Darjeeling tea, brewed the hill way
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Light, fragrant black tea from the Darjeeling hills, brewed briefly and drunk without milk to keep its delicate flavour.
Region: West Bengal (Darjeeling hills)Occasion: Morning and afternoon teaTime: 10 minServes: 2Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 tsp Darjeeling leaf tea (first flush for a light, flowery cup; second flush for a fuller, muscatel cup)
- 2 cups freshly boiled water
- Sugar or honey (optional)
Method
- Warm the teapot and cups with hot water and pour it away.
- Put the tea leaves in the pot.
- Pour water just off the boil (around 90–95 °C) over the leaves.
- Steep for 3–4 minutes for black tea, less for first flush. Do not stew it longer or it turns bitter.
- Strain and drink plain, or with a little sugar; milk is usually not added.
History
Tea planting in Darjeeling began in the mid-19th century under British rule. Darjeeling tea was the first product in India to receive a GI tag.
Significance
Tea gardens in the Darjeeling hills employ many local families, and the tea is sold at auctions and exported around the world.