Blog Detail
16 Aug 2025 | by Pallab Bhattacharya
There’s something extraordinary about sipping a cup of tea in the very place it was grown. The air is lighter, the flavors richer, and the experience far more personal. Amid rolling green hills, quiet trails, and the distant hum of birdsong, you don’t just drink tea. You feel it.
Tucked away in the serene hills of Darjeeling lies a hidden spot where tea isn’t just served, it's celebrated. Welcome to Yule Tea Estate, home to one of the most peaceful and immersive tea experiences you can have in the eastern Himalayas.
Here are a few beautifully simple ways you can enjoy tea fresh, seasonal, and straight from the source during your stay.
At sunrise, the world here is quiet and slow. Dew still clings to the leaves, mist curls around the hilltops, and a gentle chill lingers in the air. It’s the perfect time to start your day not with a screen, but with a steaming cup of First Flush Darjeeling tea.
Known as the “Champagne of Teas,” the First Flush is harvested in early spring. The leaves are young, tender, and bursting with a light, floral aroma. It’s smooth, subtle, and uplifting just like the mornings on the estate.
Fun fact: At Yule Tea Retreat, some of the rooms are named after these iconic teas — First Flush and Second Flush. Staying in the First Flush room while sipping the same variety grown just outside your window? That’s the kind of poetic detail that makes the experience even more special.
Tea tastes better when it’s unhurried. And there’s no better time for that than the golden hours of late afternoon.
After a gentle walk through the tea gardens or a nap under a woolen throw, treat yourself to a fresh pour of Second Flush Darjeeling tea. This summer harvest is stronger and deeper in flavor than the First Flush with muscatel notes and a rich amber hue that feels indulgent.
Pair it with a couple of buttery cookies or light savories, and take your pick of where to enjoy it: the lounge, the garden bench, or simply wrapped up in a shawl by the window. No rush. No noise. Just tea and time.
If you’ve ever wondered how tea makes its way from the garden to your cup, now’s your chance to find out right where it all happens.
The estate staff are warm, knowledgeable, and always happy to guide you through a personal tea tasting session. You’ll learn about different flushes, leaf types, and how the region’s unique climate shapes the flavor. It's hands-on, down-to-earth, and a great way to deepen your appreciation for every sip.
One of the quietest joys of staying on a tea estate is that you don’t need to do much to feel completely at peace. Just walking the winding paths between rows of tea bushes, camera or thermos in hand is enough.
In plucking season, you might spot workers skillfully picking the top two leaves and a bud. You may even get to try it yourself. It's surprisingly delicate work. As you walk, sip on your favorite brew and soak in the scent of fresh earth and green leaves all around.
Evenings on the estate are quiet, cool, and deeply calming. Whether you’re wrapped in a shawl by the fire or lying back in the garden with a mug in hand, don’t forget one last cup before bed, maybe even a light herbal infusion if you’ve already had your fair share of black tea.
Tea always tastes a little more magical when there’s nothing but stars overhead and soft mountain air all around you.
Spending time on a tea estate is not just about the scenery, it's about slowing down. And in a place like Yule, where even the rooms are named after tea harvests and every cup is freshly brewed, the experience becomes personal.
Whether you’re a tea connoisseur or just someone who enjoys a warm cup in a quiet moment, this is the kind of place that makes tea more than a drink. It becomes a way of life.