Arya Golden Moonbeam Second Flush Darjeeling 2025 – Rare Edition Tea

About Arya Moonbeam Darjeeling

The result of painstaking craftsmanship and deep-rooted tradition, Arya Golden Moonbeam is produced from the estate’s finest AV2 clonal tea bushes – renowned for their ability to yield teas of remarkable flavor and aromatic depth. Each leaf is carefully hand-plucked by skilled women tea pickers, who select only the most tender shoots: one leaf and a bud. This meticulous process, combined with the unique terroir of Arya Estate’s high-altitude gardens, creates a tea that is a true expression of Darjeeling’s artistry and natural elegance.

The Origin and Revival of Arya Moonbeam Darjeeling

The journey of Arya Moonbeam began in 2005, when Benoy, founder of Thunderbolt Tea, visited the Arya Tea Estate and met with a local tea expert. During this visit, he encountered a tea unlike any he had tasted before – delicately aromatic, vividly flavorful, and unmistakably special. Realizing its potential, Thunderbolt Tea began sourcing this variety the following year, branding it as Moonbeam with the tea garden’s permission. Yes, Thunderbolt Tea is the very tea company who gave this tea the name – “MOONBEAM”

For over a decade, Moonbeam became a celebrated part of Thunderbolt Tea’s offerings. However, due to changes in production and the complexity of replicating its unique flavor profile, the tea gradually became unavailable. After a long absence, it was briefly revived in 2018 and again in 2023 and 2024, though only in small quantities.

The turning point came in 2023 when Mr. Roy, the experienced manager at Arya Tea Estate, succeeded in reproducing the tea’s original taste and aroma. His efforts resulted in an exclusive batch of just 10 kilograms in 2024 and also this year, 2025, which Thunderbolt Tea swiftly secured. This year’s harvest marks not only a return but a renaissance – a revival of a tea that had long been thought lost. 4 small batches were made and among them, this particular batch or invoic, EX-85, was exceptional not only in appearance, but also in aroma and the cup. You may find the other 3 Moonbeams (no offence) and we encourage you to try it and also try the one we have – We will not have to stress on the quality anymore, you, yourself will understand it.

The Craftsmanship Behind Arya Golden Moonbeam

What makes Arya Moonbeam truly remarkable is the attention to detail at every step of its production. The tea is made exclusively from AV2 clonal leaves, a cultivar celebrated for producing aromatic, flavorful teas with a natural sweetness and complex character.

These leaves are harvested from a special clonal section of the Arya Tea Estate, situated in the higher elevations of Darjeeling where cool temperatures and mist-laden mornings help develop rich essential oils in the leaf. The plucking standard is uncompromising: only the finest, most tender leaf-and-bud pairs are selected, ensuring uniformity and excellence.

This careful hand-plucking is performed by skilled women workers, whose knowledge and experience shape the soul of this tea. Their expert hands delicately select the best shoots, preserving their integrity and ensuring the natural character of the leaf is retained through processing. Their dedication is not merely labor—it is an art form passed down through generations.

The dry leaves of Arya Moonbeam are a visual delight. Noticeably larger than typical Darjeeling teas, they exhibit a wiry, twisted appearance that hints at the care taken during rolling. The color spectrum of the leaves ranges from deep golden-yellow and rich chocolate brown to silvery-white tips—a hallmark of high-grade clonal teas.

These silver and golden buds, preserved with meticulous precision during processing, lend the leaves a delicate silver-golden shimmer. The combination of large, tippy leaves and varied hues creates a striking visual identity, even before the tea touches hot water. This year, there is even more tips or furry buds than the ones we have seen in the past – excellent lustre clad tea made with utmost care and concern.

Once infused, the leaves unfurl gracefully, revealing their full, generous size—a testament to their high plucking standard. The wet leaves present a harmonious interplay of copper, pale brown, and soft yellow, with the once-silvery tips now transformed into a subtle golden hue.

The aroma is captivating. A soft, sweet fragrance greets the nose, layered with floral citrus notes and gentle hints of lemon zest. As the leaves continue to steep, deeper aromas emerge: a mellow nuttiness, delicate stone fruit, and a touch of honeyed warmth. The evolving fragrance hints at the nuanced complexity to come in the cup.

The first sip of Arya Moonbeam is bright and brisk, awakening the senses with its lively energy. But as the tea glides over the palate, it reveals its true charm: a smooth, gentle sweetness that unfurls slowly and gracefully.

A subtle nuttiness adds depth, followed by layers of fruity undertones—ripe apple, delicate apricot, and even a whisper of pineapple. These flavors are not overpowering but beautifully integrated, creating a complexity that evolves with each sip. The finish is long and clean, leaving a light floral aftertaste with lingering hints of spice and honey.

This isn’t just a tea – it’s an experience. It evokes the cool mountain air of Darjeeling, the care of the hands that picked it, and the decades of tradition that shaped it.

Arya Moonbeam Darjeeling is more than a seasonal harvest—it is a rare triumph of tradition, nature, and craftsmanship. With its robust reddish liquor, larger leaf structure, and distinctive flavor complexity, it stands apart from classic Darjeeling teas.

From its lively start to its lingering finish, this tea offers a journey of taste—refreshing, nuanced, and profoundly satisfying. Whether you’re a seasoned tea connoisseur or a curious explorer of fine teas, Arya Golden Moonbeam is a brew that captivates the senses and lingers in memory.

In every sip lies the story of its revival, the passion behind its creation, and the timeless beauty of Darjeeling.