Darjeeling

Tea grown in the Darjeeling region of India, near the Himalayas. Darjeeling teas are usually highly astringent.

Darjeeling tea is a tea from the Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. It is available in black, green, white and oolong. When properly brewed, it yields a thin-bodied, light-colored infusion with a floral aroma. The flavor can include a tinge of astringent tannic characteristics and a musky spiciness sometimes described as “muscatel”.

Unlike most Indian teas, Darjeeling tea is normally made from the small-leaved Chinese variety of Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, rather than the large-leaved Assam plant (C. sinensis var. assamica). Traditionally, Darjeeling tea is made as black tea; however, Darjeeling oolong and green teas are becoming more commonly produced and easier to find, and a growing number of estates are also producing White Teas.

It is said this Chinese tea, grown in India, has the flavor of French grapes and fresh Himalayan mountain air.