Established in 1855, the Upper Namring tea garden sits at 1,500m, surrounded by dense forest, misty hills and steep mountain terrain. The estate has a rich history of producing exceptional teas, their quality down to the China Jat (Camellia sinensis var. Sinensis), clonal and assamica hybrids that the tea garden is planted, plus its extraordinary terroir. So take one sip of this stunning Darjeeling first flush and let yourself be transported there.

If you loved this Indian black tea from the Darjeeling region

Want to order a caddy of Darjeeling's charismatic 2021 first flush teas? Our tasters have carefully chosen a selection of some of this year's best for you to explore, including Goomtee, Margaret's Hope, Selimbong and Snowview. You can compare these with a classic second flush Darjeeling, also from the Margaret's Hope Estate but from the summer harvest. Happy sipping!

Can't decide which Darjeeling to try? Sample six of our 2021 Darjeeling first flush teas with a Discovery Pack. You can find out more about Darjeeling and what makes its flushes so special in our Tea Journal.

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).