Organic Darjeeling Makaibari Estate 2nd Flush Black Tea

My friend and I did a taste test of several different Darjeelings from different companies. In the end, the top two were from Arbor and when we tested them head to head, the 2nd flush was the clear winner. It just has such a rich and satisfying taste.

I'm mostly a green tea (and yaupon) drinker, but when I'm on a roll, and want to kick it over to the Dark Side...my oh my, this is some fine, fine black. Complex, satisfying, nothing quirky, and kicks like a mule. Delicious greens deserve the best dark segue, and this one keeps the party rolling. Judging from other reviews, there seems to be a bit of harvest variation with this one, but I've found nothing to complain of. Au contraire!

I drink this tea every morning and have for many years. I've found that the floral notes come out with a longer steeping at a lower temperature. I steep it for 7 minutes at 185 degrees. Even then the floral essence is elusive. Since it is mysterious and elusive, I'm never bored with this tea. I can't arrive at the magical essence scientifically, but when it comes, it's always a delight. Even without it, the tea is very satisfying. Enjoy!

Comforting light tea. I taste honey and a hint of jasmine and hints of warm spices., cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg. One of my favorites.

I prefer something darker and a little more intense, but this is a fine tea for mornings when I want something lighter.

First thing I noticed is the beautiful amber color of this tea, and then the remarkably delicious fragrance. To me, it is the perfect afternoon tea: well balanced, flavorful, smooth, and robust without harshness. I'm not enough of a connoisseur to pick up notes like "forest floor" or "muscat". All I can say is now it's my favorite tea-time treat. I am SO GRATEFUL to have found an organic, fair trade tea that tastes this scrumptious!

So rich and flavorful! The leaves come in such high quality state. This place is the only spot I will buy my tea from now

I've been buying this tea for years while it was 23.95. Expensive, but worth it. Suddenly, it increased by 36%. At 32.50 it's not good value for money. I'm disappointed. Will seek alternatives.

A real let-down. Substandard.

I have to say not a fan of this tea. On reading the reviews thought this could be an interesting Black tea to try. I found it very light and without much flavor of course that's the beauty of trying different teas and testing the pallet.

I agree with the other reviewer who said this tea's notes are reminiscent of a forest floor. This Darjeeling brewed quite dark and was rich and robust. I may order a full-size bag at some point.

After I measure out the leaves, I sniff the intoxicating, almost wine-like aroma of the leaves. This is one of my two favorite teas, English Breakfast being the other one. It is full bodied without astringency. A fine, elegant cup of tea.

I found this tea too astringent and "green" tasting for me. (I prefer maltier teas.) Oh well.

I have found this to be one of my favorite teas. More hearty and darker in color than the first flush. This has become my everyday at home tea; one that I enjoy slowly in the morning and look forward to as I go to bed.

I always want to call this “the magic earth goddess tea.” Nothing else is like it. This, and it’s cousin the first flush, are in a class all by themselves. The Arbor tea staff describe it as having “forest floor notes.” It’s really true. I feel like I’m worshipping the forest goddess when I drink this tea. I have visions of fairies and elves dancing around the forest floor in celebration, flitting among the trees. This is usually the second tea I drink during the day (the black Kenya being the wake up tea). I can’t quite make myself drink this first thing in the morning, perhaps because it is too special, too sacred, but once my brain is in gear, my thoughts turn towards this tea, particularly on a rainy day. I would say that the complex flavors in this tea sometimes border on being mind altering for me in a wholesome way, particularly if I take the time to be fully mindful of the experience of drinking it, meditating on my sensory experience as I drink it. This is definitely one of my two favorite Arbor teas, and the cost of it is of no consequence whatsoever, considering how unique an special it is, like not other tea I have ever tried. I like just sticking my nose in the canister of unbrewed tea and sniffing it (same for its cousin, the first flush, which smells more, hmm...sprouty, more young and grassy?). When I first started brewing this tea, I did so at the lower temperature (very important!), but I brewed it for 5 whole minutes. This morning, for whatever reason, I thought to experiment with brewing for just 3 minutes instead. What a difference! It was even better than it was before when brewing it at 5 minutes, and I had already thought it was the goddess tea when I was doing that. For me, 3 minutes is perfect. This tea is so unique that one might argue that it should be a controlled substance. Can I give it, say, a rating of 7 leaves?

This is my go-to tea. It's a tea that lends itself to really easy ratio tailoring -- I generally use 1 tsp per 8 oz cup if I want a strong, full-bodied morning tea, or half that is I want something lighter. Regardless of amount, this tea is incredibly flavourful -- even a small amount will give you a nice, light cup. Flavors are very floral; you can tell this is a great darjeeling by the smell alone. Even at higher ratios, the tannin count is pretty low, and the muskiness of the tea doesn't interfere with the floral notes. All in all, a spectacular tea. Just be careful not to over-steep: this tea becomes bitter VERY quickly if you leave it in too long.

This tea has a very mild 'tea flavor' with just a little sweetness and a slight smoky flavor. My first thought was that it tasted a bit like dried apples. Overall it's good tea but nothing to write home about.

I am a 2nd flush man. I do not know why more people favour the first flush, but that's what makes horse races. Please read my review with this bias in mind. 2013 was a poor weather year for the entire Darjeeling region, particularly the north. The major ill result was less tea yield. The result in this Makaibari 2nd flush is a lighter and more astringent tea. As such, I think it more resembles a Makaibari 1st flush. This could be due to altered production techniques, or the rain may have made sufficient oxidation too difficult. —Too bad for me, but great for the “first flushers”. The bottom line is that I am using almost 2 teaspoons per cup, whilst the 2012 2nd flush required only 1-1/4 teaspoons to brew a solidly darker and less astringent tea. With most Darjeelings, I brew to 3+ minutes, however, this Makaibari is requiring over 4 minutes and more tea. The 2012 2nd flush had no such difficulty. The 2012 2nd flush brewed with a scant 1-1/4 teaspoon and would even suffer a second infusion. Hence, I will go through this batch of 2013 2nd flush much faster. So buy a lot of the 2012 2nd flush? Nope. That will not help you because TIME is a Darjeeling’s greatest enemy. —Still, I plan to buy a small amount of the 2012 2nd flush. Well stored, sealed in the ‘Fridge will add a month or two on it’s life. I am spoiled. I once had a Makaibari a week or two after processing. Fresh is amazing! Oh dear, I have frightened you. RELAX!! This is still a GREAT TEA with THE venerable Makaibari signature written all over the taste. You will NOT be disappointed. For all we know, this may be the finest 2013 2nd flush in Darjeeling! My complaints are mostly a matter of personal taste. You can buy this tea with confidence that you are getting a true and classic Makaibari. Remember: Bring the pot to the kettle not the kettle to the pot!

This tea is amazing. I am normally an oolong drinker, and my fiancée is a black tea drinker. We both agree that this is the best tea we've had, though! It is both light and full-bodied, and it has enough caffeine to fuel me through an overnight shift at the hospital.

This is my Mid-Day go-to tea. Consistent, dark color, and full of flavor. Adding to it's value, this tea is more then capable of a second steep. It produces a full, but clean flavor without getting needlessly thin. Just watch your 2nd steep time and you'll be happy.

This is a tasty, full-flavored black tea which has a nice nuttiness to it. I drink it about 2-3 times a week in the morning as a replacement for coffee.

My morning tea about three days a week. Bracing, full bodied, tasty. Ripe and pungent and nothing green or herbal tasting about it. Not sweet like their Nam tea, so recommend no milk or cream, just straight.