Himalayan Mist (Kanchanjangha Verde)

Kanchanjangha Tea Estate and Research Center Pvt. Ltd. (KTERC) is the first certified organic tea garden in Nepal that was established in 1984. Mr. Deepak Prakash Baskota; Father of our founder Nishchal Banskota, took this initiative to rid his community out of poverty. Read more about his story here. Till this day, it remains a model social enterprise that runs on cooperative infrastructure and is truly focussed on the triple bottom line of people and planet before profit.

The production of Kanchanjangha Verde closely follows the traditional green tea methods used in Darjeeling. In fact, our first tea makers in the early 90s were from Darjeeling, and they helped us refine this process. After the tea leaves are carefully hand-plucked, they are brought to the factory and briefly allowed to sit before being quickly dried. This critical step stops oxidation before it can begin.

Next, the partially dried leaves are rolled to break their cell walls, releasing essential oils and enhancing their flavor. Unlike many other green teas, the rolled leaves are given time to rest before undergoing a final drying process, which locks in their peak aroma. The tea leaves are then crushed and sorted through a series of machines to remove stems and flakey pieces, separating the finest parts of the leaves. Finally, the tea is hand-sorted into multiple grades to ensure the highest quality product.

Our tea estate thrives in the eastern region of Nepal, nestled in the foothills of Mt. Kanchanjangha, which is the third-highest mountain in the world. Located precisely near the western borders of Darjeeling, India and north of the Illam, the most famous tea growing region in Nepal, our small village enjoys the best of both worlds. Situated at an altitude of 1300-1800 meters (4,200 - 6000 feet), the area enjoys pristine himalayan climatic conditions to produce highly unique and aromatic teas.

This tea is an ideal introduction for anyone new to green tea. Its mellow, smooth flavor offers sweet fruity and vegetal notes, making it easy to enjoy. Unlike many other green teas, it can handle slightly higher brewing temperatures due to its careful production process, which includes a touch of oxidation. Fans of Japanese sencha or roasted green teas will likely appreciate its unique character.

We dedicate this tea to our factory driver, Dhan Bahadur, who has been with us for over 20 years. To us, this tea represents the power of passion and hard work, as it was one of the first green teas ever produced in Nepal. Dhan Bahadur, who has loved driving since he was a child, still takes pride in navigating the steep, treacherous roads that many others find daunting. His dedication mirrors the spirit behind this tea.