Darjeeling tea
Encyclopedia
Darjeeling tea is a black tea from the Darjeeling
region in West Bengal
, India
. When properly brewed, it yields a thin-bodied, light-colored infusion with a floral aroma. The flavor also displays a tinge of astringent
tannic characteristics, and a musk
y spiciness often referred to by tea
connoisseurs as "muscatel
." Although Darjeeling black teas are marketed commercially as "black tea", almost all of them have incomplete oxidation (<90%), so they are technically more Oolong
than black.
Unlike most Indian tea, Darjeeling is normally made from the small-leaved Chinese variety of Camellia sinensis
var. sinensis, rather than the large-leaved Assam plant (C. sinensis var. assamica). Traditionally, Darjeeling tea is made as black tea; however, Darjeeling oolong
and green
teas are becoming more commonly produced and easier to find, and a growing number of estates are also producing white tea
s. After the enactment of Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection Act, 1999) in 2003, Darjeeling tea became the first Indian product to receive a GI tag, in 2004-05 through the Indian Patent Office
.
, a civil surgeon of the Indian Medical Service. Campbell was transferred to Darjeeling in 1839 and used seeds from China to begin experimental tea planting, a practice that he and others continued during the 1840s. The government also established tea nurseries during that period. Commercial development began during the 1850s.
- "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 consisting 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 subdivision
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 4000 ft. 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 liquor 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 tonne
s, 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 (see right). 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, similar to Champagne in that region of France.
. Many Darjeeling teas also appear to be a blend of teas oxidized to levels of green, oolong, and black.
Whole Leaf
Broken Leaf consists of small tea leaves or pieces of large leaves.
Fannings consists of even smaller leaf size than the brokens.
Dust represents the lowest grade in classification, consists of small pieces of tea leaves and tea dust.
There are many tea estates (also called "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:
Darjeeling district
Darjeeling District is the northernmost district of the state of West Bengal in eastern India in the foothills of the Himalayas. The district is famous for its beautiful hill stations and Darjeeling tea. Darjeeling is the district headquarters...
region in West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. When properly brewed, it yields a thin-bodied, light-colored infusion with a floral aroma. The flavor also displays a tinge of astringent
Astringent
An astringent substance is a chemical compound that tends to shrink or constrict body tissues, usually locally after topical medicinal application. The word "astringent" derives from Latin adstringere, meaning "to bind fast"...
tannic characteristics, and a musk
Musk
Musk is a class of aromatic substances commonly used as base notes in perfumery. They include glandular secretions from animals such as the musk deer, numerous plants emitting similar fragrances, and artificial substances with similar odors. Musk was a name originally given to a substance with a...
y spiciness often referred to by tea
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
connoisseurs as "muscatel
Muscat (grape and wine)
The Muscat variety of grapes of the species Vitis vinifera is widely grown for wine, raisins and table grapes. Their color ranges from white to near black. Muscat almost always has a pronounced sweet floral aroma. Muscat grapes are grown around the world...
." Although Darjeeling black teas are marketed commercially as "black tea", almost all of them have incomplete oxidation (<90%), so they are technically more Oolong
Oolong
Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea produced through a unique process including withering under the strong sun and oxidation before curling and twisting. Most oolong teas, especially those of fine quality, involve unique tea plant cultivars that are exclusively used for particular varieties...
than black.
Unlike most Indian tea, Darjeeling is normally made from the small-leaved Chinese variety of Camellia sinensis
Camellia sinensis
Camellia sinensis is the species of plant whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce Chinese tea. It is of the genus Camellia , a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. White tea, green tea, oolong, pu-erh tea and black tea are all harvested from this species, but are processed...
var. sinensis, rather than the large-leaved Assam plant (C. sinensis var. assamica). Traditionally, Darjeeling tea is made as black tea; however, Darjeeling oolong
Darjeeling tea (oolong)
Darjeeling Oolong is a type of tea produced in Darjeeling, India, in the style of Oolong.Darjeeling Oolong has two distinct characters: one is Clonal type and the other is China type. The China type is more similar to Taiwan Oolong and the Clonal type is totally different from it.Darjeeling Oolong...
and green
Green tea
Green tea is made solely from the leaves of Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures throughout Asia. It has recently become more widespread in the West, where black tea is traditionally...
teas are becoming more commonly produced and easier to find, and a growing number of estates are also producing white tea
White tea
White tea is a lightly oxidized tea grown and harvested almost exclusively in China, primarily in the Fujian province.White tea comes from the delicate buds and younger leaves of the Chinese Camellia sinensis plant. These buds and leaves are allowed to wither in natural sunlight before they are...
s. After the enactment of Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection Act, 1999) in 2003, Darjeeling tea became the first Indian product to receive a GI tag, in 2004-05 through the Indian Patent Office
Indian Patent Office
The Indian Patent Office is administered by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks . This is a subordinate office of the Indian government and administers the Indian law of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks....
.
History
Tea planting in the Indian district of Darjeeling had begun during 1841 by Dr. CampbellArthur Campbell (British East India Company)
Archibald Campbell of the Bengal Medical Service was the first superintendent of the sanitarium of Darjeeling town in India. Sources differ regarding his first name. While some say that the "A" in "Dr A...
, a civil surgeon of the Indian Medical Service. Campbell was transferred to Darjeeling in 1839 and used seeds from China to begin experimental tea planting, a practice that he and others continued during the 1840s. The government also established tea nurseries during that period. Commercial development began during the 1850s.
Designation
According to the Tea Board of IndiaTea Board of India
The Tea Board India is an Indian Government-controlled organization that regulates the Indian trade in tea.It was established by the enactment of the Tea Act in 1953 with its headquarters in Kolkata...
- "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 consisting 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 subdivision
Siliguri subdivision
Siliguri subdivision is a subdivision of the Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal, India. It consists of the Siliguri municipal corporation and four community development blocks: Matigara, Naxalbari, Phansidewa and Kharibari. The four blocks contain 22 gram panchayats and two census...
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 4000 ft. 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 liquor and the infused leaf of which has a distinctive fragrance.
Adulteration and falsification
Falsification
Falsification may refer to:* The act of disproving a proposition, hypothesis, or theory: see Falsifiability* Mathematical proof* Falsified evidence...
are serious problems in the global tea trade; the amount of tea sold as Darjeeling worldwide every year exceeds 40,000 tonne
Tonne
The tonne, known as the metric ton in the US , often put pleonastically as "metric tonne" to avoid confusion with ton, is a metric system unit of mass equal to 1000 kilograms. The tonne is not an International System of Units unit, but is accepted for use with the SI...
s, 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
Tea Board of India
The Tea Board India is an Indian Government-controlled organization that regulates the Indian trade in tea.It was established by the enactment of the Tea Act in 1953 with its headquarters in Kolkata...
administers the Darjeeling certification mark and logo (see right). Protection of this tea designation is similar in scope to the protected designation of origin
Protected designation of origin
Protected Geographical Status is a legal framework defined in European Union law to protect the names of regional foods. Protected Designation of Origin , Protected Geographical Indication and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed are distinct regimes of geographical indications within the framework...
used by the EU for many European cheeses.
Darjeeling tea cannot be grown or manufactured anywhere else in the world, similar to Champagne in that region of France.
Varieties
Traditionally, Darjeeling teas are classified as a type of black tea. However, the modern Darjeeling style employs a hard wither (35-40% remaining leaf weight after withering), which in turn causes an incomplete oxidation for many of the best teas of this designation, which technically makes them a form of oolongOolong
Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea produced through a unique process including withering under the strong sun and oxidation before curling and twisting. Most oolong teas, especially those of fine quality, involve unique tea plant cultivars that are exclusively used for particular varieties...
. 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.
- In Between is harvested between the two "flush" periods.
- 2nd Flush is harvested in June and produces an amber, full bodied, muscatel-flavored cup.
- Monsoon or Rains tea is harvested in the monsoon (or rainy season) between 2nd Flush and Autumnal, is less withered, consequently more oxidized, and usually sold at lower prices. It is rarely exported, and often used in Masala chaiMasala chaiMasala chai is a beverage from the Indian subcontinent made by brewing tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs.-Terminology:-Plain chai:...
. - Autumnal Flush is harvested in the autumn after the rainy season, and has somewhat less delicate flavour and less spicy tones, but fuller body and darker colour.
Grades
When Darjeeling teas are sold, they are graded by size and quality. The grades fall into four basic groups: whole leaf, broken leaf, fannings, and dust.Whole Leaf
- SFTGFOP: Super Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe indicates that it contains many tips and are long and wiry in appearance. The liquors are lighter in color.
- FTGFOP: Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe.
- TGFOP: Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe
Broken Leaf consists of small tea leaves or pieces of large leaves.
- FTGBOP: Fine Tippy Golden Broken Orange Pekoe.
- TGBOP: Tippy Golden Broken Orange Pekoe.
- FBOP: Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe.
- BOP: Broken Orange Pekoe.
Fannings consists of even smaller leaf size than the brokens.
- GFOF: Golden Flowery Orange Fannings.
- GOF: Golden Orange Fannings.
Dust represents the lowest grade in classification, consists of small pieces of tea leaves and tea dust.
- D: Dust.
Estates
There are many tea estates (also called "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
- AryaArya Tea EstateArya Tea Estate in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India is a manufacturer of specialty teas for international sale, as part of the Indian holding company Eurasia Group. The estate sits at an average altitude of 1500 meters and covers 125 hectares, with just over under tea plantation. ...
- AvongroveAvongrove Tea EstateAvongrove Tea Estate, located in the Rungbong Valley of Darjeeling district, sits on the banks of the Balason River at 2200 feet above sea level. This high-elevation estate goes up to 5700 feet. Approximately 184.79 hectare of land is under tea, and there are 500 workers who live on the estate to...
- Badamtam
- Balasun
- Bannockburn
- Barnesbeg
- Castleton
- Chamong
- Chongtong
- D'alrus
- Gielle
- Giddapahar
- Ging
- Glenburn
- Goomtee
- Gopaldhara
- Happy ValleyHappy Valley Tea EstateHappy Valley Tea Estate is a tea garden in Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The estate was established in 1854. David Wilson, an Englishman, had named the garden Wilson Tea Estate and by 1860 had started cultivation of tea. In 1903, the estate was taken over by an Indian,...
- Hilton
- Jogmaya
- Jungpana
- Kaley Valley
- Kanchan View
- Lingia
- Longview
- Makaibari
- Margaret's Hope
- Mim
- Moondakotee
- Mission Hill
- Nagri
- Namring
- Orange Valley
- PuttabongPattabong Tea GardenPuttabong Tea Estate falls under the District of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. Puttabong is a tea estate within the urban agglomeration of Darjeeling. The area under tea plantation is while the gross area is .-Demographics:...
- Peshoke
- Phoobsering
- Phuguri
- Poobong
- Potong
- Princeton
- Pussimbing
- Ringtong
- Risheehat
- Rohini
- Runglee Rungliot
- Samabeong
- Seeyok
- Selimbong
- Singbulli
- Singell
- SinglaSinglaSingla is a surname used by many Singhals originating from Haryana and Punjab in India....
- Soom
- SoureniSoureniSoureni is a village near Mirik in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India. The market of Soureni Bazar caters to several villages and tea gardens of the surrounding area. There are two tea estates near Soureni Bazar - Soureni Tea Estate and Mechi Tea Estate. Soureni has a huge potential for...
- Snowview
- Steinthal
- Sungma
- Takdah
- Teesta Valley
- Thurbo
- Tindharia
- Tongsong Dtriah
- Tumsong
- Upper Fagu
- Vah TukvarTukver Tea EstateTukver Tea Estate is a tea estate near Darjeeling town in India. It was one of the first commercial tea gardens to be established in the region famous for Darjeeling tea. This estate started operating in 1850s and used seeds raised in government nurseries. Following the experimental stage,...