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Nilgiri

8.1/10 editor's score

Fragrant, brisk black tea from the Nilgiri hills, the "Blue Mountains" of southern India. Smooth and bright, and a favourite for iced tea because it stays clear.

Iced teaSmoothYear-round
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Nilgiri, top-down

What you need

2.5 g leafNilgiri
250 ml water95 to 100°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorBright, clear orange-red
Served inTeapot and cup

At a glance

Fragrant, brisk black tea from the Nilgiri hills, the "Blue Mountains" of southern India.

CaffeineMedium~35 to 55 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit9.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestAll year, best December to MarchCool, dry weather and the prized "frost" teas.
Pairs withIced tea with lemon, Lemon cake, Grilled fish, SandwichesLess good with very rich desserts
Grown atAbout 1,000 to 2,500 mNilgiris, Tamil Nadu
Served inTeapot and cupA general choice

About Nilgiri

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe Nilgiri as brisk, fragrant and smooth, with fruity and floral notes, and note that it stays clear when iced 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

NilgirisTamil NaduINDIA
Region
Nilgiri hills, Tamil Nadu and Kerala 1
Elevation
About 1,000 to 2,500 m 1
Climate
Two monsoons, picking all year 1
Best season
Cool winter months, "frost teas" 1

More from Nilgiris and India.

History and culture

Tea was planted in the Nilgiris in the 19th century, after early trials in the 1830s and 1850s 1.

Editor's score

8.1/10

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: 7.5Origin & heritage: 8.0Availability: 7.5Value: 9.0Beginner-friendliness: 9.0Versatility: 9.0Flavour 7.5Heritage 8.0Availability 7.5Value 9.0Beginners 9.0Versatility 9.0
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
Nilgiri~35 to 55 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

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

Harvest calendar

Nilgiri picks all year. The cool winter months give the most fragrant teas 1. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Mostly clonal Camellia sinensis, including var. assamica and hybrid bushes 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

Mostly by hand.

02Withering

Softens the leaf.

03Rolling or CTC

Orthodox and CTC are both made.

04Oxidation

Full.

05Drying

Fired dry.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafDark, mostly broken leaf.
LiquorBright, clear orange-red.
After steeping
Wet leafCoppery.

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

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Iced tea with lemon
  • Lemon cake
  • Grilled fish
  • Sandwiches

Best avoided

  • Very rich desserts

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 grades from FOP to BOP, and CTC grades for bags 2.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. "Frost tea" lots are small and seasonal.
  2. Look for a named estate for loose leaf.
FAQ
Why is Nilgiri good iced?

It is known for staying clear rather than clouding when it cools.

Is it like Darjeeling?

Both are high-grown, but Nilgiri is usually smoother and less astringent.

Find it inBlack teasTeas from IndiaNilgirisIced teaSmoothYear-round

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Nilgiri tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nilgiri_tea
  2. Wikipedia, "Tea leaf grading". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_leaf_grading
  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.