Silver Tips Tea Blog » Makaibari

1st Feedback on 2010 Makaibari 2nd flush

Anupa — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:17:04 +0000

We have customers who eagerly wait for each new flush. Here’s our first feedback received a few minutes ago via e-mail:

Everything arrived in great order and the new 2nd Flush is wonderful. Always such a joy to taste a new tea and revive the taste buds. Thanks!! ~ Walter

It’s true. You get used to the tea all year long but when the new season’s offering arrives, it hits your taste buds with an intensity that you had forgotten. Thanks for the message, Walter. This is Makaibari 2nd flush, China Muscatel, lot 134, Certified Organic, Biodynamic & Fair Trade. Note the copper color to the infused leaves – a must-have characteristic for a good 2nd flush – and the nice, deep golden hue of the cup. Nice leaf color with a few silver tips.

Makaibari 2010 Silver Tips

Anupa — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:44:24 +0000

This is just beautiful! Makaibari 2010 Silver Tips with a gorgeous leaf style, variegated colors, long curl to the leaf – really nice. And the cup is smooth, mellow and with a sweet finish that catches you off-guard. Not a bit of astringency. We cupped it yesterday at 2 minutes, water slightly under boiling and the result was perfection. We’ve added it to the site with a one-ounce minimum to allow everyone access to this astonishing tea. This is DJ 182/2010. It’s a limited edition and not too much available. Not one bit of pesticides or additives, certified Organic, Biodynamic and Fair Trade. Get it while it lasts.

Air Freight Alert – Makaibari 2nd flush

Anupa — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:43:00 +0000

Just a heads up – Makaibari 2010 2nd flush almost in our offices! Air freight landed already and now being cleared through Customs and processed. Exciting addition to this shipment – 2010 Silver Tips! We will post prominently on the home page as soon as we have it. Stay tuned.

Hungry Hollow Co-op – Tea Sampling, June 9

Anupa — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 01:47:17 +0000

One of my earliest customers, 15 years ago, was The Hungry Hollow Co-Op. My product line consisted of just Makaibari Biodynamic Tea and The Hungry Hollow Co-op was part of a larger Rudolf Steiner initiative, the founder of biodynamic farming and Makaibari was a natural fit. It was Demeter-certified which is the official biodynamic stamp. Tomorrow, I will be back there sampling several teas, among them Makaibari Darjeeling Autumnal and Makaibari Green as well as some Organic Jasmine and Breakfast. If you are in the area, stop by – it’s at 841 Chestnut Ridge Road in Spring Valley, NY 10977. I plan to be there from 11 till about 2 pm. The Co-Op was started in 1973 and carries an astonishing variety of biodynamic, organic, natural and local foods and products. It is part of the larger Threefold Fellowship Community which includes Green Meadows Waldorf School, an Education Center, the Co-Op, a Nature Day Camp and, of course, a branch of the Anthroposophical Society. It is worth your time and an excellent day trip for those looking for an uplifting experience.

How small the world

Anupa — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:21:21 +0000

A good friend and customer of ours, Betty, was at the Tea Room yesterday. She and her husband had just returned from Montreal and Toronto. While there, she visited several establishments that served tea. Her favorite is Jade Oolong and she was looking for something similar on the menu. Her eye caught the word Makaibari and she stopped, surprised, and asked the waiter if this was indeed the Makaibari Darjeeling that she knew. The waiter confirmed that it was. Betty wasn’t done. She asked if he knew who their supplier was. The waiter took the time to find out, returned and said it was Cafe Rico. And what do you know, they are one of our wholesale customers and their Makaibari is direct from us! She ordered it, loved it, discovered it was exactly what she wanted. It was the real thing, Betty!

Feedback on Makaibari 2010

Anupa — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:09:32 +0000

Over the past week, three of our die-hard Makaibari customers have written to let us know what they thought of the First Flush 2010 Makaibari. None of the comments were solicited, making them especially gratifying!

I am delighted to say (and I’m sure this is not news to you) that the new Makaibari First Flush is everything that a First Flush should be . . . smooth and delicious with just the right amount of bite on the end notes. Thanks for allowing me to be among the first to taste the latest. ~ Thanks, Walter!

I received my tea order today. That was quick. First Flush is my favorite Darjeeling tea and this year’s Makaibari Estate first flush is exquisite. You picked a winner, Anupa. Give my regards to Rajah and Srirupa. ~ I sure will, Mike – thank you!

We just received the tea and enjoying the nice aroma of first flush. ~ Thanks, Mr. Roy.

First Flush In Demand Today

Anupa — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:35:12 +0000

We filled a lot of first flush orders today. I guess our customers are keeping up with our news! We have just put it on the web, will take it to the Tea Room tomorrow and I guess we’re in business. We had several back orders for customers in the U.S. and overseas and we are tending to our backlog first. We noticed the nice, green hue to the infused leaf which was entirely missing last year when we lost virtually the whole crop because of prolonged drought. Although this year also began with a drought, the harvest was salvaged with some very timely rain. This is the 3rd lot manufactued this year – pleasant pungency, the characteristic astringency associated with a spring crop and the light golden color to the cup. You should also look for the naturally sweet aroma as the cup cools. As with all Makaibari tea, this is certified Organic, Biodynamic and Fair trade. A tea with a conscience.

Makaibari 1st flush 2010 here!

Anupa — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:55:53 +0000

Our air freight is here – hurrah! We will post pictures tomorrow – this is an advance alert to all those who have been patiently waiting. Place your orders! It will be at the Tea Room by Thursday at the latest. Web orders starting tomorrow will be from the 2010 crop. This is certified Organic and Fair Trade at its best.

Makaibari mentioned on BBC

Anupa — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:08:37 +0000

As estates discover the values of organic farming, we notice that Makaibari is now held up as the standard. How wonderful! BBC News in the UK just covered an Assam garden’s venture into organic agriculture and mentioned Makaibari and Rajah (Swaraj Banerjee) as a pioneer. Cows are the foundation of an organic garden and Makaibari is no exception. Notice they feed on real grass and leaves as they are supposed to. (For any of you familiar with commercial feedlots and corn-fed cows, you know how detrimental that is. ) Read the entire article here.

Makaibari 1st flush 2010

Anupa — Sat, 01 May 2010 18:29:18 +0000

Alerting all our customers – I expect the 2010 First Flush air freight to be here mid-May. We will post prominently on our site. The tea season in China and India started on an ominous note – drought in some areas, frost in others and no crop. Most areas have now recovered although all the early season crop was sub-standard or lacking. Our first flush this year is dramatically better than last year when we virtually lost the entire spring crop.

Here’s a note I just received from one of our wholesale customers: I received the Darjeeling. Thanks. I have to say I appreciate the quick response. I look forward to tasting the 1st flush when it arrives. Makaibari is very important for influencing other farms to have a more biodynamic approach to farming.

Yes, biodynamic farming doesn’t happen by accident. The specific care given to special biodynamic preps, composts which take seasons to tend and mature, self-contained eco-systems which require maintenance, animal to human ratio for proper natural manure, the recognition of seasonal cycles for planting and plucking…..these go beyond organic farming and need the focused dedication of an individual farmer. In Makaibari’s case, it is fulfilled by the owner, Rajah Banerjee (shown in the picture). Here’s more on biodynamic farming and Demeter certification.