Surrounded by the majesty of the Himalaya's famous mountains, where earth meets heaven, in the lush valleys at altitudes up to 2159 metres, dotted with temples where prayers are written, amidst breathtaking beauty and mystery, lies the land of Darjeeling. In the native language, this is known as the 'Land of the Thunderbolt' and the prestigious teas grown here are rightly considered among the world's best.
Darjeeling's quality teas are defined by two major picking periods, the 'First Flush' of spring and the 'Second Flush' of summer. These periods produce two very different teas.
Spring teas are barely oxidised so cannot truly be called black tea, although they share the same briskness and rich flavour. The infusion is as pale as a green tea but very different in flavour, so we cannot place them in that category either. Typically, the best qualities have a fragrant, floral character, a refreshing, complex infusion and in the dry leaf an aroma reminiscent of fresh blackcurrants on the bush.
The best summer teas are picked with the bushes in full sap during a short 3-4 week period in late June and early July. The famous 'muscatel' character is truly in evidence then. ‘Muscatel’ is variously described as reminiscent of muscatel grapes, a fragrance like a rose garden in bloom or the sweet scent of peach skin and honey.
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As low as £10.00This tea has a complex character and an almost rose scented quality to the prominent spicy flavour. It is a tea to be relished. These bushes grow at over 6000ft and the perfect climate, shifting between fog and sunshine reduces the growing speed of the tea plants to guarantee an extremely high-quality tea. The second flush term refers to teas plucked during May to June in the gardens of Darjeeling. Each 'invoice' from the 90 or so gardens is unique and amounts to approximately just 90kgs.
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As low as £15.00A delicious early second flush tea with a freshness normally found in first flush Darjeeling and a 'Muscatel' perfume and flavour. The complex flavour runs the range from honey to soft fruits to rose, camellia and green apples. It is smooth and light bodied with a pale orange infusion.
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As low as £14.00This rare, completely handmade tea has a golden-yellow infusion and is highly aromatic. It has a smooth, complex floral character with a freshly baked biscuit quality. The lively infusion sparkles and bursts with flavour in the mouth at once sweet, vanilla-like and jasmine, lavender floral. Mango, citrus, green apple and almond tones can also be picked out. All in all like a welcome burst of gentle Spring sunshine. Teesta consistently produces the highest qualities with distinctive character.
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As low as £14.00This rich liquoring infusion yields the classic 'muscatel' character with hints of almond or walnut and green apples depending on infusion time. The aroma has hints of peach and floral notes and caramelised sugar. All this and with a delightful honey finish. This blends the finest teas from Mim and Margaret's Hope gardens.
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As low as £36.00Liza Hill garden's first flush Darjeeling offers a captivating sensory journey. Vibrant dry leaves unfurl gracefully, releasing a complex bouquet of floral, herbal, and earthy notes. The delicate muscatel character, paired with hints of stone fruits, honey, and caramel, delights the palate. Its smooth, silky texture and subtle astringency refresh the senses. Sipping this tea is an experience of discovery, showcasing Liza Hill's unique terroir and craftsmanship. Each sip reveals layers of complexity, inviting slow appreciation. This exceptional tea leaves a lasting impression of refinement and vitality, making it a cherished choice for discerning tea enthusiasts.
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As low as £9.00Elderflower, roses, cherry, tangerine, mandarin, tonka bean, freesia, Medjool dates...just a few of the flavours and fragrances picked out by our discerning customers in this tantalising tea. It has a sweet 'muscatel' fragrance and I think it is one of the few teas that is intriguingly different every time that you brew it. Its strength is balanced by its light, flowery taste.
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As low as £21.00The fresh, grapefruit-like zesty aroma is balanced with muscatel grape and a hint of something almost cinnamon like. The pale yellow yet rich liquor sits like a satisfying white wine on the tongue, with a layered palette of exotic fruit flavours, such as guava and nectarine and with the characteristic First Flush oil of wintergreen freshness. One of the best tasting Darjeeling of the season and comes from the Turzum garden.
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As low as £12.00Decaffeinated using the safe method of CO2, which also leaves more of the flavour quality in the leaf. It is mild, with notes of flowers and honey, a copper coloured cup and pleasant fragrance.
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As low as £9.00This late spring tea carries some of the early bud fragrances of elderflower and blackberry with just a hint of fresh, spring greens, mown grass and a touch of cinnamon.This smooth, silky tea with has a great green spring freshness. It is pale amber in colour and offers up a flavoursome, intense, flowery tea in both taste and aroma.
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As low as £21.00This tea has such a complex, astounding, rich, ripe fragrance that I cannot describe it well enough to do it justice! I have noticed nuances of honey, vanilla, peach, orange, musk rose, nectarine, quince, lichee among many others. The picturesque Phuguri garden in the Mirik Valley grows the rare and best clonal tea bush variety known as AV2. This clone produces the best tasting Darjeeling but will only grow in a small number of places there. The flavour is as exquisite as the aroma so if you like Darjeeling you simply must try this. Phuguri is a bio-organic garden.
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As low as £40.00Turzum Garden's premier first flush Darjeeling enchants with delicate muscatel notes and vibrant citrus aromas, evoking bergamot and ripe oranges. Floral undertones mingle with rhubarb and custard apple hints, creating a fragrant bouquet. The flavour profile is complex, featuring subtle peach and apricot accents, with sweet vanilla tones that balance the crispness of oil of wintergreen. Each sip reveals Turzum's Himalayan terroir and exceptional craftsmanship, leaving an impression of refined elegance. This is invoice DJ3, for my fellow aficionados who like to know these things!
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As low as £7.00This is a slightly richer charactered tea for the First Flush with notes of orange blossom, fresh cut grass, wildflower hay, grapefruit, hazelnut and a subtle, honeyed spiciness.
