Darjeeling Tea – India’s First GI and the Champagne of Teas

1. Name & Origin

Darjeeling Tea, often referred to as the "Champagne of Teas," is one of the most prestigious and sought-after teas in the world. It originates from Darjeeling, West Bengal, a region in the Himalayan foothills known for its unique climate, soil, and high-altitude plantations. The first commercial tea plantations in Darjeeling were established in the mid-19th century by the British, and the region has since gained worldwide recognition for producing exquisite, aromatic teas.

In 2004-05, Darjeeling Tea became the first Indian product to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, marking a significant step in the protection of India's traditional and heritage products. Today, only tea grown in the 87 registered gardens in the Darjeeling hills can be legally labeled as Darjeeling Tea.

Image Credit: NPR

2. Unique Features

Darjeeling Tea is distinguished by its delicate flavor, floral aroma, and muscatel taste, which are attributed to its unique geographical and climatic conditions.

Key Features:

• Distinct Muscatel Flavor – A rare, wine-like taste unique to Darjeeling’s tea gardens.

• High-Altitude Cultivation – Grown at elevations of 600-2000 meters, affecting the flavor profile.

• Climate Influence – The cool temperature, mist, and soil composition contribute to its quality.

• Four Seasonal Flushes:

  • First Flush (Spring) – Light, floral, and delicate flavor.

  • Second Flush (Summer) – Full-bodied with the signature muscatel note.

  • Monsoon Flush (Rainy Season) – Stronger, less aromatic, used in blends.

  • Autumn Flush – Rich, nutty flavor, darker in color.

• Hand-Plucked Leaves – Only the finest two leaves and a bud are used.

• Certified Authenticity – GI-labeled Darjeeling Tea comes with a Tea Board of India certification logo.

3. Making Process

The production of Darjeeling Tea involves a meticulous process, ensuring that each batch retains its distinctive character.

Step 1: Plucking

• The tea is hand-plucked by skilled workers, mainly women, who carefully pick only the two leaves and a bud to maintain quality.

Step 2: Withering

• The leaves are spread out and allowed to wither for 14-18 hours, reducing moisture content and enhancing aroma.

Step 3: Rolling

• The withered leaves are gently rolled in machines or by hand to release natural oils and bring out the flavors.

Step 4: Oxidation (Fermentation)

• The rolled leaves are oxidized (fermented) in a cool, humid environment to develop the signature flavor.

Step 5: Drying & Sorting

• The oxidized leaves are dried in specialized ovens, sorted based on leaf size and grade, and packed for sale.

Image Credit: (HealthLine)

4. Impact of GI (Geographical Indication) Status

The GI tag (2004-05) granted to Darjeeling Tea under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 has helped in protecting its identity, preventing counterfeiting, and boosting its international reputation.

Economic Impact

Authentic Darjeeling Tea commands premium prices in global markets. Employment Generation – Over 55,000 workers (mostly women) are employed in the Darjeeling tea industry. Export Growth – Darjeeling Tea is exported to countries like Japan, Germany, the UK, and the USA.

Sustainability Impact

Many Darjeeling tea estates are now organic-certified, reducing chemical use. Traditional hand-plucking methods ensure sustainable harvesting without damaging plants. The GI tag discourages adulteration, preserving natural farming methods.

5. How to Identify Authentic Darjeeling Tea

GI Tag & Logo – Look for the Tea Board of India certification seal on packaging.

Aroma & Flavor – Genuine Darjeeling Tea has a distinct floral, muscatel aroma.

Leaf Structure – Authentic Darjeeling Tea leaves are whole, wiry, and well-twisted, unlike broken, dust-grade teas.

Seasonal Variation – Different flushes have unique color and taste profiles, whereas counterfeit teas are uniform.

Price Factor – Genuine Darjeeling Tea is expensive due to limited production and high labor costs.

Image Credit: The Tea Shelf

6. Challenges

Despite its prestigious status, Darjeeling Tea faces several challenges:

• Counterfeit & Adulteration – Fake Darjeeling Tea is sold in domestic and international markets.

• Declining Tea Yields – Climate change and soil degradation have reduced production.

• Rising Production Costs – Manual labor, organic certification, and export tariffs make Darjeeling Tea costly.

• Worker Wages & Welfare – While the industry employs thousands, low wages and harsh working conditions remain concerns.

• Lack of Land Expansion – The hilly terrain limits the scope of increasing tea plantation areas.

7. Fun Facts

Darjeeling Tea is the only tea in India protected by GI status at both the national and international levels. The British planted the first tea bushes in Darjeeling in 1841 using seeds from China. Unlike Assam or Nilgiri teas, Darjeeling Tea is made from the Chinese variety (Camellia sinensis sinensis), not the Indian (assamica) variety. Tea pluckers often follow a family tradition, passing down the skill for generations. A single kilogram of First Flush Darjeeling Tea can sell for over ₹10,000 ($120) in international auctions!

REFERENCES 

1.     Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 (India).

2.     Tea Act 1953 (India).

3.     Darjeeling Tea (GI Application No. 1, 2004-05), Registered under the Geographical Indications Registry of India.

4.     Tea Board of India, ‘Darjeeling Tea: The First GI of India’ (Tea Board, 2021) https://www.teaboard.gov.in accessed 24 February 2025.

5.     World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), ‘Geographical Indications in India: Darjeeling Tea as a Case Study’ (WIPO, 2010) https://www.wipo.int accessed 24 February 2025.

6.     United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), ‘The Economic Impact of GI Tags on Indian Agricultural and Handicraft Products’ (UNCTAD Report, 2018).

7.     R Sinha and M Banerjee, ‘Protecting India’s First GI: A Legal and Economic Perspective on Darjeeling Tea’(2016) 4(2) Indian Journal of Intellectual Property Law 55.

8.     S Chakraborty, ‘Darjeeling Tea: A Global Brand Facing Climate and Economic Challenges’ (2022) 5(3) Journal of Food Economics 112.

9.     P Das, ‘First GI Tag in India: The Legacy and Global Market of Darjeeling Tea’ The Economic Times (New Delhi, 12 March 2023) https://economictimes.indiatimes.com accessed 24 February 2025.

10. T Mukherjee, ‘How the GI Tag Changed the Future of Darjeeling Tea’ The Hindu Business Line (Kolkata, 8 October 2022) https://www.thehindubusinessline.com accessed 24 February 2025.