Spring breeze from Darjeeling – this year’s early Darjeeling First Flush 2026

From the peaks of the Himalayan foothills of Darjeeling, India, the first signs of spring are finally reaching us.

Darjeeling Now

Dry cold does not suit the tea shrubs

The past winter was relatively cold and dry, which is not good for the delicate tea bushes. In the past, regular winter rains brought moisture to the soil and the resting tea plants. In recent years, however, the situation has changed dramatically. Winters tend to be dry, often without a single drop of rain. The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent – not only in Darjeeling, but in tea gardens around the world.
This means that the gardens require even more care during winter maintenance. Pruning the bushes, fertilizing the soil, improving drainage, and carefully inspecting every part of the plantation – all this is done to ensure that the tea plants are healthy and ready for the new season.

Situation now

This year, spring is coming a little later, and with it the expected start of the first harvests. Temperatures are slowly rising and the first fresh shoots are appearing on the bushes. In some gardens, pickers have already gone out into the fields and brought in the first small harvests – a kilogram here, a little more there. It is too early to talk about a full-fledged start to the season, but the first signs are here.
News is coming in from the Balasun Tea Estate and Sourenee Tea Estate (photo). And most importantly, harvesting has also begun at our favorite spring destination, the Rohini Tea Estate.

Rohini Early First Flush 2026

We have managed to secure the first micro-lot EX-1/26, which is already in stock. We can look forward to the traditionally very delicate First Flush with notes of spring flowers, citrus, resin, and vanilla. As in recent years, the tea will come from B-157 (Bannockburn 157) cultivar bushes grown in the lowest parts of the garden at an altitude of 350–600 meters.

Spring in a cup is coming. 🌿