Black Tea

Our Nepal black tea selection from Shangri-La is a beautiful mix of dark brown leaves and flecks of small green leaves, decorated with silver tips. The bright fruity/floral aroma hints of citrus and sweet baked goods. The rich amber cup has a medium-bodied profile with notes of pear, melon, and a honey sweetness that lingers in the finish.

Downy, golden tips adorn dark brown leaves in this elegant black tea offering from Doomni Estate in Assam. The bright aroma is sweet and earthy with hints of red wine and ripe berries, complemented by a whisper of nuttiness. A full mouth feel enriches the complex flavor profile, which features notes of malt and cocoa, accentuated by a warm toastiness, a hint of chestnut, and a dried fruit sweetness. The finish lingers with a whisper of melted caramel balanced by a pleasant crisp note.

The large leaves of this 2023 imperial broken-leaf Assam offering are generously laced with flecks of curled, golden tips, which produce a robust cup with a toasty aroma hinting of marzipan sweetness. The dark ruby-copper liquor has a thick mouth feel evocative of rich cocoa and malt, punctuated by a rich note of Burgundy that lingers in the smooth finish. Great with a splash of milk.

Golden, downy tips provide a beautiful contrast to the bold, dark-brown leaves of this outstanding 2023 Assam selection. The dark copper liquor offers a malty aroma, complemented by fragrant cocoa and stone fruit notes. The rich cup has a full mouth feel with a complex flavor profile, featuring layers of malt and cocoa enhanced by a raisin/fig sweetness. The finish is crisp with hints of oak. This staff favorite may be enjoyed neat or with a splash of milk.

The Mangalam Estate is popular among Assam tea aficionados, and each year we look forward to their offerings. In this 2023 selection, golden tips mix with dark brown leaves, producing a robust cup with a smooth mouth feel. The complex aroma reveals layers of malt and nutty notes, harmonizing with toasty hints and a honey sweetness. A lively astringency in the dark copper cup is tempered by malty undertones, hints of stone fruit and a whisper of cocoa. The finish is sweet and lingering. Enjoy this excellent selection neat or with a dollop of milk.

The bold, attractive leaves of this superlative 2023 Assam tea offering are sprinkled with a fair complement of golden, downy tips. The Manohari Estate tea's aroma is fragrant with hints of malt and cocoa, accentuated by a stone fruit sweetness. The dark copper cup is thick and rich, imparting a lively yet smooth flavor profile. Pronounced notes of cocoa are joined by amaretto, oak, and a hint of rose that lingers in the finish. Excellent with milk. This premium selection is the perfect choice for the Assam loose leaf tea enthusiast.

A plethora of golden tips adorns the dark brown leaves of this 2023 broken-leaf Assam tea selection from Nahorhabi Estate. The toasty aroma hints of honey and spice with a faint earthy nuance makes the experience of sipping this Assam loose leaf tea an exceptional one. The strong, malty cup has a smooth toffee sweetness, complemented by a hint of tart cherry. The dry, crisp finish lingers on a spicy note. Excellent with milk or cream.

This 2023 selection is a thick, malty Assam tea from one of our favorite estates. A bright aroma, with hints of spice and oak, introduces the rich chestnut-colored cup. Notes of cocoa and spice join bittersweet hints in the classic malty flavor. A whisper of molasses and biscuit lingers in the creamy smooth finish of this Assam loose leaf tea. Great with a splash of milk or cream.

From Yunnan province, this outstanding Chinese black tea offering has long ebony-brown leaves that steep a velvety smooth cup. The sweet aroma of this Yunnan tea, hinting of rose petals, is balanced with pronounced spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. The dark amber liquor exhibits exceptional complexity with layers of earth, spice, brown sugar, and a whisper of floral essence. The finish lingers and comforts with hints of warming spice. A staff favorite.

Downy, golden tips thread through dark brown leaves that steep a rich, dark-amber liquor with a pronounced muscatel aroma. Hints of almond, honey, and oak add a balanced complexity to the fragrance. The classic muscatel notes bloom in the silky smooth flavor, accentuated by hints of Burgundy and soft floral nuances make this second flush darjeeling tea selection so refreshing. A honey sweetness lingers in the finish of this loose leaf black tea.

This 2023 second flush darjeeling tea selection has an inviting fragrance with pronounced muscatel notes that are accentuated by a molasses sweetness and light vanilla hint. This exceptional loose leaf black tea has a velvety smooth mouth feel that embraces a complex flavor profile with classic muscatel notes, a honey-sweet floral hint, and cedar/oak nuances. The finish lingers with a lively crispness and earthy hint.

The Puttabong Estate has been producing premium teas since 1852. This spectacular 2023 second flush darjeeling tea carries on that tradition with its rich, full-bodied cup redolent with notes of toasty caramelized sugar and warm baked goods, complemented by a lovely fragrance of oak cask essence. A jammy sweetness balances with notes of baked apple and an undertone of earthen spice in the lively, medium-amber liquor. With its pleasant astringency that lingers in the smooth, clean finish, this loose leaf black tea is definitely a staff favorite.

Located in the Rung Bong valley at altitudes ranging from 3,500 to 5,500 feet, the Sungma Estate was first planted in the 1860s. This 2023 second flush darjeeling tea selection offers a smooth, medium-bodied cup with a sweet, toasty aroma, hinting of oak and cedar with a whisper of vanilla. The mahogany-colored liquor exhibits a classic muscatel bouquet, enhanced by a honey sweetness and complemented by woody/toasty hints. The finish of this loose leaf black tea is clean and refreshing with an appealing bittersweet quality.

With its smooth satisfying flavor and great value, this second flush Darjeeling tea blend is the perfect choice for your everyday cup. The bold, dark brown loose leaf black tea leaves produce a dark amber liquor with a toasty aroma, fragrant with a dried fruit sweetness and woody spice hints. A silky mouth feel complements notes of honey and warming spices, joined by a deep rich toastiness, which lingers in the finish.

The Castleton Estate is known for crafting top-notch Darjeeling teas. This 2023 second flush Darjeeling tea offering is true to their reputation. The chestnut-colored liquor has a lively fruity bouquet in both the aroma and flavor, with hints of muscatel and a ripe stone fruit sweetness. The smooth, full-bodied cup of loose leaf Darjeeling tea has a rich mouth feel and honey nuances, which linger in the finish alongside a whisper of wildflowers.

From its bold, well-made leaf style to its rich, lively cup, this 2023 second flush Darjeeling tea offering, from one of our favorite estates, has many excellent points to consider. The aroma is fragrant with notes of muscatel and hints of black cherry. Layers of muscatel, apricot, honey, a biscuit-like toastiness and a whisper of mahogany weave together to create an immensely satisfying flavor. The smooth finish of this loose leaf Darjeeling tea lingers with a dried fruit sweetness and white wine crispness.

High quality Chinese loose leaf black Rose Congou Tea is scented with rose petals, creating a naturally aromatic, sweet cup with a very subtle hint of rose.

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!

This full-bodied, fall-inspired black tea is fragrant with pronounced cinnamon apple notes, complemented by hints of honey and clove. The velvety smooth cup invites that first sip with its cinnamon forward mélange of rich, warming spices, which supports notes of sweet apple and a whisper of orange. The finish lingers on a crisp note. This tea blend is the perfect choice for cozy warmth on a brisk autumn day.

This is a comparable tea to our NT57: New England Harvest Blend, now discontinued.

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!

Established in the late nineteenth century, the Lover’s Leap Estate perches among the clouds, at 6,000 feet, in the mountainous Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka. This black tea selection offers a bright, citrusy aroma, complemented by warm biscuity nuances. The lively cup is a lovely balance of honey sweetness and high-grown briskness, with notes of dried fruit and a light toastiness. The finish lingers with a whisper of spice. Steep longer when adding a splash of milk.

A pronounced aroma and flavor of rich melted chocolate distinguishes this outstanding black tea selection from Yunnan province. A profusion of downy golden buds yields a dark amber cup with a rounded, velvety smooth mouth feel and caramel-like sweetness. The finish lingers with dark, bittersweet notes of malt and cherry, reminiscent of a Porter beer. A staff favorite. Small lot with limited availability.

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.

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.

In this 2023 first flush Darjeeling loose leaf tea offering, flecks of spring green brighten bold, dark-olive leaves, redolent with a fresh herbaceous aroma. With its pronounced sweet floral fragrance and flavor, the golden amber cup invites that first sip. A buttery smooth mouth feel leads to a clean finish that lingers with a honey sweetness. A superb selection from Jungpana Tea Estate, creating a memorable tea moment with every sip.

The Dooars region lies south of the Himalayan foothills of Darjeeling and north of the Brahmaputra River basin. This lovely 2023 offering from Putharjhora estate exhibits a lively citrus-like mouth feel and inviting tropical fruit notes, reminiscent of pineapple. A pronounced stone fruit sweetness enhances notes of corn silk in the champagne-gold cup. The finish is silky smooth and clean.

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.

First planted in 1852, the Puttabong Tea Estate is notable as one of the first tea gardens in Darjeeling. With a sweet floral aroma reminiscent of a blooming spring meadow, this 2023 first flush Darjeeling tea selection invites you to take your first sip. Bold, dark-olive leaves, sprinkled with downy silver tips, produce a light amber-gold liquor that delights the palate with its fresh, buttery smoothness and classic, honeyed floral flavor. A smooth, clean finish completes a memorable Darjeeling tea experience.

Harvested on February 8, 2023, this singular first flush Darjeeling tea is referred to as ‘Jethi Kupi,’ an auspicious title given to the earliest first flush harvests at the Rohini Estate. Beautiful silver-tipped leaves produce a light golden liquor that glows like morning sunshine. A sweet vegetal fragrance introduces delicate floral hints that bloom in both the aroma and the silky smooth cup of loose leaf Darjeeling tea. Notes of honeyed cornsilk and lingering nuances of tropical fruit add to the complexity of flavor. The finish is crisp with a fleeting whisper of spice. The perfect choice for your mindfulness practice.

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.

Harvested at the height of the 2022 second flush season, the dark brown leaves of this exemplary offering yield a smooth, full-bodied cup with a complex character. Rich toasty notes are embraced by a dried fruit sweetness reminiscent of a ripe apple. Hints of warm mulling spices add to the depth of flavor, finishing with a pleasant dryness that lingers as in a fine red wine. Enjoy this delightful tea, neat or with a touch of milk, at any time of day.

The bold, dark brown leaves of this 2022 second flush selection infuse a smooth, full-bodied liquor with classic muscatel flavor. A pronounced sweetness in the aroma complements a rich earthy quality reminiscent of a fall walk in the woods. Mouth-watering fruity notes and a sweet character make this exceptional Darjeeling a great choice for your next cup.

Spread across the rolling hills of the Mirik area of Darjeeling, the Singbulli Estate is well known for crafting top-notch Darjeeling teas. This 2022 second flush offering is true to their reputation. The lively cup begins with a toasty/woody aroma, accentuated by hints of caramel. The dark amber liquor exhibits a rich fruity bouquet, complemented by an excellent pairing of muscatel sweetness and crisp citrus-like notes, which linger into the finish. Steep longer if a splash of milk is desired.

Harvested on March 8, 2022, this is the very first plucking of the first flush season at Tindharia Estate. A profusion of downy silver tips decorate the olive-green leaves, which produce a fragrant golden liquor redolent with buttery floral notes suggestive of honeysuckle. The silky smooth cup fills your mouth with a lively feel that awakens the palate. Classic floral notes pair with a fruity sweetness reminiscent of juicy pineapple, which linger into the crisp finish. A truly delightful way to enjoy a tea moment at any time of day.

Harvested on March 3, 2022, this stellar first flush Darjeeling intoxicates with its fresh floral fragrance. Upon first sip, the vibrant gold liquor fills your mouth with a buttery smooth feeling like golden cornsilk. Enlivened by a rich honey sweetness, the classic floral character conjures a stroll through a lush spring garden. Vegetal hints linger in the crisp finish, completing a delightful tea moment.

Pronounced floral/herbaceous notes permeate the sweet aroma of this broken-leaf second flush Darjeeling. The dark amber cup fills your mouth with rich notes of fruit and honey, which linger into the crisp finish. A great choice for a splash of milk, if desired.

Chunky leaves, in variegated shades of brown, produce a solid cup redolent with fragrant layers of fruit and spice, complemented by toasty/nutty hints. The dark amber liquor exhibits rich toasty notes wrapped in a stone fruit sweetness, which becomes more pronounced as the tea cools. This sweet character makes this second flush Darjeeling the perfect choice for iced tea.

Harvested on February 24, 2022, this outstanding first flush Darjeeling is referred to as ‘Jethi Kupi,’ an auspicious title given to the earliest first flush harvests at the Rohini Estate. The bright golden liquor is light and refreshing with a buttery smooth cornsilk mouth feel. The fresh aroma is delicate and floral with gentle vegetal hints. The classic floral cup is embraced by tropical fruit and sweet toasty hints. A crisp, lingering finish completes an exemplary tea experience, imbued with sunshine and felicity.

Produced at a small family tea garden in Shizuoka, Japan, this unique black tea is smoked for 6-8 hours using wood chips from an oak whisky barrel. A sweet, savory aroma, reminiscent of an autumn bonfire, introduces the velvety, full-bodied cup. A rich smoky/oak flavor takes center stage in the ruby-amber liquor, and is supported by a rounded fruity sweetness. The bold smokiness lingers long into the smooth finish, complemented by sweet whispers of amaretto and rose.

Produced at a small family tea garden in Shizuoka, Japan, this unique black tea is smoked for 6-8 hours using wood chips from a Japanese cherry wood whisky barrel. With layers of smoke, Burgundy and hints of floral sweetness, the aroma is reminiscent of a warm charcoal fire. A buttery mouth feel and hints of toffee complement the pronounced smoky notes in the smooth, rich cup. That smoky character is joined by a prevailing sweetness that lingers long after the last sip.

Smooth and rich, this second flush Darjeeling offers pronounced muscatel notes in both the fragrant aroma and the dark amber cup. Nutty/toasty nuances and hints of honey lead to a dry, lingering finish that hints of spice. Another sublime selection from Victoria’s Peak, a division of the renowned Steinthal Estate.

This rich Ceylon breakfast tea is a blend of black teas from Kandy, the tea growing region where James Taylor produced the first crop of Ceylon black tea back in the 1860s. The aroma is sweet and toasty with hints of raisin and citrus. The smooth, deep-amber cup is bright and lively with a full mouth feel and well-balanced flavor that hints of cocoa, citrus and a crisp evergreen nuance that lingers into the finish.

Smooth and lively with a pronounced toasty aroma, this broken-leaf second flush offering is the perfect choice when you’re looking for a rich, full-bodied Darjeeling. Hints of muscatel sweetness support the warm toasty character in both the aroma and the dark amber cup. The finish lingers with a suggestion of honeyed fruit. A great value.

In this superb second flush Darjeeling selection, warm notes of toast and fruit weave together in the fragrant aroma, reminiscent of stone fruit jam on toast. This rich combination reveals itself in the silky smooth flavor as well, complemented by hints of spice that linger into the finish. Try a splash of milk to enhance this tea’s great qualities.

This finely particled “Golden Orange Fannings” leaf Assam tea produces a dark copper cup with rich flavor and a warm toasty aroma that hints of malt. A stone fruit sweetness enhances flavor notes of dark baking cocoa and malt, complemented by a full mouth feel and ending with a smooth, lingering finish. While the GOF grade of tea is often used for blending, this selection is an excellent self drinker while also being strong enough to accommodate a dollop of milk, if desired.

Another stellar selection from one of our favorite estates, this well-crafted second flush Darjeeling produces a silky smooth cup with a warm toasty aroma hinting of fruit. A whisper of tropical fruit in the dark amber cup adds an ambrosial sweetness to rich muscatel notes that linger long into the finish.

Offerings from the Castleton Estate have always been among our favorites of each season. With its rich fruity flavor and complex, inviting aroma, this exemplary second flush selection is sure to satisfy the Darjeeling lover. The medium amber cup is velvety smooth with a warm toastiness balanced by a honey sweetness. A lively, lingering finish completes a great tea experience.

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!