Making a Tealicious Blend

Tired of same spoonful of leaves in your morning cuppa...here is a suggestion. Invest in different kinds of tea:

Assam Black Tea

Nilgiri Leaf from the blue mountains 

Darjeeling Premium Certified Leaf 

The Assamese leaves impart color and strength to the brew while the Nilgiri leaves in the blend make it as astringent without which the taste would be flat and boring. Lastly the Darjeeling leaves add to the magical aroma the gardens are famous for.     

Blend these leaves in equal proportion or reduce percentage of Darjeeling tea as the cost is much higher. Anyway add as per your taste and get a wonderful blend. 

It is best to buy premium varieties of CTC leaves of all varieties if you wish to achieve  fantastic taste and aroma to hit your sensory apparatus. If you are health conscious you can buy the organic leaves which are by all means expensive as compared to the non organic forms.     

The brew should be on the stove for more than three minutes if you wish  for all the flavor to peculate. Excessive boiling will lead to make the brew bitter which not all consumers prefer. 

 

Tealicious - A taste that tingles

I may have tasted many blends of tea as a regular consumer but what has increased my fixation to this wonder beverage are the Darjeeling and Premium Black Leaf Variants.

Darjeeling Leaf is grown in the notified gardens of the District of Darjeeling in the Indian State of West Bengal. Though the seeds sown were of  Chinese origin  the plant grew well and yielded leaf of amazing aroma and taste.

The premium production of this wonderful aromatic leaf depends upon the flush and also the estate it is produced in. The Tea Board of India certifies the authenticity of the produce. To bring the cost lower the leaf is also blended with premium black leaves. But this is not always the case as blending with the black leaf may yield a mix with superlative taste.  

Assam produces one of the finest black teas in India. While the leaf is cultivated in highlands in Darjeeling in this State it is cultivated at sea level. The State is a major producer and has large number of garden producing quality leaf. It is also known for its deep color and malty taste. It finds use in many exotic blends as well. But consumption is completely consumed by Indian masses. A part of exquisite premium blends are exported to UK and many other countries since ages.

Both Assam and certified Darjeeling tea are exported to exported to UK and many other countries. The finest premium blends are not for mass consumption cost prohibiting. But small quantities are added to create fine brands for mass consumption.    

Both teas are tealicious just buy, brew and enjoy.  

Tea: Tourism & Assam

The wonder brew flourishes at no plain spaces it does so at amazing wonderlands. Tea in India grows in one of the most picturesque destinations that dazzle visitors expecting just plain fields laden with plantations.   

Assam is no less as beautiful as Darjeeling is. It is the largest producer of black leaf in the country. Popular all over the world specially in India the flavor is reminiscent of  malt flavor with dusky red color. The color is imparted whence the brew is brought to a boil. The chai wallahs are known to repeatedly boil the brew in order to extract the bitter malt flavor and a dark liquor.  

Garden

Assam grows premium and ordinary leaf the latter for mass consumption.None is less flavored than the order. The latter finds use on the streets as broken leaf and dust.   

Tea Plant

A visit to Assam gardens is an enthralling experience especially whence you learn how the leaf is cultivated and processed. Finest leaf is cultivated in these plantations some of which are as old as whence the production started in India.

Dodebetta View

 

There are many tour operators organizing visits to regions like Jorhat and Dibrugarh. Apart from sightseeing one visits the top gardens most of them built in colonial style. The age of customs and traditions that still govern life at tea gardens is worth knowing.     

Assam is home to many wilderness areas like Manas and Kaziranga. The tiger reserves and sanctuaries are home to many endemic species. Kaziranga is the best place to see one horned rhinoceros while Manas is home to the Golden Langur and Hoolock Gibbon.  

Tea Production News

The Indian State of Assam produces more than half the tea leaf in India. The rest of the tea production comes from other pockets like Nilgiri in South India and Darjeeling District of West Bengal. The universal changes in weather pattern have also affected Assam which is experiencing longer dry rains and lesser rain fall. 

The intensity of rainfall is now concentrated into short period unlike before whence the rains were more evenly spread. The intense rain is detrimental to the top soil conservation in the gardens.    

These factors are influencing the production cost which is increasing to a point were competitive edge is lost. The pest are also hampering the cultivation albeit the problem can be taken care of by using pesticides.  This problem arises from extended dry periods during the cultivation. 

Read More:  Tea Production in Assam

Types of Assam tea

Tea growing regions of India, Assam has acclaimed its name as the largest production and cultivation house all over the world. This is due to presence of long seasons with favorable growing conditions. Of course, Assam leaf has been a success since a long time. The leaves are often plucked from the plants of camellia sinesis which produces quality black leaf. When a person is about to gather information about the Assam leaf and its types, most of the research will be confined to the malty flavor and bright color of the black tea which is also called popularly as the Breakfast Tea.

Very much close to the borders of Bangladesh and Burma, on the coasts of Brahmaputra river, Assam tea is grown in plenty with organic cultivation which wins trust and credibility of millions of consumers in the entire world.

Harvesting seasons for Assam Tea

•         First Flush – Among the two harvesting seasons, the first flush comes first in which late March is the best time to pluck out tea leaves.
•         Second Flush – This one is regarded as more sweetened and natural version of the Assam variety, also called as ‘tippy tea’, known for its prized and full body texture. Of course, the texture, flavor, color and aroma of the second flush harvest is quite superior than the first one and even to the Chinese bush.

Famous types of Assam tea
•         Black tea – As discussed earlier, this produce has been often termed as the Breakfast Tea and is characterized for its tart, full body texture, beautiful but natural aroma and vigorous body structure. It has long been used as Irish, English and Scottish breakfast tea.
•         Green Tea – Although smaller section of tea production is also accounted for the green tea in Assam, it is often known for its taste and distinct flavor & aroma. Here, you will be surprised with the notations and characteristics of local green tea where natural color and brightness of leaves are preserved in the production process.
•         Organic tea production – As per the safety standards of cultivation the plants are closely regulated and inspected on scheduled basis so that massive amount of produce is obtained, with rich taste and realistic aroma. You will never find here the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers and any other method to contain soil moisture because all of these are achieved naturally.

Tea cultivation season, regions and time zone for Assam

Against the common time zone preferred in Darjeeling and Sri Lanka, Assam cultivation period is often known as the Tea Garden Time, Bagantime. Of course, the Assam tea is grown in the lowlands area, Brahmaputra Valley as of opposite to the highland cultivation in Nilgiri and Darjeeling Regions. The nutrients and soil texture is harnessed at the maximum which gives boost the quality and quantity of tea production in Assam.

Indian Tea

Indian tea is unique and chai as it is called in Hindi is made and drunk in unique manner as well. Chai ot hot tea in India is made with mixture of milk and water. At many places a strong dose of spices is added especially in winters. This masala chai tea is very hot and is said to be useful during cough and cold.

Of the tea leaves most popular are fine Darjeeling leaf be it green, organic and black. Darjeeling leaf is in premium category and expensive. Most widely consumed is Assam black variety this leaf comes in various range depending upon quality, aroma and taste.

Nilgiri leaf has gained popularity in recent times. It is mostly grown in South and has a unique characteristic taste. Most of the Indian blends are composed of  various range of Darjeeling and Assam leaves. The taste, aroma and flavor depends upon the choice of leaves used.      

Though large population of Indian drink plain tea with milk and water sugar of course many add a dash of lemon, ginger, mint and dalchini  or cinnamon. Though green tea is widely becoming popular in India, it is black that is consumed the most. Most popular among  tea brands is Wagh Bakri  which is my favorite. The company is a family of master blenders and tasters. The art has ascended down from generations. 

Buy tea gifts online

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 this brew though is on its beneficial health effects. These have been 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 blends as item of adoration or or remembrance?

Hence a gift basket of choice Darjeeling teas or finest Assam tea is an expression of warmth and friendship. Though costly the premium 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 varieties most of which are consumed at home and exported to many countries.

Though tea is a product of same 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 British a chance to cultivate tea in India as an alternative to expensive tea imports from Chinese mainland.

Under the then Governor General of India, Lord William Bentick a committee was formed in 1834 to cultivate and produce leaf from the indigenous 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 leaf was on its way to never ending journey of being the most popular black leaf in the World. Assam variety is consumed using 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 in UK

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 the brew 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 leaf 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. The brew is made with milk with addition of sugar cubes.

Enjoying Green Tea

Best way green tea can be had is plain dark with little sugar and a dash of lime. The secret of enjoying green tea is to buy the right kind of leaf. I like Darjeeling green leaf the best though Darjeeling black leaf is no less aromatic and flavorful.

Darjeeling leaves carry a unique aroma and flavor though the aroma is strong and fills the whole room the flavor is subtle and tends to be on the sweeter side unlike that of the black teas from Assam which are a bit bitter in taste.

Another way to enjoy green tea is with milk and sugar and add some spices like ginger and cardamom. For more exotic taste add cinnamon powder. I find lemon grass tea yuck! But it has immense health benefits especially when you are down with cold and a bad throat.

Some people add garam masala or a mixture of spices to green tea in India but I believe this concoction suits the black variety more than it suits the green tea beverage. Never the less spice tea is common in India and who like to add what is his or her business after it is your cup of tea or Chai as they call it in India.

Masala Chai Tea

Masal chai

Masala tea or spice tea is a wonderful mix with green tea or the finest organic black teas. Masala or ground spices are added beforehand while blending as Waghbakri Tea House does. Or you can add spices unto the tea recipe when making tea.

Darjeeing green tea needs less spicing as the flavor is over powering but adding spices to the tea leaf while blending benefit the health of the tea lover. Masala chai is very popular in India and is becoming well known all over the world.

Spices like cardamom seeds, ginger, ginseng and cinnamon add strength to the flavor and aroma of the teas and generate a wonderful taste. Floral spices as rose, chamomile and mint and peppermint also enhance the taste with their own added health benefits.


Tea is a hot beverage hence tea consumptions rises in the winters. Tea lovers fight of cold with a hot cup of tea..or is it an excuse to drink more tea...for me it is both..he!he!

Assam tea is more of the popular black tea with fine taste that the tea estate are so well known about. Buy online and relish the wonderful beverage hot or iced. Contact this tea lover for more details on tea.

You can buy tea online from anywhere now thanks to Internet and eshopping. I have bought masala chai tea bags and loose leaf cartons regularly and choose to buy online as often as possible from among many varieties of teas available.

Green Tea

The finest green tea come from Assam State and Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The healthy organic green tea grown without using chemicals is best preferred for health. It contains beneficial anti oxidants that curb and cure many disease.

Organic and green tea are available in tea bags and loose leaf cartons. You canbuy online the finest teas for your consumption of the taste ful brew. No wonder it is referred to as the cup that cheers. The Assam tea is very popular both the green and black teas and their organice form.

The certified Darjeelin tea is king of teas with sweet fruity flavour with a touch of herbal green. It is more popular among premium tea lovers and in English tea rooms. They are priced higher then black and green teas from other states of India.

They can be consumed with spices these recipe are called masala chai and much preferred by tea lovers all over the world. These spice teas help one for health benefit as well as impart strong pleasant flavors. Masala tea or spice tea are available online as well and you can buy in tea bag or cartons as you please.