It's earned quite the reputation, so what's so special about Darjeeling tea?
What Is Darjeeling Tea?
Darjeeling is a black tea produced in the tiny municipality of Darjeeling, which sits in the foothills of the Himalayas. Benefitting from Darjeeling’s high altitudes, steady rainfall and cooling mists, the tea has a famously “effervescent” quality and is characterised by sweet, fruity, muscatel notes and a refreshingly light astringency.
How Is Darjeeling Tea Made?
Darjeeling is produced in a similar way to black tea – it’s just picked at more specific times of the year and isn’t oxidised for as long a period to preserve its fresh, delicate taste.
PICKING
Leaves are picked early spring (first flush) or late spring (second flush).
WITHERING
The leaves are withered for several hours in troughs.
ROLLING
Rolling the leaves in large drums triggers oxidation.
OXIDATION
Enzymes in the leaves react with oxygen, changing their taste.
DRYING
Finally, the leaves are dried, sorted and packed.
How Do You Brew Darjeeling Tea?
Far lighter than most black teas, Darjeeling is best brewed for 2–3 minutes (rather than the recommended 3–5 minutes for black teas) at 100°C and enjoyed without milk.
1 teaspoon
100 degrees
2-3 minutes
First Flush Vs Second Flush
First Flush Darjeeling is considered one of the finest teas to be produced worldwide. It’s the earliest harvest of the year, usually picked in April when the first spring rains spread across the Himalayan foothills, turning the gardens green in a flush of colour. Picked any earlier and it can have a negative effect on the taste of the cup. At higher altitudes, the buds grow more slowly, and have a higher percentage of amino acids in them, giving them a real sweetness.
In order to ensure that we choose the very best teas produced during the first flush, we work closely with a selection of gardens at Margaret Hope’s estate. In return for our commitment to buy a certain amount of tea, we’re given access to the first pickings of the year.
Second Flush Darjeeling is picked during the second harvest of the year between May and June, taking on some of the warmth of late spring, with developed fruit notes coming through in the cup.
A Note From Our Tea Expert
“I’ve been lucky enough to visit the tea plantations in India to see how our very own Darjeeling is picked. On almost every valley or hill, there are sections of the tea fields reserved for a particular company; only tea from that area will be picked for that company. We have our very own “Whittard” section of the Margaret’s Hope Estate.”
Katy, Tea Specialist
Find out more about Katy here.
FAQs
Another factor that makes Golden Tips Tea stand out from the rest of the tea brands is its legacy of excellence. The brand has been providing the highest quality of Darjeeling tea since 1933. With over 90 years of winning the hearts of tea lovers globally, Golden Tips Tea is a trusted tea brand.
Is Darjeeling tea the best in the world? ›
First Flush Vs Second Flush
First Flush Darjeeling is considered one of the finest teas to be produced worldwide. It's the earliest harvest of the year, usually picked in April when the first spring rains spread across the Himalayan foothills, turning the gardens green in a flush of colour.
What is the highest grade Darjeeling tea? ›
Whole leaf
FTGFOP1: Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. Generally the highest tea grade that a tea garden makes. One third of the tea needs to be made up of tips with finest leaves.
What is so special about Darjeeling tea? ›
Two important polyphenols found in Darjeeling tea—theaflavins and thearubigins—are considered powerful antioxidants. These compounds protect against free radicals (harmful molecules) that damage cell DNA and cause cells to mutate.
Can I drink Darjeeling tea everyday? ›
Though regularly drinking Darjeeling tea could support your health in multiple ways, drinking too much of the beverage could have some risks as well: May affect digestion. Consuming too many tannin plant compounds from any type of tea can cause nausea and constipation and reduce iron absorption ( 28 , 29 ).
Why is Darjeeling tea so expensive? ›
Darjeeling tea is expensive due to its limited production, labour-intensive harvesting process, and unique flavour profile.
Is Darjeeling tea high in caffeine? ›
Darjeeling tea contains some caffeine but less than you might find in coffee. So, you can expect to benefit from a boost when you're feeling tired without the side effects that come from drinking too much coffee. An average 8 fluid oz. cup of Darjeeling tea contains around 50mg of caffeine.
Which tea is No 1? ›
According to the World Tea Export Council, black tea is the most consumed tea globally, making up approximately 75% of the total tea consumption. This is followed by green tea, which accounts for approximately 20% of the total tea consumption, while herbal tea and oolong tea account for the remaining 5%.
Do you drink Darjeeling with milk? ›
Milk may be used with this tea to blend the darker liquor and diminish, if any, the astringent taste, but still Darjeeling teas are best had without milk and so are the teas from this flush.
Is Earl Grey a Darjeeling tea? ›
The Londoners earl grey tea is a select Darjeeling black tea with a floral bouquet blended with the citrusy character of Bergamot.
DARJEELING TEAS 2024
- Green Melody Darjeeling Green Tea Second Flush 2024. ...
- Moonlight Glitter Darjeeling Black Tea Second Flush 2024. ...
- Summer Sonata Clonal Musk Organic Darjeeling Black Tea Second Flush 2024. ...
- Summer Moonlight Halo Darjeeling Black Tea Second Flush 2024.
Both teas have their merits, with Darjeeling Black Tea offering a stronger caffeine kick and robust flavor, while Darjeeling Green Tea provides a lighter option with potential health benefits.
Does Darjeeling tea reduce belly fat? ›
The brews are known to help reduce belly fat. The polyphenols in Darjeeling tea stimulate good bacteria growth in your digestive system, keeping it healthy. The brews also feature a high concentration of catechins - these are naturally occurring antioxidants that increase fat burning and boost metabolism.
Who has the best Darjeeling tea? ›
Another factor that makes Golden Tips Tea stand out from the rest of the tea brands is its legacy of excellence. The brand has been providing the highest quality of Darjeeling tea since 1933. With over 90 years of winning the hearts of tea lovers globally, Golden Tips Tea is a trusted tea brand.
What is the best way to drink Darjeeling tea? ›
Preheat your vessel and rinse with a little hot water, and add one tablespoon of Darjeeling leaves per 8 ounces of water. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes depending on your taste, and definitely try this tea without milk the first several times to capture the full spectrum of its delicate, fruity but brisk tones.
Which Darjeeling flush is best? ›
The first flush Darjeeling tea leaves are younger, more tender, and have a delicate flavor than the second flush. Why is first flush tea better? The first flush tea typically contains more nutrients, caffeine, antioxidants, and flavor because they have more time to grow. Hence, first, flush tea is considered better.
Which tea is better Assam or Darjeeling? ›
People who like strong and nutty taste prefer Assam tea, whereas people who like a spicy taste prefer Darjeeling tea. Myself, and many other tea fans, appreciate both! If you are interested in purchasing Assam and Darjeeling Teas, visit Camden Tea Shop.
WITHERING 
