Margaret’s Hope Darjeeling - Tea of the Month
Spread over seven mist-draped valleys, eighty-seven gardens cultivate one of the finest teas in the world. Darjeeling is 100% hand cultivated, traditionally orthodox manufacturing, which allows estate managers to focus on quality and not quantity.
Margaret’s Hope Darjeeling
At Porter Hill we are particularly fond of Margaret’s Hope Darjeeling. Once the Bara Ringtong estate, the name was changed in 1927 to commemorate the owner’s daughter who fell ill on her return voyage to England, never to return to her beloved garden. The story, although apocryphal, has captured the imagination of every drinker since, with the beauty of the estate and an eye on the future at the heart of Margaret's Hope operation.
Described as the champagne of tea, an alchemy of altitude, terroir and intuition results in a wine-like bouquet with a mirabelle aftertaste which brews into a golden cup unlike any other. Darjeeling tea has earned the Geographical Indication seal of approval, which protects all manner of foodstuffs and artisanal practices profoundly linked to a specific region; think Swiss watches, French cheese and, of course, Darjeeling tea.
What are Darjeeling Tea flushes?
Grown at a much higher altitude than other teas, Darjeeling tea has a much shorter growing period. After taking seven years to mature, the tea plants are picked at four intervals, or flushes, during the growing season. Although not fixed in time, due to ever changing weather patterns, the Darjeeling flushes are as follow:
First Flush: Feb - Apr
Second Flush: May - Jun
Monsoon Flush: Jul - Sept
Autumn Flush: Oct - Sept
It’s the second flush that’s much sought after. The February first flush is new old growth from the Autumn flush, resulting in an astringent tasting tea due the length of time the leaf has had to mature. May’s second flush is lighter, grassy and much more fruitful, owing to the fact it’s growing in optimum conditions. Like our Margaret’s Hope blend, a cup of second flush is a full bodied, amber glowing brew which builds on the first flush bitterness while accentuating it’s natural fruity notes.
Socio-political Darjeeling - a brief note
The border of the Himalayas has long been an active political seam. In the last ten years, exports from the region have halved due to changes in estate ownerships, climate and a striking workforce. The #bloodtea hashtag blew up at the end of last year, following protests from the political Hamro party regarding worker bonuses. Workers are paid on average Rs 230 (£2.30) for an 8 hour shift at the plantation, while a pot of Darjeeling is sold at Rs 500 (£5). Also, duty is not paid on the inferior Nepalese tea, contributing to the ongoing crisis for this particular premium tea.
Porter Hills’ Margaret Hope
Pale gold with coppery highlights, our Margaret’s Hope Darjeeling is a delicious afternoon tea with every sip approved by the Ethical Tea Partnership. For the perfect cup, we recommend the consistent Magic Loose Tea Infuser - 1 scoop to 8oz of boiling water. Brew for 3 mins and let your tastebuds transport you to the mist ladened land of Darjeeling.