The Tea Detective
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea
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| Nilgiri - Producing Both Quality and Quantity |
| About 1,500 miles south of the tea growing regions of Assam and Darjeeling, high in the lush forests and jungles of the Nilgiri Mountains (or Blue Mountains) that run down the southwestern tip of India from Kerala to Tamil Nadu, lies the tea growing region of Nilgiri. |
| The Nilgiri Mountains rise from around 1,000 feet at the lower elevations, with softly rolling foothills to over 8,000 feet at the highest peaks. Even though the area is just 35 miles long and 20 miles wide there are nearly 150,000 acres of tea cover- ing valleys, slopes, and hills for as far as the eye can see. With its range of elevations, ample rainfall, lush forests and jungles, misty valleys, a series of high, sunny plateaus dropping down to gently undulat- ing grasslands and a multitude of rivers and streams, the Nilgiri tea growing region is as close to perfect as you can get for tea to grow lush and plentiful. In 1835 an Englishman named Mann is said to have been the first person to plant jat (tea plant- |
| er's term for China bush variety - Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) in an experimental tea garden in Nilgiri. The seed given to him to plant had been designed specifically for the English to grow tea in this area. Unfortunately the Opium War prevented any further development or planting until 1959. Later it was both the English and Scottish that developed tea plantations in Nilgiri. That is why today there still exist tea estates named Dunsandle and Burnside, next to those named Kairbetta and Anaimudi. One of the first tea estates built in 1859 was Thiashola which is still in operation today, acquiring organic certification in 2003. After British rule ended in 1947, many tea estates became privately owned. Today there are more than 20,000 small land owners and a few large tea estates in Nilgiri producing tea. The Nilgiri region experiences two monsoons a year, the southwest and the northeast, giving the tea two distinct wet and dry seasons. Each season is an important part of the flavor charac- teristics taken on by the tea. The tropical climate of Nilgiri is closer to that of neighboring Sri Lanka, than to India's northern growing regions of Assam and Darjeeling. That's one of the reasons Nilgiri tea shares more similarities with Ceylon teas than it does with its Assam and Darjeeling cousins. Plucking is carried out throughout the year, but the main season is from December to March. The tea plucked during this season is called "frost tea," for the frosty, cooler winter weather, and the real threat of frost that could damage the tea crop. The Nilgiri tea growing region produces about 200,000 metric tons of tea which accounts for about 25% of India's total yearly production. Known as "the fragrant ones," Nilgiri teas are flavorful, brisk, and bright. One distinct character- istic of Nilgiri teas is that they don't cloud when making iced tea, but remain a nice clear color. Even though recently they have begun to produce a few orthodox teas, most Nilgiri tea produced is CTC black tea used in blended teas and for tea bag blends. CTC teas are so named for the steps in their production process; cut-tear-curl (or crush- tear-curl). Invented in 1931 by Sir William McKercher, to crush, tear, and curl the fresh tea leaves in one simple process, the machine revolutionized tea production forever. The CTC machine is like a huge sieve, with fresh leaves fed in then extruded out as tiny bright green pellets. They are then carried along on a conveyor belt as air is blown from above by powerful blowers, with oxidation taking place in less than an hour. Today nearly 95% of the world's tea is CTC tea, which is also the primary ingredient in tea bags. While Nilgiri was once the market leader in CTC tea production it now faces stiff competition from countries like Argentina and Vietnam, providing a glut of tea and driving down prices for all. So, together with recent changes in the global economy, along with low prices for its main export - CTC tea, Nilgiri is being hit twice as hard. To help turn things around Nilgiri growers have begun concentrating on quality rather than quan- tity. Many growers are turning to organic tea production as a way to single themselves out in the marketplace. Some others are also working on producing orthodox specialty teas such as Nilgiri green and Khukri Hari green. This is a smart move as the market for orthodox specialty teas is continually growing, with no signs of slowing down, meaning there is more than enough room for more distinguished, flavorful teas like those from Nilgiri. Enjoy. |
| For more information or to learn more about tea, visit our other pages: Which three teas is India most famous for? Learn about India and the teas its best known for along with the past history, climate, growing seasons, and the majestic backdrop where their tea is grown. 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. (Masala Chai Tea from Silver Leaf Tea is a spicy, fragrant treat, with black tea, ginger root, cinnamon, green cardamom, with ginger and vanilla flavor). 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. 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 tasty natural flavorings with fresh fruit, juices, and using flavor teas. (Apricot tea from Silver Leaf Tea makes a tasty and refreshing iced tea. Cut up pieces of apricot and add for an even healthier and tasty drink) Which teas come from India? Learn about India's teas, the types and styles produced there, along with the growing seasons, climate, and which ones are exported and can be found in and outside the U.S., and online. 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 season, climate, and which teas are exported. Why are Darjeeling teas more expensive? India's Darjeeling tea growing region is one of the highest altitude growing regions in the world. Learn about this and other problems facing the growers and producers of this unique and complex area. 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. |
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