Single-origin black · Ilam–Taplejung, 5,000–6,000 ft

Nepal Hills Ruby Black Tea

Rich Dark Cherry & Cocoa Black Tea from Ilam, Nepal - Single Origin Whole Leaf

  • Certified organic farm
  • Whole leaf only
  • 5% back to farm
Ruby Black Tea — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea Ruby Black Tea — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea
Ruby Black Tea — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 2 Ruby Black Tea — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 2
Ruby Black Tea brewed in a cup — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 3 Ruby Black Tea brewed in a cup — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 3
Ruby Black Tea dry leaves — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 4 Ruby Black Tea dry leaves — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 4
Ruby Black Tea packaging back — Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 5 Ruby Black Tea packaging back — Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 5
Ruby Black Tea — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea
Ruby Black Tea — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 2
Ruby Black Tea brewed in a cup — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 3
Ruby Black Tea dry leaves — Bold Dark Cherry Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 4
Ruby Black Tea packaging back — Single-Origin Nepal Tea | Nepal Hills Tea — 5

Single-origin black · Ilam–Taplejung, 5,000–6,000 ft

Nepal Hills Ruby Black Tea

Rich Dark Cherry & Cocoa Black Tea from Ilam, Nepal - Single Origin Whole Leaf

  • Certified organic farm
  • Whole leaf only
  • 5% back to farm
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$60.00 away from free Canada-wide shipping

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Description

Ruby Black Tea is a bold, single-origin loose leaf black tea from the Ilam and Taplejung border region of Nepal — grown at 5,000–6,000 ft on Sandakphu Tea Estate's certified organic farm. Dark cherry, rich cocoa, and a deep velvet mouthfeel. Espresso-level boldness with absolutely no bitterness.

The Story of Ruby Black Tea

Sandakphu Tea Estate sits on the ridge where Ilam meets Taplejung in eastern Nepal — a geographic sweet spot where elevation, soil, and seasonal mist converge to produce something that does not taste like any black tea you have tried before. The Jasbirey Village community has farmed these slopes for decades, tending each bush by hand at altitudes between 5,000 and 6,000 ft.

Ruby gets its name from the striking ruby-red liquor it produces in the cup — a deep, wine-like colour that signals the richness inside. The oxidation process is carefully controlled to draw out the dark cherry and cocoa depth without any of the harshness that blended black teas carry. The result is a strong tea that stays smooth from first sip to last — no bitterness, no astringency, nothing to fight through.

Why Ruby Black Tea Is Different

  • Grown at 5,000–6,000 ft on the Ilam and Taplejung border — one of the highest tea-growing elevations in Nepal
  • Certified organic farm — every bush on Sandakphu Tea Estate is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers
  • Deep ruby-red liquor and dark cherry flavour profile that rivals premium Assam and Ceylon single-estate teas
  • Bold enough for a morning cup black — smooth enough to drink all day with no bitterness
  • Purchasing this helps support farms like Sandakphu Tea Estate maintain organic certification through our 5% back to farm program

About Sandakphu Tea Estate

Sandakphu Tea Estate occupies the high-altitude borderland between Ilam and Taplejung districts in eastern Nepal, at elevations of 5,000–6,000 ft above sea level. The estate is operated by the Jasbirey Village community — a dedicated farming community that has built deep knowledge of these slopes over decades. Sandakphu is a certified organic farm: no synthetic inputs, no shortcuts, and no compromise on quality.

New to Nepal Hills Tea? Start with the Tea Sampler Kit ($30 CAD) — 10 single-origin teas from all 4 farms, including Ruby Black Tea, in one discovery set.

What's included

From Sandakphu Tea Estate on the Ilam–Taplejung ridge (5,000–6,000 ft), farmed by the Jasbirey Village community. Named for the ruby-red liquor it pours; oxidation is tuned to draw out dark cherry and cocoa with no harshness.

Brewing

Hot — 90–95°C, 3–4 min. Re-steeps 2–3×.
Cold brew — 2 tsp per 500 ml cold water, refrigerate 8–12 hours. Cherry and cocoa deepen; zero bitterness.

Shipping & returns

Free Canada-wide shipping on orders $60+. Free local delivery in Peterborough, ON over $20. Not for you? Contact us within 30 days — our refund policy covers it.

5% back to farm

Purchasing this helps support farms like Sandakphu Tea Estate maintain organic certification — 5% of every order goes directly back to our four partner farms.

Single-origin No bitterness Whole leaf only Grown at 5,000–7,000 ft 5% back to farm

Know your tea.

Every Nepal Hills tea names its farm, its grower, and its altitude. Here's exactly where this one comes from.

  • Ilam–Taplejung border, Nepal Tea origin Ilam–Taplejung border, Nepal Tea origin
  • Sandakphu Tea Estate — certified organic Tea garden Sandakphu Tea Estate — certified organic Tea garden
  • Santosh Ghale · Jasbirey Village community Producer / artisan Santosh Ghale · Jasbirey Village community Producer / artisan
  • 5,000–6,000 ft above sea level Farm elevation 5,000–6,000 ft above sea level Farm elevation
  • Black · richly oxidised Tea type Black · richly oxidised Tea type
  • ~30–50 mg hot · ~15–30 mg cold, per 8 oz cup Caffeine level ~30–50 mg hot · ~15–30 mg cold, per 8 oz cup Caffeine level
  • Dark cherry · rich cocoa Tasting notes Dark cherry · rich cocoa Tasting notes

Watch: How to Steep?

From Himalayan garden to your cup

Named for the cup

A deep, wine-red liquor.

Oxidation is tuned to draw out dark cherry and rich cocoa without any of the harshness blended blacks carry. Strong, velvety, smooth from first sip to last.

Bold — and a great iced tea

Espresso-level, zero bitterness.

Cold brew 2 tsp per 500 ml for 8–12 hours and the cherry and cocoa deepen with no astringency. Or brew double-strength and pour over ice.

Who grew it

Sandakphu Tea Estate, Ilam–Taplejung.

Farmed by the Jasbirey Village community at 5,000–6,000 ft on a certified organic farm. 5% of your order goes back to farms like this one.

Tea in real life

Every cup tells a story. Here's how our community enjoys theirs.

  • Calm & Restore

  • Focus & Flow

  • Morning Ritual

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happy customers

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cups enjoyed

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from Nepali farmers

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back to farm, every order

No brokers, no auction houses — just four independent farms in Ilam and Taplejung, and a promise: 5% of every order goes back to them to fund organic certification.

A message from the founder

Why we bring Nepali tea directly to you

No brokers, no auction houses — just four independent farms in Ilam and Taplejung, and a promise: 5% of every order goes back to them to fund organic certification.

Questions, answered

What does Ruby Black Tea taste like?

Ruby Black Tea has a bold, layered flavor profile: dark cherry up front, cocoa on the mid-palate, and a smooth velvet finish. The liquor brews a striking deep ruby-red color. Despite its intensity, the high-altitude growing conditions at Sandakphu, Nepal, mean there is no bitterness — it's a full-bodied cup that stays smooth and never harsh, even without milk.

Is Ruby Black Tea bitter?

No. Ruby Black Tea is certified organic and grown at high altitude in the Sandakphu region of Nepal, where lower tannin levels mean no bitterness — even brewed strong. It's bold enough to satisfy coffee drinkers making the switch but smooth enough to drink without milk or sugar. Brew at 90–95°C for 3–4 minutes for the best cup.

How much caffeine does Ruby Black Tea have?

Ruby Black Tea contains approximately 40–70 mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup, typical for high-quality Himalayan black tea. It also contains elevated L-theanine from high-altitude growing, which softens the caffeine effect into calm focus rather than jitters. If you'reswitching from coffee, Ruby Black delivers comparable energy with less acid and a smoother experience overall.

Is Ruby Black Tea certified organic?

Yes. Ruby Black Tea is sourced from Sandakphu Tea Estate, which holds certified organic status. This means it is grown on a certified organic farm using no synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or chemicals. Additionally, 5% of every Nepal Hills purchase goes directly toward supporting farmer organic certification across our four farm partners, helping more small-scale Himalayan farmers achieve and maintain certification.

Can I use Ruby Black Tea to make iced tea?

Yes. Ruby Black Tea makes an exceptional iced tea. For cold brew, add 2 teaspoons per 500 ml of cold water and refrigerate for 8–12 hours — the cherry and cocoa notes become even more pronounced cold-brewed with zero bitterness. For hot-brew iced tea, brew double-strength (2 tsp per cup, 4 minutes at 90°C), then pour over ice immediately. Sweeten lightly with honey if desired.

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