» Darjeeling:

‘Darjeeling’, a contraction of the Tibetan ‘Dorje’ and ‘Ling’ means ‘Land of the Thunderbolt’. This pretty hill-station situated at 6000 feet on a spur of the Himalayan foothills, commands on a clear day an awe-inspiring view of the majestic Kanchenjunga range. Its fertile black-soil is also home to the world’s most exquisite teas.

Eighty-two evocatively named estates at altitudes of 1,800 to 6,500 feet cluster in seven picturesque valleys of the Darjeeling Hills.

Plant genes, soil chemistry, elevation, and a cultural environment of sun, cloud and ethereally moving mists give this exquisitely delicate tea its inimitable aromatic complexity.

: Mt. Kanchenjunga from Darjeeling :

» Assam:

‘Assam’ means ‘Peerless’. This remote northeastern Indian state is girded on the north and west by mountainous tracts inhabited by hill tribes. The first consumers of Assam tea were in fact the indigenous ‘Singpho’ tribes near whose homes the Assam tea bush was first discovered.

Assam resonates with romantic first memories, of man’s pioneering efforts to cultivate tea for worldwide commerce. In 1834, British pioneers planted the first tea seed here in the world’s first experimental estate. The eco-region of this ‘greenhouse’ state, irrigated by one of the world’s most spectacular river systems is rich in wildlife. June through September, the monsoons funnel 180 inches of rain into the area. Rain and rich soils join to create a lushness of taste unequalled in the world of teas.

Assam leaves carry large amounts of downy silver ‘tips’, containing juices that convert to gold during manufacture. These prized golden tips particularly of second ‘flush’ Assams, create a vigorous, brightly colored cup with a mouth filling malty taste.

: Tea Pickers in Assam :

» Nilgiris:

Situated in the southern tip of the country, ‘Nilgiri’ which translates into ‘Blue Mountains’, refers to the delicate blue of the eucalyptus foliage, which colors these gentle hills. Here, 60,350 small estates spread out in neat dense swathes at elevations of upto 7000 feet.

Nilgiri teas are ideal for iced teas and for creating popular oolong and green varieties that do not easily spoil in the cup from over-steeping. Their innate ability not to cloud makes them a perfect choice for iced tea. And their soft fragrance is an ideal base for flavors, scents and fruits.

Nilgiri teas bear geographic, cultural and aromatic affinities to the finest Ceylons, which are their closest parallel.

A clear copper-gold color, brisk liquor, and gentle fragrance define the Nilgiri cup.

: Blue Mountain Estate :

» Dooars and Terai:

The tea-growing regions of the Dooars and Terai are located at the bottom of the Darjeeling foothills. The small Terai tea plantations girded by deciduous sun-dappled forests, cling to the undulations of the hills; and almost imperceptibly, merge into the wide alluvial plains of the Dooars.

‘Dooar meaning ‘gateway’ is named for its proximity to the tiny hill kingdom of Bhutan, lying a short distance to its north. Divided by innumerable hill rivers and pebbled streams, whose frequent overflows leave rich alluvial deposits on the land, this region nourishes 168 vibrant estates. It produces full-bodied teas, not as strong as Assams, and makes a bright smooth, beautifully colored cup.