Darjeeling Gopaldhara First Flush Oolong Tea (No.311)

A rare loose leaf oolong tea from Darjeeling’s Gopaldhara Estate, this first flush oolong offers floral brightness, nutty depth, and a silky-smooth finish.

  • Fully Recyclable Packaging
  • Free Tracked UK Delivery Over £30.00
  • Dispatched from Harrogate, UK

Darjeeling Gopaldhara First Flush Oolong – Loose Leaf Oolong Tea

This rare loose leaf oolong tea comes from Gopaldhara Estate—one of the highest elevation tea gardens in Darjeeling, India.

Perched in the misty Himalayan foothills, this garden produces an oolong with the floral freshness of a first flush and the depth of careful oxidation.

The wiry leaves are beautifully crafted—curled and lightly open, featuring both silvery-white tips and deeper oxidised tones.

Once steeped, the tea yields a pale amber cup with a lively aroma, complex character, and gentle nuttiness in the finish.

This is a must-try for Darjeeling fans and oolong drinkers looking for something nuanced and refined.


Taste Profile

This dark pearl oolong yields a rich amber infusion with layered notes of tropical fruit, hints of baked peach, and a gentle roasted depth.

Its smooth body and sweet finish evolve with each steep, offering a long-lasting and aromatic experience.

If you enjoy Darjeeling Gopaldhara First Flush Oolong, you may also like Formosa Oolong, Jasmine Oolong, or Ti Kuan Yin.


Origin

This tea is grown in the Tai Tung region of eastern Taiwan, where the combination of high humidity, generous rainfall, and abundant sunshine creates perfect conditions for producing rich, flavourful oolongs.

After harvesting, farmers allow the tea to undergo a longer fermentation, enhancing its depth and complexity.

Through repeated hand rolling, the leaves take on their signature pearl shape—preserving essential oils and intensifying the aroma.

The result is a traditional Formosa oolong that delivers bold tropical notes and a uniquely rounded finish.


Brewing Guide

Here’s how to brew the perfect cup of Formosa Dark Pearl Oolong:

  • Tea Quantity: 1 heaped tsp (approx. 3g) per 200ml water

  • Water Temperature: 90–95°C

  • Steeping Time: 2–3 minutes

  • Serving Suggestions: Best enjoyed plain to appreciate the full depth of its fruity, roasted flavour

Re-steep 2–4 times, increasing the steep time slightly with each infusion to unlock the evolving character of the tea pearls.


Benefits

Formosa Dark Pearl Oolong is rich in antioxidants and offers moderate caffeine to support mental clarity, digestion, and metabolism.

Its naturally warming, grounding profile makes it an excellent afternoon pick-me-up or a mindful post-meal treat.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does this tea taste like?

This loose leaf oolong tea has a smooth profile, with notes of ripe tropical fruit and a gentle roasted finish. It’s fruity, rounded, and complex.

2. Can I drink this tea cold?

Yes. While traditionally served hot, Formosa Dark Pearl Oolong also makes a richly aromatic iced tea—brew it strong, chill, and serve over ice.

3. Is this tea suitable for vegans?

Yes. This tea is made solely from Camellia sinensis leaves and contains no animal-derived ingredients.

4. Does this tea contain any artificial flavours?

No. This is a pure oolong tea with no added flavourings or additives.

5. How much caffeine does it contain?

Formosa Dark Pearl Oolong contains a medium level of caffeine—enough for a gentle energy lift without being overstimulating.

half-fermented Darjeeling tea

Please see the available delivery options for this product below:

Royal Mail (Tracked 48)

We provide Free Royal Mail Tracked 48 Hour Shipping for orders over £30.00.

For orders under £30.00, there is a delivery cost of £4.80.

Royal Mail (Tracked 24)

There is the option to upgrade your delivery on checkout to Royal Mail Tracked 24 for £1.30.

Once your order has shipped, a tracking code will be sent to the email address provided.

Click & Collect (Harrogate Store)

You can choose to collect your order from the Harrogate Store. Please allow 24 hours before collection.

International Delivery

This product also ships worldwide through the Royal Mail Network.

Postage costs are automatically calculated based on the total weight of your order on checkout.

For detailed information on international postage, please click here

Storage

Once opened, keep sealed & store in a cool, dry place

Product Origin

The product ingredients have been imported & packed by True Tea Harrogate Ltd. at 6 Commercial Street, Harrogate, HG1 1TY

Batch Code / Best Before Date

Please refer to the back of the product packaging for the applied batch code / best before date