"Ian Rastall" > wrote in message
...
> I guess I've never had first flush Darjeeling before. I just got in a
> shipment from Upton today, the Special Arya Estate Organic Pekoe First
> Flush (EX-1). I was a bit shocked when I brewed it and it was green
> tea. Or is it? I went down to the website, and that tea is listed as
> black. So is it that first flush Darjeeling is greenish, or this tea
> in particular is, or that they made a mistake?
>
> Ian

Ian,

I come to this discussion late, but I agree with Michael, on the whole:
first flushes are, today at any rate, processed like oolongs, and green
oolongs at that. They brew up a greenish yellow liquor, with delicate
grassy, herbal and floral scents. I got some of Upton's Arya Estate Organic
SFTGFOP1 First Flush (EX-1), and found it to also have a faint fruity
(muscatel) note as well.

Because these teas are so green you'll want to keep the water temperature
around 200F and the steep times short. Alternatively, steep them for around
3 minutes, and add a little sugar to offset the inevitable astringency.
This is how I make them for dessert - the sugar seems to enhance the
fruity/floral components, at least for me.

Regards,
Dean