A gorgeously floral, premium second‑flush Darjeeling offering a rich amber‑gold liquor. Each sip reveals pronounced muscatel fruitiness layered over creamy mineral notes and gentle malt, finishing with a rounded, dry‑champagne elegance. Sustainably grown on the historic Steinthal Estate, it invites tea lovers to experience classic high grown Darjeeling elegance.
Steeped in hillside heritage, Steinthal Estate—founded in 1852 at the foot of the Himalayas—harvests this second‑flush Darjeeling from 1,200–1,700 m elevations. Our SFTGFOP1 full‑leaf grade features whole twisted Camellia sinensis leaves that unfurl into an amber‑gold infusion, delivering a fuller‑bodied creaminess and bolder muscatel aroma. Naturally sweet with light malt notes and antioxidant benefits, it’s perfectly balanced—no milk or sweetener needed. Ideal for afternoon indulgence, this vintage‑rich brew showcases the full maturity of Darjeeling’s spring and early‑summer harvest.
SFTGFOP1 Explained: “Special Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe, Grade 1” indicates hand‑picked, top‑quality buds and leaves with abundant silvery tips.
Brewing
Pre-heat a cup or teapot. Use 1 tsp per cup or 1 rounded tsp per person for a teapot. Pour freshly boiled water over the leaves and infuse for 3-5 minutes. Add milk or sweetener as desired.
Ingredients
black tea
t leaf T’s Commitment to Sustainable Packaging
At t leaf T, we're committed to reducing our environmental impact.
Why Do We Use Stand-Up Pouches?
Our stand-up pouches are made from soft plastic with a thin foil lining. This lining acts as a crucial barrier against light, moisture, and air, ensuring our teas stay fresh and flavorful throughout their shelf life.
In addition to protecting our teas, this type of flexible packaging is more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional rigid packaging. Here’s why:
- Space-saving: Stand-up pouches ship, store, and dispose of flat, reducing the materials needed to produce them.
- Lower carbon footprint: They require less CO2 to manufacture and transport.
- Efficient design: We print directly on the pouches, eliminating the need for extra labels and further reducing waste.
Why We Don't Use Compostable Packaging
We understand the desire for fully compostable packaging, and we’d love to offer it. However, after extensive testing, we’ve identified two key challenges that prevent us from switching:
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Limited disposal options: Compostable packaging isn't accepted in council kerbside collections and isn't recyclable, meaning it usually ends up in landfill.
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Compromised tea quality: Biodegradable and compostable pouches degrade over time, even in storage. Teas need robust protection from light, moisture, aromas, and oxygen to maintain their freshness and flavour. During our tests, we found that compostable packaging allowed cross-contamination of aromas, especially in blends like Chai and English Breakfast. The result? A noticeable reduction in quality, which is unacceptable for our premium teas.
Given these issues, we’ve made the decision to stick with stand up pouches that ensures the highest quality and food safety for our teas.
Looking Forward to a Greener Future
At t leaf T, we're always on the lookout for better, more sustainable packaging options that don’t compromise on quality. Rest assured, we're committed to finding a solution that meets both our environmental goals and your tea standards.