Indian tea has become widespread in the world since the second half of the 19th century. With the arrival of the British, wild tea bush and varieties exported from China began to be cultivated in the country.
Despite the widespread use of Chinese tea, India does not lose its position as one of the largest suppliers of this product in the world market. What is the most popular Indian tea?
The history of tea production in India
Indian tea became famous in the world in the second half of the 19th century, after the British conquered the country. Prior to this, the culture grew in the foothills of the Himalayas, where the locals used the leaves of wild-growing shrubs to prepare a tart drink. There is a legend that it was the British who first brought to India sorts of tea, secretly taken from the plantations of China.
It is not known how right the legend is, but already in 1863, the East Indian Company laid several plantations in India and 10 years later presented the first product samples on the market. Indian tea quickly gained popularity and continues to this day, thanks to companies such as Lipton.
The best teas from India
India today produces huge quantities of low-grade CTC-class tea leaves. Almost all of its reserves remain in the country. The world market is supplied with the best varieties of tea grown in the highlands.
The largest supplier is considered to be "Assam", which produces about half of all products. Indian tea, grown in the plains of the Assam province, is part of many blends. Blends, industrial teas, sometimes consist of 20 ingredients, which are crushed leaves. In the upper part of the region, pure, elite varieties of tea are grown with a thick aroma, dark infusion and tart taste.
Elite large-leaf Indian tea is represented by the only variety - "Darjeeling". Sometimes it is compared to champagne, emphasizing the delicate aroma and golden hue of the infusion. Tea grows in the province of the same name, located in the northern part of India.
At the foot of the Blue Mountains lies one of the largest Indian tea producing regions. In the province of Nilgiri, cultivated bush plantations are located at an altitude of 1500-1800 meters. Mostly red teas are grown here. Indian tea harvested in Nilgiri in the spring is preferable to consume fresh, as the processed leaves lose most of the qualities such as amazing lemon aroma, soft taste and rich color.
