I am a tea lover. I have traveled to China and had tea in various tea houses, including the big government run establishment in Beijing. I even ordered tea directly from China for many years - different types and flavors. I've been to and had tea from different parts of the world - Kenya and Sri Lanka included. My go to brand is Dilmah tea bags - they are perhaps the best for travel since the tea bags contain real loose-leaf tea and the flavor is superb. Not inexpensive though, they are shipped directly from Sri Lanka and that is the only problem if you run out of supply as I did recently.
Which led me to this. In my desperate search for a suitable alternative to my favorite Dilmah, I tried many different ones I have at home - but nothing really was good enough. Then I thought I would make another attempt here on Amazon. My previous experience with tea, especially Darjeeling ordered here has not been good.
I recall the best tea I have ever had was in person at the Makaibari Estate in Darjeeling and it was the First Flush they grow there. Since then I have tried to get it many times, but it has never been the same. Reading the reveiws here of different brands I was not very hopeful until I came across Vahdam.
The key with all teas, especially First Flush is freshness. It cannot survive handling at various intermediaries. True to the promise, it came in a vacuum-sealed pack with a very convenient sealable bag with a peel-off label to use with it.
The leaves do look fresh and are somewhat soft. The color of the brew is the typical bright and golden that you expect. The aroma is heavenly. For aficionados, First Flush when made from fresh leaves fills the room with its beautiful bouquet. The Vahdam product is not quite there, and that is again to be expected, no matter the source, once it is packed and stored, the tea does lose some of its aromatic qualities. It therefore has to be consumed as quickly as possible. My sample was probably harvested in March of 2023 and I am having it nine months later, so it is not going to be the same as fresh tea.
The taste has that delicate, fruity, sweet quality with a long finish. I found notes of tulsi even, but that is part of its complex nature. This is not a tea to be had in a hurry. When brewed properly and served in delicate china, it is truly one of the gastronomic wonders of the world.
All I can say is that this product is as close to perfection as you can get from something ordered online and received in two days. Harvested eight thousand miles away, the fact that I can savor its delightful flavor sitting here in New York is a marvel in itself.
The packaging is very nice, with a note from the owner of the estate. He does mention the idea of giving back to the farmers and workers who produce these wonderful things and I do hope he lives up to his promise because the worker at a tea estate is the lowest participant in this chain and it is really a tedious and back-breaking job that she performs, in order to bring us a little bit of paradise.
Now go and order some of this heavenly nectar.
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8 Ounce (Pack of 1)
$13.99 ($1.75/Ounce)
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$21.99 ($1.83/Ounce)
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Product Description
Commitment to People and Planet
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We offset plastic in our packaging by funding the removal of an equivalent amount of plastic from the environment.
"Certified by rePurpose, April 2020"
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We offset our carbon footprint via our investments in sustainability initiatives in India. "Certified by Climate Neutral, April 2020"
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TEAch Me - 1% FOR EDUCATION
1% of our revenue is directed towards the education of the tea workers' children. TEAch Me initiative honors this aspiration by making a difference.
*FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Compare with similar items
This Item  VAHDAM, Original English Breakfast Black Tea Leaves (340g/12oz) 170+ Cups | Non GMO, Gluten Free | Strong & Aromatic Loose Leaf Tea | Unblended Single Origin Tea | Vacuum Sealed Pack |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $21.99 | $12.99 | -12% $14.99 Typical: $16.99 | $17.99 | $24.99 | $19.99 |
| Price Per Unit | $1.83 / Ounce | $3.68 / Ounce | $0.50 / Count | $10.22 / Ounce | $0.25 / Count | $2.86 / Ounce |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 22 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 22 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 22 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 22 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 22 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 22 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Freshness | ||||||
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| Flavor | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Giftable | ||||||
| Sold By | Vahdam Tea | Vahdam Tea | Vahdam Tea | Vahdam Tea | Vahdam Tea | Vahdam Tea |
| tea variety | black | green | chamomile | white | black | turmeric |
| flavor | English Breakfast Tea | Matcha Green Tea | Chamomile Mint Citrus Green Tea | Blue Mountain Nilgiri White Tea | Earl Grey Tea | Turmeric Ginger |
| form | Loose Leaves | Powder | Bags | Leaves,Loose Leaf | Bag | Loose Leaves |
| unit count | 12 | 3.53 | 30 | 1.76 | 100 | 7 |
| weight | 340 grams | 100 grams | 0.07 pounds | 1.76 ounces | 0.44 pounds | 7 ounces |
| caffeine content | Caffeinated | Medium Caffeine | high caffeine | — | High Caffeine | Caffeinated |
Reviews with images
Great Tea
I’ve been really enjoying this tea first thing in the morning. I like the quality and that it came in a nice vacuum pack bag, and I really appreciate that they gave me a resealable pouch to put it in to keep it fresh after it’s been open. I’m definitely buying it again.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2023
Flavor Name: Darjeeling First Flush Black TeaVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024
Flavor Name: Darjeeling First Flush Black TeaVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024
Flavor Name: Darjeeling First Flush Black TeaVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024
Flavor Name: Original Chai Instant LatteVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Felipe Guelfi
Espectacular
Reviewed in Mexico on April 26, 2024Flavor Name: English Breakfast TeaVerified Purchase
Di
Absolutely delicious!!
Reviewed in Canada on March 4, 2024Flavor Name: Original Chai Instant LatteVerified Purchase
Irina
Te para toda la familia
Reviewed in Mexico on June 3, 2023Flavor Name: Vanilla Matcha Green TeaVerified Purchase
Milercy
Loved this tea.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2024Flavor Name: Masala Chai TeaVerified Purchase
