Sikkim Temi Orthodox Black Tea
Floral, honeyed and gentle: orthodox black tea from India's first fully organic state.
Temi's orthodox black tea comes from Sikkim, the Himalayan state declared India's first fully organic state in 2016. The estate began moving to organic methods in 2005. The cup is floral and honeyed, with gentle nutty and fruity notes.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 48 mg in one serving (6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml)), a concentration of 22.9 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 | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:72 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 210g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf |
| Water temperature | 194°F / 90°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-4:00 |
| Serving | 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 210 g filtered water at 90°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 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 210 g of water at 90°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:50Remove 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 48 mg for a 6 to 8 oz (180 to 240 ml) cup, made with 2.5 to 3 g of leaf per 200 ml.
A small, careful pour
This page suits a cup of 180 to 240 ml. If the cup tastes thin, add a little more leaf instead of steeping longer.
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.
Temi's orthodox black tea comes from Sikkim, the Himalayan state declared India's first fully organic state in 2016. The estate began moving to organic methods in 2005. The cup is floral and honeyed, with gentle nutty and fruity notes. Brewed in a teapot at 90°C.
Origin & Story
Sikkim is the Himalayan state that India declared its first fully organic state, in 2016, after a program that began in 2003 and converted its farmland step by step. In 2010 the state launched the Sikkim Organic Mission, with a plan to convert about 50,000 hectares by the end of 2015, and the mission included farmer field schools and the certification of farms to international standards.
Temi was ahead of the curve. The estate began converting to organic methods in April 2005, under the guidelines of the Swiss certifier IMO, and it has been inspected every year since. The leaf is rolled by orthodox methods and sorted into grades, rather than crushed for tea bags.
Seasons shape the cup. A first flush is golden with a light floral finish and a slightly sweet taste, the monsoon flush is full-bodied and mellow, and the autumn flush is well rounded with a hint of warm spice.
Sellers give the elevation of Temi as about 1,400 to 1,800 meters.
Use water at about 90°C and 2.5 to 3 g of leaf for 200 ml, steep for three to four minutes in a teapot, and taste it plain before you reach for milk or sugar.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 70/100 |
| Acidity | 55/100 |
| Bitterness | 30/100 |
| Body | 55/100 |
| Aroma | 80/100 |
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 Sikkim Temi Orthodox Black Tea?
One serving, 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml), contains approximately 48 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Sikkim Temi Orthodox Black Tea?
Target 90°C (194°F).
How long should Sikkim Temi Orthodox Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-4:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 2.5–3g per 200ml water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
Is Temi tea organic?
The Temi estate began converting to organic methods in 2005 under the guidelines of the Swiss certifier IMO, and it is inspected every year. Sikkim itself was declared India's first fully organic state in 2016.
What does a Sikkim first flush taste like?
Tea sellers describe it as golden, with a light floral finish and a slightly sweet taste, and some add muscatel notes like those of a Darjeeling.
Who should avoid Sikkim Temi Orthodox Black 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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