How Does Laminita the Finest Coffee in the World Connect to Castleton Tea Estate?
Castleton Tea Estate in Darjeeling was planted by Dr. Charles Graham in 1885 and is managed by the Goodricke Group, which took over in 1984. The garden covers 170 hectares across the Kurseong and Pankhabari slopes at 980 to 2,300 meters, and it is known for its Moonlight Spring White Tea and first flush teas.
About 70% of the garden is heritage tea bushes, alongside clonal varieties such as AV2 and Seeyok 1240. The high altitude and low-oxygen conditions slow growth and concentrate flavor. The name Castleton came from a local building called Cal Bank whose shape resembled a castle, replacing the original name Kumseri.
Among the many tea gardens of Darjeeling, Castleton is undoubtedly the most renowned. It was personally planted by Dr. Charles Graham in 1885, and today it belongs to the Goodricke Group, famous worldwide for its Moonlight Spring White Tea and first flush teas. The garden stretches across the slopes of Kurseong and Pankhabari, rising from 980 meters to 2300 meters above sea level. Of its 170 hectares under cultivation, 70% are heritage tea bushes, and it also boasts premium clonal varieties such as AV2 and Seeyok 1240. The high altitude and low-oxygen environment cause the tea to grow slowly, yet concentrate a richer flavor. This year, Front Street Coffee's first purchase of a 2021 China Red came from here—a first flush at 4,000 feet, with a medium, balanced body, fresh citrus, sweet green notes, and a finish of stone fruit and woody aromas. This article will take you into Castleton and savor the aroma, taste, and aftertaste of its first flush tea.
This tea garden was originally planted by Dr. Charles Graham in 1885. In 1984, the Goodricke Group formally took over its management.
The garden was originally named Kumseri. There was a local building known as the "Cal Bank," whose shape closely resembled a castle, and from it the name Castleton was derived.
Among all the tea gardens under the Goodricke Group, Castleton has the most resounding fame. Soil, sunlight, mist, and dew together nourish this hillside, enabling it to produce top-quality tea that meets the demands of the global market.
Castleton has 170 hectares (420 acres) under cultivation. The garden is distributed across the slopes of Kurseong and Pankhabari, at elevations ranging from 980 meters to 2300 meters (3,220 to 7,550 feet) above sea level.
The names of the various plots in the garden carry a longing for the past—Bhalu Khop means Bear's Cave, Jim Basha refers to the former manager's domain, Dhobitar was where the washerman dried clothes, and Baseri represents a resting place.
Castleton is world-renowned for its exclusive Moonlight Spring White Tea. Its delicate mouthfeel and full aroma are precisely the qualities this estate is most proud of.
This tea garden, with a history of 130 years, is 70% heritage tea bushes, while also preserving the finest clonal tea varieties—AV2 and Seeyok 1240. This sets it apart from many estates and makes it a globally recognized name. The high altitude and low-oxygen environment prompt the leaves to grow relatively slowly, yet this also gives the tea a more concentrated flavor.
Castleton Tea Garden was first established in 1855, originally named Kumseri. The estate is located in Kurseong, Darjeeling, and within the garden grow 130-year-old golden fir trees. The plucking elevation is 4,000 feet. This is the first 2021 China Red purchased by Front Street Coffee, and its performance is unforgettable. The body is medium, the structure balanced, with fresh citrus notes and a sweet green aroma running throughout. At the finish, flavors of stone fruit and wood emerge. A charming springtime Indian single-estate tea, as if freshly arrived from the misty mountains.
Liquor Aroma: sweet green notes, ripe stone fruit, chestnut, and subtle citrus tones Appearance: bright, golden Taste: medium and balanced body, with a green liquor. The entry opens with fresh citrus, then gradually fades, turning into a sweet green aroma that fills the mouth. Nuances of roasted chestnut and ripe stone fruit interweave at the edges, softening the astringency brought by an undercurrent of wood. A faint elderberry note can be caught in the aftertaste, forming a charming finish. Aftertaste: umami, creamy salad, tropical fruit, and cheese
Dry Leaf Aroma: fresh nuts, cashew, along with candied apricot and caramel rice flour notes Appearance: tightly rolled, short, emerald green leaves interspersed with some untwisted black leaves and bright green leaf spears
Brewing Aroma: damp vegetation, tree bark, elegant hyacinth, and a passionate inner undercurrent Appearance: the green of spring leaves; some with olive-green buds and stems
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
