How to find the best Darjeeling Tea?

Darjeeling tea is known to be some of the best tea in the world but not just anybody can find it. With so many options out there, how can you find the best Darjeeling tea? This guide is designed to help you find the right type of tea for your tastes, as well as some helpful tips and advice along the way. With these tools in hand, navigating the various Darjeeling tea sources should become much easier.

What is Darjeeling Tea?

An important starting point when looking for the best Darjeeling tea is knowing what it actually is. Darjeeling tea is a type of black tea that is grown in the area of Darjeeling, India. It is considered one of the finest teas in the world due to its floral aroma and having plenty of antioxidant properties. In addition to health benefits, it also has a unique look, flavor and offers tea drinkers a unique experience.

Sources for Darjeeling Tea

It can be difficult to source high-quality Darjeeling tea, as a lot of companies are interested in offering cheaper, imitation alternatives. Before you purchase a bag or box of tea, you should look into the source of your tea. In most cases, high-quality tea will be sourced directly from India, with some exceptions. There are also plenty of plantation based tea stores that offer legitimate and premium quality teas. Just be sure to read up on any reviews or feedback you find before you invest into a product.

Types of Darjeeling Tea

In addition to sourcing your Darjeeling tea correctly, you should also understand the different types that are available. Firstly, there are some productional differences which include “flush” (harvest season) and orthodox (hand-crafted processing). Flush relates primarily to the harvests of production, which generally fall within four times a year: first flush (spring), second flush (summer), monsoon flush (autumn) and autumnal flush (winter). Orthodox processing sees tea plucked by hand and typically sun dried to create a more distinctive flavor.

Types of Flavour

On top of considering processing, there are also various flavours available within Darjeeling tea. Some common descriptions which describe the characters within each tea include: woody, mellow, vegetal, muscatel, astringent and more. As there is not one single flavour which stands out from the rest, it is important to consider your preferences and try a few before making a long-term commitment to one specific flavour.

Tips for Buying Darjeeling Tea

So now you know more about Darjeeling tea and what makes it so distinctive in the world of black tea. Let’s take a closer look at how you can source a good-quality product.

• Look at reviews: One of the most important steps when looking for good-quality tea is understanding what others think. Do your research into reviews and read the feedback provided carefully.

• Seek out certified tea plantations: To get good-quality tea, look for certified Darjeeling tea plantations as this gives you an assurance that you will be getting a quality product for your money.

• Swap blends: For some varieties of Darjeeling tea, it’s important to try them as part of a special mix or blend. Experiment with some different brands or blends until you find something you like.

Where to Buy Darjeeling Tea Online

Now that you have a good idea about looking for Darjeeling tea and the different types available, let’s take a look at where you can find these teas online.

One option is UeR Tea. This site has been designed by professional experts to bring high-quality teas directly to your doorstep. They offer loose-leaf Darjeeling teas as well as black teas, green teas and oolongs. In addition to selling their teas online, they also have a Tea Bar located in Geneva which offers more than 110 varieties, so customers can enjoy a true luxury experience.

Highmountaintifin specialises in high-altitude and organic teas, with many Darjeeling varieties on offer. They are known for making fresh batches each month with seasonal specialty flavors being released regularly too. Their single-origin teas come from a variety of plantations and estates throughout India.

Sukhtea India offer ethical and sustainable teas made with natural ingredients, focusing on health benefits over purely flavor alone. Sukhtea India makes an effort to produce their teas without using any artificial colors or flavors and use only ecologically friendly bioplastic packaging.

Conclusion

When looking for the best Darjeeling tea, look for options which come from certified plantations and are made using orthodox processing techniques if possible. Consider the different flavours available and try new blends each time to experiment with different tastes. You should also read reviews carefully and compare sources online for value for money.

With UeR Teas, Highmountainteafln and Sukhtea India all offering great selections, you should be able to find something suitable regardless of budget. Hopefully this guide provided a breakdown of what makes Darjeeling tea so special and how easy it is to source high-quality teas online.