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108° Mt. Pumori Whole Leaf Black Tea – USDA Certified Organic

108° Mt. Pumori Whole Leaf Black Tea – USDA Certified Organic

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✔ Super-fine Quality High-Altitude teas

✔ Directly sourced from the Himalayas

✔ Small-batch crafted for purity & freshness

 

Tea Name: 108° Mt. Pumori Whole Leaf Black Tea – USDA Certified Organic

Style: Whole Leaf, Long-Twisted

Type: Organic Black Tea

Standard: Gold

Sourcing Region: Ilam, Nepal

Elevation: ~6,500 ft

Harvest: Autumn Flush

Processing: Fully Oxidized (Whole-Leaf Preserved)

Certifications: USDA Organic

Suggested Infusions: 3-4

Texture: Thick, Brothy & Silky

Autumnal depth from the Himalayas — whole-leaf, bold, and richly aromatic

From the mist-veiled slopes of Ilam, Nepal, at nearly 6,500 feet, comes a whole-leaf black tea that captures the essence of Himalayan autumn. Each long, twisted leaf is carefully hand-plucked and fully oxidized to preserve its natural shape and vitality,  resulting in a bold, ruby-red liquor that glows with inner warmth.

The cup opens with a gentle earthiness layered with cocoa husk, dried cherry, and warm oak, deepening into notes of sweet tobacco, molasses, and a touch of spice. Its texture is thick and brothy, coating the palate with a velvety warmth that feels both grounding and rejuvenating.

What makes this tea stand apart is its Himalayan altitude and microclimate, where the cooler, thinner air slows leaf growth, allowing a dense concentration of amino acids and sugars. This natural process enhances sweetness and body while minimizing bitterness, yielding a black tea with unusual depth, smoothness, and clarity.

While reminiscent of fine Darjeeling autumnals, this tea carries greater resonance and minerality, shaped by Ilam’s younger, chemical-free gardens and living Himalayan soil. It is a cup that feels alive — complex yet tranquil, rich yet clean, capturing the quiet dignity of high mountain harvests.

Aroma & Appearance

Long, twisted leaves in deep bronze and olive-black hues release an aroma ofmolasses, sun-dried wood, and faint cocoa. In the cup: aclear ruby-amber liquorwith a warm, garnet glow and a naturally polished finish.

Taste Experience

  • Aroma: Molasses, cocoa husk, rosewood, and red fruit
  • Liquor: Deep ruby-amber, clear and radiant
  • Taste: Earthy malt, caramel, plum, and faint spice tones
  • Mouthfeel: Thick, brothy, and soothingly rounded
  • Finish: Long and mineral, with a soft, honeyed aftertaste

Why It’s Special

  • High-Elevation Origin (~6,500 ft):
    Cooler air and diffused sunlight slow the growth of each leaf, concentrating natural sweetness and polyphenols for an antioxidant-rich cup with deep flavor and low bitterness.
  • Whole-Leaf Craftsmanship:
    Leaves are hand-rolled and left intact, preserving their full structure and flavor integrity — producing a cup that’s bold, full-bodied, and elegantly smooth.
  • Autumn Flush Richness:
    Harvested at the end of the growing season, when the cooler nights develop sugars and aroma compounds, giving the tea its signature molasses depth and mellow warmth.
  • Pure Organic Cultivation:
    USDA Certified Organic, grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers — letting the true Himalayan terroir express itself in clarity and purity.
  • Beyond Darjeeling:
    While Darjeeling teas are famed for their brightness, Ilam’s higher elevation, younger gardens, and organic soils yield a fuller-bodied, more mineral cup — a natural evolution of the Himalayan tea tradition.
  • Sustainable Himalayan Tea Estates:
    Sourced from smallholder growers and cooperatives dedicated to eco-friendly cultivation and fair trade, ensuring that each cup supports both the land and the people who nurture it.

Brewing Recommendation

  • Leaf: 2–2.5 g (≈1½ tsp) per 8–10 oz (240–300 ml)
  • Water: 205 °F / 96 °C
  • Time: 3–4 minutes
  • Re-steeps: 2–3; add 30–45 sec each infusion
  • Milk pairing: a splash of warm milk accentuates malt & butterscotch—no sweetener needed.

Pro Tip: Try the first infusion plain to appreciate the natural caramel and malt notes, and add a splash of milk in the second infusion for a velvety, breakfast-style finish.

The taste profiles of loose-leaf teas can vary widely depending on the steep duration, tea-to-water ratio, and water temperature. We encourage you to try different combinations for brewing tea to find the perfect tea, that speaks to your taste buds.

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A Connoisseur’s Take

High above the valleys of Ilam, where mist drifts through the ridges and sunlight filters gently over emerald slopes, grows a tea defined by its patience. The long, unbroken leaves are carefully hand-rolled, their graceful twists preserving the essence of the mountain itself.

When steeped, they unfurl like dark silk in water, releasing a ruby-red liquor that shimmers with warmth. The first sip is deep and grounding — malt and molasses layered with hints of dried plum, cocoa, and soft wood spice. As the cup cools, subtler notes emerge — sweet tobacco, warm stone, and the clean breath of rain on earth.

The experience is both powerful and calm, a tea that carries the stillness of the high Himalayas in every slow-unfurling leaf. It is a whole-leaf symphony of depth, purity, and quiet elegance — Ilam’s autumn, steeped to perfection.

Danfe Method of Tea Preparation

We believe that your tea experience should be completely personal. Individual taste buds are unique and there is no right or wrong way to brew tea. Therefore we encourage tea lovers to not necessarily bind to traditional methods but let their experience, and discovery guide them. After all, that is where the joy of drinking tea lies. You should try different amounts of tea, steeping time, and water temperature to find the perfect taste you'll fall in love with.

    The Art of Brewing

    Try Other Preparation Guides

    Each method unlocks a different character of this tea.
    Choose the ritual that suits your moment.

    1. Heat 10 oz filtered water to 95°C (203°F).
    2. Add 1 teaspoon (2–3g) of 108° Mt. Pumori Whole Leaf Black Tea – USDA Certified Organic to your mug or teapot.
    3. Pour the hot water over the leaves.
    4. Steep for 3–4 minutes for a balanced whole leaf, smooth, golden cup cup.
    5. Strain and enjoy as-is, or add milk and sweetener to taste.
    Tip: For a stronger brew, increase steeping time by 1 min; for lighter, reduce to 2 min.

    1. Add 2 teaspoons (4–5g) of 108° Mt. Pumori Whole Leaf Black Tea – USDA Certified Organic to a 16 oz jar or pitcher.
    2. Pour room-temperature or cold filtered water over the leaves.
    3. Seal and refrigerate for 8–12 hours (overnight works great).
    4. Strain the leaves and pour over ice.
    5. Enjoy the smooth, whole leaf, smooth, golden cup cold brew—naturally sweet with low bitterness.
    Tip: Cold brewing extracts less tannin, making it naturally smoother than hot brewing.

    1. Brew a double-strength hot tea: heat 8 oz water to 95°C, steep 2 teaspoons of 108° Mt. Pumori Whole Leaf Black Tea – USDA Certified Organic for 4 minutes.
    2. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice cubes (the ice dilutes to normal strength).
    3. The whole leaf, smooth, golden cup color deepens beautifully over ice.
    4. Add lemon, honey, or simple syrup to taste.
    5. Stir well and serve immediately.
    Tip: Flash brewing (hot over ice) locks in bright flavors and prevents the tea from going cloudy.

    1. Bring 10 oz filtered water to a rolling boil.
    2. Add 1 teaspoon of 108° Mt. Pumori Whole Leaf Black Tea – USDA Certified Organic directly into the boiling water.
    3. Boil for 60–90 seconds for a quick, robust extraction.
    4. Remove from heat, strain immediately into your mug.
    5. Enjoy the bold whole leaf, smooth, golden cup character—quick, efficient, and satisfying.
    Tip: Quick boil brings out bold flavors fast, ideal when you're short on time.

    Step 1: Warm Your Teaware
    Rinse your gaiwan or small teapot (100–120 ml) and cups with hot water to stabilize temperature.

    Step 2: Measure the Tea
    Add 5g of 108° Mt. Pumori Whole Leaf Black Tea – USDA Certified Organic to your gaiwan or teapot.

    Step 3: Heat the Water
    Bring fresh filtered water to 90–95°C (194–203°F) to best highlight the tea's whole leaf, smooth, golden cup character.

    Step 4: Wake the Leaves (Quick Rinse)
    Pour hot water over the leaves and discard after 3–5 seconds. This opens the leaves and releases their aroma.

    Step 5: First Infusion
    Pour hot water and steep for 10–15 seconds. Pour out completely into a fairness pitcher or cups.

    Step 6: Multiple Infusions
    Continue brewing, adding 5–10 seconds per infusion:
    1st: 10–15 sec | 2nd: 20 sec | 3rd: 25 sec | 4th: 30 sec | 5th: 40 sec | 6th: 60 sec | 7th+: 90+ sec

    Step 7: Enjoy
    Notice how the flavor evolves—early infusions are brighter; later rounds grow richer and deeper.

    Always use filtered water for the finest Himalayan tea experience.

    Iced teas

    Can you make sweet/ unsweet iced teas from loose-leaf teas?

    Of course, you can! High-quality loose-leaf teas make the most refreshing iced teas—smooth, crisp, and oh-so-quenching!

    While some might call it blasphemous to add sweetener/sugar to high-quality loose-leaf teas, here in Texas, where sweet iced tea is a beloved tradition, we have been using our loose-leaf to uplift the iced tea experience.

    We have tried and perfected the art of turning your favorite loose-leaf tea into a delicious iced delight.
    It's time to try it for yourself. Here's how we do it:

    Pro tip: Feel free to experiment with water amounts, temperature, steeping time, tea quantity, and sweetener quantity to find your perfect balance.

    Steep suggestions for iced teas:

    Amount of Water: 2 Liters
    Amount of Loose Tea: 10-12 grams (5-6 teaspoons)
    Steeping Time: 15-20 minutes
    Steeping Temperature: 190-200°F

    Steps to Brew Iced Tea:
    Step 1: Start with a 2-liter batch.
    Boil water, then remove it from heat. Let it cool for 1-2 minutes until it's around 190-200°F.
    Step 2: Add loose-leaf tea.
    Add 10 to 12 grams of your favorite loose-leaf tea OR 5 to 6 teaspoons.
    Step 3: Steep the tea.
    Steep for 15-20 minutes (or longer if you prefer a stronger brew).
    Step 4: Strain and cool.
    Strain the tea, then let it cool down. Add ice.
    (Pro tip: For best flavor, let it chill in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. Add ice when you drink.)
    Step 5: Sweeten to taste.
    Add your favorite sweetener, but remember that balance is key—don’t let the sweetener overpower the tea’s flavor. (Pro tip: As you sip, let the tea linger in your mouth for a couple of seconds to fully enjoy its rich flavors.)

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    FAQs

    This tea is crafted from

    Darjeeling gardens typically grow between

    While Darjeeling teas are admired for their muscatel brightness, Mt. Pumori’s altitude and whole-leaf craftsmanship create a

    The striking

    This natural balance, achieved through slow oxidation at cooler mountain temperatures, gives the tea its

    Aroma and taste unfold in gentle progression:

    Each infusion reveals new dimensions — the first bold and earthy, the second mellow and nutty, the third floral and mineral-bright.

    Keeping the leaf whole maintains the

    Each cup contains approximately

    This makes it

    Per 8 oz cup:

    At ~6,500 ft, air pressure drops by ~20% and the growing season shortens by 25–30 days. The leaves respond by producing

    This balance creates a

    After the monsoon rains, the soil in Ilam is saturated with minerals while temperatures drop sharply. The plants focus on recovery, channeling stored nutrients into fewer, thicker leaves. This creates a tea that’s

    Tip:

    Kept airtight, away from heat and moisture, Mt. Pumori Whole Leaf Black Tea remains vibrant for