A Glimpse Into the 2025 Spring Tea Harvest: Updates from Nepal, Darjeeling, Taiwan and China

Spring, often regarded as the crown jewel of tea seasons, has once again begun its powerful transformation across the Himalayan foothills, misty Taiwanese highlands, and the storied tea mountains of China. This year, as always, we reached out to our trusted partners and growers to share a first-hand look at what’s unfolding in their gardens. The 2025 spring flush is now underway, and each origin tells a story—of challenges, of resilience, and of the unrelenting pursuit of excellence in the leaf.

Jun Chiyabari Estate, Nepal celebrates their 25th anniversary this year.

Nepal – Jun Chiyabari: Dry Days, Deep Knowledge

From the hills of eastern Nepal, Lochan Gyawali, co-owner of Jun Chiyabari shares a picture of a spring harvest born out of endurance and adaptability. Like the preceding winter, the 2024–2025 winter season has been remarkably dry, with just a few millimeters of rain arriving in early March. Yet, due to unusually late rains in the previous autumn, the soil retains some moisture, and mountain springs are still flowing—an uncommon stroke of good fortune.

Despite the scarcity of rainfall, Lochan notes that the first pluckings have begun, though intermittently. The volume of leaf may be lower this year, but the quality of the early manufacturing samples is, by his own words, excellent. The team is cautiously optimistic.

What makes this season especially meaningful for Jun Chiyabari is not just the harvest but the celebration of their 25th anniversary. Even as they commemorate this milestone, their work is far from over. The estate continues its thoughtful expansion of planting the final 20–30 hectares with select cultivars.

Perhaps most excitingly, Jun Chiyabari is also welcoming a couple of legendary tea masters—mentors from lineages with deep roots in tea traditions—to exchange knowledge and refine techniques. Their presence promises to influence this season’s teas in subtle and beautiful ways.

Taiwan – A Cool Prelude to Great Oolongs

Over in Taiwan, Chia Cheng, our partner, reports a spring filled with promise. This year has seen the lowest average temperatures for February and March in the last five years, slowing the growth of tea plants but enhancing the nutrient profile of the leaves. This natural pace, paired with ample rainfall, is creating ideal growing conditions.

Alishan Mountains, from where some of the best Taiwanese oolongs come.

Cheng draws a compelling comparison to the 2020 harvest—widely regarded as a standout year for Taiwanese oolongs. If the sun shines at the right time and ambient humidity remains low during harvest and processing, 2025 may very well match or exceed that high mark.

We are particularly excited about this spring's oolongs, which are likely to bring vibrant aromas, nuanced textures, and long-lasting aftertastes—hallmarks of a truly great Taiwanese tea.

Spring teas from Taiwan are expected to be available around early May. 

Darjeeling – Challenges Met with Community Spirit

Across the border of Nepal, in Darjeeling, Roshan Petrie from Okayti Estate shares a more sobering view. Rainfall has been intermittent and insufficient, and many gardens across the region are grappling with dry conditions. Moreover, labor-related tensions surfaced in some estates earlier this season, temporarily halting plucking activities.

Okayti tea estate, situated in the picturesque Mirik Valley of Darjeeling hills, was established in the 1880s.

However, at Okayti, the outlook is more hopeful. A strong and respectful relationship with their workforce has helped to maintain momentum.

Though the weather continues to be a challenging factor, the spirit on the ground remains high. With resilience and cooperation, the estate is moving forward into the spring season with a shared sense of purpose.

We can tell its working because we already sampled a batch of 2025 first flush Darjeeling from Okayti and they were excellent! We have made our selection and we hope to have them available for you in a couple of weeks. Finger crossed! 

China – Favorable Skies over Huangshan and Beyond

Going far east from the Himalayas to the highlands near Huangshan in Anhui Province, China, we find tea maker Su Wanglong sounding upbeat about the spring harvest. “The weather has been perfect,” he tells us. There has been sufficient winter rain, followed by just the right amount of spring showers—setting the stage for an excellent harvest. Plucking began last week, and all eyes are now on the forecast. As long as a surprise cold snap doesn’t appear, the outlook remains bright.

Tea fields getting ready for spring harvest in Huangshan area.

We source our Anji Bai Cha and Long Jing from organic farms slightly north of Huangshan, which Wanglong oversees closely. Picking and manufacturing are already underway there as well, and expectations are high for another outstanding year for these revered Chinese green teas—known for their fresh, delicate profiles and smooth, layered complexity.

Looking Ahead

As a tea merchant, there is nothing more grounding than hearing directly from those who live the seasons—who walk the fields, tend the plants, and coax flavor from leaf to cup. This spring, while the weather has been far from uniform, there is a quiet determination in every region. Whether through innovation, tradition, or good weather luck, our partners are doing everything they can to bring you teas that are the best of the region. 

We look forward to sharing the fruits of this spring harvest with you in the weeks to come. Each sip is a little miracle of persistence, hard work and tea magic!