Commercial Darjeelings are much stronger and more robust than estate
Darjeeling flushes. The CTC grade are lumps of coal. They meet the
definition of fully oxidized black Darjeeling. Estate flushes are
oolong in oxidation making them more mild. If you want a stronger
estate Darjeeling you add more tea. Crushing won't help. My
suggestion brew the flush longer.

Jim

On Mar 30, 6:53 pm, Aloke Prasad >
wrote:
> Whenever I give my 1st flush DJ's like Makaibari's to my family or
> guests (who are expecting something really really out of this world,
> given the cost and trouble I go through to get these.. vs buying Green
> Label at the local Indian store).. they remark that the tea feels "weak"
> and has no "liquor" (or color), even though they like the flavor.
>
> So, given that the teas that produce stronger color have finer leaf
> (like CTC), what if I crush (but not powder) my DJ's? Will that produce
> a better blend of falvor AND color? Probably, as I notice that the more
> fine leaves at the bottom of the packets if the 1st flush DJ's also
> produces a few brews of more color and body.
>
> [Yeah, I can hear people say .. Why don't you try and find out? But I
> wanted to see why others haven't though of doing this before].