Darjeeling 1. Flush Margaret’s Hope FTGFOP1 Ch, DJ 06/26

Description

Darjeeling 1. Flush Margaret’s Hope FTGFOP1 Ch, DJ 06/26

Among the great historic gardens of Darjeeling, Margaret’s Hope Tea Estate holds a particularly revered place. Nestled high in the cool Himalayan foothills, the estate has long been celebrated for producing some of the region’s most classical and refined First Flush teas. Its combination of high elevation, cool mountain air and traditional tea cultivars creates teas of remarkable elegance and authenticity.

This Margaret’s Hope First Flush was plucked on the 26th and 27th of March, carefully processed and  then packed on the 28th. The leaves were harvested at approximately 5,500 feet — around 1,676 metres above sea level — where the cool conditions and slow growth experienced this season allowed the plants to develop exceptional aromatic complexity and natural sweetness.

Produced exclusively from pure China bush tea plants, this particular Margaret’s Hope First Flush represents a more traditional style of Darjeeling compared to modern clonal cultivars such as AV2 and P312. Teas made from China bush plants are especially prized for their clarity, finesse and lively structure. The naturally smaller leaves and slower growth produce teas with a distinctly crisp, refined character and subtle mineral elegance.

The dry leaf of this Margaret’s Hope First Flush is beautifully fine and wiry, displaying shades of olive green, soft brown and silvery tips throughout. Once infused, the aroma is intensely fresh and uplifting, with notes of spring blossoms, green orchard fruits and cool mountain air.

In the cup, the tea reveals a pure, crisp China-bush character with remarkable brightness and precision. Delicate floral notes are balanced by a gentle sweetness that developed through the slow growth and cold weather of this year’s harvest. The finish is clean, vibrant and lingering, with the light briskness and refined astringency that define the finest authentic Darjeeling First Flush teas.

Compared with the richer, creamier and more overtly floral of the 2026 Jungpana Diamond First Flush, Margaret’s Hope offers a more classical and transparent expression of Darjeeling terroir — elegant, lively and deeply sophisticated.

Typical of Darjeeling first flush teas made from pure China bush plants, the taste of this Margaret’s Hope First Flush lingers on long after the last sip has been taken. Infused for just three minutes the liquor is clear and bright and the infusion mellow with very slight astringency. Left to brew for five minutes the liquor turns to a deep golden brown and a complex array of flavours including honey and stone fruits come to the fore.