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Lahijan Black

Iranian tea, Gilan tea

6.8/10 editor's score

Black tea from Lahijan in Gilan, Iran's first tea area. Kashef as-Saltaneh began growing tea here in 1899 with plants brought from India.

CaspianIranHeritage
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Lahijan Black, top-down

What you need

2.5 g leafLahijan Black
250 ml water100°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorReddish
Served inTeapot and cup

At a glance

Black tea from Lahijan in Gilan, Iran's first tea area.

CaffeineMedium~30 to 50 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit8.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestSpring to autumnSpring to autumn.
Pairs withDates, Sugar cubes, PastriesLess good with heavy cream
Grown atSlopes near the Caspian; the town is at 94 mLahijan, Gilan Province
Served inTeapot and cupA general choice

About Lahijan Black

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe Iranian tea as having a reddish hue and a delicate flavour 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

LahijanGilan ProvinceIRAN
Started
1899, by Kashef as-Saltaneh 1
First factory
1934 1
Style
Orthodox black tea 1
Industry
About 107 factories, 32,000 hectares 1

More from Lahijan and Iran.

History and culture

Posing as a French merchant in British India, Kashef as-Saltaneh studied tea and brought back seeds and 4,000 saplings 2.

By 1903 there were 300,000 tea plants in Lahijan alone 2.

His tomb in Lahijan is now part of the Iran Tea Museum 1.

Editor's score

6.8/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 6.0Origin & heritage: 8.0Availability: 5.0Value: 7.0Beginner-friendliness: 8.0Versatility: 7.5Flavour 6.0Heritage 8.0Availability 5.0Value 7.0Beginners 8.0Versatility 7.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Lahijan Black~30 to 50 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Our general guide for Gilan. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Camellia sinensis brought from India 12.

How it is made
01Plucking

Hand-plucked.

02Withering

Softened.

03Rolling

Orthodox 1.

04Oxidation

Full.

05Drying

Dried.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafDark, thin leaf.
LiquorReddish 1.
After steeping
Wet leafBrown leaf.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Dates
  • Sugar cubes
  • Pastries

Best avoided

  • Heavy cream

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
  • Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
  • Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.
Grades and fakes

Orthodox leaf grades 1.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Sources note the industry has declined 1.
  2. Check it is Iranian-grown.
FAQ
Who brought tea to Iran?

Kashef as-Saltaneh, who began growing it in Lahijan in 1899 12.

Find it inBlack teasTeas from IranLahijanCaspianIranHeritage

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Lahijan". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahijan
  2. Wikipedia, "Kashef as-Saltaneh". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashef_as-Saltaneh
  3. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.