darjeeling the champagne of teas

Darjeeling is a town and a hill station in the Indian state of West Bengal, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. The cool and moist climate, the soil, the rainfall, and the sloping terrain all combine to give Darjeeling tea its unique "muscatel" flavour, which isn’t found in any other tea.

It was around the mid-19th century when the British set up tea plantations in Darjeeling, using seeds from China. As the tea grew and adapted to its new home, it evolved into a brew with an entirely unique personality. Over time, Darjeeling tea became highly sought after, and its price began to rise, making it one of the most expensive teas globally.

Darjeeling tea is characteristically light, clear, and bright, with a delicate aroma. It offers an orchid-like fragrance and an inviting floral bouquet to the palate. It's this exotic flavour profile that sets it leagues apart from other teas and is one of the main reasons why Darjeeling tea is more expensive than regular teas.

Not all tea from northern India can be called Darjeeling though. Just as Champagne can only be classified as such if it comes from the Champagne region, only the tea that comes from the 87 tea gardens of Darjeeling, spread across seven thousand hectares, can be labelled as Darjeeling Tea. This exclusivity also adds to the price tag of this luxurious beverage.

Now that you know about the origins and unique qualities, let's address another intriguing question, "How to brew Darjeeling tea?"

Quality matters if you want to brew the perfect cup of Darjeeling. First, start off with pure, cold water. Bring the water to a boil, but unlike with most black teas, don’t pour boiling water over Darjeeling leaves.

Let the water cool for about a minute after boiling. The temperature should be around 85-90°C. Over-steeping or using water that is too hot can result in a bitter taste.

Add one teaspoon of tea leaves per standard cup into a teapot. Then pour in the hot water and let the tea steep for about 3 minutes. Darjeeling is best enjoyed without milk or sweeteners to truly savour its unique flavours.

Then, to fully appreciate and unpack the distinct flavours, take a moment to inhale the aroma, sip consciously, and allow the tea to roll over different parts of your tongue. This method ensures that you identify different flavour notes of the tea.