Darjeeling Puttabong “Moondrop” First Flush 2022

Overlooking the magnificent snow-capped peaks of Mount Kanchenjunga – the world’s third-highest mountain range – the Puttabong Tea Estate is located at an altitude of 450 to 2000 metres above sea level and spreads across 22 kilometres with the snow-fed Rangeet river marking its outer border. It is one of the biggest tea estates in Darjeeling, comprising five divisions that stretch from Darjeeling city to the Sikkim State border.

Puttabong, which literally means “House of Green Leaves”, holds a number of distinctions. It is one of Darjeeling’s oldest Tea Estates, planted by the pioneering British Tea Planter Dr. Campbell in 1852. Its coveted teas have also set world record prices over the decades, including a staggering SEK 1 276 / kg for its Antique Tea in 1992.

The varieties planted in this garden are the Darjeeling Clonal, Chinary Bush and Clonal Tea, especially developed to meet the agro-climatic conditions of the area. The garden produces an Orthodox black tea, gree in tone. The mountain breeze kissed by the great Kanchenjunga, the unique soil and the altitude combined with the great level of care and quality standards implemented by the estate owners to produce the finest Darjeeling tea, appreciated by discerning connoisseurs around the world. 

The Darjeeling First Flush is also known as Spring Tea, as tea from the period is light in appearance with a crisp flavour and produces a light-yellow liquor with delicate floral aromas. This particular batch (EX-14/22) is no exception as its tea brings about a smooth liquor, mellow on the pallet. A fuller cup with a stimulating quality and balanced astringency.

The liquor is a soft mellow clean smoother cup with fruity notes. The dry leaf is a long and stylish leaf with silver silky fancy tips, while the infusion is a green bright mellow cup with a sweet flavour, evocative of a stunning mountain view.

Puttabong Tea Estate is both Fair Trade and EU-Organic certified which means that they have fulfilled strict conditions in how their teas must be produced, processed, transported and fulfilling fairer and safer working conditions for workers. This means high quality, ethically produced products.

For more curious reading about Darjeeling First Flush click here.