Darjeeling Loose Leaf Tea, First Flush | GI Tagged Spring Harvest
About This Tea
First Flush is the earliest Darjeeling loose leaf tea of the year, plucked between late February and April from estates sitting between 600 and 2,000 metres in West Bengal. These are the youngest leaves of the annual harvest, and they give a bright light golden liquor with a floral, faintly muscatel aroma and a clean mildly astringent finish.
Darjeeling First Flush holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Government of India, one of the few teas in the world with that distinction. This means our First Flush is authentically sourced from real Darjeeling estates, not blended with inferior teas from other regions. We buy from estate partners and seal the leaf in resealable pouches as soon as it reaches Kolkata, because first flush loses its aromatics faster than any other tea we sell.
First Flush is best enjoyed without milk, a classic black tea brewed light, that lets the floral notes and the natural terroir of the Himalayas speak for themselves. With a higher caffeine content than most teas, it makes an ideal morning cup that is both energising and refined.
How to Brew: Use 1 tsp (2.5g) per 200ml water at 85 to 90°C. Steep for 2.5 to 3 minutes. Do not overbrew, it will turn bitter. Best served black, without milk or sugar.
Sourcing and packing
Origin: GI tagged Darjeeling estates, West Bengal, 600 to 2,000 metres. Spring plucking.
Grade: Whole leaf, first flush.
Packed: Bangur Avenue, Kolkata, in food grade resealable pouches. Available in 250g, 500g and 1kg pouches.
Licensing: FSSAI licensed.
Selected and cupped by Archit Shah, Managing Director, Unik Tea Centre Pvt Ltd. Our family has sold loose leaf tea in Kolkata since 1988.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is First Flush Darjeeling?
- First Flush refers to the very first harvest of the Darjeeling tea season (March, April). The young leaves produce a delicate, floral, and mildly astringent tea prized by connoisseurs worldwide.
- Should I add milk to First Flush Darjeeling?
- No. First Flush is best enjoyed black. Milk masks its delicate floral and muscatel notes. Drink it plain, with or without a small amount of honey.
- What is the GI tag?
- The Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a government certification that guarantees the tea is authentically from Darjeeling's designated growing region. It is equivalent to Champagne's AOC designation.
- How does First Flush differ from Second Flush?
- First Flush (spring) is lighter, more floral, and delicate. Second Flush (summer) is darker, richer, with a characteristic muscatel wine-like depth.
- What temperature should I use?
- Brew at 85 to 90°C, never boiling. Boiling water destroys the delicate compounds responsible for the floral aroma and creates bitterness.
Compare Darjeeling harvests
Read our first flush vs second flush Darjeeling guide, or browse the Darjeeling tea collection to compare both harvests.
Darjeeling — The Champagne of Teas
Darjeeling's high-altitude climate creates the legendary muscatel character — a natural grape-like sweetness unique in the world.
The earliest harvest of the year. Light, floral, and delicate — prized by tea connoisseurs globally.
Richer and more complex. The summer harvest produces the famous amber liquor with deep muscatel notes.
Darjeeling tea holds a Geographical Indication tag — only tea from this specific region may carry this name.
How to Brew Darjeeling Loose Leaf Tea, First Flush
What You'll Taste
Why This Tea is Good for You
Antioxidant Rich
Darjeeling's unique processing retains high levels of theaflavins and thearubigins, powerful compounds that protect cells from damage.
Stress Relief
The combination of L-Theanine with moderate caffeine provides sustained calm energy — reducing stress without causing drowsiness.
Oral Health
Natural fluoride and polyphenols in black tea inhibit bacterial growth, supporting healthy teeth and gums.
Gut Health
Tannins in Darjeeling tea act as prebiotic compounds, supporting healthy gut bacteria and improving digestive comfort.
From Garden to Your Cup
Our team personally visits and selects only the finest gardens across Assam & Darjeeling each season.
Decades of expertise at our Kolkata facility. Every blend is tested for aroma, colour, and strength.
We process in limited quantities to preserve freshness. What you receive is never more than weeks old.
Every pouch is sealed airtight immediately after packaging, preserving natural oils, aroma and taste.
Free shipping across India above ₹199. Your tea arrives within 3–7 business days, freshness guaranteed.
What Our Customers Say
"This has become my evening ritual. The warmth and aroma after a long day is unmatched. 10/10 recommend."
"Bought the trial pack first, then came back for the full size. My colleagues at work are now fans too!"
"Smooth brew, no bitterness even if you steep a bit longer. Perfect with milk and sugar."
