Darjeeling Organic FTGFOP1 Black Tea Blend 1st & 2nd Flush HappyValley

🍵 The Estate — FTGFOP1 grade organic leaf from Happy Valley, one of Darjeeling's most storied gardens, grown at 6,800 feet in the mist-covered heights of the Himalayas

🍵 The Colour — A bright, luminous amber infusion with a shining clarity in the cup, exactly what you hope to find in a well-sourced, high-grown Darjeeling

🍵 The Character — Classically aromatic with muscatel at its heart, a gentle peach note in the mid-palate, and a clean, lingering finish that rewards drinking without milk

🍵 The Occasion — An elegant loose leaf black tea for a considered afternoon cup; refined enough to sip slowly, and balanced enough to be genuinely satisfying every time

Organic Darjeeling loose leaf tea from the Happy Valley Estate is one of the finest expressions of what this celebrated Himalayan region can produce. This FTGFOP1 grade blend draws from both the first and second flush harvests — combining the brightness and floral lift of spring leaf with the deeper, more developed muscatel character of summer — to create a cup that is lively yet rounded, aromatic yet composed.

Happy Valley is among the most distinguished tea gardens in all of Darjeeling. Founded in 1854 and situated just outside the town itself, the estate rises to around 6,800 feet above sea level, where cool air, swirling mist, and well-drained Himalayan soil create conditions of extraordinary quality. Altitude is everything in Darjeeling, and few gardens sit as high as Happy Valley — a fact reflected directly in the clarity, fragrance, and finesse of the leaf it produces.

The estate's story is not without drama. In the early years of this century, Happy Valley faced serious difficulties: ageing equipment, neglected bushes, and labour unrest threatened to end production entirely. Under new ownership, however, the garden was carefully restored and has since returned to producing teas that stand comparison with the very finest in the region. This organic certification reflects a commitment to quality and environmental stewardship that runs through every stage of cultivation.

In the cup, the blend delivers the classic Darjeeling character that has earned the region its reputation. The muscatel note is present and genuine — not faint or generic, but the real, grapey, aromatic quality that experienced Darjeeling drinkers seek out. A soft peach fruitiness comes through in the mid-palate, and the finish is clean and elegant. The FTGFOP1 grading speaks to the fineness of the leaf and the brightness of the tips; you can see the quality before the water has even been added.

This is a tea that asks to be brewed carefully and enjoyed without milk, allowing the full aromatic complexity to come forward undisturbed.

Since 2008, High Teas London has been one of the country's leading independent tea specialists. With over 350 teas and infusions — one of the largest collections in the country — we have always believed that finding teas of genuine provenance and character is what this work is about. A certified organic Darjeeling of this grade, from an estate with Happy Valley's history, is exactly the kind of tea that defines what High Teas London exists to share.

Ingredients: Organic black tea (Darjeeling, India)

Brewing Note: Darjeeling rewards careful brewing more than almost any other black tea. Use water that has just gone off the boil — around 90 to 95°C is ideal, as fully boiling water can dull the more delicate floral and muscatel notes. Allow one heaped teaspoon per cup and steep for three to four minutes; tasting at three minutes and adjusting to your preference is a good habit with a tea this aromatic. Serve without milk to allow the natural brightness and peach character to come forward clearly. This tea can also be brewed cold — place the dry leaf in cold filtered water, leave in the fridge for six to eight hours, and pour over ice for a particularly elegant iced tea.