Ilam, Nepal

Why Ilam tastes the way it does

Himalayan foothill region bordering Darjeeling, producing increasingly acclaimed orthodox black and oolong teas. Altitude, soil, and harvest timing all shape the cup — see it plotted on our full interactive world map for context against every other growing region.

At this altitude, cooler temperatures slow the tea plant's growth. Slower growth generally concentrates more flavor and aromatic compounds in each leaf — a big part of why high-grown teas are often prized over lowland-grown leaf of the same type.

Tea types grown here

Other regions to know