Mim Estate First Flush ~ Spice Merchants

I can’t swear that this tea is in fact FTGFOP as it’s not labeled as such (only mentioned as being a First Flush), but based on its appearance and given its organic nature, if it isn’t, it feels like it ought to be. I’m thinking probably it’s closer to a GFOP but who can say? The spent leaves certainly look a great deal more healthy than some of I’ve seen.

Mim Estate is located in Darjeeling’s East Valley at around 6,500 feet above sea level. The estate is about 140 years old. Occasionally they produce some of Darjeeling’s finest teas. Mim’s loose leaf is also fairly easy to come by, compared to other Estates. Beyond that, I know very little and doubt there’s much more to be gleaned in English.

A gorgeous rust/copper liquor color sets the stage for this rarer (for North America consumption) Darjeeling tea. The label swears it’s a First Flush, but if you’ve been following the blog this week, you can tell from the color tone that’s probably not the case. I’ll give whoever packaged this tea the benefit of the doubt and leave the name as First Flush.

I’m actually impressed with the aroma, quite a bit more “monkey-picked”/Golden Yunnan-like than other Darjeeling FTGFOP so far (possibly owing to its being organic)–Mim Estate First Flush has a wetter, nuttier scent. In flavor, Mim Estate First Flush’s earthy, astringency lingers on the tongue nicely. Texture-wise, it’s not overpowering and may have been shot by my overly filtering infuser. Yet, it definitely seems to have a full, twiggier grit that’s especially prevalent when swishing (my dentist doesn’t need to know how much that takes place). ;)

1. Aroma – 93
2. Taste – 91
3. Texture – 89
4. Spunk – 92
5. Price – 91
6. Availability – 88
7. Appearance – 92

Mean score – 91% (when i round up xD)