2026 Jungpana Muscatel Darjeeling Second Flush Black Tea DJ 116

This is second flush Darjeeling from Jungpana, picked at the height of summer when the bushes produce leaves with that distinctive muscatel flavor the region is known for. The term "muscatel" describes a grape-like sweetness with floral brightness—a flavor that only shows up in certain Darjeeling teas during the narrow May-to-June window when conditions align.

Jungpana is one of the older estates in Darjeeling, and its teas from this harvest period command attention because the terroir and timing produce complexity that first flush leaves don't yet have. You'll taste fruit-forward notes—think stone fruit and berries alongside the muscatel sweetness—balanced by the structure black tea drinkers expect.

The DJ 116 designation refers to the specific lot, a detail that matters if you're comparing flushes or tracking how a garden's character shifts year to year. This is loose leaf, which means you control steep time and strength. A three-to-four-minute steep in water just off the boil brings out the full profile without bitterness. The leaves open fully, and the liquor comes out amber with that bright, almost wine-like quality second flush Darjeeling is prized for.

This is the tea to reach for when you want something refined but not delicate, complex but not heavy. It holds up to a splash of milk, though most people who seek out single-estate Darjeeling drink it straight to catch every layer. The finish is clean, the caffeine level moderate—enough to feel present but not jittery.

If you've only had Darjeeling blends or first flush, this is a different experience. The fruit notes are more pronounced, the body fuller, and the muscatel character is front and center. It's the kind of tea that makes you slow down and pay attention.