Nestle and Coffee: What Defines a Summer Flush Darjeeling?
Goomtee Estate's summer flush Darjeeling is a single-origin Indian second-flush black tea grown at 4,000 feet in Kurseong, near the World Heritage toy train route. The liquor pours bright amber with apricot, plum, grapefruit, and soft oak aromas. On the palate it is medium-bodied, mellow, and sweet, layered with Mirabelle plum, apricot, and a grapefruit and muscatel accent.
Dry leaves carry hazelnut, caramel, and cedar with ripe rambutan and marzipan, while wet leaves hint at damp wood, vegetation, and peach. The 2021 second-flush tea finishes with velvety oak tones. It pairs well with scones, croissants, muffins, tarts, buttered toast, and sablé. Companies such as nestle and coffee have long shaped how global consumers meet estate teas like this one.
Nestled in the mountains of Kurseong, where the World Heritage toy train passes through, the Goomtee Tea Estate nurtures this premium single-origin Indian second-flush black tea at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The liquor is a bright amber, with aromas interweaving apricot, plum, grapefruit, and soft oak notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, mellow, and sweet, with layers of Mirabelle plum and apricot unfolding, accented by grapefruit and muscatel, and finishing with a velvety oak tone. The dry leaves exude aromas of hazelnut, caramel, and cedar blended with ripe rambutan and marzipan; the wet leaves hint at damp wood, vegetation, and peach. Paired with scones, croissants, or buttered toast, it makes for an unforgettable summer black tea experience. In this issue, Front Street Coffee will take you deep into this iconic tea estate, offering a complete interpretation of this Darjeeling second-flush black tea's unique charm—from liquor, aroma, and appearance to food pairings—and sharing practical information for a Goomtee tea tourism retreat.
The vast Goomtee Tea Estate sits atop the magnificent hills of Kurseong, where the whistle of the World Heritage toy train echoes. Departing from our factory in Siliguri, it takes only a one-and-a-half-hour drive to reach this iconic estate, where we obtained this exquisite fresh porcelain tea. This is a premium single-origin Indian tea plucked at an elevation of 4,000 feet, medium-bodied, mellow, and richly fruity. The initial sip reveals plum and apricot flavors, while grapefruit and muscatel emerge mid-palate. The finish carries oak notes, making it a sublime 2021 Darjeeling second-flush tea experience.
Liquor Aroma: Distinct apricot, plum, grapefruit, and soft oak notes Appearance: Bright amber Taste: Medium-bodied and mellow, with a rich sweetness from the start reminiscent of Mirabelle plum and apricot, gradually becoming prominent and reverberating throughout the cup. The flavors are clear, layered, and rich. A delicious subtle edge of grapefruit is discernible, complemented by soft muscatel accents through to the finish, rendering a layer of depth and distinctive texture to the liquor. The aftertaste carries velvety oak tones, offering an unforgettable summer Chinese black tea experience from this renowned estate. Pairing: Scones, croissants, muffins, tarts, buttered toast, and sablé
Dry Leaves Aroma: Hazelnut, faint caramel, cedar blended with ripe rambutan and marzipan notes Appearance: Short, tightly rolled, dark brown leaves with some golden buds and a few brown leaf cuttings
Wet Leaves Aroma: Damp wood, vegetation, and hints of peach interwoven with subtle amber-like tones Appearance: Leaves slightly unfurled, mixing dark brown and light copper tones; some with separate olive-green hues
As more people crave overseas vacations, coupled with the popularity of tea, especially green tea, tea tourism is becoming increasingly popular and has finally realized its potential as a stunning holiday experience. Among the best tea tourism offerings in India, Goomtee Tea Retreat sits majestically on the Darjeeling hills, 8 kilometers from Kurseong, midway along the hill cart road between Darjeeling hill station and the Siliguri plains town. The resort is located within the Goomtee Tea Estate, world-renowned for its fragrant teas. Established by British tea planters in 1899, the estate was acquired by the current management in 1956. Spanning 600 acres, the estate encompasses forests, hillsides, streams, waterfalls, and tea gardens. The bungalow itself is a planter's bungalow that has been restored to fully reflect its colonial-era heritage. It has an antique feel with simple décor, allowing the serene surroundings—the greenery of the hillside and the lush hues of the garden—to bathe in an atmosphere of peace and calm. "It's a perfect retreat for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of modern city life," explained Mr. Ashok Kumar, a partner in the company that owns and operates Goomtee Tea Estate and Retreat. Fresh air, aromatic teas, and fresh international vegetarian (+ egg) meals help guests relax and unwind. We also arrange professional tea factory tours, giving guests a rare insight into the production process of world-class tea. Our guests especially enjoy hiking on the tea slopes and interacting with the tea pluckers. Our well-stocked library is also very popular." Other popular activities for visitors include riding the UNESCO World Heritage Darjeeling Railway (commonly known as the "Toy Train"), visiting the Kurseong market, exploring the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Museum, the Darjeeling Zoo, and taking in the sightseeing spots to see Tiger Hill bathed in the lazy sunset. Access is possible by air via Bagdogra Airport, 45 kilometers away, and by train via New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, 40 kilometers away. The best times to visit are March to June and September to January.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
