Celebrate with us on February 17, 2026 the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse (Bing Wu 丙午) and enjoy 17% off our entire selection (until Monday, February 23, 2026). To apply the discount, enter the code FIREHORSE26 in your cart during checkout.
Darjeeling Giddapahar is a high-quality black tea from the small, family-run Giddapahar Tea Estate in Kurseong, West Bengal. The estate lies at around 1 350–1 600 m, where cool nights, steady mist and slow leaf growth create the ideal conditions for producing classic Darjeeling “muscatel” flavour. This particular batch comes from the second flush, the late-spring/early-summer harvest known for deeper colour and fuller, sweeter character. More
Darjeeling Giddapahar is a high-quality black tea from the small, family-run Giddapahar Tea Estate in Kurseong, West Bengal. The estate lies at around 1 350–1 600 m, where cool nights, steady mist and slow leaf growth create the ideal conditions for producing classic Darjeeling “muscatel” flavour. This particular batch comes from the second flush, the late-spring/early-summer harvest known for deeper colour and fuller, sweeter character.
The full name contains several quality indications used by Darjeeling producers:
SFTGFOP1 = Super Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe, grade 1 → One of the highest leaf grades, meaning very fine, whole leaves with visible golden buds (“tips”).
CH = China variety → Indicates that the tea comes from the traditional China-type tea cultivar, known for floral, delicate, and aromatic character.
SPL = Special → Marking used by some estates to denote a particularly selective or limited batch.
Muscatel → Describes the distinctive flavour typical for premium second flush Darjeeling: hints of muscat grapes, stone fruit and honey.
SF = Second Flush → The second main harvest season (usually May–June), where the muscatel character is strongest.
In the cup, this tea shows what Giddapahar is known for: a warm, amber-gold liquor with a clean, sweet aroma. The flavour is balanced and structured — gentle fruit notes reminiscent of muscat grapes, light honey, and a subtle woody dryness that gives the tea a clear, refreshing finish. Compared to first-flush teas, this second-flush version is richer, smoother and less sharp, making it suitable for both daily drinking and more attentive tasting.
The leaves are long and neatly rolled, with golden tips visible throughout — a visual confirmation of the high SFTGFOP1 grade. Infusion is stable across steepings and holds its aroma well.
Overall, Darjeeling Giddapahar SFTGFOP1 CH SPL Muscatel is a representative example of a classic, high-grade second flush Darjeeling from a respected boutique garden: aromatic, sweet, and naturally muscatel, without bitterness and with a clean, elegant finish.
star 1star 2star 3star 4star 5Rating value is 1 of 5
PositivesNone, wrong order or faulty tea.
PositivesNone, wrong order or faulty tea.
NegativesThe label on the product lists 2018 harvest, which is not what I ordered. The tea inside is clearly an old, flavorless now, first flush and ...more
NegativesThe label on the product lists 2018 harvest, which is not what I ordered. The tea inside is clearly an old, flavorless now, first flush and definitely not anything close to a muscatel. Extremely disappointing.
