Darjeeling Castleton Summer Moonlight White

Darjeeling Castleton Summer Moonlight White

An exceptional Summer White Tea from Castleton's prized AV2 clonal bushes, offering ethereal florals, delicate sweetness, and a silken, lingering finish that embodies refined Darjeeling elegance.

Pack Size:

25g/0.8oz

25g/0.8oz

SAVE 5%

75g/2.6oz

SAVE 10%

125g/4.4oz

SAVE 12%

250g/8.8oz

Variant

Story

Cradled by the mist-draped slopes of Kurseong in Darjeeling, Castleton Tea Estate has stood as a symbol of tea excellence since its founding in 1885 by Dr. Charles Graham. Originally known as Kumseri, this historic garden later adopted the name Castleton, inspired by the castle-like bungalow that once overlooked its verdant slopes. Today, the estate is celebrated across the world for its remarkable terroir, enduring heritage, and unwavering commitment to exceptional tea craftsmanship.

Spread across elevations ranging from approximately 1,000 to 1,830 metres, Castleton benefits from an extraordinary interplay of altitude, fertile mountain soils, and cool Himalayan mists. This unique environment imparts its teas with the refined floral elegance, layered sweetness, and remarkable complexity that have made the estate one of Darjeeling's most revered names. As the first tea estate in Darjeeling to receive ISO 9002 certification, Castleton has long set benchmarks for quality and consistency.

Among its most treasured seasonal creations is the Summer Moonlight White Tea - a rare, handcrafted tea produced in limited quantities during the peak of the growing season. Carefully plucked and minimally processed, it captures the freshness of tender leaves while expressing the estate's signature finesse through luminous fruit notes, delicate florals, and an elegant, lingering sweetness.

More than a century after its establishment, Castleton continues to define the artistry of fine Darjeeling tea. From its mist-laden gardens to its meticulous craftsmanship, every harvest reflects a legacy shaped by nature, tradition, and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence.

Why Premium Pricing?

Excellence isn’t seasonal.
But its expression is rare.

At Castleton, even summer yields are measured, meticulous, and precious.

Your Castleton Summer Moonlight White Tea is:

- Plucked from prized AV2 clonal bushes
- Crafted gently, with minimal processing
- Known for its luminous floral character
- Crafted in microlots, just a few kilos a year
- Withered gently, minimally processed
- A gem in Darjeeling’s summer repertoire
- Delivered garden-fresh to your cup

With Teabox, what reaches you isn’t just a tea - it’s a moment steeped in time, terroir, and tradition.

Shipping

Your order undergoes 1 day of processing, and we provide a tracking link once it has shipped. Delivery times vary based on the chosen shipping option:

Express: 5-8 days
Standard: 12-18 days

Since we ship fresh teas from the Himalayan foothills in India that normally cover 10,000+ miles via air, to qualify for free Express shipping, order value thresholds are as follows for these countries.

Australia - 115 AUD
Canada - 99 CAD
Russia - 8,000 RUB
Singapore - 95 SGD
South Korea - 100,000 KRW
United Arab Emirates - 284 AED
United Kingdom - 44 GBP
USA - 55 USD

For EU countries, please note that we collect nominal duties and taxes up front (on the checkout), and the price you pay is the landed cost/door-delivery cost. You would not have to pay anything extra.

For other countries, unless specified otherwise at checkout, our terms of trade are 'DAP' (Delivered at Place without payment of duty and taxes of the destination country). Under DAP, the buyer is responsible for paying for the goods, import clearance inspection, import formalities, destination duties and taxes, and providing a complete address with correct contact details. Teabox is responsible for providing the goods with the necessary documentation, arranging pickup, carriage, and door delivery, and handling origin customs formalities.

Freshness Journey

Real fresh teas with transparent evidence of 'where' the tea was manufactured, and 'when' it was manufactured, verified by picking and processing dates

Picked & Processed

13th-14th July'26

Arrived at Teabox

Within 24 hrs of manufacturing of the teas at estate, we receive them

15th July'26

Sorted & Cleaned

We do hand sorting of the teas to ensure our customers only receive whole leaves and not dust

15th July'26

Sealed for Freshness

We seal pack the teas to ensure freshness and protect it from the 4 enemies (light/heat/moisture/oxygen)

15th July'26

Stored for Freshness

Post vacuum packing, the teas are stored in one of its kind cold chain facility in India to ensure the quality is preserved

15th July'26

Ready to Ship

Usually delivers within 5-7 Biz Days

16th July'26

The Reason Why Your Teas Are Fresh

As the only facility near the source, our close proximity to the estates ensures teas reach within 24-48 hours of production

Harvest

We believe in 100% Transparency of product traceability & its origins

Second Flush

The season of teas picked between the four flushes(harvests) of the year

Season

SFTGFOP1

Refers to Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe One: A superior, whole leaf grade of tea, renowned for its exquisite quality

Grade

Moonlight

Represents the cultivar of the Tea Plant

Speciality

Ex 35

Unique Reference Number for this Batch

Invoice

Medium

The amount of Caffeine this tea contains

Caffeine

Certifications

100% Pure & Fresh Darjeeling Tea

Certified by the Tea Board of India under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. Darjeeling CTM License No.- DJ/489/13032015/TE

TEA BOARD OF INDIA LICENCE

DARJEELING CERTIFIED TRADE MARK

With the rise of adulterated Darjeeling teas blended with teas from different regions, it is important to choose an authentic Indian brand. All of our Darjeeling teas, sourced fresh from the gardens, are sold with a Certified Trademark license.

How To Steep

Step 1

Start by heating water in a kettle

Step 2

Measure precise tea leaves for the teapot/infuser.

Step 3

Pour the hot water over the leaves

Step 4

Let it steep for the recommended duration

Step 5

Strain and enjoy sipping your freshly steeped tea.

Steeping Method

5.07fl oz/150 ml

176°-185°F/80°C-85°C

3Tsp/2.5g/0.09oz

5 mins

Steep Twice

Storage Instructions

Store in a cool dry place away from heat, sunlight and moisture. Use an airtight container to minimize contact with O2

Tasting Notes

From our Chief Tea Taster

Aroma

An elegant bouquet of white jasmine and magnolia blossoms, intertwined with the crisp freshness of green mango and a delicate syrupy sweetness.

Appearance

Light Orange

Taste

Crafted from pure AV2 (Ambari Vegetative-2) clonal bushes, this exquisite Moonlight White Tea unfolds with an ethereal elegance from the very first sip. Delicate white floral notes blossom gently across the palate, intertwined with the crisp vibrancy of fresh green mango, evoking the cool mountain air and mist-laden mornings of Castleton's pristine slopes.

As the liquor lingers, layers of succulent honeydew melon and juicy green grapes begin to emerge, their mellow sweetness enveloped in a soft, nectar-like richness. A fleeting whisper of fresh spring greens lends balance and intrigue, adding remarkable depth without ever overshadowing the tea's graceful character.

Silky in texture and wonderfully refined, the finish is long, luminous, and effortlessly elegant. Sweet floral echoes and ripe fruit nuances linger delicately, leaving behind a serene impression that captures the tranquil beauty of a Darjeeling summer afternoon beneath the gentle glow of moonlight.

YOU ASKED WE ANSWERED

What does 'Moonlight' mean in this tea’s name?

Moonlight' refers to a unique style of white tea crafted using tender buds and young leaves, often harvested at dawn or under the moonlight. This gentle plucking, combined with minimal oxidation and natural withering, preserves the tea’s delicate aroma and soft, floral-fruity profile.

It’s a rare and refined process inspired by traditional Chinese white teas—now beautifully reinterpreted in Darjeeling.

How is Moonlight White different from other white teas?

Unlike typical white teas, Moonlight White is crafted from the earliest and most tender spring buds, using select clonal varietals. Its unique harvesting time and minimal processing result in a fuller aroma, subtle sweetness, and a more expressive cup—making it one of the most prized white teas from Darjeeling.

Is this tea caffeine-free?

No, it naturally contains caffeine—though in lower amounts than black or green teas. A typical cup may have 15–30 mg of caffeine, depending on leaf size, cultivar, and steeping time.

Can I use this tea for multiple infusions?

Yes,this Moonlight White tea is well-suited for multiple infusions, a quality cherished by tea connoisseurs.

What makes Castleton’s Summer Moonlight White Tea different from Spring Moonlight?

While both teas are made from the same prized AV2 clonal bushes, the summer flush brings a warmer, fruit-forward profile—featuring notes like muskmelon and grape—compared to the more delicate and floral character of spring. The difference lies in how the changing season shapes the leaf’s flavor expression.

How long will this tea stay fresh?

When stored well—away from light, heat, oxygen and moisture—it will retain peak freshness for up to 12 months. We recommend an airtight container kept in a cool, dry place.

Are these teas sustainably sourced?

Yes! At Teabox, we are committed to sourcing teas from renowned estates that uphold ethical and sustainable practices. Our teas come from gardens that prioritize environmental responsibility and fair labor practices, ensuring both quality and social impact.

By choosing Teabox, you support a tea culture rooted in sustainability and care—for the land, the people, and your cup.

Frequently Purchased

Tasty and subtle

When white tea rhymes with tasty. I love it. It reminds me my Darjeeling journey. I can clearly remind the multiple entries to the Castleton gardens.

Great

This tea is exceptional. It is exactly what I need on Saturday mornings at home. Very impressed with TeaBox. Will be ordering TB again.

Excellent

Excellent quality. Very fresh.

It's a beautiful thing

My new order of Castleton Moonlight Summer White Tea arrives just in time to keep me warm as Fall arrives here. Once again, another delicious, delicate White Tea from Tea box. This is my third order in two years, have also enjoyed Margaret’s Hope Exotic White, Classic Spring Black and Darjeeling Special White. This teas aroma is that of a Fall Garden after the rain, its aromatic taste somewhere between floral and fruity, bit woody with perhaps a hint of plum. Keep up the good work of disrupting the industry and providing good service to your customers.

Sincerely,
Lou de H. from N.Y.C.

GREAT for anytime

This is one of my favorite teas. Good aroma. I like teas that have a hint of citrus or floral without being over powering.

delicate tea

This tea does not have as much of a floral aroma as other white teas. The flavors are subtle, but be careful. If over brewed, it will have a bitter taste. Adjust water temperature carefully. I would recommend this tea. I rate this as an "advanced" tea due to the price and the care you need to brew a good pot, but the results are worth it if you do it right.

Finally. a tea I enjoy!

This tea was light and refreshing. It had an aroma that was enjoyable, and it was not bitter or grassy at all.
Reviewed as part of theTeabox subscription program.

Sweetly floral with an orange blossom finish

Very nice white tea. Flowery sweet to start with an orange hint at the finish. The liquor rolls silkily through the mouth. Very subtle aroma. Great blend for reading in the evening.

Very enjoyable!

Another lovely white tea with a slight citrus bite.
Reviewed as part of theTeabox subscription program.

smooth, complex

This tea boasts a delightful aroma--a mixture of jasmine and peach to my nose at least. After brewing it takes on a lovely saffron and pink hue, and the peach taste intensifies, accompanied by floral undertones. It is neither especially sweet nor astringent. Very smooth, absolutely delicious. I would definitely buy this again.

Darjeeling Castleton Summer Moonlight White

Freshness Journey

The Reason Why Your Teas Are Fresh

Harvest

Certifications

How To Steep

Tasting Notes

YOU ASKED WE ANSWERED

Frequently Purchased

Customer Reviews