Tea- Also Acts As Remedy

Depression:

One of our clients from the United States of America had sent to us some samples of herbal teas. Teavana is the brand name for these teas. The Rooibos Chai that I tasted is an anti – depressant tea.

A depressed person

The apperance of the tea is completely different to the teas that I have ever tasted. The dry leaf is a mixture of flowers, herbs and spices. It smells quite a lot like chocolate.

Tea with a different appearance

The liquor of this tea is dark red in color. It has a sweet and chocolaty aroma.The taste of the tea is completely different from the aroma – it is not as sweet as it smells. I was very impressed with this tea when I sipped it for the first time. This tea tastes very good n yummy – better than anything I have tried till now! This tea works as a normal tea as well as a medicine

The liquor is dark red in color

The appearance of the liquor is  golden in color; it has got a sour flowery kind of aroma. This reminds me of the spring season.

Indian Idol reignites Gorkhaland fire in Darjeeling

Source – Reuters, UK

By: Simon Denyer

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKB86653820080319

A tea estate in Darjeeling.

Frequent strikes in favour of Gorkhaland this year have badly undermined tea and tourism industries, business leaders say.

Now, Gurung promises an intensified non-cooperation movement from April 1, including the non-payment of taxes and an economic blockade to stop timber being exported from the hills

But he says strikes will be kept at a minimum for a few months so as not to disrupt the tourism industry that so many of his supporters depend upon during the peak spring season.

“During the 1980s things were so bad we lost Darjeeling as a brand in the eastern Himalaya,” laments Raj Basu, president of the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators Association.”

“With a lot of effort, we had started getting our tourism charm back,” he said. “Then the agitation started. Fortunately they have confirmed that tourism won’t be affected.”

But Rajiv Lochan, secretary of the tea traders association in the nearby town of Siliguri, is not so sanguine. He says the fine tea plantations of Darjeeling are already suffering.

“These so-called leaders have made people think too much, giving them all these dreams,” he said.

“Things have regressed by 25 years, and because people are looking for something they are not going to get, they are getting more and more frustrated.”

Marcus Dam, Kolkata editor of the Hindu newspaper, says the protests may continue for some time, but India is unlikely to give way “in the near future”. 

Tea Plucking Seasons of Darjeeling

First Flush teas are plucked during late February uptill mid April. The young leaves yield a light golden liquor that is light, clear, bright and has hints of spring flowers.

The liquor of the first flush teas are often unresistable due to the sweet flavor that they have, which leaves your throat always quenching for more of this tea.

The Second Flush or Spring Flush (May-June) is famed for its quality. The liquor is bright and has hints of muscatel. The prized muscatel teas are made during this time of the year.

Summer Flush arrives in July and lasts till September. This seasoned liquor is stronger, yet retaining brightness and some character.

The last flush that is Autumn Flush starts from October and lasts till November. These teas are categorized by large leaf teas which gives coppery liquor. 

Two Leaves and a Bud.

Teas of Giddapahar

Giddapahar Tea Estate

The first flush tea that I had tasted today is from Giddapahar Tea Estate.The appearance of the leaf is long and mostly green in color. It has flowery fragrance. 

Giddapahar First Flush

The brewed liquor looks golden in color; little less aroma compared to Glenburn’s. Though it has got fewer aromas but the tea has got a nice flavored cup.

 The brewed liquor looks golden in color

Today I was full of energy and after completing my daily routine work early. I decided to taste some Assam teas. Although  the taste of the Frist Flush tea of Giddapahar that  I drank this morning was still my  best cup of tea for today. Assam tea is a bit strong for me but still I was tasting few of them. I was not so happy  and was about to stop. Guess what I saw,  a small packet with a lable Giddapahar DJ-39 (Autumn Flush) Leaf Grade on it. I was so excited and immediately put it down for tasting . The appearance of the leaf seems to be a little dark , and smelled light.

Giddapahar DJ-39 (Autumn Flush)

I was not sure about how the liquor woud look and smell like. So I brewed (3 grams of leaves infused for 35 seconds) and I was so happy to see it turn golden in color. It has got sweet aroma as an apple. It was a very light  beautiful cup and I enjoyed tasting it but  still my best cup of tea was Giddapahar First Flush……………… 

The liquor that had an aroma that was as sweet as an apple.

Darjeeling First Flush Teas – 2008

As in my first post I had mentioned that I was born in one of the tea estate (Tumsong tea estate) in Darjeeling, I had heard a lot about first flush teas but did not know what it was all about. I was very fortunate to be able to observe and taste the famous Darjeeling’s first flush teas now as I am learning to be a tea taster at Lochan’s. Peachy and greenish infused leaves with translucent liquor that is sweet and lasting in the mouth. I am sure it must have always been a mouth watering retreat for tea connoisseurs who are seeking real Darjeeling tea. The dry leaves comprise of 90% greenish tinge. It has a high floral aroma that is intoxicating to the mind. Each year, Darjeeling tea fans around the world wait for the first flush to arrive. 

 Glenburn Tea Estate in Darjeeling.

Darjeeling tea gardens are getting ready for the big time event of the year – First Flush which are prized, treasured and savored by Darjeeling tea lovers around the world.

Starting with Glenburn tea estate “Grade A”, the appearance of the tea leaves are greenish and grayish. It smells like jasmine flower.

 Glenburn Grade A

After the infusion of leaves in water for 35 seconds the liquor which is brewed is light golden in color. Aroma is sweet as an apple; it’s a fabulous cup of tea.

Liquor which is brewed is light golden.

Leaf of the second grade (i.e., B) has the prominent lime and grayish color; and the smell of an orchid flower which sprouts in the month February.

 Glenburn Grade B

I tried it with 30 seconds of infusion and it appeared as very light golden in color. It has got a sweet aroma and tastes smooth…. Just keeps me wondering how best I can describe it.

 A very light golden liquor

The third and last tea of Glenburn that I have tasted today is Grade FTGFOP CL. The appearance of the leaf is greenish and little dark as compared to the first two; it has rosy smell.

 Glenburn Grade FTGFOP CL

The brewed liquor has golden appearance, sweet aroma and this had a very soothing taste which made me relax after a really tiring day.

 This was a very soothing taste.

In all the Glenburn first flush teas that I tasted today are rare and a beauty in themselves. Perhaps I hope these limited edition teas can reach the right people and they can cherish what supposedly is there’s…

Happy first flush from Darjeeling to all our readers!!!

 

Teas of Assam & Darjeeling…..

 

 

The influx of people from different tribes and races of India has made Assam home to the most colorful of festivals. The festivals of Assam are fascinating, reflecting the tradition and lifestyle of the people. Fairs are generally associated with religious functions in temples. The foremost festivals and fairs celebrated in Assam are Bihu, Baishagu, Ali-Ai-Ligang, Baikho, Rongker, Rajini Gabra, Harni Gabra, Bohaggiyo Bishu, Ambubachi Mela and Jonbill Mela and many more.

An traditional Assam dance (Borodance).

 

 

The Assam tea that I tasted today is a blend of Sewpur and Khongea.

The dry leaf looks fairly broken and the appearance is a little dark. It smells quite a bit like flowers in the spring time.

 

 

Blend of Sewpur and Khongea (Assam Tea)

 

 

After the infusion of the leaves for about 35 seconds, the brewed liquor had a dark red appearance. I couldn’t really detect any aroma of this tea though my sister says she detected some rosy aroma. The taste of the liquor is slightly bitter but overall it seems to be quite a nice cup of tea.

 

The brewed liquor had a dark red appearance

 

 

This joy ride is passing through Batasia Loop – a memorial dedicated to the Gorkha soldiers. From Batasia Loop you get a view of the Darjeeling town with majestic Kanchenjunga as a backdrop. Spectacular – to say the least!

Train ride passing through Batasia Loop

 

 

The Toy Train passes along hundred’s of road crossings and the train tracks run parallel with the road for quite a long stretch.

 

 The train tracks.

 

 

Today, I picked a Darjeeling Glenburn FTGFOP 1, Autumn Flush, to taste. The leaf has a long and attractive appearance and the smell is sweet – like honey, but not as over powering.

 

 

 

Darjeeling Glenburn FTGFOP 1

 

 

After infusing the leaves for 5 minutes the liquor that was brewed had a golden appearance. The aroma and taste of this tea are quite similar to an apple. It was a very good and refreshing cup of tea – among one of the best Darjeeling’s I have tasted recently.

 

 

 

Liquor of Glenburn FTGFOP 1

Products Of Tea And Tea Gardens

 

LOTUS face pack is made of tea tree oil. Regular use of this tea tree oil clarifying face pack helps to get rid of pimples, acne blemishes and spots. It seems to work properly on my face but there is a bit of irritation if used daily. According to me, any face pack is effective and safe when used once or twice a week.

 

 

Tea tree oil clarifying face pack.

 

 

This is the tea bag of Tetley Green Tea with the flavors of ginger, mint and lemon. Ginger soothes sore throats, enhances digestion and circulation. Mint eases stomach pain, indigestion and muscle cramps, while lemon is antiseptic and detoxifying.

 

 

Tetley Green Tea.  

 

 

The color of the liquor is light after being brewed for about 3 minutes. It has got an exotic masala (spice) type of aroma. The liquor tastes bitter – quite like lemon peels. After drinking Meghma and Doomini in the last couple of days, I felt like I was in a different world.

 

 

Tetley Green Tea.

 

 

So, I made another cup – this one, a little darker.  I added 1 tea spoon of sugar and about 10 ml of milk – Indian style! After mixing this concoction I found that the tea tasted better and I assume that this tea is better to drink as a medicine.

 

 

The liquor.

 

 

Pure Glenburn Honey – purchased from the store at Glenburn Tea Estate, it was an absolute delight!  We (my husband and I) went there with some of our clients – Alex and his wife Lisa from Toronto, Canada, Sandy from Oregon, USA and Vincent from Paris, France. I enjoyed visiting the garden a lot; the manager, Mr. Sanjay, showed us around the tea garden and the whole production process of their factory. It was a great trip and the tea, snacks and lunch were mouth watering to say the least. We are very thankful to Glenburn and Sanjay in particular for their hospitality. 

 

 

Glenburn Pure Honey. 

 

A cup of tea……..

 

As per my daily routine, I was cutting vegetables for lunch. Suddenly, I felt like drinking a cup of tea and I picked up Meghma’s unrolled tea. Meghma is situated in the highlands of the Himalayas at about 7000 feet and the tea is manufactured by hand. This tea is one of my all time favorites.

 

 

The vegetables that I was cutting for lunch.

 

 

This is a photo of the pot used to prepare the tea. It is a stainless steel pot which my husband bought lovingly for me all the way from China.

 

 

The stainless steel pot.

 

The leaves are long and they look like a mixture of green and black tea leaves. The smell of the leaves was sweet but not overpowering. This tea took about 3 minutes for infusion.

 

 

A mixture of green and black tea leaves.

 

The aroma is sweet and the liquor looks slightly dark in color. The taste is quite similar to honey.

  

 

Liquor of Meghma Tea

 

 

Wow! I really enjoyed drinking this tea. This tea drove me to give up drinking water for the whole day – I drank Meghma instead!

 

An Assam that made my day

 

 

I was bored – the weather here in Siliguri was getting hot and humid so I decided to take a sip of the tea that had been kept aside for tea tasting. I was not so sure about the taste of an Assam tea. Having been born and groomed in a Darjeeling Tea Estate (Tumsong Tea Estate), I had the taste of pure Darjeeling Tea on my tongue and had been drinking it since I was 3 yrs old.  

 

So, I felt like trying an Assam tea today. The taste was too bitter and strong for me but the after taste was smooth. I enjoyed the first sip and took a second one which was even better. The appearance of the liquor was dark red and had a rosy aroma. Mmmmm – the tea that I drank today was from the Doomini Tea Estate of Assam.

 

I liked this tea a lot and hope to be able to taste these kinds of teas more. Soon I realized that my body was recharged and I felt that my day was fresh and bright after drinking this Assam Tea.
    

 

I am Aliza, the new co – poster of this blog. This is my first attempt at blogging so sorry for any mistakes.  

 

 

This is the dry leaf of the Doomini that I had tasted today.

 

 

 

This is the liquor of the Doomini that I had tasted today.

 

India:

2007 Crop:                            945 million kgs.

2006 crop:                             928 million kgs.

2007 Export:                         160 million kgs. (27% drop)

2006 export:                         216 million kgs.

China exported 289 million kgs. of tea in 2007 (1% rise)   

Export value jumped 11 percent over last to 610 million U.S. dollars.

Green tea exports were      224 million kgs. (up 2.3%)

Black tea exports were       30 million kgs. (down 4.0%)

China exported:                   58 million kgs. to Morocoo (up 1.4%)

                                                   25 million kgs. to Japan (down 8.4%)

                                                   20 million kgs. to European Union (up 13.6%)

The European Union and Japan lifted requirement for pesticide and fertilizer residue, which led to the tea export slow-down.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/03/content_7709400.htm

Sri Lanka:

2007 Tea Production:                     309.8 million kgs (down 5.5%)

2006:                                                    327.4 million kgs.

2007 Tea Exports:                           304.6 million kgs. (down 2%)

2006:                                                    310.8 million kgs.

2007 value of Tea Exports:          Rs 112 Billion US $ 1.02 billion (up 22%)

2006:                                                   Rs   91.7 billion US $ 836 million

Value reached an all time high in the 140 year history US $.1 Billion

Kenya:

2007 Kenya displaced Sri Lanka as the third largest producer of tea in the world,

2007 crop:                             369 million kgs. All time record

2006 crop:                             327.4 million kgs.

2007 export:                         345 million kgs.,

2006 export:                         313 million kgs.

2007 export value:             US $ 639 million,

2006 export value:             US $ 652 million

http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/business/20080306040309.php