Sample listingFamily Workshop
First Flush orthodox, 250g tin₹950
Golden Tips second flush, 250g₹780
CTC loose leaf, 500g₹320
Darjeeling, West Bengal
Darjeeling Tea (GI-tagged)
GI Tagged
Food
Confidence: high
Darjeeling tea is the iconic flush-grown black tea plucked from tea estates on the Himalayan foothills at 600-2,000 m, prized worldwide for its floral aroma and 'muscatel' flavour, earning it the nickname 'Champagne of Teas'. It was the first product in India to receive a GI tag (2004-05), and only teas grown and processed in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong regions may carry the mark. The GI seal, grade (e.g. FTGFOP1) and season (first flush, second flush) are what buyers pay for, with first-flush leaves fetching the highest prices. A buyer gets tins of estate-grade loose leaf or tea bags, often from famous Darjeeling tea houses on Mall Road or estate shops.
Typical price: ₹250-3000
Buying tip: Look for the GI logo and Tea Board seal on the packet, and buy from established Darjeeling tea shops (such as Nathmulls or Golden Tips on Mall Road) or estate shops rather than unbranded loose leaf. First-flush and second-flush tins cost more but taste distinctly different from mass-market blends.
Image: Whiteness · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Where it comes from
Sub-regions
Darjeeling SadarKurseongMirikGhumHappy Valley
Grounding
Sources
- https://darjeelingdays.com/best-places-for-shopping-in-darjeeling/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_geographical_indications_in_India
- https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/from-darjeeling-tea-to-bikaneri-bhujia-guide-to-gi-tagged-foods-across-india-2273970
- https://www.outlooktraveller.com/experiences/shopping/5-souvenirs-to-buy-in-darjeeling-and-where-to-find-them
3 shops
Sellers
View shop →
Sample listingRetailer
House blend Darjeeling, 200g₹250
Masala chai blend, 250g₹290
Gift tin, 3-variety set₹850
Sample listingCooperative
Smallholder first flush, 100g₹650
Peony flush, 100g₹480
Assam-Darjeeling blend, 500g₹300