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Tea has become a social object more so recently. It is best excuse for finding company or to act as a conversation starter. Much publicity about tea though is on its beneficial health effects recently highlighted by research findings.

I have seen many smart tea houses projecting the cup that cheers as relation builder. So the why not presenting choice tea blends as item of adoration or or remembrance?

Hence a tea gift basket of choice Darjeeling teas or finest Assam tea is an expression of warmth and friendship. Though costly the premium tea leaf will deliver strong message of love, so dig in to your pocket once in a while. Premium tea companies like Waghbakri offer exotic designed custom wrapped tea gift baskets. These custom baskets offer you hassle free gift no need to pack or wrap.

This year on auspicious events and occasion gift a tea basket and see the magic unfold - of this wonderful health giving brew.

Assam Teas

India is the largest producer of black tea and most of it comes from Assam the NE state of India. Assam produces various type of black tea varieties most of which is consumed at home and exported to many countries.

Though tea is a product of same e plant Camellia sinensis many different variants of the plant occur in different regions of the World. These variants or sub species have their own distinct flavor and aroma along with other characteristics. Many popular tea brands contain blends of Assam tea leaf.

Assam tea was discovered by Robert Bruce in the mountains of Rangpur ,erstwhile capital of the Assam. The discovery gave the Britsih a chance to cultivate tea in India as na alternative to expensive tea imports from Chinese mainland.

Under the then Governor General of India, Lord William Bentick a committe was formed in 1834 to cultivate and produce tea leaf from the indigeneuos tea plant recently discovered. Tea plantation in the Indian state of Assam was not much difficult as the plant was growing freely in the forests of Assam.

It was not till some time that Assam black tea was tried and tested and eventually exported to UK. But soon after this Assam tea leaf was on its way to never ending journey of being the most popular black tea in the World. Assam tea is consumed vide many recipes in India and the World. It is inseparable part of Masala chai which is gaining popularity Internationally for its taste and medicinal properties.

There are more than 800 tea gardens in Assam that provide large scale employment and contribute to Indian economy.

Tea import began into Britain in year 1660s with the union of Royals. British King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza from Portugal a confirmed tea drinker. She made tea popular in the court.

Initially the trade was controlled by two companies Chinese Hongs and East India Company. At the start tea was mainly consumed by the upper class but as time went it became popular among the masses especially Darjeeling tea in UK which is very popular in English tea rooms. Both Assam and Niligiri tea leaf are popular in UK. Green tea is becoming popular for its health benefits.

Tea is consumed a many times a day in UK and high tea is usually an evening meal. Tea is made with milk with addition of sugar cubes.

Niligiri

Nilgiri tea from Tamil Nadu in Southern India is highly aromatic and flavour filled black tea. The liquor is dark and rich in fragrance. It is grown in hilly portions of the Western Ghats mountain ranges down South. The tea estates that are famous for producing Nilgiri teas in the district of Niligiri hence the name. Other tea cultivating districts are Munnar and Central Travancore in the Indian state of Kerala.

Popular Nilgiri tea comes in various shapes and size. The price range differs as per the grade and cultivation method used. Orange Pekoe is expensive hand graded version of full leaf teas. The major production of this black tea is in CTC type. Some masala chai manufacturers also use this tea leaf in their spiced tea blends.

Niligiri tea competes with popular Darjeeling tea leaf and Assam tea leaf but due to a distinct characterstic of its own and unique taste it has a vast following among tea lovers in India and abroad.

Hot tea snacks

Not every bite goes down well with a cup of tea. What goes well an experienced tea lover knows.

Tea is seldom to be consumed alone except when in for anytime tea to fight cold or just to get that shot that cheers. Else organized tea sessions which are mostly morning and evening but for some could be at any other time of the day.

While having tea as a daily routine in organized tea sessions one should always consume light snacks along. This is for two reason to maintain a healthy diet structure and to reduce the possible increase in stomach acidity levels.

Best accompaniments for a tea party are light snacks which are not heavily spiced and sweets like cakes and pastries which are not soaked in sugar. In India the most popular accompaniments are chiwada, fried peanuts, sev, samosas and ubiquitous pakoras. Seldom is tea consumed along with a heavy meals though there are tea lovers whom I have seen having hot strong black tea with lunch and dinner.

The food switches drastically in English tea rooms where the offerings are light sandwich or cookies and cakes. The tea favored is not the usual black teas but expensive Darjeeling tea leaf. This leaf is highly aromatic and very subtle in taste with lighter color than other black teas.

Green tea types

One unique characteristic of green tea leaf is that since it undergoes less oxidation and are steamed the leaves retain their herbal freshness, mellow taste and aroma.

Green teas which have gained a lot of popularity all over the World are:

Gun powder

Sencha - Japan

Macha - Japan

Jasmine

Anji

Genmaicha

Darjeeling Green Tea - India

Though green teas have their own characteristic flavor there is a commonality which is basic of all the green tea leaves. While brewing green tea loose leaf is preferred since one has to constantly work to immerse the green tea bags to extract poly phenols rather then let it afloat.

The poly phenol amount increases in the brew if the leaves are steeped for a longer time and the brew does not reach the boiling point during the tea making.

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All about Darjeeling Tea

The British prefer Darjeeling tea in their tea parties. This comes as no surprise since it was a British gentleman who brought tea seeds from China and cultivated them in Darjeeling. This small step gave rise to one of the World's best tea leaf.

Not only in UK the popularity Darjeeling tea leaf spread all over the British empire. The sweet muscatel elegant taste and subtle floral aroma which engulfs the whole room when the tea is brewed is what makes this tea leaf so famous. The liquor is thin bodied and light in color. This tea leaf is a connoisseur's delight thanks to its special characteristics.

The most popular Darjeeling teas are the black tea leaf and slowly green and oolong tea leaf from this estate are slowly gaining ground. Darjeeling tea leaf is cultivated only in tea estates of this West Bengal district of India. The tea from this region is certified by the tea board of India. To original Darjeeling leaf a certificate and a logo is assigned by the tea board of India.

Inferior tea leaves are often sold as Darjeeling tea leaf. There are blends made by mixing Darjeeling tea leaf and teas from other regions.

Popular green teas

Green tea beverage is made from leaves of Camellia sinensis which under minimal oxidation when being processed. The origin of green tea leaf is from China and spread to India and other tea drinking countries.

Green tea leaf is becoming largely popular in the Western countries as well especially tooo countries which have started consuming black tea. Like black tea many varieties of green tea have come into picture. One of the finest quality green tea leaf comes from the Darjeeling tea estates in India.The difference arises from region, climate, soil and method of cultivation and processing. The rising popularity is also due to the health benefits it offers especially organic tea leaf which is green tea grown without using chemicals.

In China Zhejiang is home to most famous of teas. Xi Hu Longjing is pan friend and has a flat appearance. Other tea varieties Hui Ming, Long Ding, Hua Ding, Zucha and Qing Ding.

Japanese green tea leaf
Gokuru is a steamed tea from Japan. Most popular green tea brew in Japan as Genmaicha. It was brought to Japan by a Buddhist priest from China.

Green Tea from Ceylon is not so popular and does not find a worldwide market.