Darjeeling first flush teas are harvested from March to April and revered for their floral, grassy qualities, leading to them being described as the 'Champagne of teas'. Located in the state of West Bengal, in northeast India, Darjeeling teas are grown at high elevations, up to 2,130m. The Darjeeling district is also renowned for its wide use of the traditional orthodox tea production method instead of the CTC (Crush Tear Curl) method used in mass production.

Selimbong Estate, which produces this small-batch tea, is one of the region's most historic tea gardens located in the Mirk Valley. Founded in 1886 at an altitude of 1800m on the Indo-Nepal border in the Mirk Valley, the estate has a reputation for producing teas of outstanding quality, and this 2021 Darjeeling first flush is no exception.

Similar black teas from India's Darjeeling region

One of the most eagerly anticipated times of year on the Indian tea calendar is the spring release of the first flush Darjeelings. Our tea tasters have sourced some of the district's best for you to try. Exceptional examples of the 2021 season include Goomtee, Margaret's Hope, Snowview and Upper Namring. You can compare these with a classic second flush Darjeeling from the Margaret's Hope Estate and 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).