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:''For other teas grown in Darjeeling, see Darjeeling tea (disambiguation).''
'Darjeeling tea' has traditionally been prized above all other black teas, especially in the United Kingdom and the countries comprising the former British Empire. It comes from Darjeeling in West Bengal, India. When properly brewed it yields a thin-bodied, light-colored liquor with a floral aroma. The flavor also displays a tinge of astringent tannic characteristics, and a musky spiciness often referred to by tea connoisseurs as "muscatel." A sweet cooling aftertaste should be felt on the mouth.
Most Darjeeling teas are made into black teas; however, Darjeeling oolong and green teas are becoming more commonly produced and are easier to find.

Contents

History

Designation

Varieties

Estates

See also

References

External links

History

Tea planting in the Indian district of Darjeeling was begun during 1841 by a Dr. Campbell, a civil surgeon of the Indian Medical Service, who had been transferred to that area during 1839: he used seeds from China.
Experimental tea plantation by himself and others occurred during the 1840s and the government established tea nurseries during that period. Commercial exploitation began during the 1850s.

Designation

According to the Tea Board Of India - "Darjeeling Tea" means: tea which has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed in tea gardens (current schedule whereof is attached hereto)
in the hilly areas of Sadar Sub-Division, only hilly areas of Kalimpong Sub-Division comprising of Samabeong Tea Estate, Ambiok Tea Estate, Mission Hill Tea Estate and Kumai Tea Estate and Kurseong Sub-Division excluding the areas in jurisdiction list 20,21,23,24,29,31 and 33 comprising Siliguri Sub-Division of New Chumta Tea Estate, Simulbari and Marionbari Tea Estate of Kurseong Police Station in Kurseong Sub-Division of the District of Darjeeling in the State of West Bengal, India. Tea which has been processed and manufactured in a factory located in the aforesaid area, which, when brewed, has a distinctive, naturally occurring aroma and taste with light tea liquour and the infused leaf of which has a distinctive fragrance.
Adulteration and falsification are serious problems in the global tea trade; the amount of tea sold as Darjeeling worldwide every year exceeds 40,000 tonnes, while the annual tea production of Darjeeling itself is estimated at only 10,000 tonnes, including local consumption. To combat this situation, the Tea Board of India administers the Darjeeling certification mark and logo.^[1]

Varieties

Although Darjeeling teas are normally classified as a type of black tea, the levels of oxidation for many loose leaf teas of this designation is typically below 100%, which technically makes it form of oolong. Many Darjeelings teas also appear to be a blend of teas oxidized to levels of green, oolong, and black.

★ '1st Flush' is harvested in mid-March following spring rains, it has a gentle, very light color , aroma and mild astringency.

★ '2nd Flush' is harvested in June and produces an amber, full bodied, muscatel flavored cup.

★ 'Autumnal Flush' is harvested in the autumn after the rainy season, and has a somewhat less delicate flavour and less spicy tones.
Tea harvested in the monsoon (or rainy season) is sometimes sold at lower prices.

Estates

There are many tea estates (also call "tea gardens") in Darjeeling, each producing teas with different character in taste and aroma. Some of the popular estates include Arya, Chamong, Lingia, Castleton, Jungpana, Makaibari, Margaret's Hope, and Risheehat. Below is a non-exhaustive list:

★ Ambootia

★ Arya

★ Avongrove

★ Badamtam

★ Balasun

★ Bannockburn

★ Barnesbeg

★ Castleton

★ Chamong

★ Gielle

★ Glenburn

★ Goomtee

★ Gopaldhara

★ Giddapahar

★ Glenburn

★ Happy Valley

★ Jogamaya

★ Jungpana

★ Kaley Valley

★ Lingia

★ Longview

★ Makaibari

★ Margaret's Hope

★ Mim

★ Moondakotee

★ Namring

★ Orange Valley

★ Phoobsering

★ Phuguri

★ Poobong

★ Puttabong

★ Pussimbing

★ Risheehat

★ Rohini

★ Seeyok

★ Singbulli

★ Soom

★ Soureni

★ Sungma

★ Thurbo

★ Tindharia

★ Tongsong Dtriah

★ Tumsong

See also

★ Nepal tea

References

1. Gadi Kenny, ''Trade & Environment Database (TED) Journal'', Number 752, July 2004, American University. ([1] accessed on 2007-03-14)

External links

★ History of Darjeeling Tea

★ Darjeeling Tea Official site'(Domain has expired 20 Aug 2007)'