Tasting Notes: stone-fruit, pineapple, alfalfa, honey 

Description:  A remarkable tea that has all the attributes of what we love in a premium first flush Darjeeling. This organic first flush Darjeeling is a particularly lively and bright tea. 

In this tea, a lively mouth feel balances the sweet floral character which is complemented by juicy layers of pineapple, stone-fruit (peach), and the soft nuances of alfalfa and honey. The crisp finish is balanced by the typical grape muscatel notes found in all premium first flush Darjeelings. 

Muscatel is a distinct tea term used to describe the characteristics of Darjeeling teas. Muscatel can be described as a flavor that is a mix of woodsy, honey, stone-fruit, fresh grape, nectar, hay, and grassy notes all rolled into one.

First Flush Darjeelings are spring harvest teas from the Darjeeling region of India. These teas are produced during the early spring thaw when two leaves and a bud are plucked during the earliest spring growth of the plant, which, depending on the year's weather, can range from February all the way through April. These spring leaves are more young and tender, therefore, they produce tea that is delicate, floral, fresh, and astringent in flavor. To preserve the fresh spring flavor, First Flush Darjeeling teas are generally less oxidized during processing and appear more greenish in color. They are also more light-bodied than a typical black tea. These teas are meant to be enjoyed straight up without milk, honey, or sugar.

First Flush Darjeelings are some of the most prized and expensive teas on the world market. These teas are so special and exclusive that tea connoisseurs consider these first harvest Darjeelings to be the Champagne of teas. The limited production, labor-intensive production process, high-quality standards, and global demand all contribute to the price of Darjeeling tea. The unique taste, aroma, and quality of Darjeeling tea make it a prized possession for many tea lovers around the world.  

Named after Queen Victoria, the Victoria's Peak tea garden is an independent section within the renowned Steinthal Tea Estate. Victoria’s Peak is a boutique tea garden where only a small quantity of tea is produced and released to the export market every year. 

The Victoria’s Peak tea garden is part of the acclaimed Steinthal Tea Estate, which was founded approximately 170 years ago in 1852, by a German missionary. The Steinthal Estate, the oldest tea garden in Darjeeling, is located at the foot of the Himalayan Mountains at an altitude of 3,500 to 6,500 feet above sea level.  

Ingredients: organic Darjeeling First Flush (spring harvest) black tea from the Victoria's Peak Estate in India 

Steep Directions: steep 1 heaping teaspoon of tea per 8 oz boiling water, 195-205-212°F, for 2-4 minutes