Style: Black Origin: Darjeeling, West Bengal, India Description: Sungma Estate, like others, now produces a moonlight-plucked tea, which they call “Moondrop” to discern from other moonlight teas. The tea is picked just a little later than other moonlight teas. These teas have a special flavour. They are plucked before the sun comes up when photosynthesis is delayed, so the tea does not lose any water during this phase. The presence of a full moon illuminating the garden brings its gravitational pull to bear on the tea leaves just as it does in causing oceanic tides. The gravitational pull of these pearly rays cause the leaves to swell with water containing calcium, magnesium, higher concentrations of amino acids and antioxidants. Similar to how flowers smell more fragrant at night, the delicate aromas of the tea leaves become more concentrated, resulting in a tea with a more floral and fruity profile. Moondrop leaves are plucked by only the most skilled workers in a particular part of the tea estate, which faces the moon most directly. Hence, only a small amount of this rare tea can be plucked during each session. Tasting Notes: The palate is well-rounded with a slightly vegetal and sweet flavour hinting at freshly cut grass in late summer. This fresh crispness lends itself to the classic Darjeeling mineral astringency, which builds from buttery to a tangible, dry pinch and provides a pleasant muscatel linger. A subdued astringent profile and a gentle honey sweetness arises akin to warm meadow in summer. Brewing Instructions: 2-3g cup. 85-90ºC water. Steep for 3-5 minutes or more depending on your preference of strength. Organic
