Useful next clicks.

All black reviews Full-bodied. Boldly brewed. Built for the morning mug. All loose leaf The leaves alone. Tin, tongs, time. The brewing guide Temperature × time × leaf, in one chart.

Head to head

See how it stacks up.

Spring vs. Smoke

Vahdam Darjeeling First Flush Loose Leaf vs. Twinings Lapsang Souchong Smoked Black Tea

The lightest black, against the darkest mood.

House rule

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