It’s time for the great Darjeeling Tea-Off of 2012!
I thought I’d try Murchie’s Darling Finest Blend to compare to the one from David’s Tea that I’ve already been enjoying. Both were brewed for 4 minutes exactly and nothing was added in.
The Murchie’s blend seems bitter to me again. Perhaps the black tea they base their blends on is just more sensitive to steeping than I’m used to. It seems to me that the flavour in this would be improved with cream/sugar. Not that it’s bad; its just not as rich/complex that I would want to drink it black all the time.
I will try to brew the Murchie’s blend for less time next time and see if that brings out more flavours. Unless it does, David’s blend is by far the winner here. It seems smoother, mellower, and yet far more flavourful. It even smells richer. :) I wish I could describe it better, but I’m sure that’ll come with time, and reading other people’s descriptions won’t hurt.
I won’t rate it until I try it again – just to be fair!