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Darjeeling Black Tea

Wikipedia: Darjeeling_tea | Teaviews: darjeeling-tea 
Last Updated: Mar. 12, 2014 

About Darjeeling Black Tea

Golden-yellow tea in white teacup on dark wooden backgroundDarjeeling black tea, especially first flush tea like pictured here, can be much lighter in color and overall character than other black teas. Photo © Yoppy (Flickr), CC BY 2.0.
Darjeeling black tea, usually just called Darjeeling is one of the most well-known and highly-regarded varieties of black tea, produced in the Darjeeling district of India, located in the northeast of India on the border with Nepal. Darjeeling black tea is often categorized by flush, the time of year at which the tea leaves are harvested. Darjeeling tea is produced by different tea gardens, and the higher-quality teas from this region are often sold as single-estate teas, marked as originating from a particular estate.

Darjeeling tends to be lighter than other black teas, although teas from this region are diverse. For this reason, Darjeeling is often a favorite for afternoon tea, either on its own, or as an ingredient in lighter afternoon blends, in British tea culture. Some Darjeelings have an aroma that resembles muscatel grapes, a variety of grape sometimes used for wine. These Darjeelings share this quality with some bai hao oolong, a Chinese oolong tea that also often resembles muscatel grapes.

Loose-leaf tea with irregular, crinkly leaves, colors ranging from pale green through orange and olive to dark brown or blackThis Darjeeling, produced by Makaibari estate, shows a mix of ranges of oxidation, reflected in the leaf color ranging from silvery and pale green (low oxidation), through reddish and olive (mid oxidation), to dark brown and black (higher oxidation).
Unlike most black teas, Darjeeling teas often have a substantial portion of greener (less oxidized) leaves mixed in, which gives the dry leaves a diversity of colors. In some cases, such as with some high-grown first flush Darjeelings, the leaf is entirely green in color. Brewed Darjeeling tea has a wide range of color; many Darjeelings are an amber color, lighter in hue than most other black teas. Some Darjeelings, especially the highly-desired first flush teas, are less oxidized and are more like oolongs than black teas, although these teas are distinct from proper Darjeeling oolongs.

Teas similar to Darjeeling:

Other regions of India, such as Sikkim, and nearby regions outside of India, such as Nepal, produce teas in a similar style to Darjeeling tea. Teas from these regions are not referred to as Darjeeling, but are often categorized by the same system of flushes. These areas together form the Himalayan region of tea production.

Recent Darjeeling Reviews — RSS rss icon

69 / 100
Picture of Darjeeling (Teabags)

The photo is from Whittard's website where (as of this writing) 50 round, stringless bags sell for USD $9.50, not too bad for what I presume to be a decent-quality Darjeeling. [They also sell loose-leaf Darjeeling.] Mine came from a 5-bag sampler pack, each bag being of the fold-over type stapled to a string and tag....

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60 / 100

This is a light and easy Darjeeling which tastes fine, but is a little lacking in body and flavor. It blends well with milk or lemon. The lightly sweet, earthy aroma of the tea leaves is its best point. Despite the impressive name, this is a pretty ordinary tea, and sells for an average price.

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75 / 100
Picture of Singbulli Estate Second Flush (2020 EX-38) Organic Darjeeling SFTGFOP1 (TD148)

Part of Upton's Great Tea Race Collection, this Darjeeling crosses the finish line with a fine aroma and impressive flavor. There are notes of caramel, fresh leaves, and mild tannins. It is very expensive however - it costs 3 times the price of an ordinary Darjeeling, but does not offer 3 times the quality imo. Nice...

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80 / 100
Picture of Darjeeling FTGFOP1 Mirik Valley First Flush Organic (No. 226)

Half-litre pot at home, made from a sample included in the tea company's Advent Tea Calendar (2020) and consisting of fine Darjeeling leaves in all shades of green and some brown ones, too. Pours clear lightish amber (against white china) with no sediment. Clear aroma of Darjeeling tea leaves, leafy and a little malty....

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85 / 100
Picture of Darjeeling No. 9 TGFOP1 Himalaya First Flush (No. 215)

Half-litre cup at home, made from fine small green, brown and yellow leaves. Pours clear peach yellow (against white china) with no sediment. Very mild aroma of fresh leaves, much faintier than the loose leaves themselves emit. Mild, leafy but fresh and pure flavour of black tea, with floral touches. A delicate palate,...

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Most-Rated Darjeeling

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Darjeeling

Brand:Twinings
Style:Darjeeling Black Tea
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Teabag
36
10 Ratings
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Darjeeling Black Tea

Brand:Bigelow Tea
Style:Darjeeling Black Tea
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Teabag
36
6 Ratings
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Darjeeling

Brand:Two Leaves and a Bud
Style:Darjeeling Black Tea
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Sachet
50
5 Ratings
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Darjeeling (Sachets)

Brand:Hampstead Tea
Style:Darjeeling Black Tea
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Teabag
83
5 Ratings
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Darjeeling (teabag)

Brand:Ahmad Tea
Style:Darjeeling Black Tea
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Teabag
37
4 Ratings

Top-Rated Darjeeling

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Darjeeling de Triomphe Black Tea

Brand:Teavana
Style:Darjeeling First Flush
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
90
3 Ratings
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Darjeeling (Loose)

Brand:Ahmad Tea
Style:Darjeeling Black Tea
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
88
4 Ratings
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Darjeeling (Sachets)

Brand:Hampstead Tea
Style:Darjeeling Black Tea
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Teabag
83
5 Ratings
Picture of Makaibari Estate Darjeeling 2nd Flush Black Tea

Makaibari Estate Darjeeling 2nd Flush Black Tea

Brand:Arbor Teas
Style:Darjeeling Second Flush
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
81
3 Ratings
Picture of Singbulli, Darjeeling Black Tea, First Flush 2014

Singbulli, Darjeeling Black Tea, First Flush 2014

Brand:Happy Earth Tea
Style:Darjeeling First Flush
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
81
3 Ratings

Varieties, Kinds, or Types of Darjeeling Black Tea

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