Steinthal Plantation

The Steinthal Plantation is located near Darjeeling and is one of the oldest tea gardens in the region. Its history dates back to 1852. This makes Steinthal one of Darjeeling’s first commercial tea gardens. The plantation was founded by Joachim Stoelke, a native of Germany who was known in the region as Father Steinthal.

The tea fields extend across elevations ranging from approximately 900 to 1,820 meters. The area planted with tea is reported to be around 310 acres, which corresponds to about 125 hectares. Publicly available data on annual production indicates approximately 115,000 kilograms of tea.

The plantation’s history also includes its close connection to the early development of Darjeeling tea. The name Steinthal derives from Father Steinthal. Historical accounts cite the plantation as one of the starting points of organized tea cultivation in Darjeeling. Parts of the old tea stock from the 19th century are said to have survived to this day.

Due to its early founding, its high altitude, and its significance in the history of Darjeeling tea, Steinthal is still regarded today as a plantation rich in tradition and of historical importance.