
- HOME >
- New Arrival at HOJO Online Shop
Darjeeling 1st Flush Tea 2013 from Risheehat Estate
Introducing one of the Darjeeling First Flush we purchased this spring called the Risheehat Enigma. Risheehat is the name of an organic tea estate that is certified by the IMO and JAS. I always savor the First Flush Darjeeling tea from this Risheehat estate.
The leaves are still green, yet it is well fermented
The main characteristic of Darjeeling First Flush from the Risheehat estate is its light fermentation, that attains a yellowish green leaves after being brewed. At first glance, you may assume that it is either green tea or extremely lightly fermented tea. However, the colour of the green leaves do not mean that it is a less fermented tea. The tea from Risheehat estate is withered sufficiently where the withering process gradually desiccates moisture from the fresh tea leaves which usually takes around 12 to 24 hours, sometimes even more. The main objective of the withering process is to initiate fermentation under dehydration stress. For instance, although it is not perfectly appropriate example, if a pineapple you bought is still green, you may leave it in a room for a few days to let it ripened; the similar objective is applied for the withering of the tea leaves. During the withering process, the tea leaves will produce a flavour that reminds us of flowers or fruits. Thereupon, the Risheehat tea estate conducts withering process for a long time in order to attain a very strong floral flavour on their tea. I often presume that their black tea is so much similar to the Taiwan oolong. Due to the long withering process, very low moisture remains in the leaves. In order to produce the green type of Darjeeling 1st flush, the moisture content in the leaves is essential. The insufficient moisture will result in less color development after the rolling process. That is why the Darjeeling First Flush from Risheehat is very green. Do refer to the following article for more details.
https://hojotea.com/en/posts-29/
Early March harvesting
The production of First Flush tea in the Risheehat tea estate is relatively earlier than other of the tea estates in Darjeeling. This batch that I am introducing this year is harvested in early March. This tea produces an intermediate body and has quite a strong after taste, plus, its floral flavour gives a hint of lilies, and then a fruity note like citrus fruit that spreads around the mouth with much richness. It also reminds me of some kind of mountain herbs where in Japan, during the spring season, there is a kind of mountain herb we consume called the Koshiabura. I often think that the flavour of Risheehat is similar to that of the Koshiabura.
With adequate maturation, the honey-muscatel flavour will intensify
This tea is nice to drink when it is fresh. However, for better taste, it is advisable to store for another few years. With adequate maturation, the flavour will become stronger and develop the muscatel flavour. If you wish to nicely mature the Darjeeling tea, please store it without oxygen and placed in the warmest environment in your house. The Darjeeling First Flush that I purchased last year from the Risheehat tea estate is now more matured and has a flavour that is more obvious and intense. However, I shall keep them for another few years to enjoy the better outcome.
Related Articles
How to get the latest update on HOJO Tea?
1. Follow Twitter, 2. Click "Like" on Facebook, and 3. Subscribe in newsletter. You can have the latest tea news from HOJO Tea.
Subscribe the Newsletter to enjoy the privileges
- You may receive a free sample upon purchase, or you may have the priority to purchase special products. So please remember to subscribe our newsletter as well as the social network.
- New Release of Wu Jia Zhai Raw Pu-erh Tea 2018 Loose
- We have released Wu Jia Zhai Raw Pu-erh Tea. It is a Loose Tea (Mao-cha). This tea was made in 2018 and has been aged for nearly three years. Thanks to the aging, it has developed more distinctive flavour with sweet scent of sugar cane and dried fruits. Sustainable Tea Garden at high altitude of …
- New Release of Tong Mu Shui Xian Black Tea
- We have released very rare black tea, Tong Mu Shui Xian Black Tea. This tea is from Tong Mu Guan in Wuyishan, Fujian Province, China. The tea garden is located at 1000m above sea level, and the tea garden is totally sustainable, the tea trees are grown without pesticide and fertilizer. Tong Mu Shui Xian …
NEW ARTICLES
New Release of Wu Jia Zhai Raw Pu-erh Tea 2018 Loose
- We have released Wu Jia Zhai Raw Pu-erh Tea. It is a Loose Tea (Mao-cha). This tea was made in 2018 and has been aged for nearly three years. Thanks to the aging, it has developed more distinctive flavour with sweet scent of sugar cane and dried fruits. Sustainable Tea Garden at high altitude of …
New Release of Tong Mu Shui Xian Black Tea
- We have released very rare black tea, Tong Mu Shui Xian Black Tea. This tea is from Tong Mu Guan in Wuyishan, Fujian Province, China. The tea garden is located at 1000m above sea level, and the tea garden is totally sustainable, the tea trees are grown without pesticide and fertilizer. Tong Mu Shui Xian …
New Release of Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea 2020
- We have launched Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea 2020, in loose tea. For Malaysia, we release the 200g cake version. This year, we have made major improvements in the raw material, producer, and production method, resulting in a very satisfying quality. However, the production volume is extremely small; it will likely to be sold …
Limited Release of Yunnan 10 Years Vintage Black Tea 2010
- We release 10-year vintage Yunnan black tea. This tea was produced in 2010 and aged in Yunnan for 8 years in aerobic storage. We bought this year in 2018, and it has been aged in Japan and Malaysia for two years in anoxic storage condition. The production area is very near to the Myanmar border …
Da Xue Shan Wild Raw Pu-erh Tea 2020 was Released
- We have launched 2020 wild puerh tea. This wild tea is from Da Xue Shan located in Lincang of Yunnan Province, China. We started to introduce Da Xue Shan Wild tea since 2010. But 2020 version was completely renewed. This year, we changed the source of tea, the producers and the production method too. Why …
High Mountain Purple Black Tea 2020 is Now Available
- We have released High Mountain Purple Black Tea 2020. It was unexpectedly well-made this year. I am truly delighted by its outcome. About Purple Tea The High Mountain Purple tea is made from the specific type of tea, the locals called it “Zi Cha”, that means purple tea in English. It is a rare tea …
We have released the Flower of Ancient Tea Tree
- We have released the Flower of Ancient Tea Tree. This is the fresh tea flowers hand-picked from old tea trees of ancient tea gardens. The tea garden is totally sustainable, with natural farming practice and no pesticide or fertilizer at all. The tea garden is located at altitude of 2000-2200m in the western part of …
Limited Sales of Single Tree Raw Pu-erh,White and Black tea 2019
- We have released Single Tree Pu-erh Tea 2019. Literally, the single tree tea is harvested and processed only from one single tea tree. Each single tree tea is sourced from the high mountain in west Lincang, the altitude is at around 2000-2200m. Thick Taste of Old Tree We selected particularly old tea tree for making …
Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong from Tong Mu Guan in Wuyi Mountain
- We have released Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong. It is the most premium Lapsang Souchong in HOJO’s line-up. This tea is from Tong Mu Guan in Wuyi Mountain. Qi Zhong is seed-grown tea tree, and tea garden is totally sustainable. Unlike ordinary black tea, this unique black tea gives strong fruity flavor reminiscent of peaches and …
Amazing difference between seedling tea and cultivated tea
- Do you know that tea is divided into two groups: cultivated tea propagated by cuttings, and seedling tea grown from seed?There is actually a big difference between cultivated tea and seedling tea. What is Cultivar? The cultivated tea refers to tea with a name of specific cultivar, such as Yabukita, Benifuki, Okumidori, Tie Guan Yin, …
Shop Info

Address:Lot No. T-215, 3rd Floor, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2287-4537
Business Hour: 10am to 10pm
Category
- New Arrival at HOJO Online Shop
- Featured Articles
- Newsletter
- Types of Tea
- Origin of Tea
- Teapot and Tea Equipment
- Tea Column
- How to enjoy tea
- Tea Processing
- How to choose quality tea
- Tea constituents and functional effect
- Safety of Tea
- Foods
- Tea Business Operation
- Hobby and Outdoor Activity
- Ranking of Tea
- Video
- FAQ
- Media Release
Profile

- AKIRA HOJO
- I invite you to experience my tea selections.I was born in Nagano, Japan. In university, I studied agricultural chemistry, and I have the master degree in food science. I worked in Japanese food industry for 10 years. I involved in R&D, QC and QA. As a factory manager, I implemented ISO9000 series and managed the factory.
- The Art of Tea Magazine
- We posted the article on “The Art of Tea Magazine No.9, the magazine is published in Taiwan. We featured some scientific view about the tetsubin
- New Straits Times
- The Malaysian National Newspaper, New Straits Times featured HOJO Tea on 17-Oct-2007.