First Flush Kumaon Black Tea 2026 (NEW)

First Flush Kumaon Black Tea

Tasting Notes: Muscatel, tart berry, candied orange peel, floral spring blossoms. This tea reminds me of some Darjeeling black teas. 

Place: Kumaon, North Indian Himalayas

Tea Makers: Champawat Tea Makers

A vibrant, floral black tea from the foothills of the North Indian Himalayas, Kumaon First Flush is a celebration of new beginnings. Harvested from the very first leaves of spring, this award-winning tea offers a bright, lively cup with notes of tart wild berries and sweet candied orange peel. Its lighter oxidation creates a unique character that sits beautifully between a traditional black tea and a lightly roasted oolong—full-bodied, aromatic, and refreshingly crisp.

Crafted by the farmer-owned Kumaon Tea Factory in the village of Chura, this tea represents more than the season's first harvest. It reflects a community reclaiming ownership of its tea heritage and investing in a more sustainable future. The very first batch earned international recognition at the UK Tea Academy's global tea competition, a testament to the exceptional quality of Kumaon's spring harvest.

Every cup supports the tea-growing families behind it. Co-owners of the factory—90% of whom are women—receive fair harvest prices and share in the factory's long-term success. Through regenerative farming initiatives, composting programs, and farmland restoration projects, this tea helps nurture both the land and the communities that call Kumaon home.

Ingredients: Black Tea

Net Wt: 3 oz (85g) in elegant black tin 

Brewing Instructions

Western Style

Use 3g of tea per 8 oz (240 ml) of water. Steep at 200°F (88–93°C) for 2–3 minutes.

or

Steep 1 | 1 Tbsp / 2.5 g | 8 oz | 210°F | 3.5 min
Steep 2 | 8 oz | 210°F | 4 min

Gongfu Style

In a 100 ml gaiwan or small teapot, use 5g of tea. Brew with 200–205°F (93–96°C) water. Rinse briefly for 5 seconds, then steep as follows:

1st infusion: 10–15 seconds

2nd infusion: 20 seconds