The Nilgiris, or Blue Mountains, are a stunningly beautiful range of hills that stretch down the southwestern tip of India from the state of Kerala, another tea-growing area, to the state of Tamil Nadu. Among the peaks and foothills, there are rolling grasslands and dense jungles where elephants roam in herds.The tea industry was established in this area in 1840 when Colonel John Ouchterloney R.E., while surveying below the Nilgiris, came upon a sheet of virgin forest well-supplied with its own rivers and streams. At a height of about 4,500 feet and with approximately 80 inches of rain a year, it was the perfect situation for tea and coffee growing.Ouchterloney’s brother, James, planted it, imported labor and food, and started production, Ootacamund, the famous hill resort, lies in these hills and is affectionately known as “Ooty”by local planters and tourists who visit throughout the year.
Today, there are about 61,776 acres of tea bushes growing at elevations varying from 1,000 to 6,000 feet among eucalyptus, cypresses, and blue gum trees.They produce about 61,729.5 tons of tea annually, making the area India’s second biggest tea-producing region after Assam, Every plateau, slope, and valley is covered with bushes which crop all year round, Most of the plantations get two monsoons a year,so the bushes have two major flushing periods, in April/May when about 25 percent is plucked.Further picking goes on throughout the year .it is these conditions that give the tea its unique flavor.
Nilgiri produces fine flavory teas with bright ,,brisk liquors and a smooth rounded mellow flavor.Because of their strength, they are ideal for blending with lighter teas that give flavor but not body. above The Nligiri Queen chugging through Glendale Estate, Nilgiri.
Nilgiri
Nunsuch
Characteristics Large-leafed tea which gives a fruity,bright flavorful brew.
Brewing hints Brew I teaspoon in a scant 1 cup water at 203°F. Infuse fop 3 to 4 minutes.
Drinking recommendations Drink all day with a little milk.
Dooars
Dooars is a tiny province to the west of Assam. The low-grown teas it produces are dark and full bodied but with less character than Assams.They are good daytime teas that drink well in the morning or with afternoon tea.
Dooars
Good Hope
Characteristics Fresh, flowery, good-colored infusion.
Brewing hints Brew I teaspoon in a scant 1 cup water at 203°F. Infuse for 3 to 4 minutes.
Drinking recommendations A daytime tea supports a little milk.
Sikkim
This small Indian state produces teas of similar character to Darjeeling teas but with more body and a fruity flavor. Very few are exported however, so they may be hard to find.
Sikkim
Temi
Characteristics Very high quality orthodox Darjeeling-type tea, with beautiful leaves, and plenty of golden tips. Scented liquor with a fruity,almost honeyed flavor.
Brewing hints Brew 1 teaspoon in a scant 1 cup water at 203°F .Infuse for 3 minutes.
Drinking recommendations A special occasion tea. Drink alone or with a little milk.
Terai
Terai tea is grown on the plain that lies just south of Darjeeling.The tea gives a rich-colored brew with a pronounced spicy taste, which is often used in blends.
Ord
Characteristics Good pale,coppery infusion and strong flavor.
Brewing hints Brew 1 teaspoon in a scant 1 cup water at 203°F. Infuse for 3 to 4 minutes.
Drinking recommendations Drink with milk as a morning tea.
Travancore
Travancore lies at a similar altitude to Sri Lanka and produces teas with similarcharacteristics, while also providing a reminder of tha teas of northern India.
Travancore
Highgrown
Characteristics Coppery liquor with strong full, slightly earthy flavor.
Brewing hints Brew 1 teaspoon in a scant 1 cup water at 203°F. Infuse for 3 to 4 minutes.
Drinking recommendations Drink with milk as a breakfast tea.
Southern Indian Teas
Teas from other southern areas of India - Kerala, Madras, and Mysore - tend to be marketed as Travancores.The Tea Board of India only promotes Darjeelings, Assams, and Nilgiris as specialty,self--drinking teas.all the tea-producing areas of South India are located in hilly terrain and consist of about 40,000 smallholdings. Production reaches 192,904.6 tons of made tea prt year, 25 percent of which goes to export markets.
Recommend our Chinese Teapots to brew these teas.
