A look at India's Darjeeling tea growing region and its teas

The Tea Detective
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea

Darjeeling - Unique and Complex Teas
From a Unique and Complex Region

Not long after the discovery of wild tea growing in Assam, the English established a hill town
health resort and sanitorium for military families in 1835. This remote region of western Bengal
with its cool, clean mountain air and high elevation had been named Dorje-ling (Darjeeling), in
honor of the Dorje, a sacred ritual object of holy lamas symbolizing eternal strength, constancy,
and a fixed axis point around which all else turns.

Lying across the valley from the soaring, majestic
Himalayan peaks, Darjeeling was considered a
transcendent place by the Tibetans. Today mona-
steries and nature reserves provide visitors with a
window to the history surrounding the region, and
a place where they can view a breathtaking sunrise
over Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak of the
Himalayas.

Kanchenjunga translates to "Five Treasures of the
Snow," so named for its five massive peaks. It was
believed to be the highest mountain in the world,
until the title was claimed by Mount Everest in 1849
(which visitors can also glimpse on a clear day).

In 1835 fewer than 100 people lived in Darjeeling.
One of them was Dr. A. Campbell, a chief govern-
ment official who had been posted to the small
mountain town.

With tea seeds given him by India's governor general, Campbell
and other civil servants living there planted small experimental gov-
ernment tea gardens. Some of the seeds used by Campbell had
been smuggled out of China, while others were from the newly dis-
covered Assam tea plants.

These small test gardens were to ascertain whether the Chinese
or Assam variety of tea plant would grow in Darjeeling, with its high
altitude and cool thin air, coupled together with ample rainfall and
plenty of sunshine.

Both types of tea thrived, although the Assamica variety preferred a little lower altitude (about
2,000 to 3,000 feet), and warmer climate, whereas the Chinese variety heartily thrived on the
higher slopes (3,000-7,000 feet and above), better tolerating the intense cold winters, and cool
summer breezes than the assamica variety which grew better in the lower elevations that
weren't quite as harsh.

With the success of the experimental tea gardens, workers were brought to Darjeeling from
Nepal and the northern region of Sikkim in 1856 to clear the area for planting. Later the English
sent more men and their families to Darjeeling to operate the vast new tea gardens.

By 1881 the population had swelled to 95,000, with over 100 large
tea estates. Many of the famous tea gardens today, such as
Ambootia and Singell were established during that time.

Today the number of Darjeeling tea gardens has dropped to around
75. Many have been renamed, combined, or consolidated under
new owners, and some have simply closed.

Despite Darjeeling's demand and popularity worldwide, its yearly production is only about 1% of
India's total, or around ten metric tons of tea annually.

Darjeeling is one of the highest altitude tea growing regions in the world, ranging from 2,000
feet in the foothills, to over 8,000 feet. With the cool, clear mountain air and hard, thin soil of
the Himalayan foothills, the tea grows more slowly, allowing it to develop a wonderful range of
complex, brisk, and fruity flavors.

In the higher elevations the tea is planted on steep slopes, some angling at 60 to 70 degrees.
This makes planting and plucking much more difficult. The cool air of the higher elevations also
slows the growth and maturing of the leaf, with some harvests yielding half that of the tea leaf
grown in lower, warmer elevations.

                                              The smaller yield of leaf means higher labor costs per pound of
                                                tea. Even though this applies to all Chinese bush (Camellia
                                                sinensis var. sinensis) variety, in the case of Darjeeling the
                                                steep terrain and altitude add to the cost of producing tea,
                                                which is why Darjeeling teas are more expensive.

                                               For the most part they are unable to increase output, but
Darjeeling growers are concentrating instead on improving quality and flavor.

More tea estates are producing certified organic teas and practicing environmentally friendly
growing techniques, while others are utilizing ecological farming methods based on Rudolf
Steiner's biodynamic principals, where the entire farm is self sustaining using its own resources
such as local plants for pest control, and natural fertilizers derived from its own farm animals.

It doesn't increase the leaf output, but provides a better tasting tea overall. Enjoy.

For more information or to learn more about tea, visit our other pages:

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breads, cheeses, and jams.)

Which of India's three major growing regions is the largest and called "the tea basket?"
Learn about India's largest tea growing region and the types and styles of tea grown there, as well as
the growing seasons, climate, and which teas are exported.

How much loose tea should I use for my 24 ounce travel mug?
How to calculate the amount of loose tea to use for different size cups and large mugs, and also how to
measure loose tea by volume and weight.

Which teas come from India?
Learn about India's teas, the types and styles produced there, along with the growing seasons, climate,
and which teas are exported and can be found in and outside of the U.S., and online.

Who is the world's largest tea producer?
Learn which country produces the most tea worldwide, as well as how it's made, where it is grown, and
the types and styles of tea produced.

How much tea should I use to make a gallon of iced tea?
Quick and easy recipe for brewing up a gallon of iced tea, along with tips and ideas for adding all natural
tasty flavors with fresh fruit, juices, and using flavored teas. (Green Lemonade Tea from Silver Leaf Tea
with pan fired green tea, tangy lemon peel w/lemon flavor makes a perfect summertime iced tea.)

Which tea is used in Japan's traditional tea ceremony?
Learn about Japan's oldest and most expensive tea, used in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Also
learn about two lower grades, and what you can expect to pay for each grade.

What is the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) and how does it differ from Fair Trade?
Learn what the Ethical Tea Partnership or ETP is, and its function in regard to manufacturing tea, as well
as its relationship to Fair Trade, and how it differs.

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