The Journal & Brewing Guide
How to brew Darjeeling tea, and the stories behind it
Master the perfect cup, learn the difference between the flushes, and wander the gardens with us.
The Perfect Cup
How to brew Darjeeling tea in four steps
1
Start With Fresh Water
Use fresh, filtered water heated to about 90–95°C — just off the boil, never fully boiling, which scalds the delicate leaf.
2
Measure The Leaf
One rounded teaspoon (2–3g) of loose leaf per cup. Give the large, fluffy leaves room to unfurl in a pot or wide infuser.
3
Time The Steep
First flush 2–3 min; second flush & black 3–4 min; green 2 min. Taste as you go — over-steeping turns the cup bitter.
4
Strain & Savour
Strain fully and enjoy without milk to let the muscatel and floral notes shine. Good leaves give a lighter second infusion.
Quick Reference
Steeping chart at a glance
| Tea | Temp | Steep | Milk |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Flush | 90°C | 2–3 min | No milk |
| Second Flush | 95°C | 3–4 min | No milk |
| Black | 95°C | 3–4 min | Optional |
| Green | 80°C | 2 min | No milk |
| White | 80°C | 4–5 min | No milk |
From The Journal
Latest stories & guides
Brewing
How to Brew Darjeeling Tea Like a Master
The exact water temperature, leaf ratio and steep time to coax the famous muscatel note from every flush.
Tea 101
First Flush vs Second Flush: What’s the Difference?
Spring brightness or summer muscatel? A side-by-side guide to Darjeeling’s two celebrated harvests.
Origins
A Morning in the Darjeeling Gardens
Dawn on the terraces at 6,000 feet, where every leaf is still plucked by hand between cloud and ridge.
Wellness
The Quiet Benefits of Organic Darjeeling Black Tea
Antioxidants, gentle energy and a mindful ritual — why a daily cup does more than taste good.
Storage
Keeping Loose Leaf Tea Fresh at Home
Airtight, dark and cool — simple habits that protect your Darjeeling’s aroma for months.
Recipes
Iced Darjeeling: A Summer Refresher
A cold-brew method that turns second flush into a crisp, fragrant iced tea with zero bitterness.
Ready to brew your own?
Put the guide to good use with estate-fresh Darjeeling, shipped to your door worldwide.