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s1=new Array();s1[1]=new Array("carisma/experience.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","150 years ago, Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood. In 1847, the government put out tea nurseries in this area, proving his experiment to be successful. Here&rsquo;s where the story of Darjeeling Tea begun. According to records, the first commercial tea gardens planted out by the British tea interests were the Tukvar, Steinthal and Aloobari tea estates, in 1852. All these plantations used seeds that were raised in the government nurseries. Darjeeling was then only a sparsely populated hamlet, which was being used as a hill resort by the army and some affluent people. Tea, being a labour-intensive enterprise, required sufficient numbers of workers to plant, tend, pluck and finally manufacture the produce. For this, employment was offered to people from across the border of Nepal. In 1866, Darjeeling had 39 gardens producing a total crop of 21,000 kilograms of tea. In 1870, the number of gardens increased to 56 to produce about 71,000 kgs of tea harvested from 4,400 hectares. During 1860-64, the Darjeeling Company was established with 4 gardens while the Darjeeling Consolidated Tea Co. dates back to 1896. By 1874, tea in Darjeeling was found to be a profitable venture. Where 113 gardens spanning approximately 6,000 hectares, were thriving.");s1[2]=new Array("experience/art_pluc.asp","Darjeeling Tea: The fine art of Plucking, Processing, Tasting, Selling and Purchasing","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Proper plucking of Darjeeling Tea leaves is as unique as its flavour. Great emphasis is given to plucking as true quality is inherent in a good raw material (Tea Leaf) and the special Darjeeling flavours are generated from the very fine plucking standard. The smallest shoots, comprising of two leaves and a bud are plucked. It requires 22,000 such shoots, all plucked by hand - to produce 1 Kg. of Tea. In attaining this high plucking standard, the hilly terrain, makes the task even more difficult. Darjeeling Tea Pluckers have strived hard for years, battling against difficult terrain, cold, mist, rainfall and so on, to maintain exacting standards. They begin early in the morning, when the overnight dew is still present. Only the most tender leaves are finely plucked by gentle hands. Pluckers are so quick and skilful that it is often impossible to follow the motion of their hands and fingers as they pluck.    Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process, Tea tidbits");s1[3]=new Array("experience/art_process.asp","Darjeeling Tea: The traditional art of processing","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Darjeeling tea leaves are processed in the traditional &lsquo;Orthodox&rsquo; form. The inherent sensitive nature of the finely plucked, green leaf responds best to gentle treatment. Although differing leaf varieties require intricate variations in processing, the stages undergone are uniform. Withering: During this process, the green leaves are evenly spread on troughs, through which hot and cold air is blown in a regulated manner. The object is to remove moisture in the leaf slowly over a period of 14-16 hours. Rolling: The withered leaves are loaded into rollers where they are twisted by a mechanical action. The process is carefully monitored so that the style of the leaf is maintained and overheating does not take place. Fermentation: After Rolling, the leaf is spread in a cool &amp; humid room in very thin layers. The process lasts between 2- 4 hours, depending on temperature, humidity and leaf quality. During the process the tea develops a unique flavour and aroma. The Tea Makers sensory judgement is critical to quality of the liquor. Drying (Firing): The fermented leaf is taken to a dryer, where it is subjected to regulated varying temperature for a period of 20-30 min. The result is black tea whose moisture has been lost after natural fermentation is checked. Sorting &amp; Packing: This is the final stage, where the tea is graded according to the size and packed in specially designed foil lined packages. The &lsquo;making&rsquo; of the Darjeeling Tea does not end at the plantation; with proper storage in dry, ventilated conditions, the better teas mature with the passage of time. A note of caution is on order. The best of teas can be ruined if left exposed, brewed with chlorinated water, or overboiled. Good tea should be enjoyed with the right accessories.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process, Tea tidbits");s1[4]=new Array("experience/art_purchase.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Purchasing Value for money","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Darjeeling Tea is generally available in single estate or blended form. The search for a genuine Darjeeling must begin with finding a reliable and resourceful vendor. One must ask if the tea is genuine Darjeeling. I.e. grown in the Darjeeling hills of India. This has become very important as more than half of the tea sold as Darjeeling is not really so. While purchasing packaged Darjeeling Tea, look for this logo which authenticates its origin, and denotes that it contains 100% Darjeeling. If you wish to enjoy a &ldquo;single estate&rdquo; tea, one should note the garden&rsquo;s name and ask for the &ldquo;flush&rdquo; and year of manufacture. Gradually one&rsquo;s preferences will become settled and one will have a reliable guideline for future purchases. For a connoisseur, each invoice produced in the spring and summer has a separate and memorable personality. Many of the leading vendors are now identifying the offerings by garden name, flush of manufacture and even the invoice number of the produce. Among Darjeeling Tea lovers there are perfectionists who deem it sacrilege to add anything to the fragrant, steaming cup. Connoisseurs debate over the exact temperature of the water, the quantity of leaf per cup (and for the pot), and how long the infusion should brew. A word about international tea prices and the cost per cup. Historically, due to continuous devaluation of producing country currencies, tea has been one of the cheapest commodities in terms of the sterling or the dollar. Darjeeling Tea is excellent value for money. Buy the best.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process, Tea tidbits");s1[5]=new Array("experience/art_sell.asp","Darjeeling Tea: The art of selling","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Darjeeling Tea like any world famous product, requires an efficient and reliable marketing network to promote and sell it worldwide. The Auction system is a crucial channel in the sale of Darjeeling Tea. Since more than 50% of the produce is sold through the Calcutta Auction Centre, the role of the Auction system can be viewed as a barometer to access the prevailing markets. Auctions encourage free competition, ensuring a transparent price to the buyer and guaranteed payment to the seller. They also generate vital information on current market trends and sentiments. The Auctioneer plays an important role. Apart from personally tasting and evaluating each and every invoice, he has to use his knowledge of the world demand and marketing skill in judging the marketability of the Tea. He has final jurisdiction and his judgement determines the selling price of the Tea, to a certain extent.  The Four registered Brokers, who sell the majority of Darjeeling Tea are :-  J. Thomas &amp; Co. Pvt. Ltd. Carritt Moran &amp; Co. Ltd. Contemporary Targett Ltd. Paramount Tea Marketing Pvt. Ltd.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process, Tea tidbits");s1[6]=new Array("experience/art_tasting.asp","Darjeeling Tea : The refined art of tasting and a taster’s terminology","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","It would be true to say that tasters are born and not made. Darjeeling Tea tasting is a refined art, which necessarily encompasses a large number of variables. A taster&rsquo;s palate and olfactory senses are finely sensitive and highly discriminatory.  An experienced taster can identify the garden, ambient conditions of the plucking day and can even suggest adjustments in the manufacturing process. A taster uses his sharp sense of sight, smell, touch and taste while judging the quality of the tea. A taster must also have in-depth knowledge about the prevailing market conditions, consumer preferences and manufacturing techniques while evaluating the tea. These natural talents, however, have to be trained and developed through long years of practice before the palate is proficient enough to register the minute differences. This is particularly true for Darjeeling Tea Tasters as the quality of tea differs from invoice to invoice and being an exclusive tea, it has no yardstick to standardise against. It is only an excellent cup that truly cheers and taste is perceptible only by the human palate - No wonder that this craft is viewed with a tinge of awe and wonderment.  Tasting Procedure In the tasting procedure, pots and cups made of the finest china, kept spotlessly clean, are used; 2.5 gm of each tea is weighed into pots and water, which has just come to the boil, is poured over it. The pots are then covered with a lid and the tea is infused for either 5 or 6 minutes, depending on the individual taster&rsquo;s preference. The liquor is poured out into a cup and the tea is ready for tasting. The colour and evenness of the infusion, as also its nose, are an index to the intrinsic value of the brew. This examination takes place in a well-lit room away from direct sunlight, shade and shadow. Light from the north, which is steady and uniform, is ideal. The scrutiny of the leaf and infusion over, the taster turns his attention to the liquor and takes a sip from the cup, rolls it in his mouth and spits it out. In that split second, the palate registers the taste - flavour, briskness, strength and any faults and flaws are recorded and the taster is ready with his judgement. Darjeeling flavour is best appreciated on it&rsquo;s own. Personal preferences may permit the addition of small quantities of milk, sugar or lemon to taste. However, it is always necessary to adjust the quantity of tea used per cup, approximately 2 gms., or half a teaspoon according to type, size and preference. Fine-tuning in terms of brewing time (3 to 6 minutes) is often rewarding.  The Tea Taster&rsquo;s Terminology: To the uninitiated, a conversation between Darjeeling Tea professionals can be a mystifying experience. The taster&rsquo;s terminology could refer to either dry tea, the infused leaf, or the liquor in cup. Dry Tea Stylish: A neat, well twisted, evenly sized, wiry leaf appearance. Tippy: The unopened buds on the tea bush are transformed into silvery particles called Tips, which provide an attractive appearance in the made tea. Bloom: Silken sheen/lustre on the tea, resulting from a fine pubescence on the leaf surface. Colour: Relating to hue on dry tea i.e. greyish/greenish in the spring flush, purplish/brown in the summer and blackish brown in the autumn flush. IInfused Leaf  Bright: Lively bright colour, as opposed to dull. The hue varies from a delicate lime green in spring flush to a bright copper/purple in second flush and onwards to a pale brown in autumn. Nose/Point: The fragrance exuded by the infused leaf, also termed as aroma or bouquet, which can be evocative of certain flowers, fruits or muscatel character. Even: Uniformity of colour and size of the infused particles. Cupped Liquor Colour: Self explanatory, varying from pale lemon to a rich amber with the season. Cups may be said to have varying degrees of visual brightness, depth and body. Flavour: A fragrance, a complex and pleasing taste and aftertaste with attributes of aroma, bouquet and point. Taste: Personal to each Darjeeling tea lover, viz mellow, smooth, round, delicate, mature, sweet, lively, dry, brisk and so on.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process, Tea tidbits");s1[7]=new Array("experience/dartea.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Heath-giving properties for your benefit","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","The unmatched flavour of Darjeeling Tea is not its only attraction.          The health-giving properties of tea have been written about for centuries. A Materia Medica of the 1st Century AD period attributed eighteen therapeutic properties to tea: Refreshing effect Relaxation of nerves Brightening of eyes Combating alcoholism Reduction of obesity Cleansing the blood of heat and impurities Quenching thirst Treatment of abscesses Elimination of phlegm Curing dysentery Stimulating digestion Cleansing the bowels Giving energy Strengthening teeth Today, medical research confirms many of the claims of the ancient Chinese about the benefits of tea while proposing fresh areas for investigation. How does tea benefit your health? First of all, the water in which you brew your tea is boiled, and therefore sterilised. It is a safe beverage. Secondly, it&rsquo;s the cup &lsquo;that cheers but does not inebriate&rsquo; - the gentlest stimulating beverage. The minimal caffeine content in a cup of tea gives you all the benefits without any of the harm. Thirdly, if taken without milk and sugar &ndash; a cup of tea yields only about four calories. Making it the ideal weight-watcher&rsquo;s drink. Tea contains enzymes called polyphenols, which include the flavinoids that give black tea its distinctive flavour and taste. Flavinoids are anti-oxidants that help resist more than 50 diseases by preventing cell damage. A Dutch study has shown that men who drank between four and five cups of black tea a day are 70% less likely to suffering a stroke compared to those who drank only two cups or less. According to another study, higher consumption of black tea corresponded with fewer fatal heart attacks. Flavinoids have, in fact been found to inhibit the clumping of blood platelets and so prevent the dangerous clots that cause almost all heart attacks. There is also evidence that many tea drinkers have lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure &ndash; though the role of tea is not yet confirmed. Other research has indicated that tea has cancer-preventive properties, particularly where the digestive and respiratory tracts are concerned. Again, the major disease&ndash;preventing agents and drink appear to be the polyphenols. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and drink lots of tea, and you may have an enjoyable way of reducing the risk of certain cancers. And because it contains fluoride, tea is a potent fighter against tooth decay&mdash;unless you like your cuppa well sweetened, of course. Japanese research has even indicated that tea inhibits the formation of dental plaque and kills some oral bacteria responsible for gum disease. People generally associate health benefits with green tea. Most of the Chinese literature referred to green tea, as this is what they produced, while modern experiments indicate similar benefits with black tea. A lot of healthy reasons to smile when you sip your next cup of Darjeeling Tea. The smile becomes a glow when you remember that exquisite muscatel aroma means there are flavinoids at work not just to enchant you, but also to promote a long and healthy life.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process, Tea tidbits");s1[8]=new Array("experience/products.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Quality and seasons, Your health, Products, Tea Art and Tea Recipes","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Coming Soon  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process, Tea tidbits");s1[9]=new Array("experience/quality.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Quality changes over the seasons","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling Tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season from March to November. After a period of dormancy in the winter months, in March and April the bushes offer delicate new shoots, which provide a grey-green glazed leaf appearance, a light clear liquor, with fresh bright and lively character and a pleasant hint of mild astringency to the palate. The infused leaf has a prominent lime greenish brightness and a floral scent. These are the &lsquo;Spring&rsquo; teas. From May onwards the famed Darjeeling &lsquo;Summer&rsquo; teas are produced. The succulent leaves result in a very attractive tea with a purplish bloom and a sprinkling of silvery tips (buds). The liquor characteristics show a change, tasting round, mellow, mature, sometimes with a pronounced muscatel flavour and more colour in the cup than in Spring. During this period, the infused leaf turns a bright copper/purple colour, expressing a rich and full-bodied aroma. &lsquo;Monsoon&rsquo; teas produced from mid-July to September have more colour, and are stronger. These form the bulk of the &lsquo;breakfast&rsquo; blends. &lsquo;Autumnal&rsquo; quality makes its presence felt during the months of October and November. The appearance of the tea takes on a light copper/brownish tinge and liquors have a delicate yet sparkling character, a delightful flavour distinct from both Spring and Summer teas. The infused leaf has a coppery gold brightness with a sweet, fresh &lsquo;nose&rsquo;. Even within this broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons, individual estates consistently assert their personalities as distinctly recognisable entities. This complexity gives Darjeeling Tea a part of its legendary appeal.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process, Tea tidbits");s1[10]=new Array("experience/teagarden.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Tea estates in Darjeeling","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Coming Soon  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process, Tea tidbits");s1[11]=new Array("experience/tea_tidbits.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Quality and seasons, Your health, Products, Tea Art and Tea Recipes","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Did you know?  &bull; Approximately 80% of the tea served in the United States today is iced tea?   &bull; One pound of loose tea leaves yields more than 200 cups of tea?   &bull; Tea is the most popular drink in the world after water?   &bull; A cup of tea contains less than half the caffeine of a cup of coffee?   &bull; The two most popular songs about tea are &quot;Tea for Two&quot; by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar and &quot;When I Take My Sugar to Tea&rdquo; by Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal, and Pierre Norman.   &bull; It was one of Queen Victoria's Ladies in Waiting - the Duchess of Bedford, who came up with the idea of a late afternoon meal of tea, thin sandwiches and small cakes to overcome a &ldquo;sinking feeling&rdquo; she felt?   &bull; It is believed that Shen Nung, a Chinese emperor who lived some 4,700 years ago, discovered that tea leaves falling into boiling water make a refreshing drink?   &bull; In the olden days, green tea leaves were formed into small cakes, roasted, then pounded into small chunks?   &bull; Tea is known to be the richest sources of antioxidants   &bull; Like wine, or coffee, there&rsquo;s a wonderful range of flavors in pure tea?   &bull; All tea comes from the same basic plant, called Camellia sinensis - meaning &lsquo;of China&rsquo;?   &bull; Apart from tourism, Tea is the biggest industrial activity in Darjeeling, offering the largest employment in the hills?   &bull; If taken without milk and sugar &ndash; a cup of tea yields only about four calories?   &bull; A Dutch study has shown that men who drank between four and five cups of black tea a day are 70% less likely to suffering a stroke compared to those who drank only two cups or less?   &bull; According to another study, higher consumption of black tea corresponded with fewer fatal heart attacks?   &bull; Research has indicated that tea has cancer-preventive properties, particularly where the digestive and respiratory tracts are concerned?   &bull; Japanese research has indicated that tea inhibits the formation of dental plaque and kills some oral bacteria responsible for gum disease?  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process, Tea tidbits");s1[12]=new Array("files/association.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","The business affairs and funds of the Association are managed by the Governing Body headed by the Chairman elected at each Annual General Meeting of the Association. The registered office is: 6, Netaji Subhas Road 1st Floor Calcutta - 700 001 West Bengal, India Phone : (033) - 210 -2408 Fax : (033) - 221 - 0433 Email : dpa@darjeelingtea.com Secretary at Registered Office: Mr. A.R.Sarkar The association has a branch office at Darjeeling. The affairs and business of the Branch are handled by the General Committee elected at each Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Branch held concurrently with the AGM of the Association. The Branch Office Address is: Annexe Building of Darjeeling Club Ltd. Darjeeling West Bengal, India Phone : (0354) - 54353 Fax : (0354) - 54098 Secretaries at the Branch Mr. Ranen Datta - Secretary Ms. B.Mukhia - Asst. Secretary  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[13]=new Array("files/beginning.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning and growth","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","150 years ago, Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood. In 1847, the government put out tea nurseries in this area, proving his experiment to be successful. Here&rsquo;s where the story of Darjeeling Tea began. According to records, the first commercial tea gardens planted out by the British tea interests were the Tukvar, Steinthal and Aloobari tea estates, in 1852. All these plantations used seeds that were raised in the government nurseries. Darjeeling was then only a sparsely populated hamlet, which was being used as a hill resort by the army and some affluent people. Tea, being a labour-intensive enterprise, required sufficient numbers of workers to plant, tend, pluck and finally manufacture the produce. For this, employment was offered to people from across the border of Nepal. In 1866, Darjeeling had 39 gardens producing a total crop of 21,000 kilograms of tea. In 1870, the number of gardens increased to 56 to produce about 71,000 kgs of tea harvested from 4,400 hectares. During 1860-64, the Darjeeling Company was established with 4 gardens while the Darjeeling Consolidated Tea Co. dates back to 1896. By 1874, tea in Darjeeling was found to be a profitable venture. Where 113 gardens spanning approximately 6,000 hectares, were thriving.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[14]=new Array("files/contact.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","Information regarding who to contact for any queries regarding Darjeeling Tea.","Mr. A R Sarkar (Secretary)  6, Netaji Subhas Road,  1st Floor,  Calcutta - 700 001  West Bengal, INDIA  Phone:  (033) 210 2408  Fax:    (033) 221 0433  Email:   dpa@darjeelingtea.com    Annexe Building of Darjeeling Club Ltd.  Darjeeling,  West Bengal, INDIA  Phone:  (0354) 54353  Fax:   (0354) 54098  Write to us   Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Definition of Darjeeling tea, Geographical indication, Tea brochure, Contact Darjeeling Planter’s association, Contact head office, Contact Tea Board of India, Contact Darjeeling Tea office, queries about Darjeeling ea, Write to Darjeeling Tea.");s1[15]=new Array("files/disclaimer.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","This official site of Darjeeling Tea has been developed to provide general public information. The documents and information displayed in this site are for reference purposes only.  The content on the site is updated on a continual basis. While &shy;&shy;&shy;&shy;&shy;&shy;Darjeeling Tea attempts to keep its web information accurate and timely, it neither guarantees nor endorses the content, accuracy, or completeness of the information, text, graphics, hyperlinks, and other items contained on this server or any other server.  As a result of updates and corrections, web materials are subject to change without notice from Darjeeling Tea. Commercial use of web materials is prohibited without the written permission of the company.  Product design, graphics are the properties of Darjeeling Tea and fully protected. The information is based and content has been framed based on the laws applicable in India.  Some of the hyperlinks contained in this site may lead to resources outside the site. Information contained in any site linked from this site has not been reviewed for accuracy or legal sufficiency. Darjeeling Tea is not responsible for the content of any such external hyperlinks. References to any external links should not be construed as an endorsement of the links or their content.  Darjeeling Tea is neither responsible nor liable for any viruses or other contamination of your system, nor for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions arising out of your use of the site or with respect to the material contained on the site. Darjeeling Tea is not responsible for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages that may arise from the use of or the inability to use, the site and/or the materials contained on the site whether the materials contained on the site are provided by Darjeeling Tea.   Keywords:");s1[16]=new Array("files/flushes.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Tea estates in Darjeeling","","Coming Soon   Keywords:");s1[17]=new Array("files/geographical.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","Under international law, Geographical Indications mean indications which identify a product as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Darjeeling tea is India&rsquo;s treasured Geographical Indication and forms a very important part of India&rsquo;s cultural and collective intellectual heritage. It is of considerable importance to the economy of India because of the international reputation and consumer recognition enjoyed by it. In the legal sphere, countries are seeking to protect Geographical Indications as geographical indications, collective marks or certification marks.  Download Darjeeling Tea Brochure (pdf format) Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[18]=new Array("files/media.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","The Media room provides an entire media kit for download which includes the logo for Darjeeling tea and other important information.","Download Entire Media Kit • Darjeeling Tea - The Definition   download pdf file   • About Darjeeling Tea   download pdf file   • Darjeeling Tea - A Geographical Indication   download pdf file   • Darjeeling Tea Brochure   download brochure   • Darjeeling Tea Logo   download logo • Contact Us  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, definition of Darjeeling tea, Geographical indication, Tea brochure, Press releases, Corporate profile, Spokesperson, media person, Darjeeling Tea logo, Media kit");s1[19]=new Array("files/peo_dar.asp","Darjeeling Tea: The tea planters & people of Darjeeling","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","In 1835, Darjeeling had a population of only about 100. By 1850, it was 10,000 and by 1872, had grown to 95,000. During this same period, there was rapid expansion in tea cultivation, coupled with large-scale immigration of the Gorkha people. Today, the population of the tea growing areas of the Darjeeling district is approximately 700,000. The Gorkha people were greatly admired by the British, not only as soldiers but also as agriculturists. Their hardworking nature and courage in war are well recorded. The British planters had a well-planned strategy to form a labour pool for the tea gardens. The immigrants were absorbed in family units and not as individuals. A significant portion were relatives, who came to visit, and stayed on to eventually settle down. The plantation workers are truly at home in the tea gardens. They are provided housing, medical care and subsidised rations, besides wages. Employment of children is not allowed and free education is available from Government schools. Interestingly, most of the work is done by women and, as a result, they enjoy greater economic independence and prominence in society. Support and assistance is provided to them by way of paid maternity leave and crèche facilities. The people are house-proud; their modest homes are often surrounded by flowers, and present a warm welcome. The Managers&rsquo; bungalows are attractively situated, little being required in the shape of landscape gardening. The surroundings are altogether beautiful. These buildings, with their white-washed walls and shining roofs, surrounded by the green tea gardens, add to the charm and character of the scenery.   The tea planter&rsquo;s duties are multifaceted, including the supervision of agricultural practices, the control of processing, the management of the large labour force employed, the construction of roads in the estate, and often the erection of buildings. He must therefore combine, as far as possible, the knowledge and skill of an agriculturist, engineer and administrator, love of the outdoors and the environment, as well as a feel for his markets.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[20]=new Array("files/presentset.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","Over the passage of time, the owner&rsquo;s of Darjeeling Tea Estates, considering its unique nature, special problems and attention needed for the development, promotion and protection of Darjeeling Tea &ndash; decided unanimously to form a sole independent Association to address their common affairs. On the 20th of December, 1983 the present &lsquo;DARJEELING PLANTERS ASSOCIATION&rsquo; was formed under the chairmanship of Mr. S.K. Bhasin, dissolving D.B.I.T.A. Darjeeling Planters Association, is one of the constituent member of the &lsquo;Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations&rsquo; (CCPA) in India.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[21]=new Array("files/privacy.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","The information which we collect and store during normal use of the site is used to monitor use of the site and to help its further development. Such use does not result in any personally identifiable data being collected or stored. A number of pages in this website give you the option to submit personal information to the Company. All such communications are not confidential. Any application, request or enquiry you make, may be passed or made available to Group affiliates, some of which may be based in countries that do not have data protection laws. All Group affiliates are required to comply with an internal Privacy Policy which requires that steps are taken to protect your personal information and for it only to be used for the purpose(s) for which it was submitted. By submitting your personal information through this website, you shall be consenting to it being processed in the manner described above by Group affiliates. If you have submitted personal information through this website and wish us to cease using it for the purposes submitted, please email us.   Use of cookies A cookie is a text-only string of information that a website transfers to the cookie file of the browser on your computer's hard disk so that the website can remember who you are. A cookie will typically contain the name of the domain from which the cookie has come, the &quot;lifetime&quot; of the cookie, and a value, usually a randomly generated unique number. When you visit our website we send you a cookie. Cookies may be used in the following ways: To help us recognise you as a unique visitor (just a number) when you return to our website and to allow us to tailor content or advertisements to match your preferred interests or to avoid showing you the same adverts repeatedly.  To compile anonymous, aggregated statistics that allow us to understand how users use our site and to help us improve the structure of our website. We cannot identify you personally in this way. Two types of cookies may be used on this website; &quot;session cookies&quot;, which are temporary cookies that remain in the cookie file of your browser until you leave the site, and &quot;persistent cookies&quot;, which remain in the cookie file of your browser for much longer (though how long will depend on the lifetime of the specific cookie). Disabling/Enabling Cookies You have the ability to accept or decline cookies by modifying the settings in your browser. However, you may not be able to use all the interactive features of our site if cookies are disabled. There are a number of ways to manage cookies. If you use different computers in different locations you will need to ensure that each browser is adjusted to suit your cookie preferences. Some modern browsers have a feature that will analyse website privacy policies and allow a user to control their privacy needs. These are known as &quot;P3P&quot; features (Privacy Preferences Platform). You can easily delete any cookies that have been installed in the cookie folder of your browser. For example, if you are using Microsoft Windows Explorer: Open 'Windows Explorer' Click on the 'Search' button on the tool bar Type &quot;cookie&quot; into the search box for 'Folders and Files' Select 'My Computer' in the 'Look In' box Click 'Search Now' Double click on the folders that are found 'Select' any cookie file Hit the 'Delete' button on your keyboard If you are not using Microsoft Windows Explorer, then you should select &quot;cookies&quot; in the &quot;Help&quot; function for information on where to find your cookie folder. The Interactive Advertising Bureau is an industry body, which develops standards and guidelines to support online business processes. Its website at www.allaboutcookies.org gives further details about cookie, web beacons and suchlike, and explains how they be managed and disabled.   Keywords:");s1[22]=new Array("files/recipes.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Tea estates in Darjeeling","","Coming Soon   Keywords:");s1[23]=new Array("files/sitemap.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","Our Growth &bull; The Beginning &bull; The Pioneers &bull; The Present Scenario &bull; Darjeeling Tea &ndash; The Definition &bull; The People of Darjeeling and Tea Planters &bull; Darjeeling Planter&rsquo;s Association &bull; The Tea Board Of India   Experience Our Tea &bull; Quality and Seasons &bull; Darjeeling Tea and your health &bull; Darjeeling Tea &ndash; The Process   - Art of Plucking   - Art of Processing   - Art of Tasting   - Art of Selling   - Art of Purchasing &bull; Products &bull; Tea Tidbits &bull; Tea Gardens  Tea FAQs Media Room Contact Us  Home Sitemap Disclaimer Privacy Policy  Keywords:");s1[24]=new Array("files/teaboard.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Protection and Promotion by The Tea Board of India","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","All the teas produced in the tea growing areas of India, including Darjeeling, are administered by the Tea Board, India, under the Tea Act, 1953. Since its establishment, the Tea Board has had sole control over the growing and exporting of Darjeeling Tea and it is this control which has given rise to the reputation enjoyed by Darjeeling Tea. The Tea Board has been engaged on a worldwide basis in the protection and preservation of this treasured icon of India&rsquo;s cultural heritage as a geographical indication. Click here for more information on the Tea Board of India   The next phase in the protection of Darjeeling tea involves monitoring the movement of green leaf and the extension of the certification system to overseas markets, which are currently self declaratory. An online system is intended in order to encourage ease of use and minimize paper work. There is no doubt that it would be in the best interests of industry to export a value-added product. The economies however require to make sense both in terms of value addition as well as import duty rates for packet tea vis a vis bulk. The Tea Board has been partnering with tea importing communities like Germany and the United Kingdom in this venture. These measures, though slow moving in a lot of cases, have had a cumulative effect. Today, worldwide, there is an increasing awareness of the name Darjeeling as a protected entity. However, protection in countries like France, Japan and Russia still remains a problem. Member countries are operating in an environment where the multilateral Registry under the WTO is yet to take shape and Gls other than wines and spirits are seeking additional protection under Article 23 of Trips. The issue of registration in difficult jurisdictions and seeking redressal according to the legal requirements of each country remains a challenge that Tea Board has had to face. In the meantime to promote Darjeeling tea and consolidate its equity along with increasing consumer awareness about Darjeeling as a geographical indication, the Tea Board is holding festivals in various export markets and running Darjeeling tea promotions together with retail chains and speciality restaurants. Public relations and educational communication materials are spreading the awareness of Darjeeling Tea worldwide as well as in India.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[25]=new Array("files/teafaqs.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Questions and Answers","Answers to many questions like What is Darjeeling Tea? Where is Darjeeling Tea produced? What is so exquisite about Darjeeling Tea? etc","• What is Darjeeling Tea?   • Where is Darjeeling Tea produced and what is its annual production?   • What makes Darjeeling Tea so exclusive?   • What are the different flavours Associated with Darjeeling Tea?   • What is the importance of the Darjeeling Logo?   • How does one prepare a cup of Darjeeling Tea?   • What should be checked before buying a packet of Darjeeling Tea?     What is Darjeeling Tea?   Darjeeling Tea is the world’s most expensive and exotically flavoured tea. Connoisseurs will assert that without Darjeeling, Tea would be like Wine without the prestige of Champagne. According to the Tea Board Of India - &quot;Darjeeling Tea&quot; means tea which has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed in tea gardens 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 Subtiguri 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.    top   Where is Darjeeling Tea produced and what is its annual production?   Darjeeling Tea is grown and produced only in the hilly areas of Darjeeling district. Darjeeling is located on the Northern part of West Bengal, India. There are only 86 Tea Estates, which produce Darjeeling Tea. All of these are in Darjeeling District and only teas coming from these estates can be called Darjeeling Tea. It cannot be produced anywhere else in the World. The Annual production of Darjeeling Tea is approximately 10 Million Kg.    top   What makes Darjeeling Tea so exclusive?  Darjeeling Tea is widely and universally acknowledged to be the finest tea, because its flavour is so unique that it cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. It has no equal. Grown in the romantic and mystical mountainous region of Darjeeling at an elevation of 750 - 2000 metre, the tea is imbued with an incomparable charisma and quality. Grown in century old Tea Gardens, these tea bushes are nurtured by intermittent rainfall, sunshine and moisture laden mellow mists. The soil is rich and the hilly terrain provides natural drainage for the generous rainfall the district receives. Even the tea pluckers, well aware of the status their produce enjoys throughout the world, pick only the finest two leaf and the bud to enhance the unique flavour which has been described as &ldquo;Muscatel&rdquo;.   Gifted with these natural elements, the simple fact that only 10 million Kg. of Darjeeling Tea is produced annually by the Darjeeling district, has made it all more exclusive and desirable.   Adherence to this high quality profile, results in extremely low yields. The Darjeeling Planter has never succumbed to the temptation of increasing yields at the expense of quality and makes every effort to ensure the highest quality standards, inspite of the high costs involved.   It would not be an overstatement to say that Darjeeling Tea is by far the finest and most sought after Tea in the world.    top   What are the different flavours associated with Darjeeling Tea?  The flavours of Darjeeling Tea differ from season to season. According to the plucking period, the seasons can be categorised as under: - Easter Flush (March - April) : It arrives just after the dormant Winter months. The leaves are tender and very light green in appearance. The liquor too is light, clear, bright and imparts a pleasant brisk flavour Spring Flush (May - June) : This flush is famed for its prominent quality. The leaf has a purplish bloom. The liquor is more round, mellow and with more colour (amber) and has a slightly fruity flavour. It is during this period that the famous “Muscatel” flavour becomes pronounced. Summer Flush (July - September) : During this period the nature of the liquor changes, becoming stronger, yet retaining the brightness and character that Darjeeling is known for. Autumn Flush (October - November) : The Tea during this period has a light coppery tinge and liquors have a delicate character. Winter Months (December - February) : Dormant period with no production.    top   What is the importance of the Darjeeling Logo?  The Darjeeling Logo is a property of The Tea Board of India. It was launched in 1983. It is a symbol that verifies that the packet / caddy etc contains 100 % pure Darjeeling, unblended with teas from any other growth. There are certian procedures prescribed by the Tea Board of India to be complied with to get permission for the printing of the logo on a product. If you are interested in knowing more, please email us.    top   How does one prepare a cup of Darjeeling Tea?  The standard procedure is: - Take 1 level teaspoon of pure Darjeeling Tea in each cup. Nothing for the pot. Pour water, immediately after bringing it to a furious boil. Brew it for 3 - 4 minutes. A perfect cup of Darjeeling is ready. If Broken / Fanning Grades of tea is used, ½ teaspoon of tea would suffice. In case milk or sugar is to be added then the brewing time has to extend to about 5 minutes. The quantity of Tea and the brewing time can be altered according to personal preferences. Iced tea is also popular, with a slice of lemon.    top   What should be checked before buying a packet of Darjeeling Tea?  The packet must have a Darjeeling Tea Logo. &quot;Darjeeling” or “Pure Darjeeling” or “100% Darjeeling” - must be mentioned.    top  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Darjeeling logo, Preparation of Darjeeling tea, Different flavours of Darjeeling tea, Darjeeling tea production, Checklist before buying Darjeeling tea");s1[26]=new Array("files/teagardens.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Tea estates in Darjeeling","","Coming Soon   Keywords:");s1[27]=new Array("files/thoughts.asp","Share your teatime tales","","&quot;&quot; then EmailObj.Value(&quot;Reply-To&quot;) = seReplyTo EmailObj.Subject = seSubject EmailObj.Body = seBody EmailObj.Send Set EmailObj = nothing on error goto 0 End Sub if request.form(&quot;posted&quot;)=&quot;1&quot; then Dim seTo,seFrom,seSubject,seToCC,seBody seTo = &quot;rinella.dsilva@lintasindia.com&quot; seSubject = &quot;Thoughts for the Darjeeling Website&quot; seFrom = Request.Form(&quot;youremail&quot;) seBody = &quot;Name:&quot; & Request.Form(&quot;yourname&quot;) seBody = seBody & &quot; Email ID:&quot; & Request.Form(&quot;youremail&quot;) seBody = seBody & &quot; Query:&quot; & Request.Form(&quot;query&quot;) Call DoSendEmailEO(seTo,seFrom,&quot;&quot;,seSubject,seBody) %&gt;      Thank you for your information              Ever had a memorable conversation over tea?       Sealed a bond, forged a relationship or made a memory?       Share it with us. All your tea-related anecdotes are welcome        Forum to share your thoughts");s1[28]=new Array("files/tourism.asp","Darjeeling Tea: FAQs and tea recipes","Answers to many question like What is Darjeeling tea?, Where is Darjeeling tea produced? What makes Darjeeling tea so exclusive? etc","• What is Darjeeling Tea?   • Where is Darjeeling Tea produced and what is its annual production?   • What makes Darjeeling Tea so Exclusive?   • What are the Different Flavours Associated with Darjeeling Tea?   • What is the importance of the Darjeeling Logo?   • How does one prepare a cup of Darjeeling Tea?   • What should be checked before buying a packet of Darjeeling Tea?   • Tea - Time Recipes     What is Darjeeling Tea?   Darjeeling Tea is the World’s most expensive and exotically flavoured tea. Connoisseurs will assert that without Darjeeling, Tea would be like Wine without the prestige of Champagne. According to the Tea Board Of India - &quot;Darjeeling Tea&quot; means tea which has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed in tea gardens 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 Subtiguri 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.    top   Where is Darjeeling Tea produced and what is its annual production?   Darjeeling Tea is grown and produced only in the hilly areas of Darjeeling district. Darjeeling is located on the Northern part of West Bengal, India. There are only 86 Tea Estates which produce Darjeeling Tea. All of these are in Darjeeling District and only teas coming from these estates can be called Darjeeling Tea. It cannot be produced anywhere else in the World. The Annual production of Darjeeling Tea is approximately 10 Million Kg.    top   What makes Darjeeling Tea so Exclusive?  Darjeeling Tea is widely and universally acknowledged to be the finest tea, because its flavour is so unique that it cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. It has no equal. Grown in the romantic and mystical mountainous region of Darjeeling at an elevation of 750 - 2000 metre, the tea is imbued with an incomparable charisma and quality. Grown in century old Tea Gardens, these tea bushes are nurtured by intermittent rainfall, sunshine and moisture laden mellow mists. The soil is rich and the hilly terrain provides natural drainage for the generous rainfall the district receives. Even the tea pluckers, well aware of the status their produce enjoys throughout the world, pick only the finest two leaf and the bud to enhance the unique flavour which has been described as &ldquo;Muscatel&rdquo;.   Gifted with these natural elements, the simple fact that only 10 million Kg. of Darjeeling Tea is produced annually by the Darjeeling district, has made it all more exclusive and desirable.   Adherence to this high quality profile, results in extremely low yields. The Darjeeling Planter has never succumbed to the temptation of increasing yields at the expense of quality and makes every effort to ensure the highest quality standards, inspite of the high costs involved.   It would not be an overstatement to say that Darjeeling Tea is by far the finest and most sought after Tea in the world.    top   What are the Different Flavours associated with Darjeeling Tea?  The Flavours of Darjeeling Tea differs from Season to Season. According to the plucking period, the seasons can be categorised as under: - Easter Flush (March - April): It arrives just after the dormant Winter months. The leaves are tender and very light green in appearance. The liquor too is light, clear, bright and imparts a pleasant brisk flavour . Spring Flush (May - June): This flush is famed for its prominent quality. The leaf has a purplish bloom. The liquor is more round, mellow and with more colour (amber) and has a slightly fruity flavour. It is during this period that the famous “Muscatel” flavour becomes pronounced. Summer Flush (July - September): During this period the nature of the liquor changes, becoming stronger, yet retaining the brightness and character that Darjeeling is known for. Autumn Flush (October - November): The Tea during this period has a light coppery tinge and liquors have a delicate character. Winter Months (December - February): Dormant period with no production.    top   What is the importance of the Darjeeling Logo?  The Darjeeling Logo is a property of The Tea Board of India. It was launched in 1983. It is a symbol that verifies that the packet / caddy etc contains 100 % pure Darjeeling, unblended with teas from any other growth. There are certian procedures prescribed by the Tea Board of India to be complied with to get permission for the printing of the logo on a product. If you are interested in knowing more... please email us.    top   How does one prepare a cup of Darjeeling Tea?  The standard procedure is: - Take 1 level teaspoon of Pure Darjeeling Tea in each cup. Nothing for the pot. Pour water, immediately after bringing it to a furious boil. Brew it for 3 - 4 minutes A perfect cup of Darjeeling is ready ……. If Broken / Fanning Grades of tea is used, ½ teaspoon of tea would suffice. In case Milk or Sugar is to be added then the brewing time has to extend to about 5 minutes. The quantity of Tea and the brewing time can be altered according to personal preferences. Iced tea is also popular, with a slice of lemon.    top   What should be checked before buying a packet of Darjeeling Tea?  The Packet must have a Darjeeling Tea Logo. &quot;Darjeeling” or “Pure Darjeeling” or “100% Darjeeling” - must be mentioned.    top   Tea Time Recipes  It is amazing how versatile you can be with Darjeeling Tea. You can ice it, spice it, cream it, punch it, even eat it. You can win friends with it and lose weight with it. But always, you drink your health with it. Below is a selection of suggestions. Try a few with pure Indian Darjeeling Tea. Remember, Darjeeling is the exotic one, the 'champagne' of teas. Hot Tea 1) Take fresh water from the cold tap and boil. 2) Warm teapot by rinsing out with hot water. 3) Put one teaspoonful of tea leaf for each cup into teapot. 4) Pour boiling water into it. Cover and wait for three minutes. 5) Pour liquid tea from the teapot into cup through a strainer.  6) Add milk / sugar to taste.  Iced Tea 1) Take fresh water from the cold tap and boil. 2) Put two teaspoonfuls of tea into teapot for each person to get strong brew. 3) Pour in boiling water. Cover teapot and wait for at least five minutes. 4) Fill three-fourths of a large glass tumbler with ice cubes. Pour tea from the teapot. Add sugar syrup and sliced lemon to taste, but no milk. You can add a sprig of mint. 5) Cool for a few minutes and imbibe straight or through a straw. Lemon Tea A tempter at all times! Into a piping hot cup of tea, add a few drops of lemon (not milk) and sugar to taste, stir, and sip in the goodness of tea with the richness of lemon. Hot Spiced Afternoon Tea 4 pints water 1/2 level tsp. whole cloves 1/2 a stick of cinnamon 1 oz. tea 4 oz. sugar 1/4 pint Orange Juice Or squash Juice of 2 lemons Cinnamon sticks to serve Add the spices to the water and bring to the boil. Pour onto the tea and allow to brew for 5 minutes. Stir, strain onto the sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the fruit juices. To reheat before serving (if necessary) place over a low heat-do not simmer or boil. Serve with cinnamon sticks.  Sufficient for 12 people.   Tea Fruit Cup 4 oz. sugar 2 pints water 1/4 pint strong fresh tea, strained 1/4 pint Fruit Syrup (e.g. rose hip) 1/4 pint orange squash 1/4 pint lemon squash 1/4 pint pineapple Squash 1 small bottle lemonade 12 fresh or canned cherries 2 bananas, sliced Ice Boil the sugar and 1/4 pint water together for 5 minutes. Add the cooled tea, the rest of the water, the fruit syrup and fruit squashes. Chill and when ready to serve add the other ingredients and the ice. Sufficient for 12 people.   Tea Punch 1/2 pint strong tea 6 oz. sugar 1/2 pint orange squash 4 tbsps. lemon juice 2 small bottles ginger ale 1 large bottle lemonade 1 orange, sliced  Put the hot tea in a bowl, add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the orange squash and lemon juice and strain. Chill. Just before serving mix in the ginger ale, lemonade and orange slices. Sufficient for 12 people.  Tea Ice Cream  (for making 2 lbs. of tea ice cream)  (a) Dry tea (with good flavour)  2 oz (b) Refined sugar                     1 lb (c) Arrowroot or cornflour    1 oz  (d) Fresh milk                          2 lbs (e) Water                               10 oz 1) Heat water and remove quickly from fire when boiling. Rinse out teapot with hot water and put in tea leaves. Pour boiling water into teapot. Infuse for 8 to10 minutes. Strain off infusion and keep aside.  2) Boil milk. Next, blend sugar with arrowroot (or cornflour) thoroughly and add lo boiled milk. Let mixture simmer for about10 minutes stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Remove from fire, add tea infusion, stir and freeze.     Tea Jelly 2 lemons 1 pkt. lemon jelly 3/4 pint (approx.) freshly brewed tea,  Whipped cream to decorate Grate the skins of the lemons finely. Place the jelly in a measure and make up to 1 pint with freshly brewed tea. Stir until dissolved, then cool. When it is slightly thickened stir in the grated lemon peel and pour into a wetted 1-pint mould or into individual moulds. Decorate with cream.     top    Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Darjeeling logo, Preparation of Darjeeling tea, Different flavours of Darjeeling tea, Darjeeling tea production, Checklist before buying Darjeeling tea");s1[29]=new Array("files/wayforward.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","The next phase in the protection of Darjeeling tea involves monitoring the movement of green leaf and the extension of the certification system to overseas markets, which are currently self declaratory. An online system is intended for the purpose in order to encourage ease of use and minimize paper work. There is no doubt that it would be in the best interests of industry to export a value-added product. The economies however require to make sense both in terms of value addition as well as import duty rates for packet tea vis a vis bulk. The Tea Board has been partnering with tea importing communities like Germany and the United Kingdom in this venture. These measures, though slow moving in a lot of cases, have had a cumulative effect. Today, worldwide, there is an increasing awareness of the name Darjeeling as a protected entity. However, protection in countries like France, Japan and Russia still remains a problem. Member countries are operating in an environment where the multilateral Registry under the WTO is yet to take shape and Gls other than wines and spirits are seeking additional protection under Article 23 of Trips. The issue of registration in difficult jurisdictions and seeking redressal according to the legal requirements of each country remains a challenge that Tea Board has had to face. In the meantime to promote Darjeeling tea and consolidate its equity along with increasing consumer awareness about Darjeeling as a geographical indication, the Tea Board is holding festivals in various export markets and running Darjeeling tea promotions together with retail chains and speciality restaurants. Public relations and educational communication materials are spreading the awareness of Darjeeling Tea worldwide as well as in India.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[30]=new Array("files/writetous.asp","files/writetous.asp","","&quot;&quot; then EmailObj.Value(&quot;Reply-To&quot;) = seReplyTo EmailObj.Subject = seSubject EmailObj.Body = seBody EmailObj.Send Set EmailObj = nothing on error goto 0 End Sub if request.form(&quot;posted&quot;)=&quot;1&quot; then Dim seTo,seFrom,seSubject,seToCC,seBody seTo = &quot;dpa@darjeelingtea.com&quot; seSubject = &quot;Queries from website&quot; seFrom = Request.Form(&quot;youremail&quot;) seBody = &quot;Name:&quot; & Request.Form(&quot;yourname&quot;) seBody = seBody & &quot; Email ID:&quot; & Request.Form(&quot;youremail&quot;) seBody = seBody & &quot; Contact No:&quot; & Request.Form(&quot;contact&quot;) seBody = seBody & &quot; Query:&quot; & Request.Form(&quot;query&quot;) Call DoSendEmailEO(seTo,seFrom,&quot;&quot;,seSubject,seBody) %&gt;      Thank you for your information");s1[31]=new Array("growth/association.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","The business affairs and funds of the Association are managed by the Governing Body headed by the Chairman elected at each Annual General Meeting of the Association. The registered office is: 6, Netaji Subhas Road 1st Floor Calcutta - 700 001 West Bengal, India Phone : (033) - 210 -2408 Fax : (033) - 221 - 0433 Email : dpa@darjeelingtea.com Secretary at Registered Office: Mr. A.R.Sarkar The association has a branch office at Darjeeling. The affairs and business of the Branch are handled by the General Committee elected at each Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Branch held concurrently with the AGM of the Association. The Branch Office Address is: Annexe Building of Darjeeling Club Ltd. Darjeeling West Bengal, India Phone : (0354) - 54353 Fax : (0354) - 54098 Secretaries at the Branch Mr. Ranen Datta - Secretary Ms. B.Mukhia - Asst. Secretary  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[32]=new Array("growth/ass_beginning.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Darjeeling Planters’ Association (DPA)","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","The First Annual General Meeting of the Darjeeling Planters was held in 1873 to consult problems of the Darjeeling Tea Estates. Later in 1892, the Darjeeling Planter's Association (DPA) was formed. The association was affiliated to the Indian Tea Association (ITA) in 1910. On 1st December, 1951, under the post-independence scenario, DPA in their last Extraordinary Meeting unanimously decided to dissolve the Association and transfer all its assets and liabilities to the newly formed Association called the Darjeeling Branch of the Indian Tea Association (DBITA).   Over the passage of time, the owners of Darjeeling Tea Estates, considering its unique nature, special problems and attention needed for the development, promotion and protection of Darjeeling Tea &ndash; decided unanimously to form a sole independent Association to address their common affairs. On the 20th of December, 1983 the present &lsquo;DARJEELING PLANTER'S ASSOCIATION&rsquo; was formed under the chairmanship of Mr. S.K. Bhasin, dissolving DBITA Darjeeling Planter's Association, is one of the constituent member of the &lsquo;Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations&rsquo; (CCPA) in India.   A few of the objectives of the Association are: - To promote the common interests of all persons engaged in the cultivation and/or production and/or marketing and/or processing of Darjeeling Tea. To promote and develop healthy relations in the Darjeeling Tea Industry. To consider and discuss all matters connected with or related to the growing, cultivation, production and marketing of Darjeeling Tea and to enhance the contribution of the Darjeeling Tea Industry to the growth and development of the Indian economy. To present to the Central Government, State Government, Institutions, Public Bodies, Authorities and/or Corporations, in or outside India, the views and interests of the Darjeeling Tea Industry and to seek and obtain their interest in and assistance for the development and protection of the Darjeeling Tea Industry. To take all steps which may be necessary for promoting, supporting, opposing and/or changing legislation, notifications, orders or other measures affecting the Tea Industry and/or the persons engaged in the cultivation, production, processing or marketing of Darjeeling Tea.   The business affairs and funds of the Association are managed by the Governing Body headed by the Chairman elected at each Annual General Meeting of the Association. The registered office is: 6, Netaji Subhas Road 1st Floor Calcutta - 700 001 West Bengal, India Phone : (033) - 210 -2408 Fax : (033) - 221 - 0433 Email : dpa@darjeelingtea.com Secretary at Registered Office: Mr. A.R.Sarkar The association has a branch office at Darjeeling. The affairs and business of the Branch are handled by the General Committee elected at each Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Branch held concurrently with the AGM of the Association. The Branch Office Address is: Annexe Building of Darjeeling Club Ltd. Darjeeling West Bengal, India Phone : (0354) - 54353 Fax : (0354) - 54098 Secretaries at the Branch Mr. Ranen Datta - Secretary Ms. B.Mukhia - Asst. Secretary  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Definition of Darjeeling Tea, Association, Beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India , promotion and protection of Darjeeling Tea");s1[33]=new Array("growth/beginning.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning and growth","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","150 years ago, Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood. In 1847, the government put out tea nurseries in this area, proving his experiment to be successful. Here&rsquo;s where the story of Darjeeling Tea began. According to records, the first commercial tea gardens planted out by the British tea interests were the Tukvar, Steinthal and Aloobari tea estates, in 1852. All these plantations used seeds that were raised in the government nurseries. Darjeeling was then only a sparsely populated hamlet, which was being used as a hill resort by the army and some affluent people. Tea, being a labour-intensive enterprise, required sufficient numbers of workers to plant, tend, pluck and finally manufacture the produce. For this, employment was offered to people from across the border of Nepal. In 1866, Darjeeling had 39 gardens producing a total crop of 21,000 kilograms of tea. In 1870, the number of gardens increased to 56 to produce about 71,000 kgs of tea harvested from 4,400 hectares. During 1860-64, the Darjeeling Company was established with 4 gardens while the Darjeeling Consolidated Tea Co. dates back to 1896. By 1874, tea in Darjeeling was found to be a profitable venture. Where 113 gardens spanning approximately 6,000 hectares, were thriving.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[34]=new Array("growth/defination.asp","Darjeeling Tea: The Definition, Geographical Indication & Importance","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","• Tea which has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed in tea gardens in the hilly areas of Sadar sub-division, only hilly areas of Kalimpong Sub-Division comprising Samabeong Tea Estate, Ambiok Tea Estate, Mission Hill Tea Estate, Upper Fagu and Kumai Tea Estates and Kurseong Sub-Division excluding the areas in jurisdiction list 20, 21, 23, 24, 29, 31 and 33 comprising Subtiguri 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 areas, other than tea manufactured by CTC process.   • Tea, which, when brewed, has a distinctive, naturally occurring aroma and taste with light liquor and the infused leaf of which has a distinctive fragrance.   • The Tea Board of India and DPA are jointly taking steps to protect the Darjeeling name under the World Trade Organization convention, covering geographical indications of source.   Under international law, Geographical Indications mean indications which identify a product as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Darjeeling tea is India&rsquo;s treasured Geographical Indication and forms a very important part of India&rsquo;s cultural and collective intellectual heritage. It is of considerable importance to the economy of India because of the international reputation and consumer recognition enjoyed by it. In the legal sphere, countries are seeking to protect Geographical Indications as geographical indications, collective marks or certification marks.   There are both scientific as well as religious beliefs behind why Darjeeling is the most suitable place to grow tea. The local people believe that the Himalayan range is the abode of Shanker Mahadeva and the breath of God brings winds that cool the brow of the sun filled valley, and the mist and fog which provide the moisture. The fountain that flows from the piled head of Shiva provides water for crops and it thrives. The diversity of Darjeeling tea is further accentuated by differences in wind and rainfalls that depend on the altitude and exposure of the slopes under cultivation. The quality, reputation and characteristics of Darjeeling tea are essentially attributable to its geographical origin. It possesses a flavor and quality which sets it apart from other teas, giving it the stature of a fine vintage wine. As a result it has won the patronage and recognition of discerning consumers worldwide for more than a century. Any member of the trade and public when ordering or purchasing Darjeeling tea will expect the tea to be cultivated, grown and produced in the defined region of the district of Darjeeling and have the special characteristics associated with such tea. Consequently Darjeeling tea is worthy of its name and cannot be grown or manufactured anywhere else in the world. Darjeeling tea cannot be replicated anywhere.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[35]=new Array("growth/geographical.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","Under international law, Geographical Indications mean indications which identify a product as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Darjeeling tea is India&rsquo;s treasured Geographical Indication and forms a very important part of India&rsquo;s cultural and collective intellectual heritage. It is of considerable importance to the economy of India because of the international reputation and consumer recognition enjoyed by it. In the legal sphere, countries are seeking to protect Geographical Indications as geographical indications, collective marks or certification marks.  Download Darjeeling Tea Brochure (pdf format) Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[36]=new Array("growth/importance.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","There are both scientific as well as religious beliefs behind why Darjeeling is the most suitable place to grow tea. The local people believe that the Himalayan range is the abode of Shanker Mahadeva and the breath of God brings winds that cool the brow of the sun filled valley, and the mist and fog which provide the moisture. The fountain that flows from the piled head of Shiva provides water for crops and it thrives. The diversity of Darjeeling tea is further accentuated by differences in wind and rainfalls that depend on the altitude and exposure of the slopes under cultivation. The quality, reputation and characteristics of Darjeeling tea are essentially attributable to its geographical origin. It possesses a flavor and quality which sets it apart from other teas, giving it the stature of a fine vintage wine. As a result it has won the patronage and recognition of discerning consumers worldwide for more than a century. Any member of the trade and public when ordering or purchasing Darjeeling tea will expect the tea to be cultivated, grown and produced in the defined region of the district of Darjeeling and have the special characteristics associated with such tea. Consequently Darjeeling tea is worthy of its name and cannot be grown or manufactured anywhere else in the world. Darjeeling tea cannot be replicated anywhere.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[37]=new Array("growth/peo_dar.asp","Darjeeling Tea: The tea planters & people of Darjeeling","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","In 1835, Darjeeling had a population of only about 100. By 1850, it was 10,000 and by 1872, had grown to 95,000. During this same period, there was rapid expansion in tea cultivation, coupled with large-scale immigration of the Gorkha people. Today, the population of the tea growing areas of the Darjeeling district is approximately 700,000. The Gorkha people were greatly admired by the British, not only as soldiers but also as agriculturists. Their hardworking nature and courage in war are well recorded. The British planters had a well-planned strategy to form a labour pool for the tea gardens. The immigrants were absorbed in family units and not as individuals. A significant portion were relatives, who came to visit, and stayed on to eventually settle down. The plantation workers are truly at home in the tea gardens. They are provided housing, medical care and subsidised rations, besides wages. Employment of children is not allowed and free education is available from Government schools. Interestingly, most of the work is done by women and, as a result, they enjoy greater economic independence and prominence in society. Support and assistance is provided to them by way of paid maternity leave and crèche facilities. The people are house-proud; their modest homes are often surrounded by flowers, and present a warm welcome. The Managers&rsquo; bungalows are attractively situated, little being required in the shape of landscape gardening. The surroundings are altogether beautiful. These buildings, with their white-washed walls and shining roofs, surrounded by the green tea gardens, add to the charm and character of the scenery.   The tea planter&rsquo;s duties are multifaceted, including the supervision of agricultural practices, the control of processing, the management of the large labour force employed, the construction of roads in the estate, and often the erection of buildings. He must therefore combine, as far as possible, the knowledge and skill of an agriculturist, engineer and administrator, love of the outdoors and the environment, as well as a feel for his markets.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[38]=new Array("growth/pioneer.asp","Darjeeling Tea: The efforts of the pioneer planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","The Darjeeling tea story started way back in 1835 through the initiative of the British Governor General, Lord Bentinck. Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of Darjeeling, planted the first seeds in his garden at Beechwiood, 2134 mtrs. above sea level. Following in his footsteps, missionaries like Mr. Stolke, Capt. Masson and the Barnes Brothers all started small and medium-sized plantations during the mid - 1800s. Mr. Stolke started planting Steinthal in 1847. The Barnes Brothers acquired a large area and planted tea at Mineral Springs, Bannockburb and Soom. By 1864 the Darjeeling Company was established with four gardens, while the Darjeeling Consolidated Tea Co. dated back to 1896. Other stalwarts included Capt. Samlar, Dr. Brougham, Dr. Grant, Mr. James White, Mr. Bhagatbir Rai and Mr. Bipra Das Pal Chaudhuri. Without the adventurous efforts of the pioneer planters, the tea industry of Darjeeling would not have seen the light of day. The pioneers in the history of Darjeeling Tea cultivation had little or no experience to fall back on and hence had to depend on trial and error methods. The first tea seeds used for plantation were of Chinese origin brought in from the Kumaon hills of north India. The plant was allowed to grow naturally, upto 2.5 mtrs. in height and took 4 to 5 years to develop. More seeds were then harvested in a similar manner. The plants were hardy and multi-stemmed, producing small sized leaves. The tea gardens of the Darjeeling district, many with ethnic names reminiscent of a romantic past, are grouped in seven valleys of the Darjeeling Hills, each gifted with its own scenic character and topography. The valley groups were originally segregated when gardens were accessible only on horseback, based on geographical proximity. Each valley had its own club, where the memsahibs could exchange recipes and update themselves weekly on the non-tea activities of handsome young assistants, while the sahibs enjoyed a game of tennis, followed by high spirits, dancing and dinner. Intense inter and intra valley rivalry gas historically engendered a spirit of friendly competition among the garden managers, filtering down to the workers. This is the human face of the driving force responsible for making the best tea even better, year after year.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[39]=new Array("growth/present.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","Today there are 86 running gardens producing &lsquo;Darjeeling Tea&rsquo; on a total area of 19,000 hectares. The total production rages from 10 to 11 million kgs annually. The Darjeeling tea industry at present employs over 52,000 people on a permanent basis, while a further 15,000 persons are engaged during the plucking season, which lasts from March to November. A unique feature of this work force is that more than 60 percent are women and the employment is on a family basis. The income of a garden worker is half in the form of cash and the other half by way of perquisites which have over the years effectively provided a cushion against the impact of inflation and scarcities. For instance, the workers are provided with free accommodation, subsidised cereal ration and free medical benefits. According to the census carried out in the hills in 1971, the total population of three hill sub-divisions of district viz. Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong was approximately 600,000. From the records maintained by the tea gardens, the resident population is over 300,000. Apart from tourism, Tea is the biggest industrial activity in Darjeeling, offering the largest employment in the hills. The turnover of the Darjeeling tea industry is nearly USD 7.5 million, which is acknowledged to be more than the money generated by tourism in the Darjeeling hills.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[40]=new Array("growth/presentset.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","Over the passage of time, the owner&rsquo;s of Darjeeling Tea Estates, considering its unique nature, special problems and attention needed for the development, promotion and protection of Darjeeling Tea &ndash; decided unanimously to form a sole independent Association to address their common affairs. On the 20th of December, 1983 the present &lsquo;DARJEELING PLANTERS ASSOCIATION&rsquo; was formed under the chairmanship of Mr. S.K. Bhasin, dissolving D.B.I.T.A. Darjeeling Planters Association, is one of the constituent member of the &lsquo;Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations&rsquo; (CCPA) in India.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[41]=new Array("growth/salient.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","A few of the objectives of the Association are: - To promote the common interests of all persons engaged in the cultivation and/or production and/or marketing and/or processing of Darjeeling Tea. To promote and develop healthy relations in the Darjeeling Tea Industry. To consider and discuss all matters connected with or relating to the growing, cultivation, production and marketing of Darjeeling Tea and to enhance the contribution of the Darjeeling Tea Industry to the growth and development of the Indian Economy. To present to the Central Government, State Government, Institutions, Public Bodies, Authorities and/or Corporations, in or outside India, the views and interests of the Darjeeling Tea Industry and to seek and obtain their interest in and assistance for the development and protection of the Darjeeling Tea Industry. To take all steps which may be necessary for promoting, supporting, opposing and/or changing legislation, notifications, orders or other measures affecting the Tea Industry and/or the persons engaged in the cultivation, production, processing or marketing of Darjeeling Tea.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[42]=new Array("growth/teaboard.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Protection and Promotion by The Tea Board of India","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","All the teas produced in the tea growing areas of India, including Darjeeling, are administered by the Tea Board, India, under the Tea Act, 1953. Since its establishment, the Tea Board has had sole control over the growing and exporting of Darjeeling Tea and it is this control which has given rise to the reputation enjoyed by Darjeeling Tea. The Tea Board has been engaged on a worldwide basis in the protection and preservation of this treasured icon of India&rsquo;s cultural heritage as a geographical indication. Click here for more information on the Tea Board of India   The next phase in the protection of Darjeeling tea involves monitoring the movement of green leaf and the extension of the certification system to overseas markets, which are currently self declaratory. An online system is intended in order to encourage ease of use and minimize paper work. There is no doubt that it would be in the best interests of industry to export a value-added product. The economies however require to make sense both in terms of value addition as well as import duty rates for packet tea vis a vis bulk. The Tea Board has been partnering with tea importing communities like Germany and the United Kingdom in this venture. These measures, though slow moving in a lot of cases, have had a cumulative effect. Today, worldwide, there is an increasing awareness of the name Darjeeling as a protected entity. However, protection in countries like France, Japan and Russia still remains a problem. Member countries are operating in an environment where the multilateral Registry under the WTO is yet to take shape and Gls other than wines and spirits are seeking additional protection under Article 23 of Trips. The issue of registration in difficult jurisdictions and seeking redressal according to the legal requirements of each country remains a challenge that Tea Board has had to face. In the meantime to promote Darjeeling tea and consolidate its equity along with increasing consumer awareness about Darjeeling as a geographical indication, the Tea Board is holding festivals in various export markets and running Darjeeling tea promotions together with retail chains and speciality restaurants. Public relations and educational communication materials are spreading the awareness of Darjeeling Tea worldwide as well as in India.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[43]=new Array("growth/teaplanter.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","The tea planter&rsquo;s duties are multifaceted, including the supervision of agricultural practices, the control of processing, the management of the large labour force employed, the construction of roads in the estate, and often the erection of buildings. He must therefore combine, as far as possible, the knowledge and skill of an agriculturist, engineer and administrator, love of the outdoors and the environment, as well as a feel for his markets.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[44]=new Array("growth/wayforward.asp","Darjeeling Tea: A historical beginning, growth, the pioneers, present scenario, People & tea planters","The history of Darjeeling tea began 150 years ago, when Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood…","The next phase in the protection of Darjeeling tea involves monitoring the movement of green leaf and the extension of the certification system to overseas markets, which are currently self declaratory. An online system is intended for the purpose in order to encourage ease of use and minimize paper work. There is no doubt that it would be in the best interests of industry to export a value-added product. The economies however require to make sense both in terms of value addition as well as import duty rates for packet tea vis a vis bulk. The Tea Board has been partnering with tea importing communities like Germany and the United Kingdom in this venture. These measures, though slow moving in a lot of cases, have had a cumulative effect. Today, worldwide, there is an increasing awareness of the name Darjeeling as a protected entity. However, protection in countries like France, Japan and Russia still remains a problem. Member countries are operating in an environment where the multilateral Registry under the WTO is yet to take shape and Gls other than wines and spirits are seeking additional protection under Article 23 of Trips. The issue of registration in difficult jurisdictions and seeking redressal according to the legal requirements of each country remains a challenge that Tea Board has had to face. In the meantime to promote Darjeeling tea and consolidate its equity along with increasing consumer awareness about Darjeeling as a geographical indication, the Tea Board is holding festivals in various export markets and running Darjeeling tea promotions together with retail chains and speciality restaurants. Public relations and educational communication materials are spreading the awareness of Darjeeling Tea worldwide as well as in India.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, growth, History of Darjeeling tea, pioneers of Darjeeling tea, Association, beginning of Darjeeling tea, history, Darjeeling people, tea planters, Darjeeling Planter’s Association, Tea Board of India, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea Board of India, Promotion and protection of Darjeeling tea, geography, location");s1[45]=new Array("history/association.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","The Beginning: The First Annual General Meeting of the Darjeeling Planters was held in 1873 to consult problems of the Darjeeling Tea Estates. Later in 1892, the Darjeeling Planters Association (D.P.A.) was formed. The association was affiliated to the Indian Tea Association (I.T.A.) in 1910. On 1st December, 1951, under the post-independence scenario, DPA in their last Extraordinary Meeting unanimously decided to dissolve the Association and transfer all its assets and liabilities to the newly formed Association called the Darjeeling Branch of the Indian Tea Association (D.B.I.T.A.). The Present Set-up:  Over the passage of time, the owner&rsquo;s of Darjeeling Tea Estates, considering its unique nature, special problems and attention needed for the development, promotion and protection of Darjeeling Tea &ndash; decided unanimously to form a sole independent Association to address their common affairs. On the 20th of December, 1983 the present &lsquo;DARJEELING PLANTERS ASSOCIATION&rsquo; was formed under the chairmanship of Mr. S.K. Bhasin, dissolving D.B.I.T.A. Darjeeling Planters Association, is one of the constituent member of the &lsquo;Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations&rsquo; (CCPA) in India. Salient Objectives: A few of the objectives of the Association are: - To promote the common interests of all persons engaged in the cultivation and/or production and/or marketing and/or processing of Darjeeling Tea. To promote and develop healthy relations in the Darjeeling Tea Industry. To consider and discuss all matters connected with or relating to the growing, cultivation, production and marketing of Darjeeling Tea and to enhance the contribution of the Darjeeling Tea Industry to the growth and development of the Indian Economy. To present to the Central Government, State Government, Institutions, Public Bodies, Authorities and/or Corporations, in or outside India, the views and interests of the Darjeeling Tea Industry and to seek and obtain their interest in and assistance for the development and protection of the Darjeeling Tea Industry. To take all steps which may be necessary for promoting, supporting, opposing and/or changing legislation, notifications, orders or other measures affecting the Tea Industry and/or the persons engaged in the cultivation, production, processing or marketing of Darjeeling Tea. Structure of the Association The business affairs and funds of the Association are managed by the Governing Body headed by the Chairman elected at each Annual General Meeting of the Association. The registered office is: 6, Netaji Subhas Road 1st Floor Calcutta - 700 001 West Bengal, India Phone : (033) - 210 -2408 Fax : (033) - 221 - 0433 Email : dpa@darjeelingtea.com Secretary at Registered Office: Mr. A.R.Sarkar The association has a branch office at Darjeeling. The affairs and business of the Branch are handled by the General Committee elected at each Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Branch held concurrently with the AGM of the Association. The Branch Office Address is: Annexe Building of Darjeeling Club Ltd. Darjeeling West Bengal, India Phone : (0354) - 54353 Fax : (0354) - 54098 Secretaries at the Branch Mr. Ranen Datta - Secretary Ms. B.Mukhia - Asst. Secretary");s1[46]=new Array("history/beginning.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","150 years ago, Dr. Campbell, the first Superintendent of the Darjeeling district experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood. In 1847, the government put out tea nurseries in this area, proving his experiment to be successful. Here&rsquo;s where the story of Darjeeling Tea begun. According to records, the first commercial tea gardens planted out by the British tea interests were the Tukvar, Steinthal and Aloobari tea estates, in 1852. All these plantations used seeds that were raised in the government nurseries. Darjeeling was then only a sparsely populated hamlet, which was being used as a hill resort by the army and some affluent people. Tea, being a labour-intensive enterprise, required sufficient numbers of workers to plant, tend, pluck and finally manufacture the produce. For this, employment was offered to people from across the border of Nepal. In 1866, Darjeeling had 39 gardens producing a total crop of 21,000 kilograms of tea. In 1870, the number of gardens increased to 56 to produce about 71,000 kgs of tea harvested from 4,400 hectares. During 1860-64, the Darjeeling Company was established with 4 gardens while the Darjeeling Consolidated Tea Co. dates back to 1896. By 1874, tea in Darjeeling was found to be a profitable venture. Where 113 gardens spanning approximately 6,000 hectares, were thriving.");s1[47]=new Array("history/board.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","All the teas produced in the tea growing areas of India, including Darjeeling, are administered by the Tea Board, India, under the Tea Act, 1953. Since its establishment, the Tea Board has had sole control over the growing and exporting of Darjeeling Tea and it is this control which has given rise to the reputation enjoyed by Darjeeling Tea. The Tea Board has been engaged on a worldwide basis in the protection and preservation of this treasured icon of India&rsquo;s cultural heritage as a geographical indication. Our Goals: The way forward The next phase in the protection of Darjeeling tea involves monitoring the movement of green leaf and the extension of the certification system to overseas markets, which are currently self declaratory. An online system is intended for the purpose in order to encourage ease of use and minimize paper work. There is no doubt that it would be in the best interests of industry to export a value-added product. The economies however require to make sense both in terms of value addition as well as import duty rates for packet tea vis a vis bulk. The Tea Board has been partnering with tea importing communities like Germany and the United Kingdom in this venture. These measures, though slow moving in a lot of cases, have had a cumulative effect. Today, worldwide, there is an increasing awareness of the name Darjeeling as a protected entity. However, protection in countries like France, Japan and Russia still remains a problem. Member countries are operating in an environment where the multilateral Registry under the WTO is yet to take shape and Gls other than wines and spirits are seeking additional protection under Article 23 of Trips. The issue of registration in difficult jurisdictions and seeking redressal according to the legal requirements of each country remains a challenge that Tea Board has had to face. In the meantime to promote Darjeeling tea and consolidate its equity along with increasing consumer awareness about Darjeeling as a geographical indication, the Tea Board is holding festivals in various export markets and running Darjeeling tea promotions together with retail chains and speciality restaurants. Public relations and educational communication materials are spreading the awareness of Darjeeling Tea worldwide as well as in India.");s1[48]=new Array("history/defination.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","1. Tea which has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed in tea garden in the hilly areas of Sadar Sub-Division, only hilly areas of Kalimpong Sub-Division comprising Samabeong Tea Estate, Ambiok Tea Estate, Mission Hill Tea Estate, Upper Fagu and Kumai Tea Estates and Kurseong Sub-Division excluding the areas in jurisdiction list 20, 21, 23, 24, 29, 31 and 33 comprising Subtiguri 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. 2. Tea, which has been processed and manufactured in a factory located in the aforesaid areas, other than tea manufactured by CTC process. 3. Tea, which, when brewed, has a distinctive, naturally occurring aroma and taste with light liquor and the infused leaf of which has a distinctive fragrance. The Tea Board of India and DPA are jointly taking steps to protect the Darjeeling name under the World Trade Organization convention, covering geographical indications of source. For further information, send an e-mail or write to us. Geographical Indication Under international law, Geographical Indications mean indications which identify a product as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Darjeeling tea is India&rsquo;s treasured Geographical Indication and form a very important part of India&rsquo;s cultural and collective intellectual heritage. It is of considerable importance to the economy of India because of the international reputation and consumer recognition enjoyed by it. In the legal sphere, countries are seeking to protect Geographical Indications as geographical indications, collective marks or certification marks. The Importance of Darjeeling There are both scientific as well as religious beliefs behind why Darjeeling is the most suitable place to grow tea. The local people believe that the Himalayan range is the abode of Shanker Mahadeva and the breath of God brings winds that cool the brow of the sun filled valley, and the mist and fog which provide the moisture. The fountain that flows from the piled head of Shiva provides water for crops and it thrives. The diversity of Darjeeling tea is further accentuated by differences in wind and rainfalls that depend on the altitude and exposure of the slopes under cultivation. The quality, reputation and characteristics of Darjeeling tea are essentially attributable to its geographical origin. It possesses a flavor and quality which sets it apart from other teas, giving it the stature of a fine vintage wine. As a result it has won the patronage and recognition of discerning consumers worldwide for more than a century. Any member of the trade and public when ordering or purchasing Darjeeling tea will expect the tea to be cultivated, grown and produced in the defined region of the district of Darjeeling and have the special characteristics associated with such tea. Consequently Darjeeling tea is worthy of its name and cannot be grown or manufactured anywhere else in the world. Darjeeling tea cannot be replicated anywhere");s1[49]=new Array("history/people.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","In 1835, Darjeeling had a population of only about 100. By 1850, it was 10,000 and by 1872, had grown to 95,000. During this same period, there was rapid expansion in tea cultivation, coupled with large-scale immigration of the Gorkha people. Today, the population of the tea growing areas of the Darjeeling district is approximately 700,000. The Gorkha people were greatly admired by the British, not only as soldiers but also as agriculturists. Their hardworking nature and courage in war are well recorded. The British planters had a well-planned strategy to form a labour pool for the tea gardens. The immigrants were absorbed in family units and not as individuals. A significant portion were relatives, who came to visit, and stayed on to eventually settle down. The plantation workers are truly at home in the tea gardens. They are provided housing, medical care and subsidised rations, besides wages. Employment of children is not allowed and free education is available from Government schools. Interestingly, most of the work is done by women and, as a result, they enjoy greater economic independence and prominence in society. Support and assistance is provided to them by way of paid maternity leave and crèche facilities. The people are house-proud; their modest homes are often surrounded by flowers, and present a warm welcome. The Managers&rsquo; bungalows are attractively situated, little being required in the shape of landscape gardening. The surroundings are altogether beautiful. These buildings, with their white-washed walls and shining roofs, surrounded by the green tea gardens, add to the charm and character of the scenery.");s1[50]=new Array("history/pioneer.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","The Darjeeling tea story started way back in 1835 through the initiative of the British Governor General, Lord Bentinck. Dr. Campbell, the first superintendent of Darjeeling, planted the first seeds in his garden at Beechwiood, 2134 mtrs. above sea level. Following in his footsteps, Missionaries like Mr. Stolke, Capt. Masson and the Barnes Brothers all started small and medium sized plantations during the mid- 1800&rsquo;s. Mr. Stolke started planting Steinthal in 1847. The Barnes Brothers acquired a large area and planted tea at Mineral Springs, Bannockburb and Soom. By 1864 the Darjeeling Company was established with four gardens, while the Darjeeling Consolidated Tea Co. dated back to 1896. Other stalwarts included Capt. Samlar, Dr. Brougham, Dr, Grant, Mr. James White, Mr. Bhagatbir Rai and Mr. Bipra Das Pal Chaudhuri. Without the adventurous efforts of the pioneer planters, the tea industry of Darjeeling would not have seen the light of day. The pioneers in the history of Darjeeling Tea cultivation had little or no experience to fall back on and hence had to depend on trial and error methods. The first tea seeds used for plantation were of Chinese origin brought in from the Kumaon hills of north India. The plant was allowed to grow naturally, upto 2.5 mtrs. in height and took 4 to 5 years to develop. More seeds were then harvested in a similar manner. The plants were hardy and multi-stemmed, producing small sized leaves. The tea gardens of the Darjeeling district, many with ethnic names reminiscent of a romantic past, are grouped in seven valleys of the Darjeeling Hills, each gifted with its own scenic character and topography. The valley groups were originally segregated when gardens were accessible only on horseback, based on geographical proximity. Each valley had its own club, where the memsahibs could exchange recipes and update themselves weekly on the non-tea activities of handsome young assistants, while the sahibs enjoyed a game of tennis, followed by high spirits, dancing and dinner. Intense inter and intra valley rivalry gas historically engendered a spirit of friendly competition among the garden managers, filtering down to the workers. This is the human face of the driving force responsible for making the best tea even better, year after year.");s1[51]=new Array("history/planters.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","The tea planter&rsquo;s duties are multifaceted, including the supervision of agricultural practices, the control of processing, the management of the large labour force employed, the construction of roads in the estate, and often the erection of buildings. He must therefore combine, as far as possible, the knowledge and skill of an agriculturist, engineer and administrator, love of the outdoors and the environment, as well as a feel for his markets.");s1[52]=new Array("history/present.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","","Today there are 86 running gardens producing &lsquo;Darjeeling Tea&rsquo; on a total area of 19,000 hectares. The total production rages from 10 to 11 million kgs annually. The Darjeeling tea industry at present employs over 52 thousand people on a permanent basis, while a further 15,000 persons are engaged during the plucking season, which lasts from March to November. A unique feature of this work force is that more than 60 percent are women and the employment is on a family basis. The income of a garden worker is half in the form of cash and the other half by way of perquisites which have over the years effectively provided a cushion against the impact of inflation and scarcities. For instance, the workers are provided with free accommodation, subsidised cereal ration and free medical benefits. According to the census carried out in the hills in 1971, the total population of three hill sub-divisions of district viz. Darjeeling , Kurseong and Kalimpong was approximately 600,000. From the records maintained by the tea gardens, the resident population is over 300,000. Apart from tourism, Tea is the biggest industrial activity in Darjeelingg, offering the largest employment in the hills. The turnover of the Darjeeling tea industry is nearly USD 7.5 million, which is acknowledged to be more than the money generated by tourism in the Darjeeling hills.");s1[53]=new Array("images/darjeelingtea_bro.pdf","images/darjeelingtea_bro.pdf","","");s1[54]=new Array("images/experience/art_pluc.asp","Darjeeling Tea: The fine art of Plucking, Processing, Tasting, Selling and Purchasing","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Proper plucking of Darjeeling Tea leaves is as unique as its flavour. Great emphasis is given to plucking as true quality is inherent in a good raw material (Tea Leaf) and the special Darjeeling flavours are generated from the very fine plucking standard. The smallest shoots, comprising of two leaves and a bud are plucked. It requires 22,000 such shoots, all plucked by hand - to produce 1 Kg. of Tea. In attaining this high plucking standard, the hilly terrain, makes the task even more difficult. Darjeeling Tea Pluckers have strived hard for years, battling against difficult terrain, cold, mist, rainfall and so on, to maintain exacting standards. They begin early in the morning, when the overnight dew is still present. Only the most tender leaves are finely plucked by gentle hands. Pluckers are so quick and skilful that it is often impossible to follow the motion of their hands and fingers as they pluck.    Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process");s1[55]=new Array("images/experience/art_process.asp","Darjeeling Tea: The traditional art of processing","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Darjeeling tea leaves are processed in the traditional &lsquo;Orthodox&rsquo; form. The inherent sensitive nature of the finely plucked, green leaf responds best to gentle treatment. Although differing leaf varieties require intricate variations in processing, the stages undergone are uniform. Withering: During this process, the green leaves are evenly spread on troughs, through which hot and cold air is blown in a regulated manner. The object is to remove moisture in the leaf slowly over a period of 14-16 hours. Rolling: The withered leaves are loaded into rollers where they are twisted by a mechanical action. The process is carefully monitored so that the style of the leaf is maintained and overheating does not take place. Fermentation: After Rolling, the leaf is spread in a cool &amp; humid room in very thin layers. The process lasts between 2- 4 hours, depending on temperature, humidity and leaf quality. During the process the tea develops a unique flavour and aroma. The Tea Makers sensory judgement is critical to quality of the liquor. Drying (Firing): The fermented leaf is taken to a dryer, where it is subjected to regulated varying temperature for a period of 20-30 min. The result is black tea whose moisture has been lost after natural fermentation is checked. Sorting &amp; Packing: This is the final stage, where the tea is graded according to the size and packed in specially designed foil lined packages. The &lsquo;making&rsquo; of the Darjeeling Tea does not end at the plantation; with proper storage in dry, ventilated conditions, the better teas mature with the passage of time. A note of caution is on order. The best of teas can be ruined if left exposed, brewed with chlorinated water, or overboiled. Good tea should be enjoyed with the right accessories.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process");s1[56]=new Array("images/experience/art_purchase.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Purchasing Value for money","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Darjeeling Tea is generally available in single estate or blended form. The search for a genuine Darjeeling must begin with finding a reliable and resourceful vendor. One must ask if the tea is genuine Darjeeling. I.e. grown in the Darjeeling hills of India. This has become very important as more than half of the tea sold as Darjeeling is not really so. While purchasing packaged Darjeeling Tea, look for this logo which authenticates its origin, and denotes that it contains 100% Darjeeling. If you wish to enjoy a &ldquo;single estate&rdquo; tea, one should note the garden&rsquo;s name and ask for the &ldquo;flush&rdquo; and year of manufacture. Gradually one&rsquo;s preferences will become settled and one will have a reliable guideline for future purchases. For a connoisseur, each invoice produced in the spring and summer has a separate and memorable personality. Many of the leading vendors are now identifying the offerings by garden name, flush of manufacture and even the invoice number of the produce. Among Darjeeling Tea lovers there are perfectionists who deem it sacrilege to add anything to the fragrant, steaming cup. Connoisseurs debate over the exact temperature of the water, the quantity of leaf per cup (and for the pot), and how long the infusion should brew. A word about international tea prices and the cost per cup. Historically, due to continuous devaluation of producing country currencies, tea has been one of the cheapest commodities in terms of the sterling or the dollar. Darjeeling Tea is excellent value for money. Buy the best.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process");s1[57]=new Array("images/experience/art_sell.asp","Darjeeling Tea: The art of selling","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Darjeeling Tea like any world famous product, requires an efficient and reliable marketing network to promote and sell it worldwide. The Auction system is a crucial channel in the sale of Darjeeling Tea. Since more than 50% of the produce is sold through the Calcutta Auction Centre, the role of the Auction system can be viewed as a barometer to access the prevailing markets. Auctions encourage free competition, ensuring a transparent price to the buyer and guaranteed payment to the seller. They also generate vital information on current market trends and sentiments. The Auctioneer plays an important role. Apart from personally tasting and evaluating each and every invoice, he has to use his knowledge of the world demand and marketing skill in judging the marketability of the Tea. He has final jurisdiction and his judgement determines the selling price of the Tea, to a certain extent.  The Four registered Brokers, who sell the majority of Darjeeling Tea are :-  J. Thomas &amp; Co. Pvt. Ltd. Carritt Moran &amp; Co. Ltd. Contemporary Targett Ltd. Paramount Tea Marketing Pvt. Ltd.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process");s1[58]=new Array("images/experience/art_tasting.asp","Darjeeling Tea : The refined art of tasting and a taster’s terminology","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","It would be true to say that tasters are born and not made. Darjeeling Tea tasting is a refined art, which necessarily encompasses a large number of variables. A taster&rsquo;s palate and olfactory senses are finely sensitive and highly discriminatory.  An experienced taster can identify the garden, ambient conditions of the plucking day and can even suggest adjustments in the manufacturing process. A taster uses his sharp sense of sight, smell, touch and taste while judging the quality of the tea. A taster must also have in-depth knowledge about the prevailing market conditions, consumer preferences and manufacturing techniques while evaluating the tea. These natural talents, however, have to be trained and developed through long years of practice before the palate is proficient enough to register the minute differences. This is particularly true for Darjeeling Tea Tasters as the quality of tea differs from invoice to invoice and being an exclusive tea, it has no yardstick to standardise against. It is only an excellent cup that truly cheers and taste is perceptible only by the human palate - No wonder that this craft is viewed with a tinge of awe and wonderment.  Tasting Procedure In the tasting procedure, pots and cups made of the finest china, kept spotlessly clean, are used; 2.5 gm of each tea is weighed into pots and water, which has just come to the boil, is poured over it. The pots are then covered with a lid and the tea is infused for either 5 or 6 minutes, depending on the individual taster&rsquo;s preference. The liquor is poured out into a cup and the tea is ready for tasting. The colour and evenness of the infusion, as also its nose, are an index to the intrinsic value of the brew. This examination takes place in a well-lit room away from direct sunlight, shade and shadow. Light from the north, which is steady and uniform, is ideal. The scrutiny of the leaf and infusion over, the taster turns his attention to the liquor and takes a sip from the cup, rolls it in his mouth and spits it out. In that split second, the palate registers the taste - flavour, briskness, strength and any faults and flaws are recorded and the taster is ready with his judgement. Darjeeling flavour is best appreciated on it&rsquo;s own. Personal preferences may permit the addition of small quantities of milk, sugar or lemon to taste. However, it is always necessary to adjust the quantity of tea used per cup, approximately 2 gms., or half a teaspoon according to type, size and preference. Fine-tuning in terms of brewing time (3 to 6 minutes) is often rewarding.  The Tea Taster&rsquo;s Terminology: To the uninitiated, a conversation between Darjeeling Tea professionals can be a mystifying experience. The taster&rsquo;s terminology could refer to either dry tea, the infused leaf, or the liquor in cup. Dry Tea Stylish: A neat, well twisted, evenly sized, wiry leaf appearance. Tippy: The unopened buds on the tea bush are transformed into silvery particles called Tips, which provide an attractive appearance in the made tea. Bloom: Silken sheen/lustre on the tea, resulting from a fine pubescence on the leaf surface. Colour: Relating to hue on dry tea i.e. greyish/greenish in the spring flush, purplish/brown in the summer and blackish brown in the autumn flush. IInfused Leaf  Bright: Lively bright colour, as opposed to dull. The hue varies from a delicate lime green in spring flush to a bright copper/purple in second flush and onwards to a pale brown in autumn. Nose/Point: The fragrance exuded by the infused leaf, also termed as aroma or bouquet, which can be evocative of certain flowers, fruits or muscatel character. Even: Uniformity of colour and size of the infused particles. Cupped Liquor Colour: Self explanatory, varying from pale lemon to a rich amber with the season. Cups may be said to have varying degrees of visual brightness, depth and body. Flavour: A fragrance, a complex and pleasing taste and aftertaste with attributes of aroma, bouquet and point. Taste: Personal to each Darjeeling tea lover, viz mellow, smooth, round, delicate, mature, sweet, lively, dry, brisk and so on.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process");s1[59]=new Array("images/experience/dartea.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Heath-giving properties for your benefit","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","The unmatched flavour of Darjeeling Tea is not its only attraction.          The health-giving properties of tea have been written about for centuries. A Materia Medica of the 1st Century AD period attributed eighteen therapeutic properties to tea: Refreshing effect Relaxation of nerves Brightening of eyes Combating alcoholism Reduction of obesity Cleansing the blood of heat and impurities Quenching thirst Treatment of abscesses Elimination of phlegm Curing dysentery Stimulating digestion Cleansing the bowels Giving energy Strengthening teeth Today, medical research confirms many of the claims of the ancient Chinese about the benefits of tea while proposing fresh areas for investigation. How does tea benefit your health? First of all, the water in which you brew your tea is boiled, and therefore sterilised. It is a safe beverage. Secondly, it&rsquo;s the cup &lsquo;that cheers but does not inebriate&rsquo; - the gentlest stimulating beverage. The minimal caffeine content in a cup of tea gives you all the benefits without any of the harm. Thirdly, if taken without milk and sugar &ndash; a cup of tea yields only about four calories. Making it the ideal weight-watcher&rsquo;s drink. Tea contains enzymes called polyphenols, which include the flavinoids that give black tea its distinctive flavour and taste. Flavinoids are anti-oxidants that help resist more than 50 diseases by preventing cell damage. A Dutch study has shown that men who drank between four and five cups of black tea a day are 70% less likely to suffering a stroke compared to those who drank only two cups or less. According to another study, higher consumption of black tea corresponded with fewer fatal heart attacks. Flavinoids have, in fact been found to inhibit the clumping of blood platelets and so prevent the dangerous clots that cause almost all heart attacks. There is also evidence that many tea drinkers have lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure &ndash; though the role of tea is not yet confirmed. Other research has indicated that tea has cancer-preventive properties, particularly where the digestive and respiratory tracts are concerned. Again, the major disease&ndash;preventing agents and drink appear to be the polyphenols. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and drink lots of tea, and you may have an enjoyable way of reducing the risk of certain cancers. And because it contains fluoride, tea is a potent fighter against tooth decay&mdash;unless you like your cuppa well sweetened, of course. Japanese research has even indicated that tea inhibits the formation of dental plaque and kills some oral bacteria responsible for gum disease. People generally associate health benefits with green tea. Most of the Chinese literature referred to green tea, as this is what they produced, while modern experiments indicate similar benefits with black tea. A lot of healthy reasons to smile when you sip your next cup of Darjeeling Tea. The smile becomes a glow when you remember that exquisite muscatel aroma means there are flavinoids at work not just to enchant you, but also to promote a long and healthy life.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process");s1[60]=new Array("images/experience/products.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Quality and seasons, Your health, Products, Tea Art and Tea Recipes","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process");s1[61]=new Array("images/experience/quality.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Quality changes over the seasons","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling Tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season from March to November. After a period of dormancy in the winter months, in March and April the bushes offer delicate new shoots, which provide a grey-green glazed leaf appearance, a light clear liquor, with fresh bright and lively character and a pleasant hint of mild astringency to the palate. The infused leaf has a prominent lime greenish brightness and a floral scent. These are the &lsquo;Spring&rsquo; teas. From May onwards the famed Darjeeling &lsquo;Summer&rsquo; teas are produced. The succulent leaves result in a very attractive tea with a purplish bloom and a sprinkling of silvery tips (buds). The liquor characteristics show a change, tasting round, mellow, mature, sometimes with a pronounced muscatel flavour and more colour in the cup than in Spring. During this period, the infused leaf turns a bright copper/purple colour, expressing a rich and full-bodied aroma. &lsquo;Monsoon&rsquo; teas produced from mid-July to September have more colour, and are stronger. These form the bulk of the &lsquo;breakfast&rsquo; blends. &lsquo;Autumnal&rsquo; quality makes its presence felt during the months of October and November. The appearance of the tea takes on a light copper/brownish tinge and liquors have a delicate yet sparkling character, a delightful flavour distinct from both Spring and Summer teas. The infused leaf has a coppery gold brightness with a sweet, fresh &lsquo;nose&rsquo;. Even within this broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons, individual estates consistently assert their personalities as distinctly recognisable entities. This complexity gives Darjeeling Tea a part of its legendary appeal.  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process");s1[62]=new Array("images/experience/teagarden.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Tea estates in Darjeeling","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process");s1[63]=new Array("images/experience/tea_tidbits.asp","Darjeeling Tea: Quality and seasons, Your health, Products, Tea Art and Tea Recipes","The exquisite qualities of Darjeeling tea manifest themselves distinctively during the growing season. Darjeeling tea registers a  broad categorisation of quality changes over the seasons","Did you know?  &bull; Approximately 80% of the tea served in the United States today is iced tea?   &bull; One pound of loose tea leaves yields more than 200 cups of tea?   &bull; Tea is the most popular drink in the world after water?   &bull; A cup of tea contains less than half the caffeine of a cup of coffee?   &bull; The two most popular songs about tea are &quot;Tea for Two&quot; by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar and &quot;When I Take My Sugar to Tea&rdquo; by Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal, and Pierre Norman.   &bull; It was one of Queen Victoria's Ladies in Waiting - the Duchess of Bedford, who came up with the idea of a late afternoon meal of tea, thin sandwiches and small cakes to overcome a &ldquo;sinking feeling&rdquo; she felt?   &bull; It is believed that Shen Nung, a Chinese emperor who lived some 4,700 years ago, discovered that tea leaves falling into boiling water make a refreshing drink?   &bull; In the olden days, green tea leaves were formed into small cakes, roasted, then pounded into small chunks?   &bull; Tea is known to be the richest sources of antioxidants   &bull; Like wine, or coffee, there&rsquo;s a wonderful range of flavors in pure tea?   &bull; All tea comes from the same basic plant, called Camellia sinensis - meaning &lsquo;of China&rsquo;?   &bull; Apart from tourism, Tea is the biggest industrial activity in Darjeeling, offering the largest employment in the hills?   &bull; If taken without milk and sugar &ndash; a cup of tea yields only about four calories?   &bull; A Dutch study has shown that men who drank between four and five cups of black tea a day are 70% less likely to suffering a stroke compared to those who drank only two cups or less?   &bull; According to another study, higher consumption of black tea corresponded with fewer fatal heart attacks?   &bull; Research has indicated that tea has cancer-preventive properties, particularly where the digestive and respiratory tracts are concerned?   &bull; Japanese research has indicated that tea inhibits the formation of dental plaque and kills some oral bacteria responsible for gum disease?  Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes, Quality of Darjeeling tea, Seasons for Darjeeling tea, Flushes, Darjeeling tea flavour, Darjeeling tea estates, Tea art, Plucking, Manufacturing, Tasting, Selling, Purchasing, Benefits of Darjeeling tea, Process");s1[64]=new Array("images/inner/aboutDarjeelingTea.pdf","images/inner/aboutDarjeelingTea.pdf","","AboutDarjeelingTea While purchasing packaged Darjeeling Tea, look for this logo which authenticates its origin, and denotes that it contains 100% Darjeeling. If you wish to enjoy a &quot;single estate&quot; tea, one should note the garden's name and ask for the &quot;flush&quot; and year of manufacture. Gradually one's preferences will become settled and one will have a reliable guideline for future purchases. For a connoisseur, each invoice produced in the spring and summer has a separate and memorable personality. Many of the leading vendors are now identifying the offerings by garden name, flush of manufacture and even the invoice number of the produce. Among Darjeeling Tea lovers there are perfectionists who deem it sacrilege to add anything to the fragrant, steaming cup. Connoisseurs debate over the exact temperature of the water, the quantity of leaf per cup (and for the pot), and how long the infusion should brew. A word about international tea prices and the cost per cup. Historically, due to continuous devaluation of producing country currencies, tea has been one of the cheapest commodities in terms of the sterling or the dollar. Darjeeling Tea is excellent value for money. Buy the best");s1[65]=new Array("images/inner/darjeelingtea_bro.pdf","images/inner/darjeelingtea_bro.pdf","","");s1[66]=new Array("images/inner/definition.pdf","images/inner/definition.pdf","","DarjeelingTea­TheDefinition Tea which has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed in tea gardens in the hilly areas of Sadar Sub-Division, only hilly areas of Kalimpong Sub-Division comprising Samabeong Tea Estate, Ambiok Tea Estate, Mission Hill Tea Estate, Upper Fagu and Kumai Tea Estates and Kurseong Sub-Division excluding the areas in jurisdiction list 20, 21, 23, 24, 29, 31 and 33 comprising Subtiguri 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 areas, other than tea manufactured by CTC process. Tea, which, when brewed, has a distinctive, naturally occurring aroma and taste with light liquor and the infused leaf of which has a distinctive fragrance. The Tea Board of India and DPA are jointly taking steps to protect the Darjeeling name under the World Trade Organization convention, covering geographical indications of source.");s1[67]=new Array("images/inner/geoindication.pdf","images/inner/geoindication.pdf","","DarjeelingTea-AGeographicalIndication Under international law, Geographical Indications mean indications which identify a product as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Darjeeling tea is India's treasured Geographical Indication and forms a very important part of India's cultural and collective intellectual heritage. It is of considerable importance to the economy of India because of the international reputation and consumer recognition enjoyed by it. In the legal sphere, countries are seeking to protect Geographical Indications as geographical indications, collective marks or certification marks.");s1[68]=new Array("index.asp","Welcome to the DARJEELING TEA website : Indulge your senses","Darjeeling Tea is widely and universally acknowledged to be the finest tea, because its flavour is so unique that it cannot be replicated. Connoisseurs will assert that without Darjeeling, Tea would be like Wine without the prestige of Champagne…","Darjeeling Tea is widely and universally acknowledged to be the finest tea, because its flavour is so unique that it cannot be replicated. Connoisseurs will assert that without Darjeeling, Tea would be like Wine without the prestige of Champagne.     Click  here  for  a  virtual walkthrough Darjeeling Tea is India's treasured Geographical Indication. Learn More   Get interesting information on the art of plucking and processing Darjeeling Tea     Learn about the flushes of Darjeeling Tea. Click here for more Get more info on Darjeeling tea history and its origin. Click here for more  Click for more  Click here for exciting recipes       Search   SITEMAP | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | © Darjeeling Tea       Site designed and developed by Strategic Relationship Solutions (SRS), Lintas Personal 2007 Best viewed in 800 x 600 screen resolution, IE 6.0 and above Keywords: Darjeeling tea, teas, India, tea brewing, tea gardens, tea recipes Tea art, Contact Darjeeling Tea, Darjeeling Tea Media Room, Growth of Darjeeling Tea, Experience Darjeeling Tea, Flushes, Darjeeling Tea history, origin of Darjeeling Tea, Flavour, Geographic Indication, Plucking, Processing");var sb=0;var sc=1;var sd=2;var se=3;var sf=4;var sg=5;var sh=6;var si=7;var sj=8;var sk;var sl;var sm;var sn; var s98 ; var sB=true;var sC=1;var sE=2;var sD=3;var sF=4;var sP=false;var sQ=true;var s46=true;var s83=true;var s73=true;var s14=true;var s17=false;var s90=-1;var s45=0;var sT;function SMPSetFocus() { 
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