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Day 20 

India

Darjeeling

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” 

 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today’s Tea & Peace Reflection

provided by

Marzi Pecen

Tong Len Meditation for Compassion

I like to think that peace is built on a solid foundation of compassion. 

What exactly is compassion? Miriam Webster defines compassion as a “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” We all think we have compassion, but what we have is sympathy for friends or for those we like.  Maybe those we admire.  But compassion has no limitations. It is to be shared equally with everyone. 

(Listen to Audio – Read Transcript)

Today’s Tea Region:

Darjeeling, India

The tea included in the Global Tea Blend has been provided by:

The G.S. Haly Company

Darjeeling, India

Darjeeling is a town and a municipality in the West Bengal state of India. Located at an elevation of 6,700 ft (2,042.2 m)in the Lesser Himalayas, it is probably best known for its tea industry, and is a popular tourist destination in India. in fact, tea and tourism are considered to be mainstays of the Darjeeling economy. It has a temperate, sub-tropical climate with a summer monsoon season.

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Tea In India

The first tea gardens were planted in1841 by Archibald Campbell, a civil surgeon of the Indian Medical Service. He had previously worked in Nepal and was able to bring the Chinese-style tea seeds to research the viability of starting a tea industry in Darjeeling.  Commercial farming began during the 1850s. 

Elevation: Teas are grown at elevations ranging from 600 to 2000 metres above sea level.

Annual Rainfall: The average annual rainfall in Darjeeling ranges around the 309cm mark.

Darjeeling Tea. As exotic and mysterious as the hills themselves. A tradition steeped in history and a mystique that is felt in every sip. Walk into the cloudy mountains and feel light hearted.

First planted in the early 1800s, the incomparable quality of Darjeeling Teas is the result of its locational climate, soil conditions, altitude and meticulous processing. About 10 million kilograms are grown every year, spread over 17,500 hectares of land. The tea has its own special aroma, that rare fragrance that fills the senses. Tea from Darjeeling has been savoured by connoisseurs all over the world. Like all luxury brands Darjeeling Tea is aspired to, worldwide.

Tea Board of India Website

Logo of the Darjeeling Tea Association 

According to the Tea Board of India, “Darjeeling Tea” can only refer to tea that has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed in tea gardens there. This is an official designation that indicates authentic Darjeeling tea. 

 

About Darjeeling Teas

Teas from Darjeeling are like the wines from the Champagne district of France – ‚Äúextraordinaire.‚Äù It is said: ‚ÄúTea without the name Darjeeling is like French wine without the prestige of Champagne.‚Äù Darjeeling has unique tea-growing seasons. After a period of dormancy during winter, tea plucking starts at the end of March through April. This is called the first flush; teas produced during this period tend to steep a somewhat greenish cup with superb taste and flavor. The prime second flush season begins in May and ends in late June. Teas produced during this period are of the most exalted quality, featuring exquisite bouquet, muscatel flavor, superb taste, and a lingering aftertaste. Teas produced during this season rightly fetch the highest prices. The monsoon hits the Darjeeling region in late June, and teas produced thereafter are of lesser quality. The months of October and November bring autumnal showers and produce a small batch of excellent-quality teas, which are referred to as Autumnal Flush Teas

From the Chado Tea Company Website

Tindharia Tea Estate 

This bio-organic estate is located in southern Kurseong at Tindharia at an elevation from 400 to 1000 meters. In 2004, the estate was taken over by Balagi Agro International and the factory was revamped. The plantation includes China, Hybrid and Assam varieties. The estate produces black, green and white teas.

 

Videos of Darjeeling Tea