Kanchanjangha Noir

This organic, loose leaf tea is perfect for everyday tea drinkers, especially those who love a classic English Breakfast or Earl Grey. If you are a fan of teas from Assam or Darjeeling, Kanchanjangha Noir shares many similarities, while maintaining its distinctive flavor profile.

A major distinction of Nepali teas from Darjeeling black teas is the age of the tea bushes. Nepali tea bushes are relatively young at around 50 years old, while Darjeeling tea bushes are almost 200 years old. The younger Nepali tea bushes impart a fresher, more floral undertone on their teas.

Grower: Deepak Prakash Baskota – Kanchanjangha Tea Estate (KTE)

KTE is the first organic certified tea garden in Nepal, located in the village of Ranitar in the remote hilly region of the Panchthar district in eastern Nepal, which borders the famous tea growing area of Darjeeling, India. It lies in the foothills of Mt. Kanchanjangha and this unique natural environment gives these teas their distinctive aromas and taste. KTE was founded in 1984 by Deepak Prakash Baskota and a few local farmers as a cooperative. Eventually, more than 100 farmers would pool their marginal land holdings and became owners of the first orthodox tea plantation in Nepal covering nearly 95 hectares of land. The land, which was barely enough to sustain the farmers and their families, now produces high quality, organic, orthodox tea. KTE was established to improve the living standard of the farmers in these remote villages, by increasing income without exploiting or disturbing the environment. Additionally, KTE encourages and helps farmers grow tea, spices and herbs organically in their uncultivated lands. This protects the land from erosion, soil degradation and carbon sequestration from over-cultivation.

• Committed to the principle of “people and planet before profits”.

• Region: Ranitar, Panchthar District, Eastern Nepal.

• Elevation: 5,577 ft. (1,700m)