This small independent tea garden is located near Kishanganj in the state of Bihar, northeast India. The plantation was founded in 1998 by Rajiv Lochan – a veteran tea planter and conservationist who, after managing several other plantations, decided it was time to set up one of his own. Lochan's vision for Doke Tea was to produce carefully handcrafted teas that are unique to the region without harming the surrounding ecosystem.

Despite being located just 200km from Darjeeling, Bihar isn't a traditional tea-producing region, but Lochan and his team soon built a reputation for outstanding artisanally produced teas. The tea garden, which sits at an altitude of 60m, is cut by the river Doke and has a terroir similar to that of the alluvial Assam. As well as giving the estate its name, the river helps irrigate the plantation, which has its own water management and solar power systems – all part of Doke's mission to minimise its carbon footprint and impact on both the landscape and the people who work within it.

If you loved this Indian black tea…

Our Tea Makers of London tasting team has carefully sourced a range of rich and characterful blends available in our Tea Shop. For a delightful Ceylon black tea with an abundance of silvery tips, try a caddy of Adam's Peak. Malty, rich and spicy, Assam Mangalam makes a great breakfast blend, as does our smooth and lovely Kenilworth Ceylon black tea, while our Native Mountain Tea offers a unique, caramel-tinged flavour of the Taiwanese high country.

On a clear day, the city offers unparalleled views of Kanchenjunga (the world’s third highest mountain), and Mount Everest can also be seen from nearby Tiger Hill, which itself sits at 2,590m above sea level. The highest peaks in the district are part of the Singalila Ridge and reach 3,600m. Depending on the elevation, the climate is either Humid Subtropical (CFA) in the lower areas, or Subtropical Highland (Cwb) on the higher hills, with a Tundra climate (ET) on the higher mountains, and numerous microclimates along the steep relief.

The city itself enjoys a mild and temperate climate (Cwb), with average lows of 10°C in the winter, and average highs of 21°C in the summer. The summers are wet and overcast with high precipitation from May until September; and the winters are mild and clear. Winds are generally low throughout the year. The land between 1,000m and 2,000m is mostly used for cultivation: principally tea, but also rice, corn, wheat and cardamom. The slopes above 2,000m are covered in forests, with a mixture of semi-evergreen, temperate and alpine trees. The forest around the city of Darjeeling is home to rare, protected orchids.

The reserve forests are also home to small Indian civets, mongooses, badgers, as well as a conservation centre for the elusive and endangered red pandas. Teas from such altitudes are considered high-grown. Considering that Darjeeling is only 280 miles from Assam, it is remarkable that the two regions produce vastly different teas.

As well as climatic and topographic differences, soil quality varies. Whilst Assam is considered very fertile, Darjeeling soil is loose and poorly consolidated, with risks of landslides. But the steep slopes ensure efficient drainage, and the misty, wet summers with limited direct sunlight are ideal for the cultivation of the Camellia sinensis sinensis. The mild, dry winters also encourage a period of dormancy, so the new Spring leaves can burst with flavours (First Flush harvest).