Muscatel (tea)
Muscatel refers to a distinctive flavor found in some Darjeeling teas, especially the second-flush teas. It has been described as a "distinct sweet flavour" that is not present in other flushes or tea from other localities, and has a sweet complex flavor note to it. {{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/hit-by-estate-shutdown-lukewarm-demand-brews-concern-for-darjeeling-tea-119040500055_1.html|title=Hit by estate shutdown, lukewarm demand brews concern for Darjeeling tea|last=Rakshit|first=Avishek|date=2019-04-05|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-04-08}} a "musky spiciness," {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4AI1DAAAQBAJ&q=muscatel+&pg=PA48|title=Innovation and IPRs in China and India: Myths, Realities and Opportunities|last1=Liu|first1=Kung-Chung|last2=Racherla|first2=Uday S.|date=2016-05-19|publisher=Springer|isbn=9789811004063|pages=48|language=en}} "a unique muscat-like fruitiness in aroma and flavour,"{{Cite journal|last=Kwek|first=Rachel|date=January 9, 2019|title=What's for Tea, Darjeeling?|journal=Asian Geographic|pages=112|via=pressreader.com}} or "dried raisins with a hay like finish."{{Cite web|url=https://specialtyteaalliance.org/world-of-tea/describing-muscatel/|title=Describing Muscatel|last=Gebely|first=Tony|date=2012-08-21|website=American Specialty Tea Alliance|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-08}} Though difficult to describe, it is prized by tea aficionados.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNCGAwAAQBAJ&q=muscatel&pg=PA74|title=State of Justice In India: Issues of Social Justice|last=Samaddar|first=Ranabir|date=2009-04-11|publisher=SAGE Publications India|isbn=9788132104193|pages=74–75|language=en}}
The flavor develops in part through the action of sap-sucking insects, jassids and thrips, which partly damage the young tea leaves. The tea plant then produces terpene as an insect repellent. This higher concentration of terpene produces the muscatel flavor.{{Cite web|url=https://worldteanews.com/tea-industry-news-and-features/muscatel-flavor-is-unmatched|title=Muscatel Flavor is Unmatched|date=2017-05-01|website=World Tea News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-08}}