Teesta Valley 1st Flush

We visited Teesta Valley on the eastern edge of the Darjeeling tea area years ago. However, the memories of the lovely estate are fresh. Waking before dawn to hike to the top of the estate for pictures was such a pleasure, and the descent to drink copious amounts of tea made the day memorable. Drinking this solid first flush brings back those fond memories. There, the steep hillside conditions and cool spring air produce some of the most distinctive first flush teas of the season.

This 2026 harvest is among the best we've tasted. The garden climbs from 1,950 to 4,200 feet, and that dramatic range of elevation shapes how the tea develops across the season. This particular harvest came around the beginning of the first flush season on March 11th, when the leaves were young and fresh, and it uses an old China-variety cultivar. In the cup, bright grapefruit lifts off the surface, giving way to mellow citrus and a quiet whisper of steamed greens, a hallmark of first flush character at its best. The body is light but lively, with a briskness that wakes you up without overwhelming. For those who love our other Darjeeling first flushes, Teesta Valley offers a slightly greener, more citrus-forward profile.