Sprawling across the renowned Darjeeling district of West Bengal is an emerald blanket of verdant bushes, the leaves of which are considered to make some of the finest tea in the world. This haven of colour is Margaret's Hope Tea Estate, commonly known as the source of the “Champagne of Teas”.
The Legend Of Margaret’s Hope
First established during the mid-19th Century, Margaret’s Hope Estate was named after the estate owner's daughter, who’d visited the area and fell in love with its stunning natural vistas. To this day, the estate continues to maintain that same beauty and rich wildlife that she'd adored, while looking after the nourishing soil and plants which continue to produce the world’s finest Darjeeling tea.
The Margaret's Hope Estate boasts a diverse range of teas, but it is the first flush Darjeeling that truly captures the essence of this esteemed location.
What is First Flush Tea?
The first flush relates to the first harvest of the year. During winter seasons, the tea plant goes dormant, absorbing nutrients ready for a vibrant awakening in spring. When the growing season finally arrives, the tea draws on the stored nutrients to produce young, fresh leaves, packed with exceptionally bright and clear flavours, ready for harvesting. This harvest, the first of the year, is known as the first flush and results in a distinctive flavour profile that is highly prized by tea connoisseurs for the purest, clearest flavours a tea plant can produce.
However, the first flush is not produced for very long, making each harvest a rarity. This, along with unique flavours and high demand means every brewed cup is something truly special to be savoured.
The Flavour
One of the distinctive features of this specific Darjeeling tea is its muscatel flavour notes. The exact muscatel character is rare to find in most teas and unique to each year's harvest, making this tea highly prized and sought after for tea explorers looking for a special sip.
It's this flavour that imparts a complex, grape-like tone into the cup, often manifesting as a subtle fruity sweetness with hints of floral undertones but can be described as anything from sweet melon to spiced raisins, to an earthy honey or caramel.
How to brew?
For such a rare and unique tea, it may come as a surprise that no special equipment is required to brew it beyond a simple tea infuser.
This tea is best brewed in freshly boiled water for 3-5 minutes and enjoyed without milk to bring out the exceptionally unique flavours. Simply brew, pour into a cup of your choice, and enjoy sipping one of the finest teas in the world.
Shop Margaret's Hope Tea here:
Margaret's Hope 2024 First Flush Darjeeling Single Estate Loose Leaf Tea
