Asked at the tasting table

Every leaf in every tin comes from our own gardens in the Kangra Valley — one estate, one micro-climate, one factory. We never buy leaf from other regions or blend across origins to flatten flavour. What varies from batch to batch is the season, not the source.

A name protected by place. A character shaped by the mountains. In 2005, Kangra Tea was granted Geographical Indication (GI) status in India, formally recognising its connection to the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh and its distinctive heritage. In 2023, Kangra Tea received protected Geographical Indication recognition in the European Union, extending that recognition of its origin and authenticity to European markets. For us, the significance goes beyond a mark on a label. Kangra is an expression of place — its mountain air, soil, climate and generations of tea-growing tradition. Our Kangra teas honour this heritage through carefully selected leaves and traditional craftsmanship, preserving the distinctive character that makes tea from these Himalayan valleys so rare. Kangra. Himalayan by origin. Protected by heritage. Crafted with restraint.

Keep it in its tin or an airtight caddy, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells (tea absorbs kitchen aromas readily). Stored well, our orthodox teas hold their character for 18–24 months, though we recommend drinking first flush within the year.

A tisane (pronounced ti-ZAN) is a herbal infusion made by steeping parts of plants other than the traditional tea plant. In everyday conversation, you probably know it as "herbal tea." However, technically speaking, it is not tea at all. The key difference: The only thing that can truly be called "tea" is a drink made from the leaves of one specific plant: Camellia sinensis. This is the plant that gives us all true teas, including black, green, white, oolong, and pu-erh. A tisane, on the other hand, is made from everything else—flowers, herbs, spices, roots, bark, fruits, and seeds. So, when you drink a cup of chamomile, peppermint, or rooibos, you are enjoying a tisane, not a tea.

Our black, green, white and smoked teas are true teas, made from the Camellia sinensis plant and naturally containing caffeine. A cup typically contains 30–50 mg of caffeine, depending on the tea and how it is brewed. For a naturally caffeine-free alternative, Valley Wild Chamomile & Lemongrass is a botanical tisane, crafted entirely without tea leaves. For an early morning ritual, an afternoon pause, or a quiet evening, each cup has its own character and its own time.

We ship within India only. Orders leave the estate within 2 working days, with delivery usually taking 3–6 working days. Shipping is complimentary on orders of INR 2,000/- or more; otherwise INR 99/-. Orders are prepaid online; Cash on Delivery is not available.

Fresh, soft water makes the biggest difference to your cup. If your tap water is very hard or chlorinated, use filtered water. Heat to the temperature on your tin — green and white teas scald easily, and re-boiled water brews flat.

We want every experience with The Himalayan Tea Company to feel as considered as the tea itself. If your tea tin arrives damaged, or if you are genuinely dissatisfied with your tea, please write to us within 14 days of delivery. We will be happy to arrange a replacement or refund, as appropriate. Tea is deeply personal, and your trust matters to us. We would always rather make things right than have you feel disappointed with your purchase. Your satisfaction is part of our craft.

Thoughtfully crafted tea, created for thoughtful occasions. We work with a select number of hotels, cafés, tea rooms and hospitality partners, offering carefully curated teas for their guests and customers. For weddings, celebrations and corporate occasions, we also create bespoke estate-inspired gifting selections, thoughtfully presented and tailored to the occasion. For wholesale enquiries or bespoke gifting requirements, please write to orders@thehimalayanteacompany.com with “Wholesale” or “Gifting” in the subject line. We would be pleased to explore a thoughtful partnership with you.

Our gardens are managed without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers — mountain agriculture here has always been close to organic by default, and we are formalising certification. The high elevation, cold winters and snowmelt irrigation do much of the pest management for us.

Yes — and we would be delighted to welcome you. From March through October, we welcome small groups for an intimate introduction to our tea estate. Visits include a guided walk through the gardens, followed by an opportunity to learn more about how our tea is made and a guided tasting of selected teas. To preserve the tranquillity of the estate and keep the experience personal, visits are limited to eight guests per group. Please write to orders@thehimalayanteacompany.com at least one week in advance to enquire about availability and arrange your visit. Come slowly. Walk the gardens. Taste the mountain.