First Flush Darjeeling Tea
Hillton Estate First Flush FTGFOP1 CL (2023 DJ-9) Darjeeling
An herbaceous aroma is enhanced by a subtle floral perfume and sweet hints of brown sugar, which sets the stage for the rich, invigorating character of this 2023 first flush Darjeeling. A silky smooth mouth feel embraces notes of spring flowers and hints of tropical fruit in the light amber cup. In the finish, a crisp bittersweet note is balanced with lingering notes of honey. A tea lover’s tea!
Singbulli Estate First Flush SFTGFOP1 Ch (2023) Darjeeling
Very bold leaves in shades of olive-green yield a bright amber-gold cup of loose leaf first flush Darjeeling tea, with a fresh fragrance that hints of wildflowers and a toasty brown sugar sweetness. Singbulli Estate's first flush Darjeeling tea has a smooth buttery mouth feel embraces a lively character with classic floral flavor, enhanced by notes of honey and sweet nectar. The finish lingers on a crisp bittersweet note. Another exemplary selection from one of our favorite tea estates!
Singtom Estate First Flush TGBOP Darjeeling
Harvested at the peak of the first flush season at Singtom Estate, this broken-leaf Darjeeling offering is redolent with the aroma of fresh flowers. The golden amber cup introduces a gentle astringency that plays at the edges of the palate, creating a wonderful counterpoint to the intensely sweet dried fruit hints in the vibrant flavor. A bright refreshing quality lingers in the finish.
Season's Pick First Flush Darjeeling Blend
This first flush Darjeeling blend features bold attractive leaves, in shades of olive-green, which produce a bright, smooth cup with a rich mouth feel. Notes of tropical fruit and honeysuckle bloom in the amber gold liquor, leading to a refreshingly crisp finish that lingers on the palate. A great value for first flush Darjeeling aficionados!
Jungpana Estate First Flush FTGFOP1 (DJ-9) Darjeeling
First planted at the turn of the 20th century, the south-facing tea slopes of the Jungpana Estate are located in a remote area near Kurseong, where the average elevation is 4,000 feet. This first flush offering displays dark olive leaves that are laced with a fine complement of downy silver tips. A sweet tropical fruit aroma sets the stage for the buttery smooth, amber gold cup. Rich notes of honey and spring flowers are complemented by a refreshing astringency that settles around the edges of the palate. A honey sweetness tempers the crisp, lingering finish.
Thurbo Estate First Flush FTGFOP1 (DJ-6) Darjeeling
With elevations ranging over 6,000 feet, the Thurbo Estate has been producing premium Darjeeling teas for over a century. In this first flush offering, silver tips decorate attractive leaves in a colorful display of olive greens. A rich toasty aroma introduces an amber-gold cup with an assertive character that enhances its full, lively mouth feel. Fresh floral/herbaceous notes and a honey sweetness are complemented by notes of stone fruit, which lend a gentle crispness to the lingering finish.
Oaks Estate First Flush SFTGFOP1 (2022 DJ-16) Darjeeling
A sweet fruity aroma, complemented by light floral hints, introduces this exceptional 2022 first flush Darjeeling tea. The shimmering amber-gold liquor of this loose leaf Darjeeling black tea is buttery smooth with a heady tropical quality that brings to mind a juicy pineapple. The polished finish lingers with a hint of honey and crisp white wine undertone. Savor this tea hot or iced.
North Tukvar Estate First Flush SFTGFOP1 CL (2023 DJ-2) Darjeeling
Located near the border of Sikkim, the North Tukvar Tea Estate has been producing superior teas since it was first planted in 1884. This outstanding 2023 first flush Darjeeling tea offering was plucked on March 11th at an elevation of 2,000 feet. An abundance of downy silver tips decorates bold leaves of variegated olive greens, which produce a rich golden amber cup with a sweet floral/fruity aroma. A smooth, round mouth feel supports a flavor profile bursting with notes of tropical fruit and melon. This loose leaf Darjeeling tea's finish lingers with a palate-awakening crispness reminiscent of biting into a red apple.
Balasun Estate First Flush FTGFOP1 (2023 DJ-7) Darjeeling
The bold, meticulously crafted leaves of this 2023 first flush Darjeeling yield a lively cup with a rich, silky mouth feel. The candied floral aroma whispers of orange blossoms and a light herbaceous nuance. With notes of tropical fruit and flowers, the flavor profile epitomizes “springtime in a cup.” This exceptional offering finishes on a crisp citrus-like note, balanced with a lingering sweetness. A staff favorite.
Victoria's Peak Estate First Flush SFTGFOP1 (2023 EX-1) Darjeeling
Named after Queen Victoria, the Victoria’s Peak garden is a division of the renowned Steinthal Estate. In this 2023 first flush Darjeeling tea offering, premium loose leaf black tea leaves in rich tones of olive green are laced with silvery tips. A full, lively mouth feel enhances the sweet floral character, which is complemented by juicy notes of pineapple and tropical fruit. Nuances of corn silk and honey linger long into the crisp finish.
Balasun Estate First Flush FTGFOP1 (DJ-1) Darjeeling
The bold, attractive leaves of Balasun Estate’s very first plucking are sprinkled with a fair complement of silvery tips. The fresh aroma is delicate, with honeyed floral hints. The amber-gold cup is exceptional, with rich floral notes enhanced by a silky smooth mouth feel. A tropical fruit sweetness leads to a crisp, lingering finish.
Tindharia Estate First Flush FTGFOP1 (EX-1) Darjeeling
This outstanding selection displays beautiful leaves in shades of green, sprinkled with delicate, silvery tips. The fragrance is fresh and sweet, with hints of corn silk. The sparkling amber-gold cup is bursting with honey sweetness and rich floral notes reminiscent of a spring garden. A buttery smooth mouth feel supports light vegetal hints and a crisp, lively quality that lingers long into the finish. Savor each sip of this stellar offering.
Shop our collection of Darjeeling First Flush Tea, as featured in the Wine Spectator!
Nestled in the Himalayan mountains of West Bengal, India, the Darjeeling region is well known for its lush, rolling hills and breathtaking views. Just before spring arrives each year, the tea plants awaken from their winter dormancy to produce the highly anticipated first flush tea harvest, the famous "Champagne of tea."
First flush Darjeeling teas are prized for their delicate fragrance and flavor, the liquor ranges in color from golden yellow to amber gold, often referred to as a “cup of sunshine.” Notes of flowers and tropical fruit join a lively, effervescent quality and silky smooth mouth feel.
Every spring, the arrival of the first flush teas is always a celebrated event here at Upton Tea Imports. We source the finest loose leaf conventional and organic darjeeling teas the season has to offer, direct from the estates, to provide you with the ultimate tea experience.