Nilgiri orthodox black
Whole and broken leaf rolled the traditional way: fragrant, bright and brisk. Available as single-estate lots, bought direct from the estate.
Typical grades · FOP, OP, BOP, BOPF, fannings
Nilgiri tea · GI-registered origin
Tea from the Blue Mountains
Bright, brisk and fragrant teas grown at up to 2,500 metres in the Nilgiris of South India — bought direct from estates, at the Coonoor auction and from bought-leaf factories around Kotagiri and shipped in bulk or under your own brand.
The origin
Why Nilgiri
1,000–2,500 mAmong the highest tea gardens in the world, on the slopes of the Western Ghats.
GI since 2008Nilgiri Orthodox tea is a registered Geographical Indication of India.
Two monsoonsSouth-west and north-east rains let the bushes be plucked through the year.
Clear when icedLow astringency keeps the liquor bright as it cools — prized for iced tea.
In the cup
Fragrant, brisk and smooth
Nilgiri teas brew a bright, golden-amber liquor with floral and citrus notes and a clean, brisk finish. Their naturally low bitterness makes them easy to drink plain, and their balance of flavour and body makes them a favourite with blenders.
The same qualities that make a fine pot of orthodox tea also make Nilgiri a dependable base for breakfast blends, chai and ready-to-drink iced tea.
- Floral
- Citrus
- Brisk
- Golden liquor
- Low astringency
- Blends well
What we supply
Nilgiri teas, and teas for blending
Grades and lots are matched to your samples and specification before every order. New to tea grades? Read Nilgiri tea grades explained.
Nilgiri CTC
Granular leaf that brews fast, strong and bright — for tea bags, chai and catering.
Typical grades · BP, BOP, PF, PD, dust
Frost teas
Small seasonal lots plucked in the cold winter months, when slower growth gives a more intense, aromatic cup.
Availability · limited, by season
Green tea
Nilgiri green tea with a fresh, vegetal cup, in whole and broken leaf.
Formats · loose leaf, bulk
White tea & silver tips
Hand-picked buds, gently withered and dried. Small micro-lots.
Availability · micro-lots on request
Assam orthodox & CTC
Malty, full-bodied Assam to pair with Nilgiri brightness in breakfast and chai blends.
Use · our private-label blends
Choosing a grade
Which tea for your product?
Tell us what you are making and we will recommend the grade and send matching samples.
| Your product | What we usually suggest | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Premium loose-leaf retail | Single-estate Nilgiri orthodox, FOP or OP; winter frost lots in season | Whole leaf, fragrant, traceable to one estate |
| Everyday loose tea | Nilgiri orthodox BOP or BOPF | Brisk, bright and good value |
| Karak, chai and milk tea | Nilgiri CTC BP or BOP, or a Nilgiri–Assam blend | Strong, quick brewing, holds up to milk and sugar |
| Tea bags | CTC PF or PD, or orthodox fannings | Small particle size, fast infusion |
| Iced and ready-to-drink tea | Nilgiri orthodox, or a Nilgiri-led blend | Stays clear when cold; little clouding |
| Your own brand | A custom blend, packed under your label | Matched to your target cup and price |
Seasons
A tea for every month
With two monsoons, the Nilgiris are plucked through the year, and each season shapes the cup.
Winter · roughly Dec–Feb
Frost & winter teas
Cold nights slow the bushes. The most aromatic, sought-after Nilgiri lots of the year.
Spring–summer
Bright main teas
Rising growth with good flavour and body — dependable volumes for blends and private label.
Monsoon months
Volume teas
Heavier rain brings more leaf and a softer cup, well suited to CTC and everyday blends.
How we supply
Sourced at origin, shipped to your spec
We are based in Kotagiri, in the heart of the Nilgiri tea country, and buy direct from Nilgiri estates, at the Coonoor auction and from the bought-leaf factories in the hills. Our sourcing partner has traded Nilgiri tea since the late 1990s and knows most of the estate owners, so single-estate teas can be sourced year-round; they are traced to the estate on the invoice. Every lot is checked against your approved sample before it is packed.
Teas ship in foil-lined sacks, cartons or retail packs under your brand, FOB, CFR or CIF from Thoothukudi (Tuticorin), Kochi or Chennai. We are a licensed tea exporter with the Tea Board of India (licence TB|LC|E-14418).
Buying for a business in India? See Nilgiri tea wholesale in India →
Guides for tea buyers
Know your Nilgiri tea
Why the Nilgiris stand out
The world’s tea regions, their altitudes and cups, and what makes Nilgiri tea unique.
Nilgiri tea grades explained
What OP, BOP, fannings and CTC grades mean, and which to choose.
Nilgiri vs Assam for blending
What each tea brings to a blend, and how Nilgiri can lower its cost.
Importing Nilgiri tea into Saudi Arabia
SFDA rules, shipping to Jeddah and Dammam, and a first order.
Taste the Nilgiris
Tell us the grade, volume and destination. We reply within one working day with pricing and sample options.