Well folks, my tea arrived. Here's the scoop:

Leaf: bright green, grassy nose.
Liquor: (185F, 90 seconds, 2 rounded dessertsp/500ml) - pale orange, faint
grassy/vegetal nose. In the mouth, no noticeable astringency when hot, as
it cools a slight dryness is apparent. Soft flavor of leaves and grass,
with a faint floral note. There's also something else in the background, an
almost meaty note that, if it were any more pronounced would be off-putting.
Fairly long finish, with a faint fruity/muscatel note.

Karsten suggested what I'd get was "water in the cup"; no, this tea has
definite flavor, just muted. I flatter myself that if served blind I'd
recognize it as Darjeeling, but it's got an unusual profile. An interesting
experiment, but I'm not going back for more.

I also got some of Upton's new Bai Hao (ZO93); I'll report on it when I have
a chance to taste it properly.

Regards,
Dean

> Karsten suggested what I'd get was "water in the cup" ...

That's what the local tea folks say, I'd rather use "muted" like you.
Hmm, I'm gonna visit some gardens in the Kurseong area next week, and
if I find the time, I'll try to grab some of those Thindaria leaves, if
there's anything left.

Best,
Karsten / Dorje Ling


DPM wrote:
> Well folks, my tea arrived. Here's the scoop:
>
> Leaf: bright green, grassy nose.
> Liquor: (185F, 90 seconds, 2 rounded dessertsp/500ml) - pale orange, faint
> grassy/vegetal nose. In the mouth, no noticeable astringency when hot, as
> it cools a slight dryness is apparent. Soft flavor of leaves and grass,
> with a faint floral note. There's also something else in the background, an
> almost meaty note that, if it were any more pronounced would be off-putting.
> Fairly long finish, with a faint fruity/muscatel note.
>
> Karsten suggested what I'd get was "water in the cup"; no, this tea has
> definite flavor, just muted. I flatter myself that if served blind I'd
> recognize it as Darjeeling, but it's got an unusual profile. An interesting
> experiment, but I'm not going back for more.
>
> I also got some of Upton's new Bai Hao (ZO93); I'll report on it when I have
> a chance to taste it properly.
>
> Regards,
> Dean