The Margaret’s Hope Tea Estate. Darjeeling to die for!
Margaret’s Hope is a tea estate located in the heart of Darjeeling, India. Known for its high-quality tea, this estate has a rich history dating back to the 19th century.
In the 1930s, Margaret's Hope tea estate was owned by a man named Mr. Bagdon, who lived in London but visited the garden frequently. He had two daughters, with the younger one being named Margaret. She fell in love with the garden during her visits, and had hoped to return one day. Unfortunately, she became ill during the voyage back to England and passed away soon after. In her memory, her father decided to rename the garden to Margaret's Hope. It is said that Margaret's spirit still visits the estate bungalow, entering through the main guestroom and leaving through the verandah to the tennis courts.
Click here to buy delicious Margaret’s Hope Darjeeling
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Click here to buy delicious Margaret’s Hope Darjeeling 〰️
The tea bushes at Margaret's Hope are mostly of the Chinese Jat genus, which gives the tea its green, tippy appearance and strong fragrance. The garden is located at high altitudes and has a cool climate, which results in slow-growing bushes and limited production. The best time to enjoy the tea's quality is during the second flush, which falls between the end of May and end of June. This time is when Darjeelings are considered incomparable to any other tea, with a complex bouquet of nutty, black currant and muscat grape-like flavour.
There are three main seasons for producing good quality Darjeelings: 1st flush - harvested in springtime from late February to mid-April, this tea is light in color with intense muscatel flavour, ideal for a gentle afternoon tea. 2nd flush - harvested in June, this tea is more fully developed with a bright liquor and full, round muscatel flavour, perfect for an afternoon tea with scones and raspberry conserve. Autumnal - not always available depending on the weather, these teas are typified by a round taste and coppery liquor, great as a breakfast tea.
The estate is committed to sustainable and ethical farming practices. They have implemented a number of environmental and social initiatives to protect the workers and the environment. The estate has implemented solar power, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly tea manufacturing practices to reduce the carbon footprint of the tea garden.
Margaret's Hope tea estate is a true gem in the Darjeeling tea industry. The estate's rich history, unique location and commitment to sustainable practices has led to the production of some of the finest teas in the region. With a wide range of teas to choose from, from the delicate first flush to the robust second flush, Margaret's Hope is a must-visit for any tea lover.