Darjeeling Samabeong Summer Muscatel Black (Limited Edition)

Darjeeling Samabeong Summer Muscatel Black (Limited Edition)

Savor the magnificence of the Himalayas with this organic summer black tea from Samabeong—one of Darjeeling’s highest estates. Rich and velvety, it reveals layered muscatel aromas, ripe stone-fruit notes, and a mellow, honeyed finish. A flavorful journey for connoisseurs and curious sippers alike.

Pack Size:

50g/1.7oz

SAVE 30%

50g/1.7oz

SAVE 30%

150g/5.2oz

SAVE 30%

250g/8.8oz

SAVE 30%

500g/17.6oz

Variant

Story

Tucked away in the remote folds of the Eastern Himalayas, Samabeong Tea Estate is a living testament to the delicate balance between man and nature.Established in 1882, it is one of Darjeeling’s highest and most secluded organic tea gardens, resting between 5,000 and 6,700 feet above sea level. Its name—meaning “the abode of the black bear” in the local tongue—echoes the untamed spirit of its landscape.

Bordered by the lush Neora Valley forest, Samabeong is more than a tea estate—it’s a thriving sanctuarywhere nature flourishes undisturbed. From migratory birds to elusive red pandas and Bengal tigers, the region teems with life. Just 8 km from the mountain hamlet of Lava, the estate enjoys a cool, temperate climate—misty mornings, scattered monsoon rains, and sun-drenched afternoons. Its sandy-loam soil, rich in organic matter, nurtures resilient, flavourful tea bushes.

Samabeong’s commitment to sustainability and biodynamic cultivation runs deep. Revived after years of dormancy, the estate now produces some of Darjeeling’s most evocative summer harvests—marked by their depth, richness, and signature muscatel character. Each cup is a quiet tribute to nature’s resilience—an invitation to pause, sip, and reconnect with one of the last untouched corners of the world.

Why Premium Pricing?

High. Wild. Uncompromising.
Some teas capture a place.
This one embodies its soul.

Your Samabeong Summer Muscatel Black Tea is:

- Grown at over 6,000 ft
- Harvested at peak of summer
- Crafted in micro-batches
- Organically and biodynamically grown
- Rich, ripe, and muscatel-forward
- Delivered garden-fresh to your cup

Crafted for those who seek depth in every sip—a season steeped in warmth and wilderness.

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

4th-5th July'25

Arrived at Teabox

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

7th July'25

Sorted & Cleaned

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

7th July'25

Vacuum Packed

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

7th 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

7th July'25

Ready to Ship

Usually delivers within 5-7 Biz Days

8th 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

Muscatel

Represents the cultivar of the Tea Plant

Speciality

FTGFOP1

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

Grade

DJ-75

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

Marked by notes of muscat grapes, hint of sweet-honey and light floral undertones

Appearance

Bright Amber

Taste

A smooth, full-bodied cup with a velvety texture and layered complexity.

The first sip unveils the classic muscatel character—grapey and rich—balanced by the mellow sweetness of ripe stone fruits.

As it cools, the liquor deepens, revealing hints of honey and a whisper of citrus zest. A well-rounded astringency lends structure, leading to a long, clean finish with lingering musky-sweet and floral notes. A treat for the discerning palate!

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

Good Treat for a Tea enthusiast

First of all it’s worth the price and has awesome flavour profile to it. The signature Muscatel notes and then the Fruity and Sweet flavours hit your tongue. There is a distinct sweetness that you’ll notice as you savour your tea.

Well balanced cup of Darjeeling Tea for all the Darjeeling and Muscatel fans. Loved it in every sip.

Darjeeling Samabeong Summer Muscatel Black (Limited Edition)

Freshness Journey

The Reason Why Your Teas Are Fresh

Harvest

Certifications

How To Steep

Tasting Notes

YOU ASKED WE ANSWERED

Frequently Purchased

Customer Reviews