In short: Glenburn Tea Estate is a black-tea producer in Darjeeling, India, situated at 1,552 metres and operated by Darshanial Export Ltd.
Glenburn Tea Estate is a black-tea garden located in the Darjeeling region of India, at an elevation of 1,552 metres. The estate is operated by Darshanial Export Ltd and employs a workforce of 784. No major commercial buyers have been publicly recorded in available supply-chain data.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,552 metres above sea level in the Darjeeling hills, tea cultivation typically takes place in conditions marked by steep terrain, high diurnal temperature variation, and seasonal monsoon influence. Estates at this elevation in the Eastern Himalayas generally experience cooler night-time temperatures and intense sunlight during the day, factors that tend to slow leaf growth and encourage the accumulation of complex flavour compounds.
The latitude of approximately 27°N places Glenburn in a zone where the growing season is usually punctuated by distinct flushes—spring, summer, monsoon, and autumn—each shaped by shifts in rainfall, temperature, and mist cover. These conditions typically favour the production of teas with aromatic intensity and structural complexity, though the precise character of any given harvest depends on the timing and handling of the leaf.
Tea Produced
Glenburn produces black tea, the category for which Darjeeling remains globally recognised. Estates in this region at comparable elevations often yield teas with floral and muscatel notes, particularly during the prized second flush, though considerable variation occurs between flushes and microclimates. The processing style and plucking standards employed will significantly influence the final cup, but the altitude and terroir generally support teas of aromatic refinement rather than heavy body.
Operator
Glenburn is operated by Darshanial Export Ltd, a company that also manages at least one other tea estate recorded in industry directories. This multi-estate structure is common among Darjeeling operators, allowing for shared processing expertise, logistical coordination, and diversified production across different microclimates and elevations within the region.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Glenburn Tea Estate lies at 27.0395, 88.2802 in Darjeeling, India. Its 1552 m elevation is the 6th highest of 8 estates we map in Darjeeling. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Potong Tea Garden — 1.4 km away
- Barnesbeg Tea Estate — 1.4 km away
- Mondakotee — 1.4 km away
- Mullotar — 1.4 km away
- Happy valley — 2.0 km away · West Bengal
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Glenburn Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Glenburn Tea Estate (1,552 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Glenburn Tea Estate recorded 4,758 mm in 2025, 132% more than the 2,049 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyato Tea Plantation | Colline Mpage, Rwanda | 1,558 m | 2,882 mm | 23.3 °C |
| KIBENA | Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,560 m | 628 mm | 25.4 °C |
| Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,541 m | 3,080 mm | 21.3 °C |
| Glenworth Tea Estate | The Nilgiris, India | 1,536 m | 1,467 mm | 21.8 °C |
| Agarapatana Plantations, Dambatenne | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,535 m | 2,188 mm | 22.4 °C |
Glenburn Tea Estate Compared with Darjeeling
In Darjeeling, Glenburn Tea Estate is the wettest of the 8 estates by 2025 rainfall; lower than 71% of the others by elevation; warmer than 71% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Glenburn Tea Estate against the 7 other estates we map in Darjeeling, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Glenburn Tea Estate | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,552 m | 2,100 m | 923 to 2,100 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,758 mm | 2,294 mm | 2,294 to 3,324 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.1 °C | 16.9 °C | 16.9 to 23.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.1 °C | 9.3 °C | 9.3 to 16.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Glenburn Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Glenburn Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 4,758 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was August (1,055 mm) and the driest was December (62 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.1 °C and overnight lows 12.1 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and February the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,758 mm |
| Wettest month | August (1,055 mm) |
| Driest month | December (62 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Glenburn Tea Estate located?
Glenburn Tea Estate is in Darjeeling, India, at coordinates 27.0395, 88.2802, at an elevation of about 1552 metres.
Who operates Glenburn Tea Estate?
Glenburn Tea Estate is operated by Darshanial Export Ltd, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Glenburn Tea Estate produce?
Glenburn Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does Glenburn Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,758 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in August (1,055 mm).
How does Glenburn Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Glenburn Tea Estate recorded 4,758 mm in 2025, 132% more rain than the 2,049 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
