Chamong Chiabari: tea tourism

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Wednesday, 27 November 2019

10 Things to Know About Darjeeling Tea

Chamong Chiabari November 27, 2019 tea tourism , 0 Comments

Darjeeling, located in West Bengal, has an elevation of 2042 meters above sea level. The hill slopes are covered in vast expanses of tea plantations all around. Darjeeling Tea is grown at an altitude ranging from 750 to 2000 meters. It is among the highest elevation grown teas in the world.
Darjeeling Tea is one of the most popular brews of tea in the world. It is known as the 'Champagne of Teas' due to its strong muscatel flavour. Tea tourism in Darjeeling is very popular due to the worldwide fame of Darjeeling Tea.
Robert Fortune, a spy for the British East India Company, smuggled the Chinese tea plant Camellia sinensis sinensis in 1851. That is how tea cultivation in Darjeeling was started. Today 150 years later, the same variety of tea still grows in these Himalayan slopes.
Darjeeling Tea is a GI tagged product. Only teas that are grown in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts can be sold as Darjeeling Tea. This only serves to make the tea gardens in Darjeeling more alluring, boosting tea tourism in the region.
Darjeeling Tea, primarily the black tea variety, is produced in the traditional orthodox method. The leaves are hand-plucked and hand-processed. This is what makes it one of the highest priced teas in the world.
Tea in Darjeeling is grown in three distinct seasons: spring, summer, and autumn. The tea leaves are picked during these particular seasons and categorized into First Flush, Second Flush and Autumnal Flush respectively. Each Flush or season produces teas with distinct flavour and taste.
The best time for tea tourism in Darjeeling is to plan a trip during one of the Flush seasons. This gives tourists a chance to witness tea plucking in the gardens and maybe even do it themselves. Visiting a tea garden and talking to the local tea workers is a wonderful opportunity for any tourist.
Spring in Darjeeling lasts from late February to mid-April. After a cold chilly winter, new tender shoots can be seen growing on the tea shrubs with its delicate, fragile and grey-green sheen on the tea leaves. The distinctive feature of Darjeeling First Flush Tea is a fragrant floral aroma. The tea liquor is characterized by a light translucent colour and a mild astringent flavour that impart a lively character to the tea.
The production of Darjeeling Second Flush Tea takes place between May to June. The tea leaves are luscious, moist and juicy. They are characterized by an alluring turquoise, purplish bloom and a touch of shimmering shiny apex (buds). The tea leaves are more vivid in its colour and appearance than that of spring. Summer season is when the famous muscatel flavour becomes pronounced. The Darjeeling Second Flush is infused with tea leaves of bright copper or purplish tinge and a muscatel aroma.
Darjeeling Autumn Flush is infused with tea leaves that have a golden coppery hue with an aromatic and fresh fragrance. The liquor has a light brownish tinge or gentle copper glow. The tea imparts a delicate, yet a silvery and glimmering character.

For those who want to have an authentic tea tourism experience in Darjeeling, planning a trip during one of the Flush seasons is most ideal.

Friday, 30 August 2019

Get the best Tea Tourism experience at Darjeeling

Chamong Chiabari August 30, 2019 tea tourism , tea tourism in Darjeeling 0 Comments

Darjeeling is a Himalayan town located in the northern tip of West Bengal, lying just below the state of Sikkim. With an elevation of 2,042 meters above sea level, Darjeeling is considered to be one of the top hill stations in India. A favorite among many tourists, the town is known for its spectacular panoramic views. Darjeeling has been a popular spot since the days of the British rule in India, when officials would visit here to get a respite from the heat in other parts of this country.

Darjeeling offers a splendid view of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga. Vast expanses of tea plantations form a green blanket over the hill slopes in this region. The world-famous blend of Darjeeling Tea is exclusively grown in this part of the Himalayas. As such, there is a high demand for tea tourism in Darjeeling. It is one the largest tea-producing regions in the world.

Tea cultivation in Darjeeling goes back to almost a hundred years. It was introduced by the British sometime during the early 1800s. The high altitude and the optimum rainfall received by the region were primary factors that made Darjeeling perfectly suited for tea cultivation. Today, Darjeeling Tea has gained a reputation for being one of the finest brews of tea in the world. It is widely regarded as the ‘Champagne of Teas’ due to its strong muscatel flavor. This worldwide popularity of Darjeeling Tea has made this hill station favorite for a tea tourism experience. Guests can have a chance to enjoy a luxurious stay at a bungalow in a tea estate, right in the lap of nature.

Teatourism in Darjeeling is still a very new concept. Similar to a trip to the vineyards of Europe, guests have the chance to stay at a tea estate and can witness the entire process of tea production, from cultivation of tea bushes to picking tea leaves to manufacturing of the tea in a factory. India is a major tea-producing country in the world. Some of the other regions where you can have a tea tourism experience in India include Assam, Munnar, Nilgiris, Palampur, and more.

Darjeeling and its surrounding region are home to plenty of small and big tea estates. These sprawling properties have cozy guest bungalows to offer accommodation to tourists. Guests can enjoy breathtaking scenic views of snow-clad mountain peaks on one side, and lush green tea gardens on the other side. The rooms boast of traditional architecture with contemporary interiors, and are equipped with all the modern amenities. Most of these tea estates have been in the tea production business for many years now. Owing to the growing popularity of tea tourism in Darjeeling, they have just recently opened their gates for the tourists.

A large number of tea estates in Darjeeling are typically located outside the touristy areas of the town. Hence, guests can enjoy a quiet and peaceful stay away from the rush of crowds. They can go for pleasant walks around the adjoining tea gardens, get a chance to talk to the local tea workers and learn more about the types of teas grown. Some estates also offer a complimentary tea tasting session for their guests. Tea tourism in Darjeeling is a one-of-a-kind memorable experience.

Monday, 5 November 2018

The top Tea Tourism Destinations in India

Chamong Chiabari November 05, 2018 resorts in darjeeling , tea tourism 0 Comments

India is one of the largest producers of tea in the world, second only to China. Tea cultivation was introduced in India around the early 1800s by the British East India Company. Today, India is one of the leading exporters of tea in the world. Darjeeling Tea and Assam Tea are grown exclusively only in India, and known for their unique taste and flavor.

The concept of tea tourism is relatively new in India. It can be best explained as the eastern counterpart to Europe’s famous wine tourism. Similar to how tourists get a chance to live in the vineyard estates and witness the steps of wine making, tea tourism also encourages tourists to enjoy a stay in tea estate resorts. They may participate in the tea plucking activity, visit a tea factory, and witness the different methods of commercial tea processing. Complimentary tea tasting sessions are also provided.

The various tea plantations in Assam, Darjeeling and Munnar enjoy a great deal of tourist appeal. Some of the tea estates in these tea-producing regions are more than a few centuries old. They attract a fair share of visitors all round the year.

Some of the best destinations in India are:

Assam

Assam is the single largest tea-growing region in the world. The tea plantations can be found on on either side of the Brahmaputra River. Assam tea is known for its characteristic malty flavor and strong bright color. The state has more than 800 tea estates in the region. A tea festival is held every year in November in Jorhat – a district located in central of the Brahmaputra valley, often referred to as the "Tea Capital of the World". Tourists can enjoy a memorable getaway surrounded by the lush greenery of tea plantations.

Darjeeling

Tea tourism in Darjeeling is quite an attraction. Built on the hilly slopes of Himalayas, the tea plantations of Darjeeling paint a stunning picture against the backdrop of snow-clad mountain peaks. Darjeeling Tea is golden or amber in color and has a unique delicate flavor. The brew is often referred to as “Champagne of Teas” because of its “muscatel” taste. Darjeeling has many tea estate resorts where they can enjoy a quite retreat away from the city life. Enjpy the serene view of Himalayas while sipping a warm cup of tea!

Munnar

A popular hill station in Kerala, Munnar welcomes all tourists with a spectacular view of miles upon miles of tea plantations surrounding the valley. Teas of this region have a medium fragrance and obtain golden liquor with an orange tinge. Munnar is home to some of the largest tea producing estates. Tourists get an excellent chance to stroll through the tea gardens while enjoying the scenic mountain views.

Nilgiri Mountains

The Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu is known for its deliciously fragrant and exquisitely aromatic tea. The brisk liquor and elegant flavor of Nilgiri tea is contributed by the rainfall and atmospheric condition of the region. The tea brews to golden yellow liquor with high tones of delicate floral notes. The combination of fragrance and briskness makes Nilgiri Tea a truly unique flavor.