Darjeeling, Glenburn Estate, First Flush (2025)

A first flush Darjeeling from the renowned Glenburn Estate in India’s Himalayan foothills. Bright and brisk, with layered floral notes and a natural sweetness, this tea captures the subtle elegance that has earned Darjeeling the title “Champagne of Teas.”

£30.70 GBP

Sale Sold out

Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Weight 250g 75g

Delivery & returns

As standard we offer a signed for delivery with Royal Mail. This means that you need to be in when the order is delivered - and as such it can be easier to list a daytime address such as work as the Shipping Address.
The signed for option that we prefer for our deliveries, allow us to track the consignment should we want to know its whereabouts.

View full details

Full Description

Every year, tea enthusiasts eagerly await the first flush of Darjeeling, the earliest harvest of the season. Sourced from Glenburn Estate, one of the region’s most respected gardens, this first flush delivers a bright, brisk liquor with delicate floral layers and a subtle natural sweetness.

This tea exemplifies the refinement and complexity that defines Darjeeling. Each cup offers clarity and balance, with a clean but lingering finish that highlights the finesse of the leaves. Unlike more heavily oxidised later-season teas, this first flush maintains a green character, preserving the nuanced flavour developed over the winter months.

Ideal for those who appreciate subtlety and structure. This Darjeeling is a true classic, representing the artistry and precision of high-altitude Indian tea cultivation.

Origin

Glenburn Estate is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, in the lower Himalayan foothills. The estate sits at elevations ranging from 600 to 2000 metres, where cool temperatures, high humidity, and misty slopes provide ideal conditions for slow, careful growth.

Darjeeling’s location as the most westerly traditional tea-growing area in Asia allows for the earliest seasonal harvests, giving first flush teas their characteristic brightness and delicacy. Glenburn Estate has been a long-term partner of Waterloo Tea due to its meticulous approach to cultivation, emphasizing consistency, plucking quality, and sustainable practices.

Processing

First flush Darjeeling is harvested when the new spring shoots emerge, capturing the subtle aromas and flavours that develop over the winter. The plucked leaves are carefully withered, rolled, and lightly oxidised to preserve their delicate character and green-hued profile.

By controlling oxidation and handling the leaves with precision, the estate ensures that the tea retains a clean, bright liquor, layered floral notes, and a naturally sweet finish. Later-season Darjeelings, such as the 2nd flush or monsoon harvests, undergo more extensive oxidation and faster growth, producing heavier, less nuanced teas suited to everyday blends.

Brewing guidelines

1g per 100ml, 85ºC, 4 minutes.

Item added to your cart

Darjeeling, Glenburn Estate, First Flush (2025)