As the snow retreats and spring awakens the slopes of Darjeeling, the tea bushes begin
their most delicate task — producing the year’s First Flush. This is not just a harvest; it is a
celebration of freshness, finesse, and the quiet resilience of the Himalayas. Our journey
through four legendary estates—Jungpana, Goomtee, Castleton, and Margaret’s
Hope—was timed to experience the early season magic, and to find teas that truly represent the soul of Darjeeling.
The First Flush Window: A Race Against Time
From late March to early May, Darjeeling’s tea gardens begin their first harvest, and the
season lasts barely 45 days. At lower elevations, sprouting begins in March, while higher
gardens awaken in April. Everyone from global buyers to boutique retailers is on the trail of the elusive DJ1 — the first invoice of the season — while we prefer to wait just a little longer. In our experience, the true character of First Flush emerges between DJ10 to DJ15,
once the bushes settle into their rhythm and the quality stabilizes.
We focus on tasting teas from the first 1000 kilograms produced at the estate. Our sweet spot lies between 500–1500 kg, where the balance of freshness, aroma, and complexity begins to sing. Every selection is made with years of experience, intuition, and deep respect for the craft of tea making.
Chinary Over Clonal: A Purist’s Choice
We exclusively source pure chinary varietals — the original China jat — which yield lighter
liquors with floral aromas and long-lingering flavours. While clones can be productive, we
find that chinary bushes produce the most authentic Darjeeling profile, where subtleties
unfold slowly, and the tea resonates long after the cup is empty.
Jungpana Tea Estate — A Legacy Reimagined
Established in 1899, Jungpana remains one of Darjeeling’s most enchanting gardens.
Tucked on a south-facing slope, the estate spans altitudes from 3,300 to 4,900 feet. Known
for its inaccessibility — including a legendary 350-step trek to its factory — Jungpana has
always attracted those who seek true craftsmanship.
Since 2022, the estate has been under the ownership of the Mayfair Hotels & Resorts
Group, who have brought new life and vision to this iconic property. Under the guidance of Garden Manager Ravindra Chowdhury, we tasted teas from the first and second week of
April. The teas were lightly liquoring, pale yellow, and exquisitely delicate — capturing all the hallmark grace of First Flush Darjeeling.
Goomtee Tea Estate — Rebuilding with Grace
Just across the valley from Jungpana lies Goomtee, established in 1899 and covering 270
acres, rising from 3,000 to 6,000 feet. Now under the stewardship of the Kanoria family
since August 2021, Goomtee has continued its tradition of exceptional quality.
Tragedy struck in March 2023, when the estate’s historic British-era bungalow was lost to
fire — a moment of deep sorrow for everyone connected to Goomtee. Yet resilience prevails.
Under the calm leadership of Manager Jawahar Chowdhury, the estate has turned grief
into purpose. The teas we selected from April's first fortnight were light, intricately flavoured, and lifted with floral brightness — a quiet triumph in the face of adversity.
Castleton Tea Estate — Precision, Power, and Prestige
Castleton, founded in 1885, is the crown jewel of the Goodricke Group and a perennial
leader in the Darjeeling quality belt. Located in the Kurseong valley, its elevation ranges from 3,220 to 7,550 feet, and its proximity to the winding Pankhabari Road makes it as easy to find as it is hard to forget.
While Castleton is famed for its second flush muscatels, its First Flush teas are no less
extraordinary. Under the capable stewardship of Manager Vivek Pandey, we tasted teas
from the second week of April — beautifully structured, yellow in liquor, and bursting with
complex aromas of spring blossoms and citrus. These were teas that reminded us of why
Castleton remains among the most sought-after names in Darjeeling.
Margaret’s Hope Tea Estate — Romance in Every Leaf
Established in 1864, Margaret’s Hope is another historic gem in the Goodricke portfolio,
covering a vast 1,450 acres in the northern Kurseong valley. The estate is steeped in legend
— named in memory of a young girl who adored the garden but tragically never returned.
Despite its remote setting and challenging access, Margaret’s Hope delivers some of the
most graceful and aromatic teas of the region. Guided by Manager Prasant Allay, we
sampled batches produced in the second week of April. The teas were elegant, light yellow
in cup, with an aroma that felt like a soft spring breeze — subtle, nostalgic, and deeply
moving.
Final Thoughts: Darjeeling in the Heart, and in the Cup
As we left the hills behind and returned to London, we carried with us more than just tea
samples — we carried stories of resilience, passion, and artistry. From the workers plucking
leaf on precarious slopes to the managers overseeing each nuanced batch, and the estate
owners preserving this rare tradition — Darjeeling is more than a place. It is a feeling, a
commitment, and a living heritage.
Each First Flush tea we selected tells a story — of climate, soil, variety, and human touch. In
a world of industrial agriculture, Darjeeling stands apart: handcrafted, high-elevation, and
truly one of a kind.