Darjeeling – Black tea, 10 bags

Darjeeling from A.C. Perch's Thehandel, light and floral

The Darjeeling from A.C. Perch's Thehandel is an organic black tea from the Himalayas, light golden in the cup and floral in aroma. Ten pyramid bags are included in the small package, which is intended primarily as a gift for tea lovers.

Darjeeling is an organic black tea from the Copenhagen tea house A.C. Perch's Thehandel, grown on terraced slopes in northern India. First Flush is the name given to the first harvest after winter, and this tea owes its delicate floral aroma and light body to it.

Floral scent, hay, and a bright fruitiness

Once steeped, it smells of spring blossoms and fresh hay, with an underlying hint of bright fruit reminiscent of ripe apricot. On the palate, the tea remains light and clear, entirely lacking the astringency of stronger varieties.

The finish retains the floral notes for a moment without becoming overpowering. If you steep the leaves briefly, you get the lighter side; an extra minute of steeping noticeably brings out more strength. The high altitude defines this character, as the plant grows slowly in the cool climate and forms small, densely packed buds that release plenty of fragrance and little tannin when infused.

A black tea as a small gift

Freshly boiled water, five minutes of steeping—this tea needs nothing more. Drunk neat, its interplay of floral notes is more apparent, whereas a splash of milk would likely mask its delicate tone.

In the morning, it opens the day gently, and in the afternoon, it pairs well with a pastry that brings its own sweetness. The ten pyramid bags are made of cornstarch and provide the leaves with enough room to expand in the hot water.

Store the package in a dark, dry place and away from coffee or spices, as tea absorbs external odors faster than one would like.

For a gift, this small quantity is perfect, as ten infusions are enough to become familiar with a variety. If you prefer something stronger in the morning, reach for the malty Organic Breakfast, and for daily brewing, the same tea is available in a pack of 25 bags.

Why Darjeeling is a protected name

The name belongs to a district in West Bengal whose gardens lie on steep slopes between the clouds and mountain forests. Since 2011, Darjeeling has been registered in the European Union as a protected geographical indication, and only leaves from this region may bear the name. A.C. Perch's Thehandel sources its tea for this blend directly from the origin.

This protects a specific quality that cannot be replicated elsewhere, as altitude, climate, and harvest timing must all work in harmony. The gardens harvest three times a year, and each picking tastes different: floral in spring, rounder in summer, and darker in autumn. In this sequence, the First Flush stands at the forefront because it offers the least substance and the most fragrance.

At A.C. Perch's Thehandel, it sits on the shelf as the lightest of the Indian teas, intended for hours when strength is not what is required. You can find the entire assortment from the house in the A.C. Perch's Thehandel collection, and further varieties are on the shelf with loose tea and bags.

Organic inspection body DK-ÖKO-100 – EU/Non-EU Agriculture