Darjeeling
Floral, muscatel, wine-like for second flush. The "Champagne of teas." Distinctly different from any other black tea.
Darjeeling occupies an unusual position in Indian tea — it's the only major Indian black-tea region that uses Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (the small-leaf Chinese tea plant) rather than the assamica varietals that dominate the rest of Indian tea. The sinensis genetics combined with the subtropical highland climate produce cup character unlike anywhere else in India: floral, light-bodied, complex, with the distinctive "muscatel" character (green-grape, wine-like notes) that second flush Darjeeling especially carries.
Darjeeling is also one of the most heavily-protected geographic indications in tea: only tea grown in specific designated estates within the Darjeeling district qualifies as authentic Darjeeling. The tea industry decline in West Bengal over recent decades has reduced production substantially; many famous estates have closed or been converted to other uses. The remaining serious Darjeeling producers (Castleton, Margaret's Hope, Singbulli, Risheehat, Goomtee, others) produce some of the most editorially distinctive tea in the world, but supply is constrained and pricing has risen substantially.
Signature teas
- Darjeeling First Flush (Spring)
- Darjeeling Second Flush (Summer)
- Darjeeling Autumnal
Tea types produced
Cultivars grown
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (small-leaf — unusual for India)
- AV2
- P312
Processing focus
Harvest seasons
- First flush (March-April)
- Second flush (May-June)
- Monsoon (July-September)
- Autumnal (October-November)
Flavor signature
Notable producers & areas
- Castleton Estate
- Margaret's Hope
- Goomtee
- Singbulli
- Risheehat
Brands carrying Darjeeling tea
Brands in our directory that carry tea types this origin produces. Direct-sourcing brands shown first.