Darjeeling Balasun Summer Clonal Black

Savor the grand cru charm of this Summer Black Tea from Balasun, grown at 4,500 ft on the misty slopes of North Kurseong. Lively nectarine brightness, mellow nutty warmth, and a silken musky finish come together in a smooth, satisfying cup—perfect for a tranquil afternoon break.

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 in the scenic North Kurseong region of Darjeeling at around 4,500 feet above sea level, Balasun Tea Estate is a garden steeped in heritage. Established in 1871 by Devenport & Company Limited, it was originally known as Nahore Balasun—later renamed after the Balason River that flows gently through its lush terrain.

In 1963, the estate became part of the Darjeeling Consolidated Tea Company and has been managed by Jay Shree Tea & Industries Ltd. since 2005. Balasun primarily cultivates the heritage Chinary varietal, with around 10% of its land dedicated to select clonal sections—yielding a nuanced and diverse range of teas.

Set against a backdrop of pristine hills and a cool, temperate climate, the estate enjoys ideal terroir for crafting expressive, high-altitude teas. Its commitment to sustainability and quality is reflected in its HACCP, Fair Trade, and Rainforest Alliance certifications—ensuring every cup not only delights the palate but also supports ethical and environmentally responsible cultivation.

Why Premium Pricing?

Great teas aren’t made. They’re nurtured.

We could have chosen convenience.
But then, your Balasun Summer Black wouldn’t be:

- Grown at 4,500 ft in North Kurseong
- Plucked from selected clonal bushes
- Made at the peak of summer
- Crafted in small, artisanal lots
- A tribute to Darjeeling’s distinct terroir
- Delivered garden-fresh to your cup

At Teabox, you taste the effort—altitude, craft, and care—in every sip.

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

15th-16th July'25

Arrived at Teabox

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

17th July'25

Sorted & Cleaned

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

18th July'25

Vacuum Packed

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

18th 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

18th July'25

Ready to Ship

Usually delivers within 5-7 Biz Days

19th 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

Clonal

Represents the cultivar of the Tea Plant

Speciality

EX-24

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

Delicate and warm, with nuances of apricot, citrus zest, and light honeyed accents

Appearance

Bright amber

Taste

The cup opens with a lively brightness, instantly uplifting the palate with juicy stone-fruit notes—think ripe nectarines and mellow apricot.

As it unfurls, a gentle warmth develops, revealing soft undertones of chestnut and subtle hints of honey. The liquor is medium-bodied yet smooth, with a silken mouthfeel that adds a layer of finesse. Towards the finish, a delicate musky sweetness lingers, leaving behind a clean, refreshing aftertaste. A joy to savor this season!

YOU ASKED WE ANSWERED

What is Summer Clonal Black Tea?

It’s a black tea crafted during the summer harvest (typically June–July) from specially selected clonal cultivars. These are propagated for their desirable traits — like fuller body, unique aromas, and richer flavor.

What does this tea taste like?

Summer Clonal Black Teas are bold and expressive. Expect a full-bodied cup with mellow sweetness, brisk structure, and notes that may range from stone-fruity and woody to lightly nutty — depending on the cultivar and terroir.

Does this tea contain caffeine?

Yes, like all black teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant, this tea contains caffeine — typically at moderate levels — making it a great pick-me-up for mornings or early afternoons.

How is a Clonal tea different from a Chinary tea?

Clonal and Chinary teas differ primarily in the plant type and cup character.

Clonal teas are made from specially selected cuttings (or "clones") of high-performing tea bushes. These are propagated for specific traits — such as fuller body, unique aroma, or higher yield — and often produce more consistent, richly flavored cups.

Chinary teas, on the other hand, come from seed-grown, heritage China bushes. They tend to be more multi-layered and complex, with floral, citrusy, or brisk notes that can vary more from season to season or the altitide of the section from where the tea leaves were plucked.

Can I add milk and sugar?

We recommend drinking this tea plain to appreciate its nuanced flavors. That said, taste is personal — feel free to experiment and enjoy it however you prefer.

Is this tea suitable for those who prefer a milder cup?

While Summer Clonal Black teas are naturally fuller-bodied, this particular cup offers a mellow, well-rounded profile with soft fruit and nutty notes — making it enjoyable even for those who prefer a milder, less astringent black tea.

Best enjoyed plain to appreciate its layered subtlety.

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.

Darjeeling Balasun Summer Clonal 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