India’s Organic Darjeeling Tea

Darjeeling tea has long been one of the most highly valued teas of the United Kingdom as well as other regions in the world that had once been under the colonization of the British Empire. This black tea comes from the Darjeeling region of West Bengal, India. It is known for its distinct flavor known as muscatel that leaves a mint like aftertaste.

Darjeeling teas are usually made from the small leaf varieties. This is in contrast to the other popular tea, Assam, which comes from the large leafed varieties. Darjeeling teas, which were traditionally produced as black tea, are now found in white and green teas as well.

Nowadays, people are getting more and more conscious of their health. They are no longer contented with just the therapeutic and health benefits of antioxidants like tea and coffee. Instead, they have become quite particular as to how the plants from which these came from were grown. What people are looking for now are organically grown types.

If the products were treated with synthetic fertilizers or grown in lands that have been identified as having been treated with these fertilizers in the past, then they usually wouldn't want to have anything to do with them. This makes perfect sense because plants that have been treated with these harmful chemicals might have corrupted essential oils.

This would therefore reduce the positive effects of the teas. This line of thinking has been applied to all types of teas. Health conscious individuals are not just looking for black tea or green tea to keep them healthy. They are looking for organic green tea and organic black tea.

Hence, organic Darjeeling tea has now become the most highly prized tea in the world. Farms have now made it a point to strictly adhere to the practices of growing Darjeeling tea organically. That essentially means getting certification for implementing such growing practices.

Organic herbal teas have somehow set the bar higher for tea production and growing. If the top tea producers want their products to be continuously patronized by connoisseurs and health buffs alike, they will need to adhere to these practices.

Darjeeling, the Champagne of Black Tea

Darjeeling is well known as the "champagne" of black teas. Just like fine wine, this tea comes from very special area. You can even take a "Darjeeling Tour" to see this beautiful region of India. In fact Darjeeling is a hill station of West Bengal. The place is surrounded by hills and mountains and in fact you may be able to see Mount Everest on a clear day from Tiger Hill - the highest point in the area.

The best and most spectacular way to get there is by train as it passes through forests and waterfalls. You travel through valleys, mountains and tunnels. In fact only just over a mile away there is the highest railway station in the world.

The height of the area, the clear air and sunshine are all optimal growing conditions for the famous Darjeeling tea. This tea was first planted by a Dr. Campbell who was in the Indian Medical service. He brought the seeds from China and planted them in his garden there, 4000 feet above sea level in 1841. Others followed and also planted tea. By 1852 there were several tea plantations.

Today this tea is world renowned and as is known as the "Champagne of Teas" because of its unique flavor. There are a total of 86 tea gardens spread over an area of 19000 hectares. Over 50,000 people are employed on a permanent basis but this swells to 67,000 during the tea plucking season from March to November.

If you are a tea lover, or just a lover of beautiful scenery, taking a Darjeeling tour might be just the thing for you. Here you can escape the heat of the valleys and enjoy this wonderful tea in its own spectacular surroundings.