Darjeeling Castleton Summer Muscatel Black

Darjeeling Castleton Summer Muscatel Black

Savor the elusive charm of this summer classic from Castleton—one of Darjeeling’s most iconic estates. Renowned for its signature Muscatel character, this exquisite black tea offers a captivating aroma, lush notes of stone fruits, and a luxurious finish that lingers. A true connoisseur’s delight.

Pack Size:

100g/3.5oz

100g/3.5oz

SAVE 5%

300g/10.5oz

SAVE 10%

500g/17.6oz

SAVE 12%

1Kg/35.2oz

Variant

Story

Nestled amidst the rolling slopes of Darjeeling, Castleton Tea Estate stands as a beacon of excellence and tradition. Established in 1885 by Dr. Charles Graham, this legendary garden stretches across the verdant landscapes of Kurseong—renowned for its exceptional terroir and heritage China bushes. Castleton’s teas have long commanded record-breaking prices at global auctions, a testament to their unmatched quality and legacy. It was also the first estate in Darjeeling to receive ISO 9002 certification, affirming its reputation for meticulous craftsmanship.

The crown jewel of Castleton is its iconic Muscatel teas, crafted in limited quantities during the summer flush. This now-celebrated flavor was first identified in 1986 by the legendary tea planter Mr. Arun Kumar Gomden, then estate manager. Marked by its grape-like sweetness and rich, atypical aroma, the term ‘Muscatel’ has since become synonymous with the finest second flush teas of Darjeeling. Intensely fragrant, softly fruity, and long on the palate, it defined a new standard in tea tasting and left a lasting mark on Darjeeling’s tea history.

Castleton’s altitude—ranging from 1,000 to 1,830 meters—imbues its teas with a rare depth and character, embodying the soul of Darjeeling’s “Champagne of Teas.” Here, mountain mist, cool sunlit mornings, and biodiverse soil converge to nurture leaves of extraordinary finesse. With over a century of heritage and innovation, Castleton remains the pinnacle of Muscatel tea craftsmanship—cherished by royalty, collectors, and connoisseurs across the globe.

Why Premium Pricing?

Legends aren’t made overnight.
They’re cultivated—season after season, leaf by leaf.

At Castleton, Muscatel isn’t just a flavor.
It’s a signature of time, terroir, and tradition.

Your Castleton Summer Muscatel Black Tea is:

- Plucked from heritage Chinary bushes
- Crafted during a short summer window
- Marked by the iconic 'muscatel' character
- Selected from rare, standout micro-lots
- Grown on the misty slopes of Kurseong
- Crown jewel of Darjeeling’s summer harvest
- Delivered garden-fresh to your cup

With Teabox, what you hold isn’t just tea—it’s a legacy in every cup.

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 - 80 AUD
Denmark - 330 DKK
Canada - 66 CAD
France - 45 EUR
Russia - 8,000 RUB
Singapore - 64 SGD
South Korea - 67,000 KRW
United Arab Emirates - 175 AED
United Kingdom - 37 GBP
USA - 47 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 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

9th-10th July'25

Arrived at Teabox

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

11th July'25

Sorted & Cleaned

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

11th July'25

Vacuum Packed

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

11th July'25

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

11th July'25

Ready to Ship

Usually delivers within 5-7 Biz Days

12th July'25

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

FTGFOP1

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

Grade

Muscatel

Represents the cultivar of the Tea Plant

Speciality

DJ-215

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

185°-194°F/
85°C-90°C

2Tsp/2.5g/
0.09oz

5
mins

Steep
Once

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

Pronounced notes of Muscat grapes, toasted nuts, and light zesty accents

Appearance

Deep Amber

Taste

Castleton holds an iconic place in Darjeeling’s tea legacy—home to the world’s first Muscatel tea, crafted in 1986. This summer cup lives up to that heritage with a velvety mouthfeel and medium body.

The liquor opens with lush Muscat grapey notes, followed by a delightful medley of ripe peach and hazelnut. Mid-sip, the cup deepens into soft undertones of Mirabelle plum, rounded out by gentle whispers of cedar.

A lingering musky finish wraps up the experience, leaving behind a gentle sweetness and an irresistible urge for another sip.

YOU ASKED WE ANSWERED

What does 'Muscatel' mean in tea?

'Muscatel' refers to a rare, naturally occurring flavor in some Darjeeling second flush teas—marked by fruity sweetness and a distinct aroma reminiscent of muscat grapes or Muscat wine.

It’s a prized characteristic, shaped by specific cultivars, terroir, and the timing of the summer harvest.

Who coined the term 'Muscatel'?

The term was coined in 1986 by iconic Darjeeling tea planter Mr. Arun Kumar Gomden.

He first identified this unique grape-like character in second flush Chinary teas and named it “Muscatel” after the Muscat grape, not musk. It marked a tea with soft, fruity depth and lingering finish unlike typical summer teas.

Which tea estate first produced Muscatel tea?

Castleton Tea Estate in Darjeeling’s Kurseong Valley was the first to craft a Muscatel tea in 1986.
A small 21 kg batch was auctioned at a record-breaking ₹1,460/kg—an unheard-of price at the time.

How does Muscatel tea taste?

Muscatel teas are full-bodied and aromatic with a signature grape-like fruitiness.

Expect notes of muscat grape, ripe stone fruits like peach or apricot, and a mellow sweetness. The cup is rich, slightly brisk, and finishes with a lingering floral or musky-sweet echo.

Does this tea contain caffeine?

Yes. Like all black teas from the Camellia sinensis plant, Muscatel teas naturally contain caffeine.

Summer harvests, with slightly longer oxidation, have moderate to high caffeine levels—typically around 40–60 mg per cup (180ml).

Can this tea be re-steeped?

Muscatel teas are best enjoyed in a single infusion, where their layered flavors and signature muscatel notes are most vibrant and expressive.

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

The flavor is without a parallel 👌👌

The flavor is just exquisite. This is the best ever Muscatel I have come across; from Teabox or elsewhere 👌👌

Very good taste nice...

Very good taste nice balance

Lovely muscatel

I loved the clear muscatel notes in this tea. It was that distinct flavour that you just don't get in blends or even many other single estates.

Excellent tea

Absolutely my most fabulous tea out of the black sampler box (along with Margaret's Hope Summer).
Really great tea, flavourful. I also add a splash of milk& sugar. I find it sweet + nutty

Delicious tea from a premier estate

The Castleton definitely lived up to the name and reputation! Fragrant, with that Darjeeling special muscatel flavor.

Delicious tea from a premier estate

The Castleton definitely lived up to the name and reputation! Fragrant, with that Darjeeling special muscatel flavor.

Excellent tea

One of my favorites!! Great way to start my mornings.

It has distinguished notes

It has some very fine subtle notes, which linger on on taste. A very exquisite 2nd flush tea.

It has distinguished notes

It has some very fine subtle notes, which linger on on taste. A very exquisite 2nd flush tea.

Excellent Products from TEABOX

Excellent. I always love trom Teabox's Quality Products

Darjeeling Castleton Summer Muscatel Black

Freshness Journey

The Reason Why Your Teas Are Fresh

Harvest

Certifications

How To Steep

Tasting Notes

YOU ASKED WE ANSWERED

Frequently Purchased

Customer Reviews