First Flush Darjeeling 2026

What is Darjeeling tea?

There is an incredible variety of tea around the world. Asia is a stronghold of tea growing, and India in particular is known for its teas. This is also where the sought-after Darjeeling tea comes from. Darjeeling is a region in the Indian state of West Bengal, but the tea has become known all over the world.

India began growing tea commercially in the 19th century, when the British were having trouble buying tea from China. Around the same time, a surgeon named Dr Campbell began experimenting with planting tea seeds in his garden in Darjeeling. And so the seeds were sown for what is now known as India's most famous tea: Darjeeling tea.

First Flush: tea's answer to champagne

Darjeeling tea is picked four times a year, and First Flush is the first spring picking after the tea plants have rested over the winter. Picking runs from late February to mid-April and is followed by an intricate production process.

First Flush is known as tea's answer to champagne, and many tea lovers look forward to it every year. The special soil and the humid climate in Darjeeling give ideal conditions for this light, elegant yet complex tea.

First Flush Darjeeling teas are highly regarded by many tea connoisseurs and are seen as among the most interesting teas. The tea is best described as lighter and less fermented than most black teas, yet more complex than green teas.

Making Darjeeling tea

Making Darjeeling tea is a very complex process, as the usual method is not used. First, the leaves are picked very selectively, taking two leaves and a bud. It is so involved that 22,000 buds yield just one kilo of tea.

The leaves are then dried, rolled and sifted to separate out the finer leaves. To give Darjeeling tea its sought-after flavour, the leaves are fermented to develop the aroma. The final step in this complicated process is to dry the leaves further by carrying them on a conveyor belt through temperatures of 115-120 degrees for 20-30 minutes. When the leaves are ready, they are sorted by size and packed.

Buy First Flush Darjeeling tea at Nordic Tea

Would you like to get your hands on the popular and sought-after First Flush Darjeeling tea too? Then explore the range and find your favourite. If you are interested in more teas from India, take a look at our range of Indian teas.

When you buy First Flush Darjeeling tea at Nordic Tea, you also get free delivery on orders over 399 kr.