Darjeeling Teas

Many foods are identified by their geographic origins.  Champagne is only produced in Champagne, France.  It is only considered rocquefort if the cheese is aged in the Rocquefort caves.

Although many teas may call themselves a Darjeeling tea, authentic Darjeeling teas are grown and produced in the hilly areas of the Darjeeling district of West Begal, India.  Traditionaly Darjeeling teas are black teas; however, today Darjeeling oolong, green and white teas are being produced.

In an attempt to break China's stronghold on the tea trade, the British began cultivating tea in India in the mid-19th century.  Using seeds from government nurseries, tea gardens were established in the Darjeeling district.  By 1866 Darjeeling had 39 tea gardens.  Four years later the number of tea gardens had increased to 56.  By 1874 the venture was considered profitable with 113 tea gardens in the reagion.

Today there are 87 tea gardens in the Darjeeling district that produce nearly 10 million kilograms of tea annually.