Darjeeling is a region in the state of West Bengal in India. It is a tea growing region and known for its superb, wonderful and complex teas that are loved by tea connoisseurs throughout the world.

Darjeeling first flush tea is light bodied, brisk, complex with fruity, floral and vegetal notes that are extremely delightful. Darjeeling second flush teas are compared to a muscatel and are medium-heavy bodied with honey, fruits including grape, oak and some floral notes. Darjeeling autumnal teas are wonderful and usually differ year to year and garden to garden but are usually complex with sweet fruity and floral notes.

Yes, you can have Darjeeling teas with a dash of skimmed milk. Usually, they are savored without milk or sugar to enjoy their natural fragrance and flavors.

We usually recommend a temperature of 185-195 °F for first flush Darjeeling teas and 195-205 °F for second flush and autumnal-flush Darjeeling teas. This is lower than the traditional temperatures around near boiling used for black teas,, but we find higher temperatures scorch the delicate leaves and bring out unwanted flavors.

Yes, Darjeeling teas are caffeinated with usually first flush Darjeeling teas having a little less caffeine than second flush and autumnal-flush Darjeeling teas.

Roasted Darjeeling tea refers to Darjeeling tea leaves that have undergone a roasting process, imparting a distinct flavor profile. This roasting can enhance the tea's mouthfeel and bring out toasty or nutty notes, creating a unique variation from the traditional Darjeeling taste.

Traditional Darjeeling teas are black teas and based on the season that they are made can be first flush, second flush, or autumnal flush, each with its own distinct character. Darjeeling also makes white and green teao, though in smaller amounts that are wonderful. White teas are not oxidized and the leaves are harvested and naturally dried, green teas are plucked and oxidation is stopped by either steaming or pan frying and black teas are oxidized. There is a difference in flavor, mouthfeel and also the type of polyphenols.

Yes, if you are interested in wholesale Darjeeling teas please email us at info@herbsandkettles.com

Darjeeling tea is best stored in an airtight container in a cool and dry place to retain its freshness.

Darjeeling teas differ typically based on the season they are produced, with differences every year and also based on the tea farm or tea garden they are produced by. Typically flush Darjeeling teas are floral, vegetal, and fruity, second flush Darjeeling teas are muscatel-like with notes of honey, and fruit including grape, oak bark, and autumnal flush are eloquent sometimes similar to a muscatel but often different. For example, our second flush Golden Summer Muscatal has notes of mango, and grape, while our autumnal flush Rare Frosted Oolong, has notes of orange but has had notes of plum and cherry in a previous batch. Teas are just like how you would think of a vintage in the wine world.