Bon Jour Gourmet: Tea Primer – Growing Regions

Tea Primer – Growing Regions - Teas of India

Part Three on Tea Growing Regions

India has a considerable history of tea, dating back thousands of years. It was during the British occupation and the British East India Company that tea production in India flourished. One of the largest tea producers in the world, India is second only to China for the amount of tea produced yearly. Grown in India is a variant of the tea plant Camellia Sinensis; Camellia Sinensis var. assamica and is noted for its larger leaves than the Chinese variety Camellia Sinensis var. sinensis.

The Indian Subcontinent encompasses large and varied regions where tea is grown. One of the most famous tea growing regions is Darjeeling, near the Himalayan highlands. Darjeeling tea is noted for its malty muscatel notes and lighter colored infusion and is very unique in flavor profile to other traditional black teas. Green teas and oolong teas are also being produced in this region. Common phrases for Darjeeling are 1^st Flush, 2^nd Flush & Autumnal Flush designating when the ‘flush’ of new growth appears and is subsequently picked.

We are proud to offer a number of fine Darjeeling Teas:

Twinings Darjeeling Loose Tea 3.53oz Tin

St. Dalfour Pure Darjeeling 25ct teabags

Ahmad Tea of London Darjeeling Loose Tea Tin 100g - 3.5oz

Margaret’s Hope Loose Leaf Darjeeling

Pan-Fired Darjeeling Green Tea & Steamed Darjeeling Green Tea

Assam is another noted Indian tea growing district and is in a lower region. Its hot wet summers produce abundant tea crops and Assam 2^nd Flush tea is renowned for a full flavorful aromatic tea. Teas of India Kopili Assam Black in tea bags is noted as a full-bodied tea, dark and malty. Gingia Assam Loose Leaf Black Tea - Luxury Black Tea is one of the nicest Assams available. The golden liquor has classic thickness that is juicy and deliciously malty. Extraordinary well graded.

The Nilgiri region in the Western Ghats Mountains of Southern India on the western coast has very heavy annual rainfall. Fine Nilgiri black teas are noted for exquisite full leaf, full flavor Orange pekoe teas as well as Broken Orange pekoe production. Teas of India Nilgiri Black again is a nice representative tea in 18ct tea bags. For a loose leaf Nilgiri tea try Nonsuch Loose Leaf Black Tea - Luxury Black Tea.

Chai Tea is synonymous with India. Chai is actually the name used for tea in general in India, very similar to the Chinese word for tea ‘cha’. The spiced chai teas noted in western markets is by and large called Masala Chai. Masala Chai is seasoned with ginger, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom (green cardamom pods are a leading flavor element) and sometimes black pepper and or fennel. Masala Chai preparation is traditionally black tea leaves boiled in milk or a mixture of milk & water with the spices and sweeteners being added and boiled along with the tea and then strained before serving. The aromatic flavor of Masala Chai & other Chai Teas is captivating. Try these wonderful Chai offerings: