Geography
Darjeeling is a small resort town situated in northwest Bengal
in the small neck of India that separates Nepal and Bhutan with the permanent
snow-covered mountains which stretch away to Mount Everest in the far distance,
forming the backdrop. The altitude provides a temperate, rainy climate and breathtaking
views that culminate with the mighty Kanchenjunga, almost as high as Mount Everest.
According to the census carried out in the hills in 1971, the total population
of three hill sub-divisions 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, offering the largest
employment in the hills. The turnover of the Darjeeling tea industry is nearly
7.5 million USD, which is more than the money generated by tourism in the Darjeeling
hills.
Because of its location, Darjeeling was the hot-weather headquarters of the
Bengal government under the British Raj and a popular vacation spot. It is famous
today as the place of exile of the Dalai Lama.
Tea
Quality
The fine quality and flavour of Darjeeling tea has resulted
in it having a worldwide reputation for excellence. The tea is grown at an elevation
of 750 - 2000 metre in century old Tea Gardens. It can take up to ten years
before the leaves are ready to be plucked. The 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.
The high quality results in extremely low yields, only some 10 million kilos
of tea a year. The taste of Darjeeling varies with the seasons. The first growth
after the Winter dormant period (the First Flush) producing astringent flavoury
teas much prized by some buyers, particularly in Germany. However, some people
thinks that the finest tea produced each year comes from the second growth (Second
Flush) which produces a more mature and lasting flavour. The tea has a full
taste with a hint of muscat.
There are only 86 Tea Estates which produce Darjeeling Tea on a total area of
19,000 hectares and the tea from Darjeeling makes up for 3 per cent of India's
total production.
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. 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. For example, the workers are provided with free accommodation,
subsidised cereal ration and free medical benefits. Gardens used to run primary
schools which have since been taken over by the government but the buildings
continue to be maintained by the garden management.
distributed.
Fake Darejeeling
Almost 40 million kg is sold as "Darjeeling Tea" when the
actual production capacity is just 10 million. Most of this teas comes from
Sri Lanka and Kenya and in an effort to stop this market a logotype is developed.
Some of the fake tea is called Lanka Darjeeling or Hamburg Darjeeling but most
of the time it's called Pure Darjeeling.
Japan, a largely orthodox-tea growing area, has already discovered the chemical
constituents present in the Darjeeling variety, but industry watchers say that
this will not enable them to grow the true Darjeeling variety.
According to the Tea Board Of India, "Darjeeling Tea" means:
"tea which has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed
in tea gardens (current schedule whereof is attached hereto) 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."
Plucking
seasons
The Flavours of Darjeeling Tea differs from Season to Season. According to the
plucking period, the seasons can be categorized as follows:
| Flush |
Time |
Description |
| Easter Flush ("First flush") |
Late February - Mid April |
 These
are springtime teas. The young leaves yield a light green tea with a liquor
that is light, clear, bright and imparts a pleasant brisk flavour. Their
arrival is impatiently awaited by connoisseurs, and they are sometimes
specially airlifted to the buyers around the world. |
| Spring Flush ("Second flush") |
May - June |
 This
flush is famed for its prominent quality. The leaf has a purplish bloom.
The liquor is bright, the taste full and round with a fruity note. 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 brightness and character.
The teas picked during the rainy season are thought to hold too much water. |
| Autumn Flush ("autumnal teas") |
October - November |
 These
autumn-harvested Darjeelings are characterised by large leaves that give
a round taste and coppery liqour. |