Darjeeling Tea

Anyone who loves tea has undoubtedly enjoyed a good cup of Darjeeling. Grown in the Darjeeling region of India, this tea is probably one of the most popular black teas in the world. Actually, this tea is so popular that the Darjeeling region of India now enjoys a booming tourist trade. Every year they find themselves host to thousands of people who travel up into the Himalayas to see these breathtaking tea gardens.

The Darjeeling region is cold, wet and mountainous. There is a constant mist in the air, and combined with the extremely high altitude this environment is perfect for growing tea. Known as the champagne of teas, Darjeeling tea is lighter than many of its neighboring black teas. The unique environment of this region gives the tea a wine like flavor with hints of fruits, nuts and florals.

A good cup of Darjeeling tea has a very definite astringency to it, and along with its fine wine bouquet, it stands out among the tea grown in neighboring regions. Since this tea is so popular, it is not unusual for demand to exceed the available supply during any growing season. Because of this, some tea that is labeled Darjeeling is actually a blend, and if you look closely you will find that about half of the blend is another variety of black tea.

Because of its extreme climate, the Darjeeling region only produces about a quarter as much tea as the other tea regions in India. Tea leaves are harvested from late spring through autumn, and then the bushes are tended during the winter to maintain their health, but they will not produce a plucking again until late spring.

When you are lucky enough to sip a cup of pure Darjeeling tea, enjoy the moment, because the moment is getting harder and harder to find.