Darjeeling

India

Darjeeling in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas produces what is often called the 'Champagne of teas,' a designation so valued that it holds GI (Geographical Indication) protection. The 87 registered tea gardens cling to steep mountain slopes between 600 and 2,000 meters, where cool temperatures, dramatic elevation changes, and monsoon mists create a terroir unlike any other. First flush Darjeeling, picked in spring, produces a light, floral, and astringent tea, while the prized second flush in summer develops the famous muscatel grape-like character. The unique flavor profile arises partly from the Chinese jat (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) cultivars growing at high elevations in Indian conditions.