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 - "Darjeeling Tea" 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.

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.

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 “Muscatel”.    

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.

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.

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.

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.