It is generally believed that the
English came to know about the leaf and the brew, made from it, in China, where
tea was being grown for ages. Seeing how refreshing the drink was, they
established large-scale plantations in their own colonies, especially India.
But, as per some people, tea is native to India, and it was the Chinese, who
first took it along with them to their country. Whatever the theory may be, we
can proudly say that tea is truly ‘India’s drink’. But, did you know that the
tea we are accustomed to drinking is of the worst quality?! Yes, it’s true
because the premium quality produce is almost all exported.
Darjeeling
– Where Black is the Rage
One of the most highly demanded, oh and
by the way expensive, teas in the world, comes from Darjeeling. The elevation
range of 1970 to 6560 feet above sea level provides the perfect setting for the
growth of the leaves. Two primary things attributed to its superior quality are
mist, resulting in moisture, and cool air. The air, it is believed, is the
result of Lord Shiva’s breath, who as per myths, lives in the Himalayas. Tea is
grown in over 17500 hectares of beautifully terraced hills. There are almost 90
famed tea gardens in the small town. Yikes! Over 9 million kg is produced in
Darjeeling every year by almost half the district’s population.
Darjeeling tea shows a variation in colour, ranging from
sharp amber to a pale lemon. Connoisseurs give its taste qualities like smooth,
round, delicate, mellow, dry, sweet and mature. For its exquisite quality, it
is often called the Champagne of teas. You should really drink it as it is rich
in antioxidants that keep the heart healthy and bolster the immune system. A
study says that it also helps in preventing certain kinds of cancers, Alzheimer’s
and even diabetes. Another research suggests that the green and black varieties
can help you lose weight!
Assam
– Stronger than a Prince’s Kiss
Assam tea is one of the strongest in the
world, and experts agree. There is a saying that goes, “You haven’t woken up
fully if you haven’t sipped Assam tea.” It has won hearts all around the world
with its smooth, malty palate. The interesting fact here is that unlike other
regions in India, tea in Assam is grown in plains. Another interesting trivia
is that Assam, along with South India, has its own native species of the plant.
The dark green colour and glossy texture of its leaves, and its white flowers
easily distinguish it from the Chinese cultivar.
A
rich amber-coloured product, Assam tea has a full-bodied taste. In a way, it
can be called the Bordeaux of teas as Bordeaux wine too is renowned for its
well-rounded flavour. Its strong character makes it a perfect wake-up beverage.
So, all you sleeping beauties, stop waiting for a prince’s kiss to wake you up,
and just have a cup of Assam tea. It is another healthy brew as it helps reduce
stress, leads to a lower stroke risk, promotes good oral health and even
decreases the blood pressure by cutting the level of cortisol.
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The second flush or the second plucking of the leaves in
the season is one of the most expensive in the world. Did you know, when the
English, Scottish or Irish have tea with breakfast, it is mostly Assam tea?!
The upcoming India-England cricket series may be stuck in limbo, but we have
certainly conquered the British on at least one front. This is another variety,
which may help reduce cancer risk, as it lessens the damage, caused to cells by
nitrogen and oxygen. Assam tea is also known to prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Chefs
of fine-dining restaurants are using it in their dishes. I mean, I just came
across a dish, called Assam
Tea-Lacquered Duck with Pomello and Coconut Chutney…It sounds quite
ridiculous to me, but hey, it might actually be good.
Nilgiri
– The Legacy of the Blue Mountains
The Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu is
another site, famed for the quality of tea they produce. As compared to
Darjeeling, the elevations, at which the shrubs are grown, are higher here:
3280 to 6560 feet. It can again be compared to wines as Nilgiri tea has subtle
hints of fruitiness and mint in its flavour. This, experts say, happens because
trees like eucalyptus and blue gum are grown close to the crop. The tea tastes
lively or brisk; this is because just near the bushes, a variety of spices are
grown.
What makes this type of tea
so highly prized is its palate, which is a blend of various taste characteristics.
Nilgiri tea produces a bright golden drink, which has a pleasing aroma and
crispness with floral undertones. It feels creamy in the mouth, becoming
perfect as a de-stressing brew. It again helps reduce your weight by increasing
your metabolism rate. By drinking it, you can keep heart issues at bay as
Nilgiri tea cuts your LDL cholesterol. Another benefit of it is that it slows
down sugar absorption, thus helping those with diabetes. Its biggest benefit,
to some people, may be that its anti-oxidants reduce wrinkles, making the skin
look young. So, forget all those good-for-nothing, anti-ageing cosmetics, and
drink Nilgiri tea for younger skin.
A good thing about Nilgiri tea is that it is cultivated
round the year as the region is influenced by both the northeast and southwest
monsoons. Nilgiri tea tastes different from other Indian varieties and is
closer to Ceylon tea (grown in Sri Lanka) as the weather conditions of the two
places are similar.
Kangra
– Mild is Good
There is no doubt in the fact that
Kangra tea is just awesome, but what really results in its exclusivity is the
fact that Kangra is the smallest tea growing region in the country. The leaves
grown here thrive in cool weather, which the Kangra Valley gets from its
moderate elevation and the winter snow on the Dhauladhar Range, which lines it
in the north. Its first flush, in particular, is noted for its distinct aroma
and fruity flavour. Kangra tea comes in two main varieties: black and green.
Black tea has a sweet taste, which seems to linger in your mouth long after
you’ve tasted it. The green variety, on the other hand, is known for its unique
woody scent. In fact, Kangra green tea is so popular that much of it is exported
to Central Asia and Kabul in Afghanistan.
Though
Kangra tea is milder than that grown in Darjeeling, the former has more body.
An interesting fact about it is that it is grown in completely insecticide-free
conditions as the valley has no pests. So, you can infer from this how healthy
this organic produce is.
Munnar
– A Full Package of Goodness
Pick any photo of Munnar, and you will
see endless tea plantations in it; that is how significant tea cultivation is
to the town. With tea being grown between 3120 and 8530 feet altitude, Munnar
is among the highest tea cultivating regions in the country. Munnar orthodox
tea has a characteristically clean aroma, which has a medium tone. It is almost
like smelling a sweet biscuit in dip malt…yum!!! It is already making my mouth
water. The colour of the brew is golden yellow with a subtle hint of orange,
showcasing a combination of briskness and strength. When you drink it, you will
get a strong taste, complemented by fruity undertones and a surprising
sweetness, which lingers in the mouth. And, the tea is supposed to be quite
healthy too.
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