MARGARET'S HOPE ESTATE DARJEELING BLACK TEA

Margaret's Hope Estate produces some of the most sought-after teas in India. This tea is immensely popular in England, in part because about 80 percent of the tea plants used to produce it are Assamica varietals - bold, high-caffeine tea plants originally from Assam, a nearby region that produces many of England's preferred brews. (Caffeine fiends and Assam lovers, this is the must try Darjeeling for you!) The leaves of Margaret's Hope's Second Flush are compact and wiry in shape and black, rust and sage in color. They have a full, fruity aroma of apricot, peach and plum. The brew is just a shade lighter than ruby, with opulent rust tones. Vaporous aromas of green grapes, assorted stonefruits and cocoa hint at the bold, fruity, tannic flavor, which is heavy on Darjeeling Second Flush's characteristic (and much desired) Muscat grape note. The flavor and caffeine content make it ideal for morning.