Darjeeling is world renowned. But demand for 'champagne of teas' is going flat as drought dulls its flavour

Apr 4, 2026 - 17:00
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Darjeeling is world renowned. But demand for 'champagne of teas' is going flat as drought dulls its flavour
A group of women pick leaves off bushes.

An extremely dry winter has made for another challenging harvest of India's famous Darjeeling tea, with the flavour the region is renowned for at risk as quality dips. As climate change makes the weather more erratic in the Himalayan foothills, estate owners are growing ever more worried about the future of their businesses.