Click to enlarge

Points Credit : 11 points Currently valued at $1.10

Badamtam Estate Loose Tea
This premium loose leaf tea is black tea from the high elevation darjeeling estate named Badamtam. This loose leaf tea produces excellent muscatel flavor, rich aroma and beautiful golden liquor.

A little about Badamtam tea estate

Located in Lebong Valley, Badamtam estate, was started by Lebong Tea Company in late 1860s, and thus is the grand old dame of Darjeeling tea gardens. Writer Peter Karthak, in a series of articles about Darjeeling, remenises about his trip to Badamtam, writing, "Starting from Chowk Bazaar, I climbed to the Chowrasta, descended right through Bhutia Busti, then walked by the Lebong powerhouse and crossed the Lebong Race Course. Then the two tea estates of Bada Ging and Chhota Ging begin, at the end of which begins the Badamtam rolling down to the Majhi Tar basin in Sikkim across the Rangit River. My destination would be the factory and office complex almost at the head of the plantation". (click here for more from that article).

While Badamtam is famous for its picturesque views of the mighty Kanchenjunga, the locals will regale you with stories about the 14 foot metal statue of the open eyed Badamtam Buddha perched atop the Badamtam hill.

So, what kind of tea comes out of this estate? This first flush has a sweet floral nose, with deep golden liquor, with just the right hint of astringency to leave a sweet after taste. The leaf is large greenish infusion with hints of small tips. A perfect first flush to start your day. Recommended first steep - 2.5 minutes. Second steep -3.5 minutes.

Grade: FTGFOP1 Clonal
Season: First flush tea
Leaf: Black, tippy, with broken green leaf
Liquor: Clear deep gold with sweet fruity aroma
Infusion: Greenish infusion, Bright, tippy with light floral aroma

Elevation: 900 feet - 6800 feet
First Flush Tea

Click the thumbnails below to see more pictures: