2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14
In India, tea plantations have a poetic name "gardens". High in the mountains, in the north-eastern part of India, the gardens of Darjeeling have grown. Impenetrable fogs, bright sun, heavy rains and rarefied air determine the absolutely unusual properties of tea leaves. It is not possible to grow a similar product in any other territories. Therefore, Darjeeling is a tea that is deservedly considered elite and is highly valued on Earth. The drink got its name from the name of the area in which it grows.
Description of tea
Darjeeling is one of the best varieties of Indian black tea. A distinctive characteristic of this drink is its slightly tart taste, which has a nutmeg or fruity tint, often this bouquet is complemented by a beautiful floral smell.
Darjeeling tea is often referred to as tea champagne or mountain champagne. The first name is related to the value of the product. Darjeeling is a tea that, compared to other black teas, has the highest value. The second version of the name of the drink is due to itsthe property to cheer up, invigorate, energize.
The degree of fermentation of this variety of tea reaches approximately 90%. It is impossible to accurately determine the shade of Darjeeling: it seems to be black, but if you look closely, it seems that in places it seems to be greenish.
Indian Darjeeling Varieties
Darjeeling tea, which comes in three varieties:
- Darjeeling of the first collection: collection 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 bud are harvested. To get one kilogram of Darjeeling of the first collection, you need 22 thousand young shoots. As a rule, processed and packaged tea is sold through auctions and they try to do it as quickly as possible due to the fact that it loses its aroma and taste in a short time. The taste of Darjeeling of the first harvest is soft, slightly tart, the color is light amber, and the aroma is refined, nutmeg.
- Darjeeling of the second collection: harvesting period - end of May - beginning of July. This variety is characterized by a darker shade of infusion, from which amber fruity notes come. The taste of such a drink is rich, full, at the same time reminiscent of almonds and nutmeg. If the rules for storing second-harvest Darjeeling are properly observed, then the shelf life is up to five years.
- The third variety is Darjeeling autumn harvest: tea leaves are harvested after the end of the rainy season. Therefore, tea leaves are juicy and large. Due to the minimum content of tannins, the drinkacquires an incredibly mild taste and faint aroma. Like the first grade, autumn has a minimum shelf life. The infusion of this tea has a honey hue with a pleasant light smell.
Indian Darjeeling Brewing Rules
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 of Yixing clay. But if there is no such container, then an ordinary teapot with a strainer will do. Approximately five grams of tea leaves are used per 200 milliliters of water. Darjeeling should last three to four tea leaves. After three to five seconds of steaming, it is necessary to drain the first tea leaves. The second brew is aged for half a minute. The time of each subsequent brewing should increase by 30 seconds.
In principle, the volume and time of brewing depend on one's own preferences and, as a rule, are selected empirically. In order for the taste of Darjeeling to be fully revealed, you should learn how to brew it in the right way. If you overdo the brew time or use too many tea leaves, the resulting infusion can become very astringent or bitter aftertaste.
Useful properties
Darjeeling black tea has various positive properties. This drink is an excellent alternative to black coffee. Everyone wants to feel cheerful, and therefore in the morning they need a portion of coffee, which will chargehis energy. But too much caffeine is bad for your he alth. Therefore, it is better to use Darjeeling, which will also fill you with vigor. It gives energy without affecting the nervous system.
Darjeeling is a tea that reduces the risk of cancer. The drink contains TF-2, a substance that suppresses cancer cells.
Eating Darjeeling, you can reduce weight. This is facilitated by the antioxidants and caffeine contained in the drink.
How to choose the right tea
To get the best enjoyment from the product, you need to buy Darjeeling tea (description - above) only the one that was packaged in India itself. Pay attention to the date of harvesting the leaves, as the harvest that was harvested in March is considered the most delicious. The original packaging with tea will contain information from the manufacturer about exactly where the product is grown (name of place and plantation), the time of harvest and the age of the tea bushes.
Indian companies that produce Darjeeling draw a ram's head on their packaging. The print means 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 bought tea, it is better to pour it into some airtight container and put it in a cool place. The shelf life of Darjeeling usually does not exceed two years. The exception is varieties labeled Vintage: such a product can besave five or more years. Over the years, this variety only matures, and its taste and aroma become richer.
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