Low Caffeine Teas

This is a rare and precious tea, and a masterclass in the effects of sunlight, shade, altitude, and meticulous quality control. Something every tea lover should pay a little extra for at least once (though you'll probably continue to do so after you try it.) Moonlight Stroll is noticeably vegetal with rich, savory, umami flavor, leaving a slight mineral ebb and flow on the breath that makes you crave more.

TLTC Review!

Darjeeling Muscatel Black Tea by Brook37 The Atelier

After sipping this third and final tea in this round of All Star Reviews, I truly believe I saved the best one for last.  Darjeeling is most definitely the "champagne of teas".

This variety was bolder and more full bodied than the previous two teas in this series.  With a little higher recommended water temperature, it really brings out the multi-layered flavors.  Mildly earthy and woody, gentle floral notes, grape and raisin, with a light aftertaste of honey sweetness.  This was by far my favorite of the three teas in this series of reviews.

As always, Brook37 shines in the realm of fine teas.

Brewed hot, I used 2.5 grams of tea with 194F water. I am a sucker for an oolong, and I have to say this was AMAZING! I found this to have some gorgeous white floral notes with a tiny touch of stone fruit mixed in. There isn’t a heavy roastedness to this particular oolong. It’s smooth, creamy, and dreamy. This was the perfect tea for an afternoon session. If you like lighter floral teas, you will love this one!

This tea was gifted to me by the company, and I am providing my honest review.

There is a reason Darjeeling is called the champagne of teas. The aroma this tea has is fresh and bright. The flavor is a bit floral and a bit green. It just embodies freshness. It is the essence of spring in a cup. This tea is elegant, so I felt it should be enjoyed from a pretty cup and saucer. This is another one of my favorite teas.

I’ve been wanting to try this one for a while. The idea of the tea being picked under the light of the full moon feels romantic.

The tea brews light in color, like straw. It is mildly flowery, and it has a delicate sweetness while also having deep and rich complex aspects. The finish is subtly earthy and smooth. A very romantic tea, indeed.

This is a good tea to break out at a party or enjoy while gazing at the full moon.

I received this tea in exchange for my honest review.

This is tea has a full-bodied taste and feel. It is one of the best Darjeeling teas that I have ever tried.
It is not light, but it is gentle and smooth. This is definitely at tea to try. It falls somewhere between bright and light and strong and bold a perfect balance for everyday sipping.
The longer I sipped it the more I liked it.

This Darjeeling is absolutely amazing! It has a beautiful aroma, and I couldn’t wait to drink it. The flavor is incredible! It's very complex, unique, and full of layers. It is a bit bolder than the last two teas, yet it remains light. The muscatel notes really come through with an almost wine-like quality that lingers with every sip. There are also soft floral notes that become more pronounced as the tea cools. I loved this tea! Highly recommend this one!

I used 2 tsp of tea, steeped at 190° for 3 minutes

This tea was gifted to me by purveyor, but all opinions are my own.

I have sipped this tea before, so I was definitely excited for the opportunity to review it.  Once again, Brook37 shines in quality with this outstanding tea.  This tea won multiple Global Championship awards at the World Tea Expo and it is well deserved.

Opening the package, I get the aroma of honey and a light floral fragrance.  I steeped at the recommended 185 degrees for 4 minutes which was just right for my liking.  There's a bit of nutty-earthy flavor and a light honey-sweet note.  My preference is usually milk and sugar for black teas, but I would never compromise this perfect tea with any additives.  It is absolute excellence all on it's own.

If you're looking for an exceptional tea, this is a great option.  As always, this brand never disappoints.

I can't say that I'm surprised that this tea is so perfect.  Brook37 always delivers on quality, freshness, and flavor.

With my first sip, my immediate thought was...grapes.  Green grapes, not too sweet or overly ripe, but green grape that's just been picked from the vine.  Crisp and bright!  There's definitely a mild floral note, but I can't quite decide what it is.  It's a subtle floral that doesn't overpower the natural beauty of the tea.  And as described in the notes, it does have a grassy note, almost like a sencha green (one of my favorites).

I steeped my first cup at 185 degrees for 5 minutes, which was one of the recommended times in the instructions.  It had just a tiny bit of bitterness (which I don't mind), but I decided to try it at just over 3 minutes steeping time.  This was perfect.  No bitterness.  A perfectly delicate and bright brew.

If you haven't purchased from this brand, you're missing out on true quality teas.  It's always obvious as soon as you open the package.

I used 2.5 grams of tea with 180F water. This is a medium bodied darjeeling. I found this to have a lovely stone fruit/muscatel grape note with a fantastic honey-like sweetness woven in. There were some slight floral notes in later infusions. I found this to be such a bright, lovely darjeeling that reminded me of the purest citrine gemstone!

This tea was gifted to me by the company, and I am providing my honest review.

This golden brew is very smooth and subtly floral and even a little grassy. It is harvested in the early spring and does give off fresh spring vibes. If you like a soft and subtle relaxing tea this one is for you.

It pairs nicely with dark chocolate.

I received this tea in exchange for my honest review.

When you first open the package a nice fruity, earthy aroma tantalizes the senses. This tea is one of my favorites. It is a bold tea. I feel it has different layers of flavors. It is a bit earthy, a bit floral, and a bit fruity, but it all mixes together in a wonderful harmony. It is complex. It is refined. There is something that just says "special" about a cup of Darjeeling Muscatel.

From the first sip, this is a tea that feels wonderfully expressive. The cup has an elegant fruit-forward character, with the distinctive muscatel quality unfolding as a natural grape-like sweetness alongside notes of ripe stone fruit and delicate florals.

What I especially enjoy is the balance. There is enough body and structure to give the tea presence, yet it retains the refinement I associate with a beautiful Darjeeling. A gentle woody quality sits beneath the fruit, while a pleasant astringency provides a clean, lightly drying finish without becoming sharp or overpowering.

The experience becomes even more interesting as the tea cools. The fruit notes seem to deepen, the florals become a little more apparent, and the muscatel character lingers softly after each sip. There is a lovely complexity here that encourages you to slow down rather than simply drink your way through the cup.

Darjeeling Muscatel is nuanced, aromatic, and beautifully composed, with that intriguing combination of fruit, floral character, and gentle structure that makes a good second flush Darjeeling such a pleasure to explore.

I can't remember the last time a black tea blew me away this much. This is the one. This is THE one I recommend buying above all others if you're a pure tea lover.

I steeped this in a magnetic lazy kung fu set at 185F for about a minute and a half.

You wouldn't immediately recognize this as a black tea. It's medium-light bodied, not overly bold or robust as your typical black tea but not as delicate as a white or green tea. I might even say this would seem lighter than your typical oolong.

On the nose, I get the "muscatel" and a vaguely rosy scent floating near the surface.

The tea goes down incredibly smooth, with a mouthfeel of apple skin and notes of wine. No astringency, no bitterness. I was able to get quite a few steeps out of this before it started brewing too light, and even iced some for later today.

I fully understand why this is called the "champagne of teas." I don't often say this outright, but go buy this one. Highly, highly recommend.

Moonlight Stroll is an explosion of floral flavor, bright and beautifully fragrant. Delicate hints of citrus, honey, jasmine, and fresh grass come together in a cup that feels like wandering through a blooming summer garden at dusk. Light, lively, and wonderfully aromatic, this tea captures the essence of summer in every sip.