How to Choose Darjeeling Tea
Darjeeling tea is named for the region of India where it is grown. Located in the northeast corner of the country, the Darjeeling region nestles in the shadow of the snow-capped Himalayas. Around 86 tea estates produce tea uniquely exclusive in taste and limited availability due to a short growing season. True Darjeeling tea is not a blend of teas from different regions around the world but tea solely from the Darjeeling region. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Darjeeling tea products
- Tea kettle
- Tea cup and saucer
- Tea strainer
- Spoon
Instructions
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Ways to Choose Darjeeling Tea
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Shop for Darjeeling tea by flush. Flush refers to the time when the tea leaves were picked. The first picking of the season is called the First Flush. Darjeeling First Flush tea is considered the finest as it is made of the first leaves on the tea bushes after they've been bare through the winter.
The next leaf growth, called the Second Flush, is picked in the early summer and is next in exclusivity to First Flush tea. Tea produced during the monsoon season of summer, sometimes referred to as Monsoon Flush, is not as fine in flavor so it may be used in blends and not indicated. Tea picked in the autumn is called Darjeeling Autumnul, or Autumn Flush, and features its own unique flavor.
In addition, the Darjeeling region produces green, white, oolong and decaffeinated teas.
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Shop for Darjeeling tea by tea estate. Similar to wine, Darjeeling teas are named after the estates where they're produced and are largely available in loose leaf labeled by flush and vintage. The names of a few tea estates are Goomtee, Poobong, Margarets, Mim and Soom. Tea estates may not sell directly to consumers or only sell their tea in large amounts. Visit their websites to find retailers or order directly from them. The Darjeeling Tea website maps all 86 tea estates, also called tea gardens, and you can use this to look up their names and search for them online.
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Taste different varieties of Darjeeling Tea to find what you like. The online store English Tea Store offers a selection of loose leaf Darjeeling estate tea. Many well-known tea retailers like Twinings, Bigelow, and Taylors of Harrogate sell Darjeeling-labeled tea. Darjeeling tea available through brand name retailers comes in tea bags as well as loose leaf, but read the packaging to determine whether it is authentic Darjeeling tea.
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Tips & Warnings
Drink Darjeeling tea on its own, without sugar, in order to experience its flavor. A lemon slice or some milk are possible additions depending on personal choice.
Darjeeling is recommended as an afternoon tea.
