Darjeeling tea
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- For other teas grown in Darjeeling, see Darjeeling tea (disambiguation).
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| Type: | Black |
| Other names: | The Champagne of Teas |
| Origin: | Darjeeling, India |
| Quick description: | Fruity, floral, astringent. |
Darjeeling tea, tea from the Darjeeling region in West Bengal, India, has traditionally been prized above all other black teas, especially in the United Kingdom and the countries comprising the former British Empire. 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 in the mouth.
Most Darjeeling teas are made into black teas; however, Darjeeling oolong and green teas are becoming more commonly produced and easier to find.
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[edit] 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, so the Darjeeling taste is really from the original black tea plant from China, the taste "darjeeling" derives from the earth that it is cultivated in. Experimental tea plantation by Campbell and others occurred during the 1840s and the government established tea nurseries during that period. Commercial exploitation began during the 1850s.
[edit] Designation
According to the Tea Board of India - "Darjeeling Tea" means: tea which has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed in tea gardens (see 'Estates' section below) 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 grown on picturesque steep slopes up to 4000ft.[1] 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.[2] Protection of this tea designation is similar in scope to the protected designation of origin used by the EU for many european cheeses.
Darjeeling Tea cannot be grown or manufactured anywhere else in the world. Just as Champagne is indigenous to the Champagne district of France, so is Darjeeling Tea to Darjeeling.
[edit] 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 a form of oolong. Many Darjeeling 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, and 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.
[edit] 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, Glenburn, Lingia, Castleton, Jungpana, Makaibari, Margaret's Hope, and Risheehat. Below is a non-exhaustive list:
- Ambootia
- Arya
- Avongrove
- Badamtam
- Balasun
- Bannockburn
- Barnesbeg
- Chongtong
- Castleton
- Chamong
- Gielle
- Glenburn
- Goomtee
- Gopaldhara
- Giddapahar
- Ging
- Glenburn
- Hilton
- Happy Valley
- Jogamaya
- Jungpana
- Kaley Valley
- Kanchan View
- Lingia
- Longview
- Makaibari
- Margaret's Hope
- Mim
- Moondakotee
- Mission Hill
- Nagri
- Namring
- Orange Valley
- Phoobsering
- Phuguri
- Poobong
- Potong
- Peshoke
- Puttabong
- Pussimbing
- Ringtong
- Risheehat
- Rohini
- Runglee Rungliot
- Samabeong
- Singla Tea Estate
- Seeyok
- Selimbong
- Singbulli
- Singell
- Soom
- Soureni
- Sungma
- Snowview
- Steinthal
- Takdah
- Teesta Valley
- Thurbo
- Tindharia
- Tongsong Dtriah
- Tumsong
- Upper Fagu
- Vah Tukvar
