Is Nepali Tea Organic? What You Need to Know About Our Farm Certifications
Last updated: June 2026
Is this tea organic? It is one of the questions we get most often at Nepal Hills Tea, and it deserves a clear, honest answer. Not marketing language: an actual explanation of what organic certification means, which of our farms are certified, where we stand on packaging, and why any of it matters for the tea in your cup.
I'm Bhaskar Dahal, founder of Nepal Hills Tea. I source directly from four farm partners in Nepal's Ilam and Taplejung regions. Here's the full picture.
The Short Answer
Two of our farm partners, Farmers Tea Co. (Ilam) and Sandakphu Tea Estate, are certified organic. Pathibhara Tea Estate grows following organic farming practices. The fourth, Norling Speciality Tea (source of our Muscatel Black Tea), is currently transitioning to organic certification.
Our tea products do not yet carry organic certification logos on the packaging itself. That certification process (for the product label, not the farm) is currently in progress. The farms are certified; the packaging certification is the remaining step.
What Does Organic Certification Actually Mean?
Organic certification means that a certified third party has inspected the farm and verified that growing practices meet defined standards: no synthetic pesticides or herbicides, no synthetic fertilizers, soil health practices, buffer zones, and record-keeping for traceability. For tea specifically, organic certification matters more than for many crops because tea leaves are not washed before drying. Residues go directly into your cup. The USDA National Organic Program sets internationally recognized benchmark requirements for certified organic agricultural products, and Farmers Tea Co. holds USDA organic certification (CE-207237).
Our Farm Partners: Certification Status
Farmers Tea Co. - Ilam, Nepal
Certification status: Certified organic
Farmers Tea Co. is our primary Ilam farm partner, growing at 5,500 ft above sea level. Certified organic at the farm level. Produces our Gold Black Tea, Organic Light Green Tea, Floral White Tea, Fresh White Tea, and Floral Green Tea.
Pathibhara Tea Estate - Taplejung, Nepal
Certification status: Follows organic farming practices
Pathibhara Tea Estate produces our Special Black Tea (artisanal name: Theba Black), grown at 6,000 ft in Taplejung. The dark chocolate, dried plum, pine resin flavour profile is a direct result of its high-altitude, low-intervention growing environment.
Sandakphu Tea Estate
Certification status: Certified organic
Certified organic. Produces specialty teas in our range.
Norling Speciality Tea - Ilam, Nepal
Certification status: Transitioning to organic certification
Norling Speciality Tea is the source of our Muscatel Black Tea. The farm is currently working through the organic transition process, which typically takes three years of documented practice before full certification is granted.
High Altitude as a Natural Quality Safeguard
Growing at 5,000-7,000 ft significantly reduces pest pressure compared to lowland farming. This is part of why organic farming is more viable in these regions, and part of why our farm partners have been able to achieve and maintain certification. The altitude is a natural ally of low-intervention growing.
It also means: no bitterness. The same high-altitude slow growth that makes organic farming more practical also concentrates flavour compounds and limits tannin accumulation. Nepal's tea certification infrastructure is managed through the Nepal Tea and Coffee Development Board, which oversees farm registrations and quality standards across Ilam and Taplejung. All tea imported to Canada must also meet Canadian Food Inspection Agency food import standards, which our certified organic sourcing and direct-trade model exceed.
What to Order If Organic Is Your Priority
- Floral Green Tea - $10/25g. Farmers Tea Co., Ilam (certified organic).
- Organic Light Green Tea - $20/50g. Farmers Tea Co., Ilam (certified organic).
- Gold Black Tea - $20/50g. Farmers Tea Co., Ilam (certified organic).
- Floral White Tea - $10/25g. Farmers Tea Co., Ilam (certified organic).
- Fresh White Tea - $10/25g. Farmers Tea Co., Ilam (certified organic).
- Special Black Tea - $11/25g. Pathibhara Tea Estate, Taplejung (follows organic farming practices).
The Tea Sampler Kit ($30) includes teas from all four farm partners and is the best way to experience the full range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nepal Hills Tea organic?
Two of Nepal Hills Tea's farm partners, Farmers Tea Co. (Ilam) and Sandakphu Tea Estate, are certified organic. Pathibhara Tea Estate grows following organic farming practices. The fourth farm, Norling Speciality Tea (source of the Muscatel Black Tea), is transitioning to organic certification. Product packaging certification is in progress.
Why doesn't the packaging say certified organic?
Organic certification on a product label requires the entire supply chain to be verified. Nepal Hills Tea's farm partners are certified organic, and the product-level packaging certification is currently in progress.
Which Nepal Hills teas come from certified organic farms?
Teas from Farmers Tea Co. (Gold Black, Organic Light Green, Floral Green, Floral White, Fresh White) and Sandakphu Tea Estate are sourced from certified organic farms. Pathibhara Tea Estate (Special Black / Theba Black) grows following organic farming practices. The Muscatel Black Tea from Norling Speciality Tea comes from a farm in organic transition.
Does the altitude of Nepali tea affect pesticide use?
Yes. Growing at 5,000-7,000 ft significantly reduces pest pressure. Many insects requiring pesticide intervention in lowland tea cultivation do not thrive at Nepal's high-altitude growing regions.