Nepal Ilam Green Tea
Wildflower, fresh greens and a honeyed finish from the first tea gardens of Nepal.
Ilam, in the hills of eastern Nepal, is where Nepal's tea story began in the 1860s. Its green tea is bright and floral, with wildflower, fresh greens and a honeyed, lightly sweet finish. Brewed in a glass teapot at 80°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 32 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 13.3 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Glass Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:80 |
| Dose & yield | 3g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf |
| Water temperature | 176°F / 80°C |
| Target brew time | 2:00-3:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 3 g loose-leaf green tea
- 240 g filtered water at 80°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 3 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 80°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 2:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
How strong is it?
We list about 32 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Keep it bright
Ilam green tea is at its best when it tastes fresh and floral. If it turns grassy and sharp, the water was too hot, so let the kettle rest for a few minutes before you pour.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Ilam, in the hills of eastern Nepal, is where Nepal's tea story began in the 1860s. Its green tea is bright and floral, with wildflower, fresh greens and a honeyed, lightly sweet finish. Brewed in a glass teapot at 80°C.
Origin & Story
Nepal's tea story starts in Ilam. Around 1863, within ten years of the first tea plantation in neighboring Darjeeling, tea bushes were planted in the hills of Ilam District, and the Ilam Tea Estate became the first in Nepal. It is believed that the first bushes grew from seeds the Chinese emperor gave as a gift to Nepal's prime minister, Jung Bahadur Rana, and Gajraj Singh Thapa, the governor of Ilam, is remembered as the man who planted tea there.
Most of Nepal's tea gardens lie in the eastern hills, on the foothills of Kanchenjunga, at elevations of roughly 3,000 to 7,000 feet. Unlike the big estates of Darjeeling and Sikkim, many Nepali gardens were started by collectives of farmers who pooled their land.
The Himalayan climate is part of the cup. Tea writers link the cool mountain air and slow growth at altitude to a delicate aroma and flavor, and this green tea shows it: bright and floral, with wildflower, fresh greens and a light honey sweetness. Spring-picked Ilam tea pours a pale yellow.
Use water at about 80°C, 3 g of leaf for 240 ml, and steep for two to three minutes. A glass teapot lets you watch the leaves open.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 74/100 |
| Acidity | 54/100 |
| Bitterness | 18/100 |
| Body | 46/100 |
| Aroma | 90/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Nepal Ilam Green Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 32 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Nepal Ilam Green Tea?
Target 80°C (176°F).
How long should Nepal Ilam Green Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:00-3:00. Method: Glass Teapot. Ratio: 12g/L (3g leaves to 240g water). Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
Where is Ilam?
Ilam is a district in the eastern hills of Nepal, near the border with Darjeeling in India. It is where Nepal's first tea estate was set up in the 1860s.
Who started tea in Nepal?
Gajraj Singh Thapa, the governor of Ilam, is remembered as the man who planted tea there in the 1860s. It is believed the first bushes grew from seeds that the Chinese emperor gave as a gift to Nepal's prime minister.
Who should avoid Nepal Ilam Green Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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