Darjeeling (tea): description, variety, way of brewing a drink

In India, tea plantations have a poetic name for "gardens." High in the mountains, in the north-eastern part of India, the gardens of Darjeeling have grown. Foggy fogs, bright sun, heavy rains and rarefied air determine the absolutely extraordinary properties of tea leaves. It is not possible to grow such a product in any other territories. Therefore Darjeeling is tea, which is deservedly considered elite and is highly valued on Earth. Drink got its name from the name of the area in which it grows.

Description of tea

Darjeeling belongs to the best sorts of Indian black tea. A distinctive characteristic of this drink is its slightly tart taste, which has a muscatel or fruit tint, often this bouquet is complemented by a beautiful floral scent.

Often Darjeeling tea is called tea champagne or champagne of mountains. The first name is related to the value of the product. Darjeeling is tea, which, in comparison with other black teas, has the highest value. The second variant of the name of the drink is due to its ability to cheer up, to invigorate, to charge with energy.

The degree of fermentation of this variety of tea reaches about 90%. It is impossible to accurately determine the Darjeeling shade: it is supposedly black, but if you look closely, it seems that it is greenish in places.

Varieties of Indian Darjeeling

Darjeeling - tea, which is of three varieties:

• Darjeeling first collection: build time - end of February - mid-April. The scale of production of this variety is very small, since only the first couple of leaves with a kidney are collected. To get one kilogram of Darjeeling first harvest, you need 22,000 young shoots. As a rule, processed and packaged tea is sold through auctions and try to do it as quickly as possible because it quickly loses its flavor and taste. The first taste of Darjeeling's taste is soft, slightly tart, light amber, and the flavor is subtle, nutmeg.
• Darjeeling second harvest: the period of harvesting - the end of May - the beginning of July. For this variety is characteristic a darker shade of infusion, from which comes the ambre of fruit notes. The taste of this drink is rich, full, simultaneously reminiscent of almonds and nutmeg. If you properly observe the rules of storing Darjeeling's second crop, then the shelf life is up to five years.
• The third grade is Darjeeling autumn harvest: tea leaves are collected after the end of the rainy season. Therefore, tea leaves are juicy and large. Due to the minimum content of tannins, the drink acquires an incredibly mild flavor and a faint aroma. As well as the first grade, autumn is distinguished by a minimum shelf life. The tea infusion of this collection is distinguished by a honey tinge with a pleasant slight odor.

Brewing rules of Indian Darjeeling

Indian Darjeeling tea is recommended to be brewed with purified water, the temperature of which reaches 90 degrees. It is best to brew a drink in a vessel made from the Isin clay. But if there is no such capacity, then an ordinary brewing mug with a strainer will do. Approximately five grams of tea leaves are used per 200 milliliters of water. Darjeeling must withstand three to four tea leaves. After three to five seconds of steaming, the first brew should be drained. The second brew is aged for half a minute. The time for each subsequent brewing should be increased by 30 seconds.

In principle, the amount and time of brewing depends on your own preferences and, as a rule, are selected by experience. To taste the Darjeeling fully revealed, you should learn how to brew it in the right way. If you overstay the time of brewing a drink or use too many tea leaves, the resulting infusion can acquire a very astringent or bitterish taste.

Beneficial features

Black Darjeeling tea has different positive properties. This drink is an excellent alternative to black coffee. Every person wants to feel cheerful, and therefore in the morning needs a serving of coffee, which will charge it with energy. But excessive amounts of caffeine have a negative effect on health. Therefore it is better to use Darjeeling, which will also fill vivacity. It gives energy, without affecting the nervous system.

Darjeeling is tea, which reduces the risk of developing cancer. The drink contains TF-2, a substance that suppresses cancer cells.

Using Darjeeling, you can reduce weight. This is promoted by the antioxidants and caffeine contained in the drink.

How to choose the right tea

To get the best pleasure from the product, you need Darjeeling tea (description above) to buy only the one that was packaged in India itself. Pay attention to the date of collection of leaves, since the most delicious is the harvest, which was collected in March. On the original packaging with tea, there will be information from the manufacturer about where the product (name of the place and plantation) was grown, about the harvesting time and the age of the tea bushes.

Indian companies that manufacture Darjeeling, on their packages, are painting a sheep's head. The print indicates that the drink will be as strong as the forehead of this animal. Therefore, look for the packaging on which this symbol is drawn.

Darjeeling storage rules

After you have bought tea, it is better to pour it into a sealed container and put it in a cool place. The shelf life of Darjeeling usually does not exceed two years. Exceptions are varieties with the Vintage labeling: this product can be saved for five or more years. Over the years, such a variety only ripens, and its taste and flavor become more intense.